Editing Play party (BDSM)

{{short description|Participatory event where attendees socialize and engage in BDSM activities}}
{{about|the BDSM term|the type of traditional social event|Play party (U.S. traditional)}}

In [[BDSM]] culture, a '''play party''' is a social event in which attendees socialize with like-minded people and engage in BDSM activities.<ref name=Brame>Brame G. '''(2001)''' ''Come Hither! A Commonsense Guide to Kinky Sex'', Fusion Press, London, page 63. {{ISBN|9780684854625}}.</ref><ref name=Demyst>{{cite web |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/222770614 |title=Moser C., Demystifying alternative sexual behaviors, in Sexuality, Reproduction & Menopause, Volume 4, Issue 2 |date=October 2006 |access-date=2022-04-03}}</ref><ref name=Glossary>{{cite web |url=http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/GESUND/ARCHIV/moser3.htm |title=Moser C., A Glossary of Terms Used by Sexual Minorities, reproduced from San Francisco Medicine, Volume 71, No. 10 |date=November–December 1998 |access-date=2008-05-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605003256/http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/GESUND/ARCHIV/moser3.htm |archive-date=2008-06-05 }}</ref>  Generally there is an area for drinking and socializing, an area for changing into more appropriate attire (such as [[Fetish fashion|fetishwear]]), and an area for "play" or sexually arousing activities.<ref name=Newman>Newman F. '''(2004)''' ''The Whole Lesbian Sex Book: A Passionate Guide'', Cleis Press, San Francisco, page 271-277. {{ISBN|9781573441995}}.</ref> 

Organizers often provide certain large pieces of BDSM equipment to which people can be bound or restrained. Party goers usually bring their own [[whip]]s, [[caning|canes]], [[Physical restraint|restraints]] etc.<ref name="Demyst" /><ref name="Glossary" /> In larger play parties, there are usually dungeon monitors who enforce party rules<ref name="Energy">{{cite web |url=http://www.gaylesbiantimes.com/?id=4579&issue=897 |title=Van de Mark B., Energy exchange, in The Gay & Lesbian Times |date=3 March 2005 |access-date=2008-05-09 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525205616/http://www.gaylesbiantimes.com/?id=4579&issue=897 |archive-date=25 May 2011 }}</ref> such as [[safe, sane and consensual]] and [[risk-aware consensual kink]].<ref name="Demyst" />

It is not mandatory to play at a party;<ref name=Brame/> instead, attendees are welcome to merely take the role of a [[voyeurism|voyeur]].<ref name=Newman/> It is not acceptable, however, to touch anyone or their BDSM equipment or [[sex toy]]s without permission or to interrupt a scene in any way.<ref name=Newman/> 

A play party can be a place for safer first date [[Scene (BDSM)|scene]]s.<ref name=Demyst/> Often a ''Do Not Invite List'' is kept to keep out known persistent rule breakers.<ref name=Energy/>

In 2000, a play party in [[Attleboro, Massachusetts]] was invaded by police for alleged violations of [[assault]] and [[Public morality|morality laws]].<ref name=Paddleboro>[https://web.archive.org/web/20171111130315/http://www.nerve.com/Dispatches/Chihara/paddleboro/ Paddleboro by Michelle Chihara - Nerve.com<!-- Bot generated title | This link went dead some time around 2017; It's been replaced with a link to the article in internet archive's Wayback Machine -->]</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Fetish club]]
* [[Munch (BDSM)]]
* [[Safeword]]

== References==
{{reflist|1}}

{{BDSM}}
{{Sex fetish}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Play Party (Bdsm)}}
[[Category:BDSM terminology]]
[[Category:Fetish subculture]]