Pride celebrations are meant to be inclusive spaces, representative of the great diversity of queer communities. Among this diversity, the kink and BDSM communities occupy a place rich in history and contributions. However, their presence still provokes debate. Some question the presence of kinks in public space, considering these practices inappropriate or offensive, while others defend their inclusion as an essential component of queer history and identity.
This article explores the roots of these controversies, highlights the historical contributions of kink communities and defends the importance of a Pride that is inclusive and representative of the full diversity of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
Kink and Queer Identity: Beyond Sexuality
2SLGBTQIA+ and kink communities share common struggles and aspirations as minority sexualities. These communities are built around political and identity processes that are intrinsically linked and mutually reinforcing.
“Both communities still face stigma: many people prefer to hide their kinky side by fear of losing their job or being judged by their peers, just as 2SLGBTQIA+ people sometimes hide their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
— Fox Lepup
Member of the puppy community
Politically, they call for the decriminalization and social normalization of diverse sexual practices, and identity-wise, they oppose heteronormativity - defined as traditional, genital-centric sexuality.
“More academically, we could say that both communities face the same challenge in the face of the normative sexual order: we have to argue that our sexualities are legitimate, consensual and liberating, even if they don't take place within the framework of a monogamous heterosexual couple aiming for reproduction.
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— Fox Lepup
Member of the puppy community
Criticism of kinky performances at Pride festivities often reveals a double standard towards the acceptance of explicit heterosexual behavior in public, as well as prejudice against queer and kink identities. Yet these representations can be an opportunity for education and awareness-raising, rather than a threat.
Moreover, these lifestyles are not limited to sexual practices: they are based on deeply rooted values, such as informed consent, trust and the concept of chosen families (to find out more about some of these communities and their practices, listen to this video). These principles, which are also central to 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, confirm one thing: the links between the kink and queer communities are not anecdotal, they are historical and symbolic.Kink Heritage at the Heart of 2SLGBTQIA+ Struggles
Long before the advent of Pride parades, 2SLGBTQIA+ gathering spaces were essential to the emancipation of queer people. These meeting places, far beyond simple bars, included bathhouses, dungeons and even public toilets. These spaces, often out of sight, allowed people to explore sexuality, bond and build a close-knit community. They met a vital need in a society where queer identities were even more marginalized than they are today. At the heart of these alternative spaces, the cuir and kink communities stood out for their emblematic role, embodying a solidarity and resilience that went far beyond sexual practices.
This solidarity was also evident during the AIDS crisis. At a time when 2SLGBTQIA+ people faced widespread stigmatization and increasing isolation, members of the leather community were among the most active in support efforts. They organized BDSM events to raise funds for medical care, invested themselves as caregivers and, in many cases, were the only people to offer human contact and affection to the sick. These gestures of empathy and compassion not only helped thousands of people, they also strengthened intercommunity ties and affirmed the crucial role of kink culture in queer battles. (1)
At the same time, activists from the kink scene, such as the Lesbian Sex Mafia and Samois groups, active in the 1970s and 1980s, not only campaigned for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, but also for a radically inclusive feminism, valuing a free, positive sexuality and therefore, without taboos related to sexual preferences.
More broadly, BDSM culture has been a driving force in the sexual liberation of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. By integrating practices often marginalized in discourses of diversity, it has helped to combat sexuality-related stigmas and celebrate the many facets of queer experience. These initiatives have paved the way for greater recognition of sexual diversities and a redefinition of queer spaces, all as a shared quest for inclusion, recognition and resilience in the face of oppression. (2)
Honoring Diversity - The Essential Place of Kink at Pride
Fierté Montréal is actively committed to including the kink and BDSM communities in its activities and events. During the Montreal Pride Festival, an awareness booth, designed in collaboration with Kinkster Land, gives the general public a better understanding of these practices in an informative and caring setting.
“There are voices that tend to become louder in favor of a more Family Friendly Pride, which leads to the exclusion of kinksters, regardless of their decorum. (...) In my early days, it was the presence of kinksters in the parade that inspired me to observe alternative sexuality and explore my identity.”
— Kinkster Land's Team
Organizations from the world of kink and BDSM in Quebec.
In addition, we support community projects developed and implemented by and for the kink communities, such as Weekend Pup Montréal, which includes events like Kink WoofMTL, the Dance Pawty and the Pup Montreal Contest, initiatives that celebrate diversity within the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Also among the projects supported by Fierté Montréal, https://humanpet.info/ created by Knotty Pup aims to demystify pet play, notably by addressing the issue of how to approach it with people of all ages.
Finally, the presence of contingents representing the leather, latex and puppy communities at the Pride Parade, proudly displaying their flags, embodies our desire to give visibility to all identities within the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
“We exist in the 2SLGBTQIA+ universe. We cannot erase ourselves from the public sphere. However, we can voluntarily sacrifice some of our privileges to march alongside other communities in their fundamental identity struggles.”
— Sam Knottypup
Member of the puppy community
Pride is much more than a festive celebration: it's an act of reclamation and visibility for all queer identities. To exclude kink culture is to deny their crucial role in the history and diversity of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. By fully integrating them, we pay tribute to the radical origins of Pride and remind everyone that the fight for our rights also involves sexual freedom and individual expression.
