© Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2016
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INTRODUCTION
Definitions - In this article the the term 'homoerotic' refers to 'male homosexuality'.
The term 'gay' is not used, as there is still much extant and surviving literature and musical and film material which uses the term 'gay' in its original meaning as 'happy' and 'carefree'.
The adoption of the term 'gay' by the male homosexual community, as a less offensive term than 'queer' etc, has, of course been totally unsuccessful, as 'gay' has now taken on, in popular culture, the pejorative meaning of 'queer' etc.
It should be noted that the ancient Greeks and Romans, along with many other cultures, had no word for 'homosexual' - or the equally odd term, 'straight'.
Equally, the ridiculous acronym 'LGBT', which tries, quite unsuccessfully, to be 'all inclusive' has been ignored.
Preamble - The topics of sex and violence are of almost universal interest.
In 1905, Sigmund Freud described 'sadism' and 'masochism' in his 'Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality' as 'conditions' developing from an 'incorrect' development of the child psyche, and thus laid the groundwork for the scientific perspective on the subject in the following decades.
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| Fun in the Bath © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2016 |
The term 'gay' is not used, as there is still much extant and surviving literature and musical and film material which uses the term 'gay' in its original meaning as 'happy' and 'carefree'.
The adoption of the term 'gay' by the male homosexual community, as a less offensive term than 'queer' etc, has, of course been totally unsuccessful, as 'gay' has now taken on, in popular culture, the pejorative meaning of 'queer' etc.
It should be noted that the ancient Greeks and Romans, along with many other cultures, had no word for 'homosexual' - or the equally odd term, 'straight'.
Equally, the ridiculous acronym 'LGBT', which tries, quite unsuccessfully, to be 'all inclusive' has been ignored.
Preamble - The topics of sex and violence are of almost universal interest.
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| Sigmund Freud |
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| Havelock Ellis |
He also made the important point that sadomasochism is concerned only with pain and humiliation in regard to sexual pleasure, and not in regard to cruelty.
Ellis also refers to the often paradoxical nature of consensual sadomasochistic practices.
It is described as not simply pain and humiliation to initiate pleasure, but violence - said to express 'love'.
This irony is highly evident in the observation by many, that not only are popularly practiced sadomasochistic activities usually performed at the express request of the masochist, but that it is often the masochist who may direct such activities, through subtle emotional and physical cues perceived or mutually understood and consensually recognized by the sadist (this can be observed in many of the accounts and images of sadomasochistic encounters included in this blog).
There are a number of reasons given for why a masochist finds the practice of sadomasochism enjoyable.
For some taking on a role of compliance or helplessness offers a form of therapeutic escape; from the stresses of life, from responsibility, or from guilt.
For others, being under the power of a strong, controlling presence may evoke the feelings of safety and protection associated with childhood.
They likewise may derive satisfaction from earning the approval of the individual 'controlling' them.
Undersatnding the sadist may be easier in homoerotuc activities, as men, because of the effects of testosterone and other physical characteristics, are usually viewed as being aggressive and often dominant, particularly in sexual matters.
It is usually agreed by psychologists that experiences during early sexual development can have a profound effect on the character of sexuality later in life.
Sadomasochistic desires, however, seem to form at different ages.
Some individuals report having had them before puberty, while others do not discover them until well into adulthood.
According to one study, just over half of male sadomasochists (53%) developed their interest before the age of 15.
There are many combinations of pleasure and pain, or un-pleasure, in fantasy and behavior, which can be labelled 'sadomasochism', and there is a variety of developmental routes to these attitudes.
Only the obligatory combination of something pleasurable with something unpleasant, particularly the seeking of sexual excitement and satisfaction in pain or humiliation, characterizes all the traits and behavior referred to as sadism and masochism.
This wide spectrum of phenomena includes self-injury, fantasies, and unconsciously motivated behavior that leads to apparently accidental suffering and 'bad luck'.
It has become clear that there is no single, well-defined entity that lies at the core of all the behavior that can be termed 'sadomasochistic'.
In situations where homosexual men fail to meet the requirements accepted masculine behaviors, they may engage in a 'hyper-masculine' performance to present their status as truly masculine.
Homosexual (and also bi-sexual) men who engage in sadomasochistic behavior engage in accepted 'masculine' (heterosexual) behaviors to enact sexual performances.
Through appropriation of 'masculine' styles and approximations of 'hetero-normative' masculine behaviors, homosexual men involved in sadomasochism enact 'hyper-masculine' performances.
Sadomasochism, therefore, can be seen as a variation of sexuality that is an alternative to more traditional forms of sexuality.
The strict technical interpretation of sadomasochism in its purest form is deriving sexual pleasure from pain and humiliation.
This is defined as the infliction pain and humiliation on others, - 'sadism', and the receiving of pain and humiliation upon one’s self, - 'masochism'.
The infliction of pain takes many forms, ranging through the use of whips, nipple torture, weighting, pulling and twisting of the scrotum, punching, and stressful bondage positions, to name just some (view this blog to view the many possibilities).
With regard to sadism, 'hyper-masculinity' is an exaggerated performance of 'stereotypical male behavior'.
There is often an emphasis on physical strength, self-reliant sexuality, risk taking and particularly aggression - which often involves a 'relentless repudiation of femininity'.
For homosexual men involved in sadomasochism, which involves 'power exchange', 'aggression' and 'domination', the perception of an 'intact masculine identity' is important. Interestingly, homosexual men who are masochists, the 'passive partner' in such encounters, exhibit more traits defined as masculine than their heterosexual counterparts who seek erotic satisfaction through being dominated by women.
It should also be noted that while the dominant partner (sadist) is exercising masculinity in the obvious ways of 'taking control' and 'enforcing his own masculinity', the submissive partner (masochist) is also (ironically) attempting to express masculinity in a less obvious way, through seeking to be 'challenged 'and to 'take a risk'.
The dominant partner expresses masculinity by 'taking control', whereas the submissive partner expresses masculinity by 'accepting the challenge' of the dominant, or asking to be challenged.
The normative masculine activity that is most comparable to sadomasochism is sport (which forms a framework for many of the narratives in this blog).
Sport is an essential component of masculinity that often involves 'risks' and 'physical contact' between men.
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| Pair of 'Jobbers' in the Ring |
The brutality between teammates, especially to 'rookies' (often 'jobbers in wrestling parlance) is considered to be a normal component of masculinity, and the process of socializing masculine traits.
One such method for implementing brutality between teammates is with so called 'hazing rituals' which, similar to most sadomasochism activities, are apparently voluntary and consensual.
Masochists are often subjected to 'verbal humiliation' such as name calling, or 'physical humiliation'.
It is particularly noticeable that the 'emotional' aspect that is normally found in most forms of sexuality, in sadomasochism is substituted for other forms of intimacy, such as those found in violent and abusive 'male bonding rituals'.
Mashochism - Overview
Mashochism - Overview
While sadism, as previously stated, is relatively easy to relate to male sexuality, of either a homosexual or heterosexual nature, because of the essential aggressive and 'penetrative' nature of the male, masochism is more difficult to explain.
Masochism itself, it must be understood, itself is not enjoying all forms of pain just for its own sake.
Masochism itself, it must be understood, itself is not enjoying all forms of pain just for its own sake.
The essential feature of 'sexual masochism' is the feeling of 'sexual arousal' or 'excitement' resulting from receiving pain, suffering, or humiliation, either in reality or in fantasy.
