Kink and the LGBTQ+ Community: History and Active Allyship with Nijntje

Class Description

Learn about the rich history of the LGBTQ+ community and its overlap with the kink community, discuss the importance of queer inclusion, and learn practical ways to amp up your LGBTQ+ allyship both in the community as a whole and with play partners. This class will benefit LGBTQ+ people and cisgender/heterosexual people alike. In this welcoming and open environment, we will foster a discussion that allows you to ask questions you may not be able to ask your queer friends. Come learn and grow with us!

Structure:

• Brief LGBTQ+ 102 (beyond the acronym: what is gender and sexual diversity? why are queer people more likely to engage with kink and polyamory)
• An abridged history of the LGBTQ+ community and kink
• Who cares? Why should we be active allies? Why is queer inclusion vital to preserving kink spaces?
• How do you work toward being a better ally in both the general community and with people you would like to/do play with?
• Bonus: queer theory in kink (queering your play- gender experimentation through kink, dehumanization, and power exchange as coping skills and self-expression)
• Q&A: This is the space to ask difficult questions as long as they are asked in good faith (without the goal of an argument).

Expected outcomes:
Participants will foster a better understanding of the LGBTQ+ community. Participants will be able to participate in the preservation of kink history through verbal storytelling. Participants will learn about the importance of and practical ways to improve and practice queer allyship. Bonus: participants can learn about examples of how to incorporate queer theory into kink play. Participants will be able to foster an open discussion with questions about the LGBTQ+ community and kink.

Supplies needed: Note-taking supplies if desired

Total time: 1 hour to 90 minutes

Skill level required:
A desire to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, a goal of fostering a positive and healthy learning environment, and care for fellow community members.”

Presenter Bio

Nijntje (“nine-cha”) they/them, is a local queer advocate and active member of the DMV kink community. At their day job, Nijntje runs an LGBTQ+ community center where they advocate for queer people, facilitate support groups, and provide community education through LGBTQ+ 101 classes. Nijntje’s educational background is in social work with a minor in the study of women and gender, with a special focus on queer theory. After hours, they can be found at the local kink clubs, usually tying or being tied in dynamic rope scenes, being kicked around by their Daddy, and generally slutting it up. Nijntje has been serving on the @qinkdc organizer board since January 2025, and is passionate about queer and kinky liberation.

Tickets are $5 for Black Rose Members and Members of Reciprocal Groups with their Membership Card and $10 for non-members.

All ticket sales are at the door.

Email info@br.org for more information about Black Rose or its events.

Accessibility accommodations are available upon request to accessibility@br.org. Please give us two weeks’ notice.

If you have questions or would like to request a class topic, please email education@br.org