[info_box]FETISHWEEK covers the best BDSM News and most interesting fetish links of the last week.  I am actively accepting news, press releases, personality profiles, and review items for both FETISHWEEK and The Fetish Show.  I am particularly interested in topics related to BDSM/kink/fetish, but also alternative art/photography/modeling, sex, burlesque, fashion, relationships, events and more.  I can get your story out to a much wider audience in a way that is positive and respectful.  Contact me now:   dirk@dirkhooper.com [/info_box]

Science Says Kinky People Are Mentally Healthier Than Vanilla Peers

If you’re a member of the BDSM community, you experience the derision from strangers (sometimes friends and family) regarding your lifestyle.  Next time tell them that people who engage in BDSM are actually healthier than those who don’t.  That’s the results of a scientific study recently published by the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

According to Reuters, BDSM participants were found to be less neurotic, more open, more aware of and sensitive to rejection, more secure in their relationships and have better overall well-being.

After years of discussions with ignorant people about BDSM, it’s exceptionally satisfying to share this study, which backs up everything I’ve been arguing.  In fact, it goes further than I ever did, by suggesting that kinky people are actually healthier than everyone else.  My personal experience and observations have been that people into BDSM seem to be like a standard cross-section of society.  I have noticed that kinky people are generally more intelligent and more creative than most people I run into, but I gravitate to those people naturally.

Since this story broke early this week it has exploded across the mainstream media around the world.  This is a major story that has achieved surprisingly positive and unbiased reporting.  If this study was released a couple of years ago, it is my belief that it would have been buried or the writers of these pieces would have downplayed the results.  (I have included some of the more prominent articles below, but this is certainly not a comprehensive list.)

The results of this study will provide you with ammunition the next time you have to talk to someone about your mental health in the context of BDSM.  Furthermore, the narrative by the press means that society is learning that BDSM can be part of a happy and healthy relationship.  That’s something that’s worth celebrating.

Live Science: http://www.livescience.com/34832-bdsm-healthy-psychology.html

UK Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2333244/Could-bondage-good-S-M-enthusiasts-healthier-neurotic-tamer-sex-life.html

New York Post: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/whips_chains_neurotic_vanilla_peers_ebwiuRduLQ0AIznbiNZS9O

Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/31/us-bdsm-practitioners-idUSBRE94U17J20130531

Chicago Tribune: http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/sns-rt-us-bdsm-practitionersbre94u17j-20130531,0,4725536.story

Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/05/bdsm-better-mental-health-study_n_3390676.html

The Gloss: http://www.thegloss.com/2013/06/06/sex-and-dating/bdsm-sex-improve-mental-health/

South African Times: http://www.timeslive.co.za/lifestyle/family/2013/06/08/people-into-kinky-sex-bdsm-psychologically-healthier-study

Dream hard,
Dirk Hooper
Saturday, June 08, 2013

Dirk Hooper Photography and The Fetish Show Updates

Dirk Hooper Seeks Partnership with New Makeup Artists

I’m looking for a Makeup Artist to work with on new projects.  If you’re a Makeup Artist or you know one, please click the link on the article above.

The Fetish Show 34 – Kali Ra and CBT

Princess Zoe and I interviewed kink-inspired band Kali Ra on the latest episode of The Fetish Show.

Fetish Model Ellegy Ellem in a Nude Set by Håkan Dauvén

The wonderfully curvy Elegy Ellem shared this set of photos on her Tumblr feed.  I love the mood and tone of these simple and elegant nude photos by Hakan Dauven.

Want to see more of Elegy Ellem?  See her on Facebook, or her own site.

You can see Hakan Daven’s site here.

See More: http://elegyellem.tumblr.com/post/50660109374/new-photos-from-hakan-dauven-shot-in-an-abandoned

Is BDSM dangerous and unhealthy?

If you’ve read the articles on my lead story above then you know that people who engage in BDSM are actually healthier than their peers.  While it’s less of an uphill climb than it has been in the past, the stigma of the people and practices of BDSM are still something those of us in the community have to deal with.

Australia’s Maureen Matthews answers the question “Is BDSM dangerous and unhealthy?” for one of her readers.  Her conclusions mention the high level of sexual communication that occurs in a healthy BDSM relationship, something that I think separates kinky couples from most vanilla couples.

Read More: http://www.dailylife.com.au/lifestyle/about-last-night-20130525-2n3g2.html

How to Write a Scene Report

I’m a very big proponent of having a submissive fill out a scene report, particularly at the beginning of a relationship.  The things a dominant can learn from an honest report can make the experience better for the submissive and bring the couple closer together. I can speak from personal experience at how fulfilling it is for the dominant to read the what the submissive was feeling during the scene.  I can also tell you that the submissive gains a great deal from reliving and chronicling what happens over time.

There are not many instructive articles on the subject of the scene report.  It should be no surprise that Submissive Guide goes with others fear to tread.

Read More: http://www.submissiveguide.com/2013/05/how-to-write-a-scene-report/

Bianca Beauchamp: Maid for Hire

This is a spectacular preview video of fetish model Bianca Beauchamp for BiancaBeauchamp.com.  Bianca is irresistible in a see-through pink latex maid dress!

Male Submission – The Worm

Mistress Leyla presents an article from Ted Subby that defines and explores the male submissive worm in the most respectful and informative way that I’ve ever seen.  There’s a lot of good information and insight in this article.  I particularly like the sympathetic tone of this piece.

Read More: http://mistressladyleyla.blogspot.com/2013/05/male-submission-worm.html

Deep Down Kinky Interviews Darkslide Photography

Andy Simon of Darkslide Photography is the subject of this cool interview with Deep Down Kinky.  I think you’ll enjoy the interview and Andy Simon’s interesting fetish-inspired photos.

By the way, if you want to keep up with the updates from Deep Down Kinky you can follow them on Twitter here.

Read More: http://www.deepdownandkinky.com/2013/05/deep-down-with-darkslide-photography/

The Best Erotic Comics by Great Artists

Comics Alliance has given us a collection of erotic art by some of the world’s best known comic artists.  I have a background as a comic artist and I do love both comics and erotica, so I just had to share this article.  If you like the work of Adam Warren (above), Dave Stevens, Adam Hughes and many others, you’ll enjoy seeing this sexy version of their art.

Read More: http://www.comicsalliance.com/2009/06/24/the-best-dirty-comics-by-great-artists/

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