Let’s talk about this often misunderstood kink
BY SOFIE ROOS, IMAGE VIA CANVA
Interested in showing yourself sexually to others? I’m Sofie Roos, a licensed sexologist and relationship therapist, as well as an author at the Swedish sex and relationship magazine Passionerad. In this article, I’m here to guide all you sapphics about all things exhibitionism.
What is exhibitionism?
Exhibitionism is a kink where you get turned on by, feel sexual pleasure and have a big desire to show yourself naked to others, often while doing something sexual. Being in public is often a part of the kink!
People who are into exhibitionism often get turned on by it for the attention and the thrill, but also because they like to turn someone else on, or because they like to be humiliated.
Consent is very important
It’s very important not to confuse exhibitionism with flashing, where you show yourself naked to people who don’t want to look. That’s something that’s illegal and a destructive sexual behaviour that you need to seek help for.
With that said, everyone needs to give their consent before having exhibitionism! This includes setting boundaries where everyone talks about what they feel comfortable with and are into doing. You should decide on a safe word so that any participant, both the one showing themself, and the ones looking, can stop whenever they feel like.
How to get started
Most beginners to exhibitionism start off in a very private situation, often in front of only their partner, and when that feels safe and you eventually want more, then it’s common to explore exhibitionism at kink parties or online in different communities.
After the session, it’s important to have shared aftercare and be there for each other both physically and emotionally!
Ideas on things you can do
Sexual ways to explore exhibitionism
- Have a private show for your partner where you give a strip tease, just show up yourself in underwear and/or masturbate.
- Have sex in front of others, either IRL or via cam.
- While not per se exhibitionism, going public with your partner and having sex where you’re close to getting caught, but don’t get it, can feel very thrilling if you are into showing yourself. It can, for example, be to get intimate in a fitting room or at a public toilet where people understand what you’re doing, but never see anything!
- Send nudes to your partner or someone else you’re comfortable with and who’s giving you their consent.
- Find a club, sauna, bath house or beach where nudity is okay. Some of these places allow it in a sexual way, while others simply are for nudists in a non-sexual context, and both can be satisfying for someone interested in exhibitionism. Just remember to respect the rules of the place you’re at! So for example masturbating at a nude beach is in most cases not okay!
- If being solo, it can feel satisfying to masturbate in front of a mirror, to record yourself, or find someone online who wants to watch!
Non sexual ways:
Even though exhibitionism is mainly associated with sex and nudity, you can also explore it in other non-sexual ways, such as by:
- Dancing for others, often in public
- Wearing see-through or in other ways revealing clothes
- Letting people take photos of you
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