On Kink and Communication: 3 Tips From a Dominatrix
Late to the party, I recently completed the “50 Shades of Gray” Trilogy. And let’s just say I wasn’t scandalized. Then again, erotica is nothing new to me. In high school I read every Zane book there was and over the last year I’ve listened to all of Dan Savage’s sex advice podcasts. So no, not many things shock me when it comes to what goes on in bedrooms around the world. Trying to make sense of all the excitement about the “50 Shades” books in light of my own reaction to them led me to the question in this month’s Bedsider vlog: How “normal” is BDSM?
One of my interviewees for the vlog, Lady Zombie, is a professional Dominatrix. She had lots to share about BDSM, of course, but I couldn’t help thinking that a lot of her advice is relevant to anyone looking to have a fulfilling, active sex life.
So whether your dream is to bring your favorite erotica novel into reality or just add some sprinkles to your “vanilla” ice cream, here’s 3 universal gems from Lady Zombie:
1. Demand what you want! (Or ask nicely.)
“I think being a dominant…being a Dominatrix really stems from knowing what I want and accepting and appreciating that there are people out there that will give you exactly what you want. If you just know how to tell them.”
Whether that means asking to bring a toy to bed, taking a bubble bath together, or wanting your significant other to dress up like your celebrity crush, you won’t get what you want unless you ask. BONUS: Talking about what turns you on is good practice for talking about how to stay safe STI- and pregnancy-wise—and vice versa!
2. Find someone you’re compatible with sexually.
“My significant other is completely comfortable with everything that I do, what I engage in professionally and socially. And he understands it… It’s something he goes along with, and he does it very well, but he knows it’s for me.
One of the benefits of being able to “demand” what you want in the bedroom is that sooner or later you’ll end up with someone who truly enjoys doing what it takes to please you—maybe even someone who takes pleasure in the same things!
3. Don’t be afraid to experiment (you may be “kinkier” than you think).
“To the average woman who has played with S&M without really understanding that they are involving themselves in kinky activities that are not vanilla to a lot of people… people play and they experiment, and, you know what, it is BDSM—it’s just what we call lite.”
Believe it or not, being “kinky” doesn’t necessarily mean something traumatic happened to you as a child and it doesn’t mean that you have to be down for anything and everything. The important thing is to keep an open mind, because you never know what you might be into and enjoy. (Don’t tell me you’re not a little bit curious about the pleasure balls Christian used on Anastasia…)
Check out Lady Zombie’s lessons in her own words and let me know in the comments what you think of her advice.
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Veralyn Williams is a Multimedia Freelance Journalist currently working in New York City. She has spent 4 years at WNYC Radio working with various departments including: Radio Rookies, Culture, News, and Freakonomincs. Also freelancing for Black Enterprise, BronxNet Television,Bedsider, and The Museum for African Art. Her independent work is featured on her website VeralynMedia.com. Through all of her endeavors she aims to give a voice to perspectives that are often forgotten in the media.
Whipped into a frenzy: A beginner’s guide to BDSM
It’s Frisky Friday! Since we’ve already covered how to play around with spanking and the don’t-try-to-fight-it allure of Fifty Shades of Gray, it’s time for a little primer on BDSM. Curious? So are we.
Sex on TV: 10 Reasons I Can’t Put Down 50 Shades of Grey (the Worst Book Series of All Time)
It may not be officially on television quite yet, but I think it’s safe to say that 50 Shades of Grey is enough of a pop culture phenomenon to warrant some discussion here. Plus, the folks at Saturday Night Live are onto it, so that’s gotta’ count for something, right?
For those who recently purchased property underneath a boulder in a remote field or quarry, 50 Shades of Grey is a fictional novel, selling out in bookstores across the country. Apparently it was nearly impossible to even order a copy online for a while, illustrating exactly how hot this commodity was. And trust me, it’s hot. As illustrated in SNL’s satirical commercial, the demographic of Grey’s consumer is married women over 30. Having heard whispers about the book, my decision to scour the city for a copy mostly came after my own mother suggested I read it. Never one to let my mom be ahead of the curve when it comes to what’s trendy, it is physically impossible to fathom my mortification as I began reading and envisioned my mother reading as well.
In what started out as Twilight fan fiction, Grey describes the relationship between Anastasia Steele, a virginal recent college grad, and Christian Grey, the uber powerful, strikingly gorgeous, and insanely wealthy CEO of Grey Enterprises. He’s looking for a submissive sexual partner to tie up and flog, while she’s so naïve, she has to google anal beads. Naturally, they wind up copulating like bunnies, dabble in some BDSM, and realize there may be more to their relationship than a Master spanking his Sub. Look at me working the lingo.
