Play party (BDSM)
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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. Template:ISBN.</ref><ref name=Demyst>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Glossary>Template:Cite web</ref> Generally there is an area for drinking and socializing, an area for changing into more appropriate attire (such as 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. Template:ISBN.</ref>
Organizers often provide certain large pieces of BDSM equipment to which people can be bound or restrained. Party goers usually bring their own whips, canes, restraints etc.<ref name="Demyst" /><ref name="Glossary" /> In larger play parties, there are usually dungeon monitors who enforce party rules<ref name="Energy">Template:Cite web</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 voyeur.<ref name=Newman/> It is not acceptable, however, to touch anyone or their BDSM equipment or sex toys without permission or to interrupt a scene in any way.<ref name=Newman/>
A play party can be a place for safer first date scenes.<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 morality laws.<ref name=Paddleboro>Paddleboro by Michelle Chihara - Nerve.com</ref>