Fantasy refers to 'imagined episodes' (often originating in the individual's past), the reading of sadomasochistic accounts (fictional or otherwise), and the viewing of sadomasochistic images.
Such fantasy episodes originating in the individual's past are often the result of 'inappropriate sexual thoughts' that have been suppressed.
Because they are not acted upon initially, the urge to carry out these fantasies increases, and when they are finally acted upon, a person is in a state of considerable physical, psychological and sexual arousal.
In such cases, masochistic behavior becomes associated with and inextricably linked to sexual behavior.
Perversely, it is also possible that masochistic individuals truly want to be in the dominating role.
This causes them to become heavily conflicted, and thus submissive to others.
While it is possible, to some degree to equate male homoerotic masochism with femininity.
While the term 'femme' is often associated with female homosexuals (lesbians), it can also refer to male homosexuals who display certain 'effeminate' attributes.
(Of course it must be noted here that there are some activist who witch to abolish all gender terminology and definitions - but in practice such a program would be unworkable - particularly as 'gender' - the range of characteristics pertaining to, and differentiating between, masculinity and femininity - is a biological and psychological actuality.)
The is therefore, some interconnection between so called 'femme' homosexual men and masochism.
The 'Twink'
There is also a distinct overlap between 'femme' homosexual men, masochism and the concept of the 'twink'.
'Twink' is a slang term used to describe young men who are attractive, boyish-looking, and homosexual, between their teens and early twenties, who are generally slender ectomorph (although some are muscular), and with little or no body hair, often blonde, and almost always Caucasian.
'Cream' is among the well-known food-related euphemistic terms for semen.
Greek and Roman 'Tops' and 'Bottoms'
The ancient Greeks and Romans, in their homoerotic activity almost exclusively practised pederasty.
While it is possible, to some degree to equate male homoerotic masochism with femininity.
While the term 'femme' is often associated with female homosexuals (lesbians), it can also refer to male homosexuals who display certain 'effeminate' attributes.
(Of course it must be noted here that there are some activist who witch to abolish all gender terminology and definitions - but in practice such a program would be unworkable - particularly as 'gender' - the range of characteristics pertaining to, and differentiating between, masculinity and femininity - is a biological and psychological actuality.)
The is therefore, some interconnection between so called 'femme' homosexual men and masochism.
The 'Twink'
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| 'Twink' © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2016 |
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| 'Blond Twink' © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2016 |
Usage of the term varies, but traits attributed to 'twinks' can include attractiveness, and appearing to be younger than their chronological age.
The term appears to date back to around the early 1960s.
The term 'twink' may be derived from an older British gay slang term 'twank', meaning 'the quarry of a male homosexual prostitute; a man willing and ready to become any dominant man's sexual partner'.
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| 'Muscle Twink' © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2016 |
The term may equally be derived from the snack bar 'Twinkie', commonly regarded as the quintessential junk food: 'little nutritional value, sweet to the taste and creme-filled'.
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| 'Blond Twink' © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2016 |
It should be noted that 'twink' porn thrives on the production and performance of consumable and visually/anally receptive masculinity.
The definition of 'twink' has also broadened, and qualifiers, such as 'muscle' (like Reese Wells, featured in this blog), or 'femme' can narrow the meaning to a more specific type of 'twink'.
'Twinks' are almost always clean-shaven to emphasize a youthful, fresh-faced appearance, and often have shaved pubic and body hair.
The term has been used by 'bears' (dominant and generally aggressive male homosexuals), and other gay men in a derogatory and pejorative manner.
In some cases, it is a neutral descriptive term, and can be simply contrasted with 'bear'.
It has also been suggested that 'twink' stands for 'teenage,white, into no kink'
'Twinks' in Ancient RomeIt has also been suggested that 'twink' stands for 'teenage,white, into no kink'
'Same-sex' attitudes and behaviors in ancient Rome often differ markedly from those of the contemporary West.
Latin lacks words that would precisely translate "homosexual" and "heterosexual".
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| © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2016 |
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| © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2016 |
The primary dichotomy of ancient Roman sexuality was 'active/dominant/masculine' and 'passive/submissive/feminized'.
Roman society was patriarchal, and the freeborn male citizen possessed political liberty (libertas) and the right to rule both himself and his household (familia).
"Virtue" (virtus) was seen as an active quality through which a man (vir) defined himself.
The 'conquest mentality', and "cult of virility" shaped same-sex relations.
Roman men were free to enjoy sex with males without a perceived loss of masculinity or social status, as long as they took the 'dominant' or 'penetrative role'.
There was a distinctly sadistic element (in its most general meaning) in almost all Roman 'same sex' relationships - and this accounts, in some part, for such phenomena as the ancient Roman Games.
As this blog features article relating to ancient Rome, it is relevant to note that the Romans had a number of terms that are similar in meaning to the modern term 'Twink'.
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| 'Pullus' © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2016 |
These include 'Pusio' - 'Pusio' is etymologically related to 'puer', and means "boy, lad."
It often had a distinctly sexual connotation.
The Roman writer Juvenal indicates the 'pusio' was desirable because he was more compliant and undemanding to sleep with than a woman.
There is also 'Pullus', which was originally a term for a young animal, and particularly a chick.
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| 'Puer' © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2016 |
It was an affectionate word traditionally used for a boy (puer) who was loved by someone "in an physical, sexual sense".
Also there was the term 'Puer'
In the discourse of sexuality, puer ("boy") was a 'role' as well as an 'age group'.
Both 'puer', and the feminine equivalent 'puella', "girl," could refer to a man's sexual partner.
In the discourse of sexuality, puer ("boy") was a 'role' as well as an 'age group'.
Both 'puer', and the feminine equivalent 'puella', "girl," could refer to a man's sexual partner.
As an age designation, the freeborn 'puer' made the transition from childhood at around age 14, when he assumed the "toga of manhood", but he was 17 or 18 before he began to take part in public life.
'Pueri' might be "functionally interchangeable" with women as receptacles for sex, but freeborn male minors were strictly off-limits.
To accuse a Roman man of being someone's "boy" was an insult that impugned his manhood, particularly in the political arena.
Sadomasochism in Ancient Rome
While we like to think of the ancient Romans as wildly sadistic, this was not exactly the case.
Roman culture was essentially male dominated and 'phallocentric', and sexual activity was always een in terms of 'dominance' and 'sexual penetration'.
The dominance, and what we would interpret as the 'sadistic' element in Roman sexual activity, (particularly male on male), was not the element that Roman men necessarily found 'exciting' or sexualy arousing.
Being dominant, and carelessly inflicting pain on the individual being penetrated, was simply seen as as side issue, subservient to the sexual pleasure obtained from orgasm.
Equally, we may consider the ancient Roman Games (Ludi) to be supreme examples of sadism, but this, also, is not the case.
The Games originated with the Etruscans, as religious, 'sacrificial rites', and only later morphed into the Games as we now understand them.
Despite this subtle change, the Ludi always retained a quasi-religious, 'cultural' and 'educative' function, which was an essential element in Roman social cohesion.
The 'cultural' function of the Ludi was to be found in the close overlap between Roman drama and theater, which was evidenced by the presentation in the arena of excerpts from myths, legends and historical events.
It is in this aspect of the Games that we first come across the truly voyeuristic element, in that many of these 'dramatic presentations' had a strong sexual element, often of a homoerotic nature,
The educative function was to be found, not only in the drama and theater, often presented in the arena, as indicated above, but also in the presentation of the fighting styles of the various racial and cultural groups comprising the Empire, but also in the demonstration of masculine virtues so admired in Roman society.
