ROPE•TALK: BDSM and the Vulnerability of Power: Heterosexual Dominant Men's Lived Experiences by Liv Friberg

What does a man who beats women have in common with men who beat women? Nothing! Discover the inner journey into vulnerability, presence and care that men experience when introduced to BDSM as dominants. There is no pain, evil or emotional coldness in the whip. Rather, the whip, rope and hand represent the culmination of a journey into sexual existence, curiosity towards the other, and the intense presence we all seek.

This presentation is based on a master's project in Sexology from Malmö University, conducted in collaboration with Charlotta Carlström, the Nordic region's leading BDSM researcher, as part of a larger BDSM research initiative. The study examines gender expression and experience in heterosexual, dominant BDSM-practicing men, exploring how BDSM practice and masculinity create synergy and how masculinity is understood and used within BDSM.

About Liv Friberg: Midwife, Sexologist and Gender Researcher. After 15 years of clinical experience, she has moved into teaching, academia and research.