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“If Someone Finds out You're a Perv”: the Experience and Management of Stigma in the BDSM Subculture

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“If Someone Finds out You're a Perv”: the Experience and Management of Stigma in the BDSM Subculture “If Someone Finds Out You’re a Perv”: The Experience and Management of Stigma in the BDSM Subculture A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences of Ohio University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts Toni O. L. Brown August 2010 © 2010 Toni O. L. Brown. All Rights Reserved. 2 This thesis titled “If Someone Finds Out You’re a Perv”: The Experience and Management of Stigma in the BDSM Subculture by TONI O. L. BROWN has been approved for the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and the College of Arts and Sciences by Ernest L. Anderson Professor of Sociology Benjamin M. Ogles Dean, College of Arts and Sciences 3 ABSTRACT BROWN, TONI O. L., M.A., August 2010, Sociology “If Someone Finds Out You’re a Perv”: The Experience and Management of Stigma in the BDSM Subculture (124 pp.) Director of Thesis: Ernest L. Anderson, Professor of Sociology Apart from a few studies, relatively little sociological attention has been accorded the BDSM subculture. Past literature on this subculture has been limited in focus and previous studies have implemented less than well rounded sampling. Drawing on data collected through an ethnographic approach across eleven states, this study examines the lived experiences of BDSM participants. Specifically, attention is focused on how BDSM participants experience stigma in four distinct manners, including negative public portrayal, value diminishment, mockery and shunning and discrimination or prejudice. Attention then turns to the stigma management strategies BDSM participants employ, including concealment, disclosure or collective action, reappropriation of negative labeling and disengagement from mainstream society. Consistent with previous research surrounding stigma management, this study reveals that BDSM participants, like other deviant groups, take an active role in defining their identity and controlling their social interactions. Approved: _____________________________________________________________ Ernest L. Anderson Professor of Sociology 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to thank my thesis committee, Dr. Christine Mattley and Dr. Ursula Castellano for their direction and guidance, and especially Dr. Leon Anderson for his ongoing support and encouragement through the ups and downs of this research endeavor. I would also like to express my appreciation to Angel Webb for the tedious hours of transcription. In addition, I would like to thank all the members of the BDSM community who took the risk of allowing me to research their subculture, their community, their environment, and allowing me into their homes and personal spaces. To Damion for being wholly authentic, no matter what. To Ronald H. Brown Sr. (1944-2007) and to Dixie Ann who taught me to keep my head in the clouds, and my feet on the ground. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract ............................................................................................................................... 3 Acknowledgments............................................................................................................... 4 List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... 3 Chapter One: Introduction .................................................................................................. 4 Prologue .......................................................................................................................... 4 An Overview of the Current BDSM Subculture ............................................................. 6 The Current Study ........................................................................................................... 9 Social Roles in the BDSM Community ........................................................................ 10 Chapter Two: Literature Review ...................................................................................... 13 Section 1: The Historical Review of BDSM Literature ............................................... 13 Libertines. ................................................................................................................. 14 Psychopathologizing. ................................................................................................ 17 Section 2: The Review of Social Science Literature on BDSM ................................... 21 Overviews. ................................................................................................................ 22 Psychological Investigations. .................................................................................... 24 BDSM Clientele. ....................................................................................................... 26 Privacy/Legal Discrimination. .................................................................................. 28 Section 3: An Overview of the Literature on Stigma and Stigma Management .......... 30 Chapter Three: Methods ................................................................................................... 39 Researcher Role ............................................................................................................ 39 Participant Observation Settings ................................................................................... 45 A Word about Confidentiality ...................................................................................... 47 Interviews ...................................................................................................................... 48 Supplemental Data ........................................................................................................ 51 Data Analysis ................................................................................................................ 55 Research Participants’ Descriptive Characteristics ...................................................... 56 Chapter Four: The BDSM Practitioner’s Experience of Stigma ...................................... 57 Negative Public Portrayal ............................................................................................. 57 Value Diminishment ..................................................................................................... 60 2 Mockery and Shunning ................................................................................................. 64 Discrimination and Prejudice ........................................................................................ 72 Legal Discrimination ................................................................................................ 73 Denial of services ...................................................................................................... 75 Stereotyping .............................................................................................................. 77 Scapegoating ............................................................................................................. 79 Chapter Five: Stigma Management Strategies of BDSM Participants ............................. 82 Concealment ................................................................................................................. 82 Disclosure and Collective Action ................................................................................. 86 Reappropriation of Negative Labels ............................................................................. 89 Disengagement .............................................................................................................. 91 Chapter Six: Conclusion .................................................................................................. 96 References ....................................................................................................................... 101 Appendix A: Glossary of BDSM Terms Used in this Study .......................................... 117 Appendix B: Partial Interview Schedule......................................................................... 119 3 LIST OF TABLES Page Table 3.1Research Data Summary ..................................................................................54 4 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION Prologue I settled down into my seat; a fold-out metal chair in line with several others, situated into rows, filling the majority of the hotel conference room, all of them with backs facing the door. It reminded me of being at an academic conference more than a kinky sex convention. The man seated next to me reminded me of a drill sergeant. His graying hair was buzzed short. His sleeveless muscle shirt revealed numerous tattoos. A set of tags hung on a metal bead necklace around his neck. I introduced myself as we waited for the rest of the room to fill. “Hi.” He shook my hand with a firm grip. “I’m Master Buck.” He paused to look for a symbol of ownership on me; a ring, a collar, a lock, anything. “Or just Buck.” I fumbled through my papers, a combination of today’s agenda in the Sin-sational event schedule book, business cards from the vendors in the hallway, and field-notes for my research. “I want to make sure I’m in the right class. This is the branding session?” Buck shrugged. “I don’t know. I just stay in the same room all day. I pick a room instead of a topic or instructor to follow. I don’t like to move around the hotel much. I’m always afraid I’ll run into someone I know.” “Are you from the local area?” I asked. Most people didn’t seem to
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