There was also an obvious sexual aspect to the Ludi.
The participants in the Ludi were often very scantily clad - and in the case of wrestling, boxing and the Pancratium, performed nude.
The victor, particularly in the wrestling, boxing and the Pancratium would often 'celebrate' their victory by sexually penetrating their defeated opponent.
In addition, the favoured weapon of the gladiator - the 'gladius' - after which he gladiator (swordsman) was named, was a common euphemism for the erect penis - and so there was a sexual element in penetrating an opponent with a 'gladius'.
Even if the Ludi were not entirely sadistic in their intention, we are still left with the appalling cruelty of the public executions that took place in the Roman arena.
There again, however, while the nature of such displays may seem to be 'sadistic', (the nakedness, humiliation, pain, violence, and often the mutilation of the genitals), the underlying motivation of such scenes was not to provide 'sadistic entertainment' for the audiences in Roman amphitheaters, and it is quite probable that many of the organisers and perpetrators of such punishments were not, in fact 'driven' by sadistic urges (despite the impressions given by contemporary cinema and television series).
In a society where there was no concept, let alone facilities for 'long term imprisonment, and with a vast slave population viewed as highly dangerous (consider the 'Servile Wars' and the 'Spartacus Revolt'), it was essential to deter any individual who was tempted to break Roman law - and this was achieved by publicizing, in the Games, the most severe and humiliating punishments.
Homoerotic Sadomasochism and Contemporary Media
In recent times, the advent of photography, film, and the internet have made the 'second hand' experience of homoerotic sadomasochism available to vast numbers of individuals (this blog being an example).
The actual prevalence of homoerotic sadomasochistic activity is difficult to quantify.
While many individuals may experiment with such activities, many find that the reality of the infliction of pain often makes sexual arousal problematic, and they limit their sadomasochistic activity to wearing leather, etc, mild restraint and mild flagellation.
For the vast majority of individuals their main experience of homoerotic sadomasochistic activity it to be found in fantasy - either of a personal, self-generated kind, or else derived from various types of media.
It is here that we need to consider the element of voyeurism in relation to homoerotic sadomasochism.
Voyeurism and Homoerotic Sadomasochism
Voyeurism is the sexual interest in and/or practice, of watching individuals engaged in sexual behavior.
If the voyeur is observing a 'real event', he usually does not interact directly with the subject of his interest, who is often 'unaware' of being observed.
The 'essence of voyeurism is in the looking', but may also involve the making of photographs or videos of the subject/s.
The term comes from the French 'voir' which means 'to see'.
The consumption of what, in slang, is termed 'porn' (pornography) is the most common and widespread form of 'voyeurism' - however, the main difference between the viewing of 'porn', and the 'classic' (and also legal) concept of 'voyeurism' is that the subjects of 'porn' are quite aware that they are being observed (although there is often the pretence that they are not aware) - and will often 'tailor' or script their activities to what they suppose are the expectations of those observing them.
Due to the prevalence of voyeurism in society, the people who engage in various voyeuristic behaviors are diverse.
Interestingly, voyeurs are unlikely to be alcoholics or drug users.
Also, compared to the general population, voyeurs are more likely to a have higher interest in sexual matters - not really surprising.
In addition, voyeurs have a greater number of sexual partners per year, and are more likely to have had a same-sex partner than general populations - so ther is a strong link between voyeurism - in the form of the consumption of 'porn' - and homoeroticism.
Voyeurs also typically have a later age of first sexual intercourse, and voyeurs tend to be of a higher socioeconomic status than those who do not show such behavior.
Homoerotic Masochism
While homoerotic sadism is not difficult to explain because of the essential aggressive and 'penetrative' nature of the male, as already referred to, an explanation of the masochistic male homosexuality requires some further consideration.
It is a misconception to consider male homosexual masochism simply as a matter 'whips', 'chains', 'flagellation' and 'genital torture'.
Such activities are the extreme end of an extensive continuum.
In male homosexuality there are numerous 'sub-cultural' terms to describe attitudes and sex positions during sexual activity - usually referred to as 'top', 'bottom' and 'versatile'.
A 'top' is usually a person who penetrates, a 'bottom' is usually one who receives penetration, and a 'versatile' engages in both activities, or is open to engaging in either activity.
It is important to note that these terms may be elements of 'self-identity' that indicate an individual's usual preference, but might also describe 'broader sexual identities'.
'Top'
A 'top' is usually a person who engages in the 'penetrative role' during sexual activity, which usually involves penetration using the penis during anal or oral sex.
'Top' is also used as a verb meaning 'to penetrate another'.
A 'top' may also describe a broader personal identity involving 'dominance' in a sexual relationship - and in the extreme, easily subsumes into the category of 'sadist'.
'Bottom'
A 'bottom' is usually the 'receptive partner' during sexual penetration.
To accuse a Roman man of being someone's "boy" was an insult that impugned his manhood, particularly in the political arena.
Sadomasochism in Ancient Rome
While we like to think of the ancient Romans as wildly sadistic, this was not exactly the case.
Roman culture was essentially male dominated and 'phallocentric', and sexual activity was always een in terms of 'dominance' and 'sexual penetration'.
The dominance, and what we would interpret as the 'sadistic' element in Roman sexual activity, (particularly male on male), was not the element that Roman men necessarily found 'exciting' or sexualy arousing.
Being dominant, and carelessly inflicting pain on the individual being penetrated, was simply seen as as side issue, subservient to the sexual pleasure obtained from orgasm.
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| Gladiators - Roman Games © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2016 |
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| Achilles and Patroculus 'Iliad' - Homer - in the Arena © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2016 |
Despite this subtle change, the Ludi always retained a quasi-religious, 'cultural' and 'educative' function, which was an essential element in Roman social cohesion.
The 'cultural' function of the Ludi was to be found in the close overlap between Roman drama and theater, which was evidenced by the presentation in the arena of excerpts from myths, legends and historical events.
It is in this aspect of the Games that we first come across the truly voyeuristic element, in that many of these 'dramatic presentations' had a strong sexual element, often of a homoerotic nature,
The educative function was to be found, not only in the drama and theater, often presented in the arena, as indicated above, but also in the presentation of the fighting styles of the various racial and cultural groups comprising the Empire, but also in the demonstration of masculine virtues so admired in Roman society.
There was also an obvious sexual aspect to the Ludi.
The participants in the Ludi were often very scantily clad - and in the case of wrestling, boxing and the Pancratium, performed nude.
The victor, particularly in the wrestling, boxing and the Pancratium would often 'celebrate' their victory by sexually penetrating their defeated opponent.
In addition, the favoured weapon of the gladiator - the 'gladius' - after which he gladiator (swordsman) was named, was a common euphemism for the erect penis - and so there was a sexual element in penetrating an opponent with a 'gladius'.
 |
| Public Execution in the Arena © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2016 |
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| Public Execution in the Arena © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2016 |
There again, however, while the nature of such displays may seem to be 'sadistic', (the nakedness, humiliation, pain, violence, and often the mutilation of the genitals), the underlying motivation of such scenes was not to provide 'sadistic entertainment' for the audiences in Roman amphitheaters, and it is quite probable that many of the organisers and perpetrators of such punishments were not, in fact 'driven' by sadistic urges (despite the impressions given by contemporary cinema and television series).
In a society where there was no concept, let alone facilities for 'long term imprisonment, and with a vast slave population viewed as highly dangerous (consider the 'Servile Wars' and the 'Spartacus Revolt'), it was essential to deter any individual who was tempted to break Roman law - and this was achieved by publicizing, in the Games, the most severe and humiliating punishments.
