Season one Resources

Ancient & Sacred Roots

• "The Great Cosmic Mother: Rediscovering the Religion of the Earth" by Monica Sjöö & Barbara Mor
  Explores goddess worship, matriarchal cultures, and feminine power across history.
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• "When God Was a Woman" by Merlin Stone
  Examines the suppression of ancient goddess religions and the shift to patriarchal systems.
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• ​"Sacred Pleasure: Sex, Myth, and the Politics of the Body" by Riane Eisler
  Investigates the relationship between sexuality, spirituality, and power structures.
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• ​"The Myth of the Eternal Return" by Mircea Eliade
  Provides insight into the ritualistic and symbolic foundations of ancient societies.
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Historical & Literary References to Female Power

• ​"The History of Sexuality: Volume 1" by Michel Foucault
  Offers a philosophical framework for understanding how power and sexuality have been historically intertwined.
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• ​"Female Masculinity" by Jack Halberstam
  Discusses historical disruptions of gender norms and roles, including powerful women.
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• ​"Cleopatra: A Life" by Stacy Schiff
  A biography of Cleopatra, exploring her political acumen and influence.
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Early Kink and the Rise of the Modern Dominatrix

• ​"The Dominatrix: Gender, Eroticism and Control in the Dungeon" by Danielle J. Lindemann
  A scholarly deep dive into the psychology and cultural role of professional dominatrices.
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• ​"Different Loving: The World of Sexual Dominance and Submission" by Gloria Brame, William Brame & Jon Jacobs
  Explores alternative sexualities and BDSM in depth.
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Modern Kink Culture & Media Influence

• ​"Playing Well with Others: Your Field Guide to Discovering, Exploring and Navigating the Kink, Leather and BDSM Communities" by Lee Harrington & Mollena Williams
  Provides context on the modern kink scene and the roles within it.
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• ​"SM 101: A Realistic Introduction" by Jay Wiseman
  An early comprehensive BDSM guide often cited in contemporary kink education.
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• ​"Feminine Dominance in Pop Culture"
  Articles and analyses examining figures like Catwoman, Morticia Addams, and modern media representations of dominatrices.
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• ​"Kink" (2013) – Documentary by James Franco & Christina Voros
  Provides a behind-the-scenes look at the BDSM pornography company Kink.com.
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Sociopolitical & Feminist Perspectives

• ​"Sexual Subversions: Three French Feminists" by Jane Gallop
  Discusses sexuality, power, and feminist thought, including perspectives on dominance.
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• ​"Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity" by Julia Serano
  Touches on gender performance and the politics of femininity and power.
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• ​"Sex Work Matters: Exploring Money, Power and Intimacy in the Sex Industry" edited by Melissa Hope Ditmore, Antonia Levy & Alys Willman
  A collection of essays about labor, empowerment, and identity in sex work.
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Practitioner Resources and Community Tools

• Domina Fae's SW Resource Blog A curated list of resources for sex workers including legal aid, safety tools, digital security, and community-specific guides. Offers up-to-date information for both independent and collective SWers working in or visiting New York City.

Understanding Sex Work and Its Terminology

• The Unrepentant Whore: Collected Works of Scarlot Harlot by Carol LeighA collection of writings by Carol Leigh, who coined the term 'sex work' in the late 1970s to emphasize agency and challenge stigma.​

Legal Frameworks for Sex Work

• Prostitution Policy: Legalization, Decriminalization and the Nordic Model by Annick PersingerAn analysis of different legal approaches to prostitution, including criminalization, legalization, and the Nordic model.​

• Equality Model or Nordic Model of Prostitution Explained by Decriminalize Sex WorkAn explanation of the Nordic model, which criminalizes the purchase of sex while decriminalizing its sale, and its implications for sex workers.​Seattle Law Digital Commons

• The Law & Sex Work: Four Legal Approaches to the Sex Sector by Yale Global Health Justice PartnershipA comprehensive overview of four legal approaches to sex work: criminalization, legalization, the Nordic model, and decriminalization.​Yale Law School

