L&R July 2017 Magazine

Feminist views on BDSM vary widely from rejection to acceptance. BDSM refers to
bondage and dominance, and Sado-Masochism. In order to evaluate its perception, two
polarising frameworks are compared. Some feminists, such as Andrea Dworkin and
Susan Griffin, have stated that they regard BDSM as a form of woman-hating violence,
while other feminists, such as Gayle Rubin and Patrick Califia, perceive BDSM as a valid
form of expression of female sexuality. Some lesbian feminists practice BDSM and
regard it as part of their sexual identity.
The historical relationship between feminists and BDSM practitioners has been
controversial. The two most extreme positions reflect those who believe that feminism
and BDSM are mutually exclusive beliefs, and those who believe that BDSM practices
are a fundamental expression of sexual freedom. Much of the controversy is left over
from the feminist sex wars (acrimonious debates over sex issues) and the battle between
the anti-pornography feminists and the pro-pornography feminists.
History
1970s
In the 1970s, many different divisions of the feminist movement emerged. As Andrew
McBride writes, "During the 1970s, much of the discourse in the feminist movement was
dominated by discussions of lesbian feminism. Toward the end of the decade, however,
the conversations within feminism began to focus on a new topic: sexuality. This included
sexuality of all types, not just lesbian sexuality. Included in the discussions and debates
were heterosexuality, pornography, sadomasochism, butch/femme roles, and sex work."
The Lavender Menace and their concept of the woman identified woman and the Women
Against Violence in Pornography and Media both came out strongly believing that
engaging in BDSM play was contradictory to being a feminist. Samois, a San Franciscobased
lesbian BDSM group, maintained that feminists could engage in BDSM without
being hypocritical.
1980s
During the 80s, this sex war continued and reached the attention of several academics
who attempted to dissect why such a division had occurred. Ardill and O'Sullivan
explained the history using the conflict in the London Lesbian and Gay Center as an
example.Similar conflicts were continuations of the issues in the 1970s. The Lesbian Sex
Mafia founded by Dorothy Allison appeared in New York advocating sex positive
feminism and promoting the idea that all women had the right to explore their sexuality in
whatever ways they saw fit.