Homoerotic Sadomasochism and Contemporary Media
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| Internet 'Porn' |
The actual prevalence of homoerotic sadomasochistic activity is difficult to quantify.
While many individuals may experiment with such activities, many find that the reality of the infliction of pain often makes sexual arousal problematic, and they limit their sadomasochistic activity to wearing leather, etc, mild restraint and mild flagellation.
For the vast majority of individuals their main experience of homoerotic sadomasochistic activity it to be found in fantasy - either of a personal, self-generated kind, or else derived from various types of media.
It is here that we need to consider the element of voyeurism in relation to homoerotic sadomasochism.
Voyeurism and Homoerotic Sadomasochism
Voyeurism is the sexual interest in and/or practice, of watching individuals engaged in sexual behavior.
If the voyeur is observing a 'real event', he usually does not interact directly with the subject of his interest, who is often 'unaware' of being observed.
The 'essence of voyeurism is in the looking', but may also involve the making of photographs or videos of the subject/s.
The term comes from the French 'voir' which means 'to see'.
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| Voyeurism |
Due to the prevalence of voyeurism in society, the people who engage in various voyeuristic behaviors are diverse.
Interestingly, voyeurs are unlikely to be alcoholics or drug users.
Also, compared to the general population, voyeurs are more likely to a have higher interest in sexual matters - not really surprising.
In addition, voyeurs have a greater number of sexual partners per year, and are more likely to have had a same-sex partner than general populations - so ther is a strong link between voyeurism - in the form of the consumption of 'porn' - and homoeroticism.
Voyeurs also typically have a later age of first sexual intercourse, and voyeurs tend to be of a higher socioeconomic status than those who do not show such behavior.
Homoerotic Masochism
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| Bondage and Erotic Torture |
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| Whips - Chains' - Flagellation |
Such activities are the extreme end of an extensive continuum.
In male homosexuality there are numerous 'sub-cultural' terms to describe attitudes and sex positions during sexual activity - usually referred to as 'top', 'bottom' and 'versatile'.
A 'top' is usually a person who penetrates, a 'bottom' is usually one who receives penetration, and a 'versatile' engages in both activities, or is open to engaging in either activity.
It is important to note that these terms may be elements of 'self-identity' that indicate an individual's usual preference, but might also describe 'broader sexual identities'.
'Top'
A 'top' is usually a person who engages in the 'penetrative role' during sexual activity, which usually involves penetration using the penis during anal or oral sex.
'Top' is also used as a verb meaning 'to penetrate another'.
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| 'Top' Penetrating Young 'Bottom' © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2016 |
Related sub cultural terms - With regard to gay male sexuality, a 'total top' is one who assumes an exclusively penetrative role for sex. A 'power top' is one noted for their great skill or aggressiveness in topping. A 'service top' is 'one who tops under the direction of an eager bottom'. A 'versatile top' is one who prefers to 'top' but who 'bottoms' occasionally. The terms 'penetrative partner', or 'giver' are synonyms of 'top', created to describe the act of penetrating without implying non-egalitarian relations among participants.'Self-identified tops' are vastly more likely to act as the 'penetrative partner', and a 'top' is also more likely to act as the 'penetrative partner' in other sexual activities, such as 'oral sex' and 'sex toy play'.
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| Young 'Bottom' © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2016 |
This frequently refers to individuals who are penetrated through the anus during sex.
'Bottom' is also used as a verb meaning 'to be penetrated by another', whether anally or orally.
'Bottom' may also describe a wider social context of 'submission' within a sexual relationship, though this element does not apply to all people who prefer to bottom.
Related sub cultural terms - a 'total bottom' is someone who assumes an exclusively 'passive' or 'receptive' role during anal or oral intercourse. A 'power bottom' is someone who aggressively enjoys being the receptive partner. A 'versatile bottom' is one who prefers to 'bottom' but who 'tops' occasionally.The term 'receiver' or 'receptive partner' may be preferred by some.An 'oral bottom' is the exclusively 'receptive partner' in oral sex.The 'versatile' is obviously a combination of the two previous positions.
Greek and Roman 'Tops' and 'Bottoms'
The ancient Greeks and Romans, in their homoerotic activity almost exclusively practised pederasty.
In the 'classical civilisations' of ancient Greece and Rome the role of the 'top' was exclusively taken by free (that is not slaves) adult males.
The role of the 'bottom' was taken by slaves, regardless of sex or age, but preferably young and male.
In addition free teenage boys (Ephebes), referred to as the 'eromenos', would usualy take the role of 'bottom'.
The erastês (derived from the Greek verb erô, erân, "to love"), was the dominant, 'top', adult male.
The influence of pederasty on Greek culture of these periods was so pervasive that it has been described as 'the principal cultural model for free relationships between citizens'.
The origin of this practice may well be located in the initiation rituals, particularly rites of passage on Crete, where it was associated with entrance into military life and the religion of Zeus - as seen in the mythological account of Zeus and Ganymede.
Classical pederasty seems to have come to fullness in the late 7th century BC as an aspect of Greek homosocial culture, which was characterized also by athletic and artistic nudity, delayed marriage for aristocrats, 'symposia', and the social seclusion of women.
Athenian law, for instance, recognized 'consent' but not 'age' as a factor in regulating sexual behavior, and therefore discussion of 'paiderastia' is complicated by 21st-century moral standards.
Unlike in contemporary society, the roles of 'tops' and 'bottoms' were rigidly enforced by social custom, and any adult male taking the role of 'bottom' would be socially ostracised and ruined.
It is in this way, in particular, that ancient forms of homoeroticism differ fundamentally from contemporary attitudes.
The erastês (derived from the Greek verb erô, erân, "to love"), was the dominant, 'top', adult male.
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| Ephebe © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2016 |
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| The Abduction of Ganymede © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2016 |
The origin of this practice may well be located in the initiation rituals, particularly rites of passage on Crete, where it was associated with entrance into military life and the religion of Zeus - as seen in the mythological account of Zeus and Ganymede.
Classical pederasty seems to have come to fullness in the late 7th century BC as an aspect of Greek homosocial culture, which was characterized also by athletic and artistic nudity, delayed marriage for aristocrats, 'symposia', and the social seclusion of women.
Athenian law, for instance, recognized 'consent' but not 'age' as a factor in regulating sexual behavior, and therefore discussion of 'paiderastia' is complicated by 21st-century moral standards.
Unlike in contemporary society, the roles of 'tops' and 'bottoms' were rigidly enforced by social custom, and any adult male taking the role of 'bottom' would be socially ostracised and ruined.
It is in this way, in particular, that ancient forms of homoeroticism differ fundamentally from contemporary attitudes.
'Bottoms' and Homoerotic Masochism
Control and Humiliation - One of the defining features of a 'bottom' is the quality of 'submissiveness', which is as essential to the 'bottom' as the quality of dominance is essential to the 'top'.
'Submissiveness' is undoubtedly associated with 'masochistic tendencies' - including the tendency to submit to 'possible' pain and 'humiliation'.
At its core, 'submissiveness' involves a matter of 'control' - or rather a loss, or lack, of 'control'.
'Control', in such cases, is given over to the 'dominant partner'.
To a certain extent this also involves, for many, a certain sense of 'humiliation', particularly if there is a 'public' quality' to their loss of control.
While most actual sexual encounters occur in private, and therefore this quality of humiliation is not significant, it is always present where there is some degree of imagined fantasy - particularly if the fantasy involves the subject being observed by others.
