I'm Dr. Dick, or if you prefer, the Dick Doctor. I appear in AmphetaZINE regularly to talk about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) including HIV/AIDS and how they affect our health and lives. Think of me as a Dear Abby or Ann Landers, only my butt isn't as puckered. If you want to know how STDs will affect you if you are HIV positive–ask. If you want to know how STDs make it easier to get HIV–ask. If you are having sex and the condom breaks and you want to know whose job it is to look for the pieces–ask. This is your chance to ask anything you want about HIV, STDs, or sexual etiquette.
Chains and Whips Excite Me: Part 3
Here's a bit more info about common types of BDSM play:
TYPES OF PLAY
There are many different types of play. Here is a short list of commonly talked about types:
1) Impact: The use of hands, fists, or objects like paddles to create intense sensation. Flogging, caning, and using whips are all examples. *Impact play may draw blood. Plan ahead for safer play.
2) Bondage: The use of restraint, tying, or binding, for the pleasure of those involved.
3) Sensation play: The use of objects like feathers or scratchy items to create surface-level body sensations.
4) Pressure play: The use of clamps and other objects to focus on pressure points of the body.
5) DS (Dominance/Submission): DS can take several different forms:
a) Purely sexual: "I'm going to (do XYZ) to you now."
b) Service-related: "Wash my car."
c)
24/7 slave/master: Living in a D/S service orientated lifestyle
full-time.
6) Blood Play: The use of objects to draw blood, such as needles, sutures, scalpels, hooks, and suspension.
**Drawing blood can expose you or a partner to HIV, hep C, and other diseases. During negotiation, talk about your HIV and STI status, including your plan for safer play. Use brand new sterile needles and objects for blood play to reduce your risk of HIV and hep C transmission. Use gloves to reduce your risk of getting or spreading disease, and properly sterilize any equipment used.**
***Blood draw can also happen accidentally, with any play. What is your plan if it happens?***
TYPES OF ROLE-PLAY
Possibilities for role-play are endless. Maybe you want to live out your boss/secretary fantasy, or pretend to be a puppy. Maybe you want to rock a full body animal costume. If chivalry is really your thing, you can even dress up as a knight in shining armor. With role-play, you are only limited by your own imagination.
SAFETY
Safety supplies are necessary! Keep condoms, lube, first aid supplies (alcohol wipes, bandaids), water, snacks, and other things you'll need for aftercare.
Safety scissors are also important to have in case you need to remove tangled fabric, rope, costumes, etc.
KEEP IT FRESH AND CLEAN:
Always clean your supplies after use! Whether
it's a sex toy, whip, costume, or sheets, anything that gets body fluids on it
can spread disease. Clean everything used for play.
And as always, take care of yourself and each other.
Best wishes,
Dr. Dick
*A special thank you to Allena Gabosch, Director of the Center for Sex Positive Culture, for your contributions to this article. For more info about the Center for Sex Positive Culture, visit http://thecspc.org/
A COUPLE OF SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING
Different Loving, by Brame, et.al.
Sensuous Magic, by Pat Califia
The Ties That Bind, by Guy Baldwin
Learning the Ropes, by Race Bannon
Some Women edited by Laura Antoniou
Leathersex, by Joseph Bean
SM on the Safe Edge, by Trevor Jacques, et. al.
The Topping Book, by Liszt and Easton
The Bottoming Book, by Liszt and Easton
Coming to Power, by SAMOIS
Leatherman's Handbook II, by Larry Townsend
Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns, by Philip Miller and Molly Devon
