“I wish people knew that there are other flavors”: Reflections on the representation of poly-kink in mainstream media by polyamorous kinksters in the Netherlands
van der Beek,Suzanne Thomas,Laura
van der Beek,Suzanne
Thomas,Laura
Abstract
Although studies have remarked upon the increase in representation of kinksters and BDSM practices in mainstream media narratives, community voices indicate that these narratives do not provide an authentic portrayal of their community. This misrepresentation of kinksters results in stigmatization and forces the community to manage its minority stress. This article reflects upon the results from a series of interviews with Dutch poly-kink-identified participants about mainstream representations of their community. The participants agree on several main objections to this representation: mainstream media narratives ignore community norms, while they actively sensationalize and pathologize kink, and insist on stereotypical gender relations. Together, this representation undermines the transgressive potential of poly-kink relations and increases the stigmatization of this community.
Description
Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2023.
Date
2024-11
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Research Projects
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Journal Issue
Keywords
Polyamory, BDSM, KINK, Stigmatization, Media Representation, Identity
Citation
van der Beek, S & Thomas, L 2024, '“I wish people knew that there are other flavors” : Reflections on the representation of poly-kink in mainstream media by polyamorous kinksters in the Netherlands', Sexualities, vol. 27, no. 8, pp. 1529-1548. https://doi.org/10.1177/13634607231152601, https://doi.org/10.1177/13634607231152601