More significantly, when scenarios are enacted in public, particularly as 'performances' to be viewed, either 'live', or recorded on various media as 'pornographic exhibitions', the quality of humiliation becomes very evident.
This is often found in internet 'dungeon' scenarios, either as still images, animated GIFs or video.
Such scenarios are subsumed under the definition of BDSM, (the term BDSM was first used on the internet in about 1991) which is a variety of erotic practices or 'role playing' involving 'bondage', 'discipline', 'dominance', submission, all in various ways involving sadomasochism.
In such scenarios an apparently 'unwilling' victim is usually bound and/or restrained, and subjected to numerous possibly painful, and intentionally humiliating activities, often involving genital abuse (e.g. stretching, beating, and attaching weights to the scrotum), and anal 'abuse'.
Activities and relationships within this context are often characterized by the participants taking on complementary, but unequal roles; thus, the idea of apparently 'informed consent' of both the partners becomes important.
Control and Humiliation - One of the defining features of a 'bottom' is the quality of 'submissiveness', which is as essential to the 'bottom' as the quality of dominance is essential to the 'top'.
'Submissiveness' is undoubtedly associated with 'masochistic tendencies' - including the tendency to submit to 'possible' pain and 'humiliation'.
At its core, 'submissiveness' involves a matter of 'control' - or rather a loss, or lack, of 'control'.
'Control', in such cases, is given over to the 'dominant partner'.
To a certain extent this also involves, for many, a certain sense of 'humiliation', particularly if there is a 'public' quality' to their loss of control.
While most actual sexual encounters occur in private, and therefore this quality of humiliation is not significant, it is always present where there is some degree of imagined fantasy - particularly if the fantasy involves the subject being observed by others.
More significantly, when scenarios are enacted in public, particularly as 'performances' to be viewed, either 'live', or recorded on various media as 'pornographic exhibitions', the quality of humiliation becomes very evident.
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| Internet Homerotic 'Dungeon' Scenario |
Such scenarios are subsumed under the definition of BDSM, (the term BDSM was first used on the internet in about 1991) which is a variety of erotic practices or 'role playing' involving 'bondage', 'discipline', 'dominance', submission, all in various ways involving sadomasochism.
The GIF image opposite features restraint, the presumable genuine infliction of pain (note the redness on the chest), loss of control, humiliation and sexual arousal (penile erection).
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| Internet Homerotic 'Dungeon' Scenario |
Activities and relationships within this context are often characterized by the participants taking on complementary, but unequal roles; thus, the idea of apparently 'informed consent' of both the partners becomes important.
The terms 'submissive' and 'dominant', already used frequently in this article, are often used to distinguish these roles: the dominant partner (subcultural slang - 'dom') takes psychological 'control' over the submissive (subcultural slang - 'sub').
The subcultural terms (previously explained) 'top' and 'bottom' are also used: the 'top' being the instigator of an action, while the 'bottom' is the receiver of the action.
The two sets of terms are subtly different - and often confusing to the outsider: for example, someone may choose to act as 'bottom' to another person, for example, by being whipped, purely recreationally, without any implication of being psychologically dominated by them.
In the sphere of BDSM, sadomasochism refers to the aspects of BDSM surrounding the exchange of physical or emotional pain.
'Sadism', as previously referred to, describes sexual pleasure derived by inflicting pain, and particularly degradation, humiliation on another person, or causing another person to, in a generalized way, suffer.
On the other hand, the 'masochist', as previously referred to, gains some kind of satisfaction (usually erotic) from being hurt, humiliated, or suffering within the scenario.
Not surprisingly, Sadomasochistic scenes may, at times, reach a level that appear more extreme or cruel than other forms of BDSM.
Recent Developments
In the sphere of BDSM, sadomasochism refers to the aspects of BDSM surrounding the exchange of physical or emotional pain.
'Sadism', as previously referred to, describes sexual pleasure derived by inflicting pain, and particularly degradation, humiliation on another person, or causing another person to, in a generalized way, suffer.
On the other hand, the 'masochist', as previously referred to, gains some kind of satisfaction (usually erotic) from being hurt, humiliated, or suffering within the scenario.
Not surprisingly, Sadomasochistic scenes may, at times, reach a level that appear more extreme or cruel than other forms of BDSM.
Recent Developments
Recent developments in homoerotic sadomasochistic on the internet include anal abuse involving the now ubiquitous 'fucking machine' - electrical 'torture' of the anus and genitals, and homoerotic wrestling, combat (often spelled 'kombat'), and wrestling.
A typical penetrative 'sex machine' works by the transfer of rotational or reciprocating force from a motor to a directional motion on a shaft, which is tipped by a dildo. A handheld modified reciprocating saw device is sometimes called a 'fucksaw', a handheld modified drill motor rotating device is sometimes called a 'drilldo'.
Whether any actual current is being applied is very difficult to tell, but it is ideal for putting 'subs' into appropriately humiliating postures.
Erections are often missing from such 'scenarios', whether because the subject is really being hurt - as real pain can often dampen 'desire', - or possibly because simply squealing and writhing are not sufficient incentives to become arouse, despite often unsuccessful, and rather foolish looking attempts by the 'dom' to stimulate the subject to arousal or orgasm.
Wrestling and combat are forms of 'role play' in which a participant (or participants) is usually cast as being 'dominant', while the other participant (or participants) is cast as being 'submissive'.
This casting of roles is often related to the 'good guy' (faces) - 'bad guy' (heels) dichotomy, and is often age related.
One of the attractions of this form of homoerotic sadomasochistic role playing is that the roles (in terms of 'dominance' and 'submissiveness') can be quite 'fluid' for various sections of the 'scenario', - with the participants 'switching' roles, sometime quite frequently, and quite suddenly.
However, almost all examples of homoerotic wrestling and combat are carefully 'scripted' before the 'matches' are videoed or photographed and the outcome is therefore pre-planned.
Also aficionados of the genre will often be aware of the usual role that individual known participants will take.
Those who regularly take the masochistic 'submissive' role, being regularly abused, humiliated and defeated, are known within the homoerotic wrestling subculture as 'jobbers'.
Fetishism forms a strong element in many aspects of homoerotic sadomasochism - particularly with regard to 'leather-gear' in the case of 'bomdage'.
In homerotic wrestling (rather than naked combat), the clothing, (such as it is), also has a strong element of fetishism.
Sexual fetishism, or erotic fetishism, is a sexual focus on a nonliving object, or nongenital body part.
The object of interest is called the 'fetish'; the person who has a fetish for that object is a fetishist.
A sexual fetish may be regarded as an aid to sexual excitement.
In a reviews of numerous cases of fetishism, fetishes included clothing (58.3%), rubber and rubber items (22.9%), footwear (14.6%), leather (10.4%), and soft materials or fabrics (6.3%).
Fetishism usually becomes evident during puberty, and may develop prior to that, - however, no cause for fetishism has been conclusively established.
The prevalence of fetishism is not known with certainty, however, the majority of fetishists are male.
In homoerotic wrestling the main fetishes are the trunks, thongs, tights and other coverings of the genitals, and also wrestling boots, and knee and elbow protectors.
In addition there seems to be an obsession, with some wrestlers (and their followers), with masks and capes, possibly deriving from comic superheroes, and their depiction in movies.
Much of the supposed humiliation inflicted on 'faces' (usually twinks) who are jobbers, appears to be with regard to their 'costumes'.
