Shania Wilson

As Pride month approaches, users take to social media to debate: does kink have a place at Pride?

Whilst some argue that Pride isn’t a place to police sexuality and fetish, others snapback, dubbing some pride events as over-sexualized.

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What is the debate about kink on social media?

In celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, June marks Pride month – which sees a variety of events representing every branch of the community.

Though, with this, comes an annual discourse on social media, debating whether kink has a place at Pride.

For many, it’s noted that Pride can often feel overly commercialised with glitter, rainbow flags, and entertainment. So, it’s important to remember what it’s all for: a safe space for true self-expression. Following this, many wonder why kink wouldn’t have a place at Pride.

A name that frequently crops up in the debate is Brenda Howard – better known as ‘The Mother of Pride’ – who was also a leather fetishist. Howard played a huge role in organising the first pride parade, further aiding the argument between kink and pride.

On the other end of the spectrum, some believe that including kink is asking for over-sexualization at events that are often family-friendly. Though, many are quick to dismiss this stigma, arguing that there is more sexualization in mainstream media than at a pride event.

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Twitter users share their opinions

Many in the LGBTQ+ community have taken to Twitter to share their opinions on the matter.

One user tweeted: “The Kink and BDSM communities have as much of a right to be at Pride as any other member of the LGBTQ+. We have always been about challenging the cishet dominance of what gets to be considered normal and okay expression.”

Equally, another user wrote: “I don’t care about your comfort. If you don’t like it don’t go. I recommend Disneyland. You aren’t going to be able to stop people from doing kink at pride, regardless.”

On the flip side, @VaushV had a contradicting opinion, writing: “Kink at Pride makes people uncomfortable and makes the event less accessible, when accessibility should be a priority. Keep less family-friendly stuff to the many, many afterparties and adjacent, private venues every Pride has. The fact that this is controversial is insane to me.”

This tweet was quickly met with a counter-argument: “Straights didn’t want us at their table. We made our own table. Now we’re being told to behave at the table we made so that the people who shunned us from their table can enjoy our table.”

Another Twitter user also weighed in, “”NO KINK AT PRIDE” when i was a kid S&M by Rihanna was just playing on tv. 50 shades movie came out when i was in middleschool. No one cares about kink unless it’s gay.”

Pride events to attend 2021

UK

USA

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