Desire Is Not a Compromise
Kinky and inclusive spaces are not a given in Berlin. Especially where desire, bodies, and power are negotiated, normative ideas, exclusion, and economic barriers often prevail. BDSM Beyond Binary emerged from precisely this lack—as a collective response to a scene that too often operates in a consumption-driven and exclusionary way.
BDSM Beyond Binary (BBB) is a queer, trans* sex worker–led collective that understands BDSM not as a niche, but as a resistant practice. As a space for pleasure, transformation, self-empowerment, and political action. BDSM is not approached through normative role models here, but as a tool to make power relations visible, renegotiate them, and shape them consciously.
We create spaces we define ourselves.
At the heart of BDSM Beyond Binary is the creation of places that are far too rare in Berlin: queer, kinky, inclusive, and solidaristic. Spaces where queer and trans* people are not merely tolerated, but can unfold, grow, and support one another. Spaces where sexuality is not moralized, but celebrated. Spaces that protect rather than restrict—and that are defined by the communities themselves.
The event series by BDSM Beyond Binary invites queer people to come together, learn, share knowledge, and experiment—with skills, perspectives, and forms of desire. This is not about consumption or self-display, but about collective practice. About community care, cultural work, and movement building.
We share knowledge instead of reproducing hierarchies.
BDSM Beyond Binary regularly invites queer, kinky, and sex-positive collectives and individuals to share their expertise with the community. The monthly changing events combine workshops and knowledge-sharing with performances, erotic and political art, poetry, dance, touch, play, and bodywork. Knowledge about BDSM, power, bodies, and pleasure does not remain exclusive here—it is shared.
This is not about “right” or “wrong” practices, but about exchange, reflection, and the diversity of perspectives within BDSM communities. Different experiences, bodies, and identities are made visible without being unified or judged.
We organize ourselves in solidarity, not exploitation.
A central commitment of BDSM Beyond Binary is a responsible and solidaristic approach to resources. The event series takes place in cooperation with BDSM Studio Lux, which provides rooms and infrastructure free of charge. This collaboration helps keep economic barriers low and content accessible.
Most of the event income goes directly to the people who lead workshops, perform, or create content. Smaller portions support organization and public outreach. Money is not an end in itself, but a means to strengthen inclusion, visibility, and collective responsibility. Resources are redistributed, not accumulated. Structures are built—hierarchies are not cemented.
Desire is political.
BDSM Beyond Binary emerged from the context of BDSM Studio LUX—the first brothel in Europe to explicitly open its doors to trans*, inter*, non-binary, and agender people. From this history, the collective takes a clear position:
Desire is political.
Sex work is work.
BDSM can be a tool for transformation.
The collective positions itself against cis-dominated, white concepts of sexuality and against the devaluation of queer bodies. Accountability spaces, consent, inclusivity, and a political engagement with desire beyond binary gender logics are not buzzwords here, but lived practice.
These spaces are meant for queer people.
The events are aimed at queer, trans*, non-binary, gender-fluid, gender-queer, and cis-allied people who understand—or want to explore—BDSM as a practice of care, self-empowerment, and the negotiation of boundaries. Prior experience is not decisive. What matters is a willingness to reflect, practice consent, and engage in solidarity.
BDSM Beyond Binary creates spaces where no one has to ask for permission to be present. Spaces where desire is not privatized or depoliticized, but experienced as a collective, connective, and resistant force.