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Erotic Outlaws: Tactile Looks, Women Desiring Women and Transgender Bodies

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Sex Clubs

Abstract

This chapter explores how transgressions take place within the sex club. First, using a group sex encounter, it highlights the ways in which different forms of heteroeroticism can be understood as contesting the everyday routines of the club and broader notions of heteronormativity. Embedded within this section of the chapter is the notion of gaze and how this is a reversible process of looking and being looked at. The second part of this chapter focuses on sex between women. Whilst initially framing this as taking place within a heteropatriarchal gaze driven by forms of neo-liberal sexual entrepreneurialism, the chapter reflects on this approach by suggesting that it is within the limits of neo-liberalism where transgressive sexual practices might emerge. Finally, the chapter tentatively explores transgender experiences. In particular, it argues that transgression is not always a positive experience but can also result in sexual violence. The chapter concludes by arguing that where sexual practice exceeds economies of desire, it can be the source of intense sexual pleasure. At the same time, such transgressions can be physically and emotionally dangerous.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Media, Culture and Heritage, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK

    Chris Haywood

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Haywood, C. (2022). Erotic Outlaws: Tactile Looks, Women Desiring Women and Transgender Bodies. In: Sex Clubs. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14050-1_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14050-1_7

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-14049-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-14050-1

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