Heroes of the Kink World

Let's talk about Kinky Heroes. Inspirations. Role models. Let's face it: being kinky in this day and age still takes some guts, bravery and chutzpah. We all know that it wouldn't be such a thrill if it didn't. If kinkiness were easy and totally socially acceptable, it wouldn't be so sizzling hot. I know I don't have to tell you that risk is involved when it comes to being anything but vanilla. So allow me to celebrate some of the sassy, deliciously decadent players that are out there thumbing their noses at convention and normalcy:

Susie Bright. Bisexual, kinky, intellectual, famed editor of countless erotica anthologies and best selling books about sexuality in America. (She was just on Six Feet Under last Sunday!) Highlights: Her kinky chapter in her book Susie Sexpert's Lesbian Sex World, the bestselling Sexual State of the Union, and her ongoing, ever vital blog on susiebright.com. Of course, I love it when she does cameos on hot little movies like Bound.

Annie Sprinkle. Prostitute/Porn Star turned performance artist turned sex goddess and sex educator. There really should be a movie about Annie's life. And no matter whether she's clad in a corset and toe boots or covered in glitter and flowers, she's a beacon of light and optimism and a soldier of peace through Orgasm power. Author of several books, teacher of classes, performance artist, movie director, and Ph.D., this gal has done it all. My favorite is her 5 minute long orgasm captured in her instructional video, Sluts and Goddesses. It completely changed the way I thought about what a woman's body can do. Check out her newest book, Dr. Sprinkle’s Spectacular Sex: Make Over Your Love Life With One of the World’s Great Sex Experts. Also check out the vast collection of her writing, resources, and events on her website.

Dan Savage. Dan's sex advice column, Savage Love, was initially a big hit in the Seattle rag, The Stranger, and soon became syndicated all over the country and online on such sites as The Onion . No subject is too taboo for his column, and it's guaranteed to be chock-full of get-to-the-point, sassy gay male advice and opinions whether you can handle it or not! He has written three books: Savage Love, a collection of letters from his column; The Kid, relating how he and his boyfriend adopted a baby boy; and Skipping Towards Gomorrah, which describes his exploration of the seven deadly sins. There is a great entry about Dan in the informative and addictive encyclopedia site, Wikipedia.

Margaret Cho. I'm a sucker for a bad-ass comedienne. Margaret Cho, along with writing and performing extremely hilarious one woman shows (that cause me to laugh the kind of laugh that makes you snort in that goofy way), has graciously accepted the task of being an outspoken funny lady in the name of BDSM, gay rights and gay marriage. Check out her bit about going to an S&M dungeon in her show, I'm the One That I Want. I've always cheered on the folks who can manage first to entertain, then let their treasured beliefs shine through and inspire others. Margaret is another hero with a very articulate and entertaining blog.

Carol Queen. Writer of sex manuals and naughty fiction, teacher, spoken word artist, cheerleader for g-spot orgasms, real female ejaculation and role playing. Carol wrote a great book, Exhibitionism for the Shy. She's got a regular column in Spectator magazine.

Other heroes: I have mentioned these folks in earlier blogs: Midori, Robert Davolt, Steve Diet Goedde, Fairy Butch, Tristan Taormino. Oh lordy, I think I just need to make this Part One of many entries on this subject—I've got a lot more heroes to talk about. Can't stop here!

Who are your heroes?