Homoerotic wrestlers usually wear exceptionally brief trunks (very similar to the briefest Speedo swimming trunks), or alternatively thongs.
Many homoerotic wrestlers wear a thong under their briefs, but some wear nothing under their briefs.
Thongs are regularly worn on their own by 'faces' (twinks) in order to look as vulnerable and sexualy desireable as possible
Usually, at some point in a homoerotic wrestling match, the submissive 'jobber' has his briefs, and also (maybe slightly later) his thong forcibly removed, and is then required to wrestle naked, often only wearing wrestling boots and knee protectors - which are very often seen as fetishistically arousing - particularly when worn while the wrestler is otherwise naked.
One fetishistic item that appears in naked combat (naked kombat - see below for more information) is body oil, which is seen my many individuals as highly sexually arousing.
The practice of covering the body with oil when wrestling derives from the wrestling and Pankration of the ancient Greeks.
Their intention was not erotic, but rather practical, as the oiled body was then dusted with fine sand, which adhered to the oil, and was helpful in improving the grip of the wrestlers.
When used fetishistically it has been speculated that the oil may be intended to mimic the sweat that is often generated in orgasmic sexual encounters.
Naked Kombat
This is an internet organisation of homerotic wrestling that is represented by a website of the same name.
It differs considerably, in a number of ways, from the homoeroctic wrestling presented by such organisations as BG East.
Naked Kombat specialises in homerotic wrestling that dispenses with many of the trapping of professional wrestling, homerotic or otherwise.
Individual wrestlers are not typecast so rigidly into 'faces' and 'heels', or 'twinks' and 'bears', and the matches are not so rigidly 'scripted'.
Most fighters compete either naked, or wearing only a very small thong, that they usually lose very early on in the match, and so fetishistic costuming, such as trunks, tights, boots, masks etc. are dispensed with (hence the title 'Naked Kombat').
Fights normally take place in a 'gym-like' setting, with no ring or ropes.
The lack of corner posts and ropes means that many of the moves favoured by professional homoeroctic wrestlers are not possible.
There is less evidence of spectacular throws, with most of the action being restricted to what is described in wrestling circles as 'mat-work.
Equally there is somewhat less 'CBT' (see below) than in the wrestling provided by such organisations as BG EAst.
The overall style of 'Naked Kombat', therefore. is in many ways similar to that of ancient Greek wrestling, or the ancient Greek Pankration.
Many of the fights are predicated on the concept of 'winner takes all' in sexual terms, so that many matches end in enforced masturbation, and also, in numerous cases, the losing wrestler is 'fucked' by the winner.
These and other diference mean that 'Naked Kombat' may well appeal to those of a different disposition to those who favour BG East style homoeroctic wrestling.
Sexual 'Abuse' on Homoerotic Wrestling
Apart from being stripped, submissive 'jobbers' in the homoerotic wrestling ring are usually subjected to repeated attacks to their genitals.
Such attacks can be quickly debilitating, due to the large number of sensitive nerve endings in the penis and testicles, and a sufficiently powerful blow to this area may fracture the pubic bone of the victim, resulting in physical disability.
An attack to the groin is considered to be a 'low blow', not only in the literal sense, but is also the origin of the metaphor.
In an attack in the framework of a 'sport', (not that homoerotic wrestling is a sport - but is rather a 'performance') a 'low blow' is seen as unfair or improper - but acceptable for a 'heel' to deliver (see above) and sometimes even a 'face'.
In genuine competitions, strikes to the groin are almost universally forbidden - as in martial arts competitions, including boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts competitions.
Attacks to the testicles were, however, allowed until the 1980s in international Thai boxing (Muay Thai), and are still permitted in Thailand itself (though the boxers wear protective 'cups' to lessen the impact).
Many martial arts organizations require competitors to wear protective 'cups' against accidental blows, as do many other sports.
Direct strikes to the groin are generally considered illegal in professional wrestling as well, however, in certain "hardcore" wrestling events, and in homoerotic wrestling matches, such attacks are allowed.
Protective 'cups' (groin protectors) are almost never worn in homoerotic wrestling matches.
Groin strikes are debilitating and incapacitating, and pose potential harm to males, due to the high sensitivity of the gonads, and vulnerability of the external testicles.
The pain associated with testicular trauma travels from the testicles into the abdominal cavity through the spermatic plexus, the primary nerve of the testicles and, as a result thereof, will often lead to shock, nausea, shortage of breath, dizziness, vomiting and blackout, depending on the severity of the injury.
In extreme cases, a hard strike to the testicles can cause one or both testicles to rupture, potentially sterilizing or even killing the victim.
Attacks to the testicles in homoerotic wrestling are often referred to as 'Sack Tapping', where a the dominant wrestler attacks, by slapping, tapping, punching, kicking, elbowing, twisting, or backhanding a victim's testicles.
The term derived from 'sack', - slang that refers to the scrotum.
'Sack Tapping' is therefore a form of 'cock and ball torture' (CBT) - a sexual activity involving application of pain or constriction to the male genitals.
This may involve directly painful activities, such as genital spanking, squeezing, ball-busting, or even kicking.
The recipient of such activities may, in some cases, receive direct physical pleasure via masochism or, more likely, receive emotional pleasure and sexual stimulation through erotic humiliation, or knowledge that the activity is pleasing to a sadistic 'dominant'.
There is an 'unwritten agreement' between homoerotic wrestlers that the violence that occurs in the ring (and in particular the sexual violence) is both simulated and 'scripted'.
Sometimes, however, this unwritten agreement is not worth the paper that is is not written on, and wrestlers, usually 'faces' (often twinks), actually suffer a certain amount of pain and injury.
Such injuries often occur as a result of throws.
It is obviously very difficult to throw someone from a considerable height without causing a certain amount of pain or even injury.
Equally any perusal of GIFs or videos of homerotic wrestling witll reveal that much 'sack tapping' ('cock and ball torture') is simulated, but occasionally, either by design, or accidentally, an individual is actually hurt, and such injury will often result in the hurt wrestler being unable, for some time thereafter to obtain an erection.
Such cases are often cause by the use of a 'crotch posting' - a dangerous move, illustrated here from the 'Masked Mayhem' match, featuring Reese Wells - see Gig right)
The first pull is obviously faked, but the second is pulled too hard, and Wells is actually hurt.
Subsequently, the twink has his trunks pulled off, revealing that he has lost the strong erection that he had earlier in the match.
He then fights naked for the rest of the match, but can only manage a semi-erection after being given a prolonged 'figure four sleeper hold' (a 'sleeper hold applied with the legs) - see below).
Such 'sleeper holds' almost always produce strong erections.
It is only when he eventually recovers a degree of consciousness, and is led naked from the ring by his penis, that he manages to become aroused once again.
The very dangerous 'sleeper hold' is a move which is usually faked.
In consideration of the comments in this article, one should not, therefore, consider homoerotic wrestling as a sport, but rather as a 'dramatic presentation', with 'scripts' and 'plots', and stereotypical 'characters' that are designed to stimulate erotic and sexual arousal on the part of the viewer or reader.
In terms of videos and GIFs, whether or not certain aspects of the performances are 'faked' or staged is immaterial.
In male 'pornography' erections, anal sex and masturbation and ejaculation cannot easily be faked or staged, and so the sadistic 'dominance' of some of the performers, and the masochistic 'submissiveness' of other performers is almost certainly genuine, and the viewing of such responses can therefore be highly arousing and satisfying to many who consume such material.
