Magical Animal Play
Kissing-kin to Manic Pixie Play, this type of roleplay embraces a more colorful and playful style—often including elements of cosplay (costume play). This new type of BDSM also has its roots in the continuing popularity of anime as well as anime-styled Western animation. Because of this, is it not uncommon to see kinky versions of characters from My Little Pony to Disney. Like with Manic Pixies, there can also be a form of age play involved. Those who participate may find a return to innocence or the ability to embrace safe vulnerability through these personas.
Long-Distance Play
Until relatively recently, it was a major headache to have any kind of quality BDSM experience with someone who didn’t live in the same city—or at least within easy-driving range. Enter the Internet and tools such as Facetime, Skype, or (for the technologically savvy) teledildonics with Bluetooth and wi-fi capabilities.
These items allow tops to reach out and verbally and even virtually touch their bottoms. True, it’s not the same thing as being in the same room together, but for those who live in remote locations, or are looking for a very specific form of play that might not be common where they live, it can be a great way to still have a quality BDSM experience.
Flexible Play
For many, the world of BDSM has a clear demarcation: on one side are the Dominants and the tops, and on the other are the submissives and bottoms. In the middle, we find the switches; those who go either way. Just as the concept of gender has become more fluid, allowing people to become who they truly are, as well as experiment with new forms of gender expression, there are those in the BDSM community who try out new and interesting roles and kinky behaviors.
This might be anything from a Dom who orders their sub to use a cane on them to those whose scenes may be power exchange flexible to match the moods of those involved. This may seem anarchistic, but others see it as liberating from what they see as overly structured BDSM play.
Spiritual Play
BDSM can be a powerful sexual and emotional experience. For many, it can also be a deeply spiritual experience. The forms this spirituality can take are extremely varied: sometimes integrated into a religion or other times being a deeply personal and unique one. One thing they have in common is using BDSM as a way to reach beyond the mind, and sometimes even out into the universe. Others use it as spellcasting: a way to positively affect their lives and those around them.
Beyond Black Leather
Leather, as previously mentioned, more than likely emerged from motorcycle clubs at the end of World War II. Today, for many, it is a powerful symbol of pride and respect, and it will more than likely forever remain that way.
Yet, the community is also growing, changing…evolving: We are seeing the emergence of, for lack of a better word, new options for BDSM.
Kinky play can be black leather, but it can also be giggling pixies, elegant rope bondage, sparkling ponies, new technology, touching the cosmos, and scenes where there are no fully defined roles.
The world, and especially BDSM, is full of possibilities. That’s the beauty of it. As long as it is done safely, sanely, and consensually, it can be whatever you make of it.
So go out there and wear your leathers—or your fairy wings—and play.
