Kink Magazines: Read ‘Em And…Part 2

Continuing on the current state of Kink Magazines, it is interesting to note how so often the content of any kind, be it sexual or not, grows out of one's interest as much as a need to make a living.

How they got here

Paul Donnelly says of his creation of Darkside that he had been in publishing for much of his career but found a lot of that work boring. And although he had thoughts to starting his own magazine, he wasn't sure what topic he wanted to tackle. Through a female friend revealing that she was into the ‘scene,’ she suggested a magazine about kink.

“I had only ever dabbled in very light BDSM,” he admits.

Through research, even contacting Fetlife to see if they might like to have him produce a magazine for them (they demurred) Paul went forward on his own.

Andy Markenson’s journey seems to have been one of him coming directly from the scene.

“I was a volunteer slave at a Midtown Manhattan dungeon some years back where I worked with Dominatrices. One day a few confided in me that they weren't getting booked for sessions. Some had gone weeks without any business, and they would come to the dungeon daily, working a full shift and leaving without any money. So, I made a few suggestions in terms of how they could word their posts online, helped them make a few wardrobe adjustments, and suggested new looks to upgrade their image and style. Instantly, they got business and so the idea of providing Dommes the essentials of what they need to do their job popped into mind.”

He formed Kink Queens in 2012 and has enjoyed helping Dommes ever since.

The state of fetish

Anne Denbok claims that the most important quality fans of TABOO and BARELY LEGAL are looking for is authenticity.

“Are the visuals authentic to the fetish community,” is the question Anne says her staff most strives to answer when producing their magazines.

And she states further about the current state of fetish:

“I have noticed that what used to be considered strictly fetish—particularly with regard to rough sex—has become more mainstream, or at least entered the mainstream conversation. Models these days more readily share preferences for specific dominant or submissive sex acts in their interviews with our magazines.”

Andy weighs in with:

“Romantic partners are exploring and questioning sexuality more in the bedroom because people like myself showing them that it is okay to think and feel the way they do. Plus, with the understanding that keeping feelings bottled up is what destroys relationships and being totally open and honest makes it easier for one to understand themselves and who they truly want to be with. People with particular sexual appetites exist and will always exist. It's there. Enjoy and live life to the fullest. That is what life was meant for and that is what I try to exhibit through my work.”

Darkside Magazine, Kink Queens, TABOO and BARELY LEGAL do indeed give voice to the authenticity of particular sexual appetites. And we are all the better for them.