Written descriptions of such homoerotic sadomasochistic, accompanied by images, need not be genuine, in the sense of having actually physically occurred at a certain time, but if such fantasies (for such they are) are presented with sufficient skill, then they can be as equally effective as 'real-life' dramatic presentations, in the form of videos and GIFs, in producing erotic and sexual arousal on the part of the viewer or reader.
A typical penetrative 'sex machine' works by the transfer of rotational or reciprocating force from a motor to a directional motion on a shaft, which is tipped by a dildo. A handheld modified reciprocating saw device is sometimes called a 'fucksaw', a handheld modified drill motor rotating device is sometimes called a 'drilldo'.
Electrical torture is, of course, easy to fake, as all it require is a few wires attached to sensitive parts of the body, and the addition of a writhing and screaming submissive individual.A 'sex machine', also known as a 'fucking machine', is a mechanical device used to simulate human sexual intercourse or other sexual activity. It is a more sophisticated version of the vibrator. A typical penetrative machine works by the transfer of rotational or reciprocating force from a motor to a directional motion on a shaft, which is tipped by a dildo. The individual in the Gif image opposite displays apparent distress as a result of impersonal anal abuse, and is restrained by ropes, indicating loss of control and humiliation.
Fucking Machine
There is always a risk of injury if the the degree of penetration is too deep.
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| Electro-Torture |
Erections are often missing from such 'scenarios', whether because the subject is really being hurt - as real pain can often dampen 'desire', - or possibly because simply squealing and writhing are not sufficient incentives to become arouse, despite often unsuccessful, and rather foolish looking attempts by the 'dom' to stimulate the subject to arousal or orgasm.
Homerotic WrestlingIt should be noted that electrostimulation can cause tissue damage or even death if misused. The most common problems arising from electrostimulation tend to be burns from lack of sufficiently wide surface contact, i.e. bad contact ,between the electrode and the skin's surface. Even at relatively low current and voltage, there is also risk of interference with normal heart function (potentially including cardiac arrest). Because of this, it is not advisable to place the electrical contacts in such a way that current passes through the chest cavity. Electroconductive gels play an important role in the success of erotic electrostimulation since without it, there is a greater risk of high-current skin burning. Water-based lubricants are generally recommended. Typically it is recommended to avoid any lubricant that contains silicone since it is an insulator and hence reduces conductivity. Practitioners of electrostimulation select lubricants for compatibility with the material of the electrodes, as well as for desirable conductive properties, which can maximize the strength and quality of the signal.
Electro-Torture
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| Homoerotic Wrestling Reese Wells |
Wrestling and combat are forms of 'role play' in which a participant (or participants) is usually cast as being 'dominant', while the other participant (or participants) is cast as being 'submissive'.
This casting of roles is often related to the 'good guy' (faces) - 'bad guy' (heels) dichotomy, and is often age related.
The characters assumed by wrestlers can be distinguished into two alignments: 'faces' and 'heels'. 'Faces', short for babyfaces, are hero-type characters. 'Faces', in the past, usually won their matches, but there is now a tendency (in homerotic wrestling) for 'faces' to also be 'jobbers' (see below), as their youth and physical attractiveness make them suitable for being stripped naked and being subjected to sexual abuse.
'Face' or 'Babyface' - Reese Wells
Where age is a factor, the more mature participant (or participants), usually a 'heel' can be viewed as 'bears' (see above), and the younger participant, (or participants), usually a 'face', are viewed as 'twinks' (see above).'Heels' are depicted as villainous or antagonistic characters. They often embrace traditionally negative traits such as narcissism, egomania, unprompted rage, and sadism. 'Heels' typically employ supposedly 'underhanded' tactics, in their fighting strategies, or use overly aggressive styles to cause excess pain and humiliation to their opponents. Very occasionally a wrestler may change from 'face' to 'heel' (or vice versa) in an event known as a 'turn'. 'Heels' are often presented as basically 'heterosexual' and 'dominant'.
Jonny Firestorm - 'Heel'
One of the attractions of this form of homoerotic sadomasochistic role playing is that the roles (in terms of 'dominance' and 'submissiveness') can be quite 'fluid' for various sections of the 'scenario', - with the participants 'switching' roles, sometime quite frequently, and quite suddenly.
However, almost all examples of homoerotic wrestling and combat are carefully 'scripted' before the 'matches' are videoed or photographed and the outcome is therefore pre-planned.
Also aficionados of the genre will often be aware of the usual role that individual known participants will take.
Those who regularly take the masochistic 'submissive' role, being regularly abused, humiliated and defeated, are known within the homoerotic wrestling subculture as 'jobbers'.
In professional wrestling slang, a 'job' is a losing performance in a wrestling match. It is derived from the euphemism 'doing one's job', which was employed to protect kayfabe. The term can be used a number of ways. When a wrestler is booked to lose a match it is described as "a job". The act itself is described with the verb 'jobbing', while the act of booking (rather than being booked) to job is called 'jobbing out'. To lose a match fairly (meaning without any kayfabe rules being broken) is to job cleanly. Wrestlers who routinely lose matches are known as 'jobbers'. A regular jobber skilled at enhancing the matches he loses, as opposed to a mediocre local rookie or part-timer, is called a 'carpenter'.Fetishism in Homoerotic Wrestling
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| 'Leather Gear' and 'Bondage' |
In homerotic wrestling (rather than naked combat), the clothing, (such as it is), also has a strong element of fetishism.
Sexual fetishism, or erotic fetishism, is a sexual focus on a nonliving object, or nongenital body part.
The object of interest is called the 'fetish'; the person who has a fetish for that object is a fetishist.
A sexual fetish may be regarded as an aid to sexual excitement.
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| Masks, Capes and Tights |
Fetishism usually becomes evident during puberty, and may develop prior to that, - however, no cause for fetishism has been conclusively established.
The prevalence of fetishism is not known with certainty, however, the majority of fetishists are male.
In homoerotic wrestling the main fetishes are the trunks, thongs, tights and other coverings of the genitals, and also wrestling boots, and knee and elbow protectors.
In addition there seems to be an obsession, with some wrestlers (and their followers), with masks and capes, possibly deriving from comic superheroes, and their depiction in movies.
Much of the supposed humiliation inflicted on 'faces' (usually twinks) who are jobbers, appears to be with regard to their 'costumes'.
Homoerotic wrestlers usually wear exceptionally brief trunks (very similar to the briefest Speedo swimming trunks), or alternatively thongs.
The thong is a garment generally worn as either underwear or as a swimsuit. It may also be worn for traditional competitions, such as sumo wrestling.Viewed from the front, the thong typically resembles a bikini bottom, but at the back the material is reduced to a minimum. Thongs are almost always designed to cover the genitals, anus, and perineum, and leave part or most of the buttocks uncovered. The back of the garment typically consists of a thin waistband and a thin strip of material, designed to be worn between the buttocks, that connects the middle of the waistband with the bottom front of the garment. One type of thong is the G-string, the back of which consists only of a (typically elasticized) string. The two terms G-string and thong are often used interchangeably; however, they can refer to distinct pieces of clothing.
Wrestling Thong
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| Wrestling Naked |
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| Wrestler Strippe Naked |
Thongs are regularly worn on their own by 'faces' (twinks) in order to look as vulnerable and sexualy desireable as possible
Usually, at some point in a homoerotic wrestling match, the submissive 'jobber' has his briefs, and also (maybe slightly later) his thong forcibly removed, and is then required to wrestle naked, often only wearing wrestling boots and knee protectors - which are very often seen as fetishistically arousing - particularly when worn while the wrestler is otherwise naked.
