For the second year in a row, one of my articles has been featured in Cleis Press’ “Best Sex Writing” anthology! This Wednesday at Modern Times Bookstore, you can hear me and four other amazing contributors read from our essays in the book. The reading is free, though you’ll probably find yourself wanting to buy a book or two from Modern Times’ fantastic selection of progressive and small press books (I recommend you give in to your urges and support this great indie bookstore).
Show is this Wed., June 7, and starts at 7:30, and will include readings from me, Felice Newman, Paul Festa, Mark Pritchard, and Stephen Elliott.
See you there!
Hey Annalee: I read your article, and it says that women’s pain threshold goes up during orgasm. Is it possible this is one of the physiological mechanisms behind BDSM? Since pain is an extreme sensation, if the pain threshold is higher, a stimulus that is normally painful might become pleasurable during sex. At least it would explain love bites, etc.
The same thought occurred to me. It’s possible this is a factor, though it seems to me that people’s interest in BDSM is incredibly complicated and has to do with many different psychological factors (not to mention that not all BDSM is centered on pain specifically, nor does it always involve orgasms). So, in answer to your question, I’d have to say: maybe, but it depends.