Face sitting—sometimes called queening or kinging—is a consensual BDSM activity that centers on power exchange, intimacy, and embodied presence. At its core, it is not about explicit acts, but about control, vulnerability, and negotiated authority. When practiced thoughtfully, face sitting can be a deeply connective experience rooted in trust and communication.
Shibari, the Japanese art of rope bondage, is often described as a practice rooted in intention, communication, and trust. For some autistic and neurodivergent individuals, these same qualities can make Shibari not only accessible, but deeply meaningful. While autism and Shibari are not inherently connected, their overlap highlights the importance of consent, clarity, and self-directed experience in intimacy.
Autism and BDSM may seem unrelated at first glance, but for many autistic people, kink—and BDSM in particular—can offer a deeply affirming way to connect, communicate, and experience intimacy. Like all identities and interests, autism exists on a wide spectrum, and there is no single way autistic people experience relationships or sexuality. What does consistently matter is consent, clarity, and respect.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects how people process sensory input, communicate, and navigate social interaction. Autistic adults may experience:
FetLife is a social networking platform designed specifically for people interested in BDSM, kink, fetish, and alternative sexuality communities. It’s often described as “Facebook for kink”—but that comparison only goes so far.
Here’s a clear, honest breakdown.
FetLife is a community-driven social site, founded in 2008, where users can:
The caning trestle is a purpose-built frame for administering judicial or disciplinary corporal punishment with a cane. Unlike the domestic spanking bench, which prioritizes erotic comfort, the trestle emphasizes immobility, exposure, and controlled severity. Historically rooted in British public schools, colonial justice, and naval discipline, it has evolved into a symbol of formal punishment—both in institutional memory and modern BDSM role-play.
The spanking bench is a specialized piece of furniture designed primarily for restraint and positioning during impact play, particularly spanking, within BDSM (bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadism, masochism) practices. It elevates and secures the submissive partner in a bent-over posture, allowing the dominant partner unrestricted access to the buttocks, thighs, and sometimes genitals. This article explores its construction, historical roots, practical applications, and cultural significance.
In the realm of BDSM, chastity is a powerful practice that intertwines physical control, psychological intensity, and emotional intimacy. While often associated with sexual denial, chastity is far more than mere abstinence—it is a dynamic tool that can deepen power exchange, heighten erotic tension, and cultivate trust between partners. This article explores what chastity is, how it functions in BDSM relationships, the psychological and physical aspects, and safe ways to practice it.
Cock and Ball Torture, commonly abbreviated as CBT, is a niche but increasingly recognized practice within the BDSM community. It involves applying controlled stimulation, impact, or restriction to the penis and testicles for erotic, psychological, or power-exchange purposes. While it may seem extreme to outsiders, when practiced safely and consensually, CBT can be a fulfilling and intensely intimate aspect of sexual exploration.
FetLife is often described as “Facebook for kink,” but that hardly captures the depth and texture of the platform. Launched in 2008, FetLife has become one of the most influential online gathering spaces for people interested in BDSM, fetish play, power exchange, ethical non-monogamy, and alternative sexuality. For many kinksters, it’s the first digital doorway into a world where their desires aren’t just tolerated—they’re understood.
In the world of ethical non-monogamy, relationship structures can be as unique and varied as the people within them. For practitioners of kink and Shibari—communities where communication, intention, and negotiated connection are essential—understanding these structures helps create stronger, safer, and more transparent dynamics. One of the most important concepts within polyamory is the polycule.
A polycule is the network of romantic and intimate relationships that connect a group of people in consensual non-monogamy. Like a molecule composed of interconnected atoms, a polycule maps the bonds between partners, metamours, and extended connections, offering a clear view of how everyone relates within the larger relationship ecosystem.
A polycule encompasses:
Importantly, not all individuals within a polycule are romantically or sexually involved with each other. What connects them is consent, transparency, and the shared understanding of being part of the same relational constellation.
Within kink communities—where scenes, play dynamics, and emotional intensity can run deep—polycules serve several key purposes:
Polycule awareness helps partners understand who is connected to whom, reducing confusion around relationship roles, boundaries, and expectations.
Knowing your polycule helps interpret relationship dynamics:
Who supports whom?
Who may be impacted by a scheduling change?
Who needs to be included in discussions that affect the network?
This contextual awareness strengthens emotional intelligence within poly relationships.
Understanding your relational network is crucial for:
Clear knowledge of a polycule supports responsible, consent-driven intimacy—core values shared with BDSM practice.
Metamours often develop unique, supportive relationships, ranging from casual social comfort to deep friendship. These connections can enrich a person’s kink and poly experience, creating broader stability and belonging.
Polycule diagrams vary widely, but several common configurations appear frequently:
One person with two partners who are not involved with each other.
Three people in a mutual romantic or intimate relationship.
Four people connected in various mutual or parallel structures.
Closed networks where everyone is involved with one another.
Larger, more complex networks that include multiple partners and metamours across different branches.
Understanding structure helps partners communicate more effectively and navigate emotional landscapes without assumptions.
Metamours—your partner’s partner—play an important role in polycules. Relationships with metamours can be:
No one format is inherently better. What matters is that all relationships are consensual, transparent, and respectful, mirroring the fundamental ethics of BDSM.
Polycule dynamics can be complex, especially when:
To navigate these challenges, ethical non-monogamy emphasizes:
These practices mirror the negotiated, consent-based foundations that guide ethical kink and power exchange.
A polycule isn’t just a diagram—it’s a framework for understanding connection, intimacy, and community. For many in the Shibari and BDSM worlds, where vulnerability and trust are central, having a clear picture of relational networks allows practitioners to engage more responsibly and authentically.
Recognizing your polycule means recognizing the web of care, desire, communication, and consent that holds your relationships together. It reinforces that intimacy is not a fixed hierarchy but a living structure—one shaped by choice, honesty, and intention