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| Oil Wrestling |
The practice of covering the body with oil when wrestling derives from the wrestling and Pankration of the ancient Greeks.
Their intention was not erotic, but rather practical, as the oiled body was then dusted with fine sand, which adhered to the oil, and was helpful in improving the grip of the wrestlers.
When used fetishistically it has been speculated that the oil may be intended to mimic the sweat that is often generated in orgasmic sexual encounters.
Naked Kombat
This is an internet organisation of homerotic wrestling that is represented by a website of the same name.
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| 'CBT' Naked Kombat |
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| 'CBT' Naked Kombat |
Naked Kombat specialises in homerotic wrestling that dispenses with many of the trapping of professional wrestling, homerotic or otherwise.
Individual wrestlers are not typecast so rigidly into 'faces' and 'heels', or 'twinks' and 'bears', and the matches are not so rigidly 'scripted'.
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| Naked Kombat - Thong |
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| Naked Kombat - Fucking |
Fights normally take place in a 'gym-like' setting, with no ring or ropes.
The lack of corner posts and ropes means that many of the moves favoured by professional homoeroctic wrestlers are not possible.
There is less evidence of spectacular throws, with most of the action being restricted to what is described in wrestling circles as 'mat-work.
Equally there is somewhat less 'CBT' (see below) than in the wrestling provided by such organisations as BG EAst.
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| Enforced Masturbation |
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| Winner Takes All |
Many of the fights are predicated on the concept of 'winner takes all' in sexual terms, so that many matches end in enforced masturbation, and also, in numerous cases, the losing wrestler is 'fucked' by the winner.
These and other diference mean that 'Naked Kombat' may well appeal to those of a different disposition to those who favour BG East style homoeroctic wrestling.
Sexual 'Abuse' on Homoerotic Wrestling
Apart from being stripped, submissive 'jobbers' in the homoerotic wrestling ring are usually subjected to repeated attacks to their genitals.
Such attacks can be quickly debilitating, due to the large number of sensitive nerve endings in the penis and testicles, and a sufficiently powerful blow to this area may fracture the pubic bone of the victim, resulting in physical disability.
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| Attack to the Groin |
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| Attack to the Groin |
In an attack in the framework of a 'sport', (not that homoerotic wrestling is a sport - but is rather a 'performance') a 'low blow' is seen as unfair or improper - but acceptable for a 'heel' to deliver (see above) and sometimes even a 'face'.
In genuine competitions, strikes to the groin are almost universally forbidden - as in martial arts competitions, including boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts competitions.
Attacks to the testicles were, however, allowed until the 1980s in international Thai boxing (Muay Thai), and are still permitted in Thailand itself (though the boxers wear protective 'cups' to lessen the impact).
Many martial arts organizations require competitors to wear protective 'cups' against accidental blows, as do many other sports.
Direct strikes to the groin are generally considered illegal in professional wrestling as well, however, in certain "hardcore" wrestling events, and in homoerotic wrestling matches, such attacks are allowed.
Protective 'cups' (groin protectors) are almost never worn in homoerotic wrestling matches.
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| Groin Strikes are Debilitating |
The pain associated with testicular trauma travels from the testicles into the abdominal cavity through the spermatic plexus, the primary nerve of the testicles and, as a result thereof, will often lead to shock, nausea, shortage of breath, dizziness, vomiting and blackout, depending on the severity of the injury.
In extreme cases, a hard strike to the testicles can cause one or both testicles to rupture, potentially sterilizing or even killing the victim.
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| Twisting a Victim's Testicles |
The term derived from 'sack', - slang that refers to the scrotum.
'Sack Tapping' is therefore a form of 'cock and ball torture' (CBT) - a sexual activity involving application of pain or constriction to the male genitals.
This may involve directly painful activities, such as genital spanking, squeezing, ball-busting, or even kicking.
The recipient of such activities may, in some cases, receive direct physical pleasure via masochism or, more likely, receive emotional pleasure and sexual stimulation through erotic humiliation, or knowledge that the activity is pleasing to a sadistic 'dominant'.
There is an 'unwritten agreement' between homoerotic wrestlers that the violence that occurs in the ring (and in particular the sexual violence) is both simulated and 'scripted'.
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| Body Slam - Painful Throw |
Such injuries often occur as a result of throws.
It is obviously very difficult to throw someone from a considerable height without causing a certain amount of pain or even injury.
Equally any perusal of GIFs or videos of homerotic wrestling witll reveal that much 'sack tapping' ('cock and ball torture') is simulated, but occasionally, either by design, or accidentally, an individual is actually hurt, and such injury will often result in the hurt wrestler being unable, for some time thereafter to obtain an erection.
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| Groin Posting |
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| Groin Posting |
Such cases are often cause by the use of a 'crotch posting' - a dangerous move, illustrated here from the 'Masked Mayhem' match, featuring Reese Wells - see Gig right)
The first pull is obviously faked, but the second is pulled too hard, and Wells is actually hurt.
Subsequently, the twink has his trunks pulled off, revealing that he has lost the strong erection that he had earlier in the match.
He then fights naked for the rest of the match, but can only manage a semi-erection after being given a prolonged 'figure four sleeper hold' (a 'sleeper hold applied with the legs) - see below).
Such 'sleeper holds' almost always produce strong erections.
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| After the 'Sleeper' |
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| Led from the Ring |
It is only when he eventually recovers a degree of consciousness, and is led naked from the ring by his penis, that he manages to become aroused once again.
The very dangerous 'sleeper hold' is a move which is usually faked.
Possible Conclusions
Erection After a 'Sleeper Hold' In the 'sleeper hold', the wrestler applying the hold positions himself behind his opponent. The wrestler then wraps their arm around the opponent's neck, pressing the biceps against one side of the neck and the inner bone of the forearm against the other side. The neck is squeezed inside the arm very tightly. If applied as a blood choke, (also known as a carotid restraint), the hold compress one or both carotid arteries and/or the jugular veins without compressing the airway, hence causing 'cerebral ischemia' and a temporary 'hypoxic' condition in the brain. This is very dangerous, and also often cause a very strong erection as a side effect. Confused and highly aroused, the wrestler on whom the hold is applied may well masturbate, or even if he does not, may ejaculate semen, prior to the onset of unconsciousness. This hold is usually faked, as death or permanent brain damage can ensue if fully applied.
Erection & Ejaculation - 'Sleeper Hold'
In consideration of the comments in this article, one should not, therefore, consider homoerotic wrestling as a sport, but rather as a 'dramatic presentation', with 'scripts' and 'plots', and stereotypical 'characters' that are designed to stimulate erotic and sexual arousal on the part of the viewer or reader.
In terms of videos and GIFs, whether or not certain aspects of the performances are 'faked' or staged is immaterial.
In male 'pornography' erections, anal sex and masturbation and ejaculation cannot easily be faked or staged, and so the sadistic 'dominance' of some of the performers, and the masochistic 'submissiveness' of other performers is almost certainly genuine, and the viewing of such responses can therefore be highly arousing and satisfying to many who consume such material.
Written descriptions of such homoerotic sadomasochistic, accompanied by images, need not be genuine, in the sense of having actually physically occurred at a certain time, but if such fantasies (for such they are) are presented with sufficient skill, then they can be as equally effective as 'real-life' dramatic presentations, in the form of videos and GIFs, in producing erotic and sexual arousal on the part of the viewer or reader.
more images and more text to follow........
all Text: © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2016
all Text: © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2016
