Back to the Closet or Out in the Street
Strategies of the BDSM Communities in Czechia and Slovakia
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12466650 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Lucie Drdová (0000-0002-9169-4591, University of Hradec Králové, corresponding author), Steven Saxonberg (0000-0001-6057-2762, Södertörn University), Lucie Krivankova (University of Hradec Králové) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 2048-2067 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-31 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Sexuality & Culture (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1095-5143 • E-ISSN: 1936-4822 |
| Publisher | Springer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s12119-026-10532-7 |
| OpenAlex | W7126217905 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 31 |
This contribution explores the nuanced relationship between the existing political landscape and the types of activities within the Czech Republic and Slovakia BDSM community. The political situation in both countries has a common history as Czechia and Slovakia previously comprised one country. However, in recent years, the political context in both countries has undergone significant transformations in different directions, impacting various aspects of social life, including the life of sexual minorities. Drawing on ethnographic interviews and participant observations within the BDSM subculture of both countries, this research examines the strategies of BDSM practitioners towards the mainstream population. We show that differences in culture, combined with differences in the opportunity structures, influence their choices. We also argue that the two are interrelated, as culture influences the opportunity structure. Furthermore, the study delves into the strategies employed by BDSM practitioners to navigate through particular societal attitudes in the evolving political climate. The implications of this contribution extend beyond the BDSM context, providing a framework for understanding the impact of culture and opportunity on subcultures within diverse social communities. In Slovakia, the BDSM community has not developed trust towards the official structures, whereas in the Czech Republic, the BDSM community has integrated into official structures, by starting BDSM clubs and related BDSM connected businesses. One of the primary reasons for the Czech Republic’s relative acceptance of sexual minorities is its predominantly atheist population
Closet · Context (archaeology · Czech · Ethnography · Mainstream · Politics · Marriage and Sexual Relationships · Privacy, Security, and Data Protection · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
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| Highly cited | No |
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