BDSM stands for Bondage and Discipline, Sadism and Masochism. The erotica depicted in the popular book and film Fifty Shades of Grey is said to be responsible for an increase in interest in BDSM. A BDSM dating app, Whiplr, was designed for people looking for other people who share similar fetishes. Chief Creative Officer of Whiplr Daniel Sevitt gives credit to Fifty Shades for letting people “feel more comfortable expressing their curiosity about BDSM and other kinks.”
And while not new, BDSM dungeons are getting more attention and praise by mainstream media. Salon just profiled a 24-year-old writer who’s opened a BDSM dungeon in her Park Slope apartment so she can pay the rent. The woman, who remained anonymous, said, “I don’t think there should be any stigma attached to it.” But isn’t the stigma part of the thrill?
