A British politician sparked outrage across the internet after she described consensual choking during sex as a "degrading and misogynistic practice."
Laura Farris, a member of British Parliament's Tory party, made the comments via Twitter. She posted a response to a recent article in Men's Health magazine that explored the motivations and mechanics of safe, consensual choking during sex.
In the caption of her tweet, Farris lambasted the magazine for what she called "irresponsible journalism."
Farris' tweet referred to The Domestic Abuse Bill, a piece of legislation which passed in the House of Commons on July 6.
Among several measures that ensure protection and justice for victims of domestic abuse, the bill states that defendants accused of harming their partners cannot point to "consent for sexual gratification" as a legal defense.
In other words, the bill prevents perpetrators of domestic violence from avoiding justice by merely claiming that the victim consented before they were hurt or killed. The amendment aimed to address very particular, serious situations in which domestic abusers knowingly hurt or kill their partner, and exploit kink culture to cast doubt on that judgment.
Of course, many practitioners of sexual kinks and kink culture never encounter violence. Consensual choking during sex shouldn't end with injury or death, as Farris' tweet implied.
Several people across Twitter laid that distinction out loud and clear.
Some also took Farris to task on her presumption of genders.
And others made sure to remind people that The Domestic Abuse Bill is so much more than the minor piece Farris launched into the front and center.
At this time, the Domestic Abuse Bill awaits approval from the House of Lords before it can be signed into British law.
If the content of the bill is any indication, it's safe to assume that the discussion will cover a whole lot more than Farris' hangups about safe BDSM practices.
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