So, upon completion of the first book, I hereby present to you The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, when it comes to 50 Shades of Grey. In full disclosure, I found a surprising amount of ‘Good’ for a book that erred light on story line and heavy on thrusting.
The Good:
1. Not that I’m big into supermarket romance novels with the “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” man on the cover, but I’m familiar enough with the formula to appreciate Grey’s lack of cheesy romance jargon. There was not a single throbbing member or heaving bosom mentioned. +1 point. (Not so fast, though—see The Bad for further commentary…)
2. Anastasia’s rationale for being a virgin: it just hasn’t happened yet. Love the idea of waiting for the right person and not feeling pressured. How quickly the cookie crumbles when a Greek Adonis enters the picture—but I’ll give Anastasia a +.5 point for the first couple years of self-control.
3. THE ARRAY OF BIRTH CONTROL! As one of the highest-powered businessmen in the entire country, Christian Grey knows he’s not ready for a baby. That’s why he requires ALL of his submissives to make sure they’re on a method of birth control that’s right for them. Even if it means calling in his private gynecologist on a Sunday. We’re talking discussion of pills, types of pills, accuracy in taking pills, the whole shebang. And, SPOILER ALERT, book two sees some Depo Provera action. That’s right, the shot, mentioned by name. +1000 points. And until her method of choice becomes active…
4. CONDOM USE! Honestly, aside from “earth shattering orgasm”, there is no string of words used more often in the entire book than “foil packet.” Christian admits he’s not a fan of condoms, yet he refuses to have sex with Anastasia without one. Another +1000 points to Team Steele-Grey.
The Bad:
5. So, there may not be any throbbing members, but Grey doesn’t escape completely unscathed in the category of semantics. First, Christian expresses his intentions toward Anastasia by announcing he’s going to “take her now.” Really? If author E.L. James wanted to get all old-timey on us, I would have at least gone for a double entendre, like “plundering her booty.” I get that the human nether region is awkward to talk about without sounding clinical or crude, but there’s no excuse for calling one’s vagina a “sex.” I also realize that Webster’s Dictionary names genitalia as the fourth definition of the word, but seriously? -10 points. I would have preferred “va-ja-jay.” (Ps—His package? Usually referred to as his “arousal,”which is, ironically, also the name of Paris Hilton’s new fragrance. Just kidding. I think.)
6. The entire story takes place in like 2 weeks. I realize that the real-time time frame worked well for 24, but I can assure you that Anastasia Steele is no Jack Bauer. Arguably, her ability to have mind-blowing orgasms every time she has sex—often 5 or 6 times a day—is a pretty bad ass skill, but I wouldn’t defer to her on issues of homeland security. There’s no way that much could happen in 2 weeks. When does she sleep? Pop her zits for 20 minutes in the bathroom? WHEN DOES SHE CATCH UP ON GIRLS? -50 points.
7. Uh, how about that lack of plot? -100 points.
The Ugly:
8. Well there’s definitely no ugly when it comes to the two main characters. Or, any character, now that I think about it. Every character description is of a fabulously attractive and fit individual. Christian, Anastasia, her best friend Kate, the guys who lust after them, even Christian’s security detail. Maybe I need to keep reading further into book three to be introduced to Anastasia’s childhood best friend Lauren, who may sport a bit of a muffin top and have mild acne flare ups once a month, but also gets to experience some wild, multiple-orgasm trysts. Isn’t the point of fan fiction to be able to identify with a character???? -infinity points. Seriously, though.
9. About those orgasms. Anastasia comes. Every.Single.Time. Even her first time. Sometimes multiple times. No matter what. And they seem like pretty damn intense orgasms. But my favorite part? She usually achieves orgasm whenever Christian simply says her name. Oh, okay.-100 points for lack of realism, plus another -100 points for my jealousy.
10. And lastly, THERE’S NO PLOT. -100 points.
Strangely enough, if you tally up all the points, you actually get pi. It must be part of the magic 50 Shades of Grey weaves on its reader. Regardless of the good, the bad or the ugly, I’m clearly addicted. I just wish that was the only embarrassing thing I have in common with every middle-aged woman in America.
“Something for the kiddies, something for mom” image by Todd Mecklem.
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Lauren Mann works in The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy’s Entertainment Media department. She’s been blogging about sex, love and relationships among twenty-somethings since she first joined the Campaign as an intern in 2009. Check out her personal blog at whatjewtalkingbout.tumblr.com.