Sex Work Legislation in the United States

• Oklahoma Senator Proposes Bill to Ban All Pornography by Josh KellyAn article discussing Oklahoma State Senator Dusty Deevers' proposed bill (SB 593) to ban all forms of pornography, with penalties of up to 10 years in prison for production, distribution, or possession.​The Oklahoman

• Deevers Rebuts “Absurd” Claims that Porn is Free Speech by Oklahoma SenateSenator Dusty Deevers defends the constitutionality of the proposed pornography ban, arguing that pornography is not protected speech.​

• Sex Workers Are Trying to Warn Us About Project 2025 by Liara RouxAn article highlighting concerns from sex workers about legislative efforts to ban pornography and the broader implications for the adult industry.​

International Models and Developments

• Decriminalization of Sex WorkAn overview of the decriminalization model, which removes criminal penalties for sex work, and its implementation in various countries.​

• Belgium Grants Sex Workers Maternity Pay, Pensions Under Historic New Law by Yaron SteinbuchAn article detailing Belgium's new law granting sex workers full employment rights, including maternity pay and pensions.​New York Post

• Paris Targets 400 Massage Parlours in Purge on Prostitution by Charles BremnerA report on Paris authorities' efforts to close massage parlours suspected of offering sexual services, following the implementation of laws penalizing clients of sex workers.​Latest news & breaking headlines

Implications and Critiques of Legal Models

• The Nordic Model of Prostitution Legislation: Health, Violence and Spillover Effects by Niklas Jakobsson & Andreas KotsadamAn analysis of the effects of the Nordic model on health, violence, and market dynamics within the sex industry.​

• Criminalising the Sex Buyer: Experiences from the Nordic Region by Niina VuolajärviA policy brief examining the impact of criminalizing sex buyers on sex workers in the Nordic region, focusing on vulnerability to violence and exploitation.​LSE+1Seattle Law Digital Commons+1

• An Analysis of Legal Models Addressing Prostitution by Hannah Rose HindleA comparative analysis of various legal models addressing prostitution, including their effectiveness and impact on sex workers' rights and safety.

Understanding Psychological Edge Play

• ​"Sexuality Beyond Consent: Risk, Race, Traumatophilia" by Avgi SaketopoulouExplores the complexities of sexuality, trauma, and the concept of "limit consent," emphasizing the transformative possibilities of engaging with one's trauma. Link​

• ​"BDSM, Becoming and the Flows of Desire" by Margriet van HeeschInvestigates BDSM practitioners' narratives about their initial attractions to these practices and how they assign meaning to their experiences. Link​

• ​"Liberation Through Domination: BDSM Culture and Submissive Women in the Netherlands and the U.S." by Emily PriorExamines the experiences of submissive women in BDSM communities, focusing on how involvement influences self-perception and empowerment. Link​

Interviews and Discussions

• ​"Sexuality Beyond Consent | Leon Brenner and Avgi Saketopoulou"A video discussion where Avgi Saketopoulou elaborates on the themes of her book, including the concept of psychological edge play. Link​

• ​"Avgi Saketopoulou, 'Sexuality Beyond Consent: Risk, Race, Traumatophilia' (NYU Press, 2023)"A podcast episode featuring Avgi Saketopoulou discussing her book and the ideas surrounding sexuality and consent. Link​

Articles and Reviews

• ​"Vertiginous Translations: A Review of Sexuality Beyond Consent" by Katie GentileProvides a critical analysis of Saketopoulou's work, discussing its impact on psychoanalytic discourse and its approach to trauma and sexuality. Link​

• ​"Sexuality Beyond Consent: Risk, Race, Traumatophilia" on Project MUSEAn academic overview of Saketopoulou's book, discussing its central themes and contributions to psychoanalytic literature. Link​

Related Concepts and Practices

• ​"Women's Perspectives of BDSM Power Exchange" by Emily PriorExplores how women navigate feminist and submissive identities within BDSM power exchange dynamics. Link​

​"Consent Culture and Community in Feminism and BDSM" by Margaret Nichols Discusses the intersection of consent culture within feminist and BDSM communities, highlighting the complexities and negotiations involved. Link​