"It's Remarkably White": A Qualitative Investigation of Race(ism) within Group Sex Events in a Canadian Context

Research on diversity within group sex communities in Canada tends to focus on gender, sexuality, and body size as indicators of inclusion and acceptance. Racial/ethnic diversity are notably absent from these discussions; in this study, we explored perceptions and experiences of race and racism in group sex spaces. We conducted two annual individual interviews with group sex participants living in southwestern Canada. Of our 20 participants, 40% identified as people of color (POC). We worked with a community advisory board of group sex participants/organizers on participant recruitment, interview questions, and data analysis. Through reflexive thematic analysis, we constructed three themes. In themes 1 and 2, we discuss barriers to entry for POC and manifestations of racism within group sex spaces, respectively; these include lack of racial diversity, white ignorance, cultural appropriation, and desirability politics. Some POC described being fetishized because of race, which non-POC downplayed as simply being "kinky." In theme 3, we discuss change-making barriers, such as defensiveness, and change-making opportunities, such as integrating anti-racism into existing harm reduction practices. Participants expressed that community leaders and event organizers need to shift their responses to racism and how they create and manage group sex spaces. These results advance broader discussions of sexual racism and white defensiveness, as well as opportunities to advance anti-racism within group sex spaces and communities.