Mainstream, heteronormative, ‘vanilla’ romantic and erotic fiction often omits crucial conversations about consent and personal boundaries when characters enter into sexual relationships. The nature of these relationships can be coercive and manipulative, especially when targeting female-identified characters. However, these books are rarely questioned or criticized for their lack of discussion of consent and communication between or among partner(s). In contrast, kinky, queer romantic and erotic fiction often includes extensive conversations about consent and boundaries well before characters enter into sexual relationships. However, despite kink’s inclusion of such extensive consent conversations, these fictional texts are often more harshly judged, criticized and vilified by the general public. This presentation will examine popular ‘vanilla’ and kink romantic and erotic fiction, identifying themes of consent and communication.
About the presentersJennifer L. Pollitt
Jennifer Pollitt has a PhD in Human Sexuality from Widener University. As a sex educator and researcher her areas of interest include women’s erotic agency, polyamory/non-monogamy, gender, and bisexuality.
Leigh Steiner
First time conference attendee