L&R July 2017 Magazine

Letter from the editor
Editors
Flame Jie
Sir Arithon
Columnists
A. Sands
Chef Lew
Freelance Writers
S.Mistwood
Jon Mertz
Lady Payne
Blissful Telling
Thoughts on
feminism!
Andrea Dworkin and
Susan Griffin, regard
BDSM as a form of
woman-hating violence,
while other feminists,
such as Gayle Rubin and
Patrick Califia, see BDSM
as a valid form of
expression of female
sexuality.
One common critique of women that engage in consensual
BDSM play is that they are acting out patriarchal fantasies,
rather than engaging in acts that legitimately bring them
pleasure. Another is that women engage in such play because they are coerced, or
because they are "taught" that such things are sexy because they or their partners
saw it in porn. How would you respond to that?
Human sexuality is a paradox on its own, when you sprinkle in BDSM and feminism
it causes the feminist view to be at odds with itself... BDSM is not one thing. It
encompasses many different acts, fetishes, and mentalities. I think trying to
mainstream it.... is confusing at best..... Misinformation at worst....and can lead to
thoughts that Submission is a disempowerment.
Mental and sexual health and wellness should be part of the foundation of any intersectional
feminist movement, if it is not....... then i personally believe that they are
crumbling the very foundation the feminist movement is built on.....We champion
choice, fairness and equality....if we try to quash or label BDSM negatively we move
very fast away from the core value that the definition portrays. I want the right to
choose how i manifest my sexuality, choose how i want to revel in my femininity.
Trying to box my ability to consent and being manipulated by an opinion makes this
fiesta submissive rile up a little. Knowledge is power and seeking your own truth in
the confines of safe, sane and consensual is an absolute must.