The Kinkly staff teamed up (pun intended) with award-winning filmmaker and founder of LustCinema, Erika Lust, to answer this reader's question.
Make sure everyone's on the same page, and don't forget to lube up!
Lust says, "Performers or individuals should engage in thorough communication with each other before the scene. It's important to discuss personal boundaries, limits, and any specific health concerns. Engaging in good hygiene practices, such as washing and grooming, is essential. Additionally, using plenty of lubrication can help ensure comfort during the scene."
Create a safe and welcoming environment.
"The environment for a gangbang should be carefully chosen to prioritize safety," Lust explains. "It's recommended to select a familiar, private location where all participants feel comfortable. Make sure the space is clean and well-maintained. Establish clear rules and boundaries beforehand, and designate a safe word for anyone to use if they need to pause or stop the scene."
"Consenting to not using condoms carries inherent risks, so it's crucial to have open and honest discussions with all participants," Lust emphasized. "Regular STI testing is essential for everyone involved, preferably every three months or as recommended by healthcare professionals. It's important to be aware of the potential risks and make informed decisions based on each individual's comfort level and health status."
Get an STI panel.
Lust explains, "Before engaging in any gangbang scene, it's highly recommended that all participants undergo comprehensive STI testing. This includes testing for common infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV. Testing should also cover other sexually transmitted infections based on individual risk factors. It's important for everyone involved to have current test results to ensure transparency and informed decision-making."
Test closer to the big day rather than later.
"Ideally, all participants should get tested as close to the scene as possible," Lust says. "This way, there is less time for potential exposure between testing and the scene. However, it's important to note that some infections may require a specific window period for accurate testing results. Consulting with healthcare professionals will provide specific guidance on when to get tested based on individual circumstances."
Be open and honest about your boundaries.
Lust emphasizes, "Open communication is key to ensure that everyone involved is comfortable with what's happening during the scene. Regularly checking in with each other verbally and non-verbally is important. Providing space for participants to express their needs, concerns, or boundaries during the scene is crucial. Remember, consent and ongoing communication should always be a top priority."
About Erika Lust
Erika Lust is an award-winning indie erotic filmmaker who creates sex-positive adult cinema by portraying relatable characters and realistic hot sex, going beyond gender stereotypes and harmful fetishizations to offer a groundbreaking alternative to mass-produced mainstream porn. Over the past 20 years, the Erika Lust brand has gone from strength to strength. Erika has directed six feature films and series, over 130 short films, and produced around 150 more.
In 2015, Erika gave her essential TEDx talk, "It’s Time for Porn to Change." Her story was featured in the Netflix documentary series "Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On ('Women on Top')," directed by Rashida Jones, and "Principles of Pleasure," directed by Niharika Desai. In 2019, Erika was named one of BBC's 100 most influential women of the year. In 2022, her alternative vision of porn was featured in The New York Times and the BBC Three & HULU series "Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne." In the same year, she encouraged other adults to have The Porn Conversation with the younger generations in her TEDx Talk in Athens.
