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Alignment Beyond the Binaries: The Relationship Between Expansive Gender Identities and Flexible BDSM Roles in a
Hannah L Tarleton1, Jennifer M Davis2,3, Alana Schuerwegen4
1Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60510, USA. htarleton@niu.edu.
Archives of Sexual Behavior
|April 24, 2026
Summary
Gender significantly influences BDSM roles, with cisgender women preferring submissive (right-of-slash) roles and cisgender men preferring dominant (left-of-slash) roles. Gender-expansive individuals often switch roles.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Sexuality Studies
Background:
- BDSM (Bondage, Discipline, Dominance/submission, Sadism/Masochism) involves diverse roles and practices.
- Understanding gender differences in BDSM participation is crucial for sexual health and relationship research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gender differences in BDSM roles, fantasies, and practices.
- To explore the relationship between gender identity and specific BDSM activities.
Main Methods:
- Survey of 1104 international BDSM practitioners, including cisgender women, cisgender men, and gender-expansive individuals.
- Analysis of self-reported BDSM roles (Dominant, submissive, switch), fantasies, and practices.
- Statistical examination of gender identity and BDSM role associations, controlling for age.
Main Results:
- Cisgender women predominantly engaged in submissive (right-of-slash) roles, while cisgender men favored dominant (left-of-slash) roles.
- Gender-expansive individuals reported a higher tendency towards switching between roles.
- Cisgender men reported more dominant/sadistic fantasies and activities; cisgender women reported more submissive/masochistic fantasies and activities.
Conclusions:
- Gender identity is significantly associated with specific BDSM roles, fantasies, and practices.
- Findings highlight distinct patterns in BDSM engagement across different gender identities.
- Age showed some association with BDSM roles, but geographical location did not significantly impact findings.
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