Fetish & Kink Summit – London: awareness & understanding day

FETISH & KINK SUMMIT – LONDON: AWARENESS + UNDERSTANDING DAY

The Fetish & Kink Summit – London is a one-day seminar organised for Saturday November 23 at Queen Mary University’s Arts Two Building (pictured below) in London E1. Hosted by Seed Talks, it will present talks, workshops and Q&As from world-leading experts, aimed at creating ‘a safe space to foster greater awareness and understanding of the diverse ways people experience and express fetishism and kink’.

A roster of speakers and presenters including Dr Lori Beth Bisbey (above) — familiar to many from her appearances on Channel 4’s Open House: The Great Sex Experiment — will cover topics including The Psychology of Fetish & Kink; An Exploration of Power, Play & Pleasure; Kinky Relationships: Etiquette & Empowerment; and Mental Health in Kink.

The programme will also include a Consent workshop and a panel discussion on Identity and Intersectionality in Kink. The context for this event, says the host, is a recent study revealing that nearly half of UK adults have reported having a fetish or kink, yet despite their commonality, ‘these topics remain heavily stigmatised and misunderstood’.

Top image: Fetish & Kink Summit speakers include Dr Lori Beth Bisbey from Channel 4’s Open House: The Great Sex Experiment

Queen Mary University’s Arts Two Building, on Mile End Rd London E1, where the Summit will take place on November 23 (photo: Nima Heirati)

Those who attend the Summit will, it promises, be able to connect with like-minded individuals who share similar interests and experiences. It will also provide the opportunity to engage with world-renowned experts, gaining valuable insights into the psychological and social facets of the world of kink. ‘Whether you're just beginning to explore these practices or have years of experience,’ says Seed Talks, ‘this is a unique chance to expand your knowledge and challenge assumptions in a diverse and inclusive environment.

Six speakers have so far been confirmed for the Fetish & Kink Summit, with more due to be added. The six confirmed at publication time are listed below.

Confirmed speakers

DR LORI BETH BISBEY (top image): psychologist, accredited advanced GSRD (gender, sexual and relationship diversity) therapist, sex and intimacy coach, author, podcast host speaker and resident specialist therapist on Channel 4’s Open House: The Great Sex Experiment. She has been working with people for the past 35 years to help them ‘create and maintain incredible relationships that contain exciting sex and are without shame’.

Summit speakers Lindsay Dukes (left) and Munjeeta Sohal (right)

LINDSAY DUKES (above left): clinical sexologist/sex and relationship therapist specialising in GSRD, including kink, BDSM and consensual non-monogamy. Lindsay has been working with, and within kink communities across the UK, Europe and Asia as a writer, performer and educator since 2015.

MUNJEETA SOHAL (above right): clinical sexologist and relationship therapist working integratively with people who want to explore sex and relationships outside of traditional western societal norms. Their special interests are working with couples, kink sexualities, relationship diversity and LGBTQIA+ clients.

Fetish & Kink speakers DK Green (left) and Elle Adana (right)

DK GREEN (above left ): holistic psychotherapist specialising in providing confidential, personal and holistic psychotherapy for individuals, couples and moresomes, therapists and coaches. They are experienced in working with clients from the LGBTQIA+, CNM (consensual non-monogamy), polyamory, tantra, sex work, spirituality and kink communities.

ELLE ADANA (above right) will lead a dynamic panel discussion on diversity, intersectionality and identity within the world of kink. The panel will discuss how race, gender, sexuality, and other aspects of identity shape and influence kink practices.

ARIEL ANDERSSEN (below): BDSM model and author with a lifetime's interest in submission and masochism. She released her first book, Playing To Lose, in 2023, where she charts her journey from a strict religious upbringing to becoming a shame-free, widely recognised BDSM performer. She's currently writing her second book.

Summit speaker, BDSM model and author Ariel Anderssen (photo: Hywel Phllips 2016)

Further event details

THE FETISH & KINK SUMMIT – LONDON (18+ event)
Date + venue: Saturday November 23 at Arts Two, 335 Mile End Road, London E1 4FQ
Nearest tube: Mile End (Hammersmith & City, District and Central lines)
Times: 09:15 (doors open) to 18.30. Talks start at 10am.
Tickets (incl fees) still available from Eventbrite (link below) at publication time:
Standard (unreserved seats) £59; Final Release £69 (unreserved seats); VIP (reserved front seats) £79.50; Livestream Earlybird £30; Livestream £40

SEED TALKS
The event host was founded in London in late 2021. It is an independent events company dedicated to sharing interesting and worthwhile knowledge around the areas of Science, Psychedelics, Wellness, Philosophy, Psychology and Neuroscience.

EVENT PARTNERS
Karmaceuticals will provide complimentary alcohol-free elixirs designed to promote clear communication, sensory stimulation, introspection, and empowered decision-making.
Howl, a next-generation global sexual wellness movement, makes premium sex products and curates experiential events for people to maximise their pleasure

Seedtalks.co.uk
Eventbrite Fetish & Kink Summit tickets

Arts Two venue is part of Queen Mary University, London E1 4FQ. Nearest Tube: Mile End (image: Google Maps)