Does Bondage art Promote Rape?

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HeartGear's avatar
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HeartGear
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And if so, what to do about it?

I started really chewing on this while reading some responses to Blurred Lines  which referenced an article that linked "viewing images of objectified women to greater acceptance of sexual harassment and rape."

And it worries me a little.

Because AS a BDSM individual I happen to participate in, consume, and create a lot of art and activities that FROM THE OUTSIDE looks like women being objectified.  Any member of the BDSM community worth his or her salt would tell you otherwise, that consent is at the very heart of a healthy Dom Sub relationship.   Just read some of Shiniez' "Sunstone" if you had any doubts.

But the truth is there are a LOT of unhealthy relationships, Kinky or Vanilla, that have NO interest in mutual respect or consent.   And to them, a TON of my work might be inadvertently promoting a message of "greater acceptance of sexual harassment and rape".

Which, like I said, worries me.

I KNOW artists can't stop just because some people might take their work the wrong way.   Someone always will.  But as someone who is actively working to promote gender rights and, necessarily and equally important, women's rights, I think the situation deserves more consideration.

Because, intentionally or unintentionally, the louder message might be misogyny.

Thoughts?
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willcraft's avatar
willcraft
No, but it might promote unsafe practices. People could (on a purely consensual basis, or even on their own) try some of the things you depict, and asphyxiate or otherwise cause injury. You might want to include warnings, not only about morality (though of course this is important and the fact that you are doing this is commendable) but about practical risk and medically germane data. Just a thought.