Orgy origins.
Now, you may be thinking hey, all parties are sex parties. And to some degree, you’d be correct. Soirees of all kinds are famously popular destinations for hook-ups –– or for chance encounters that will lead to some form of intercourse. But in this particular instance, we’re referencing the sorts of parties where the sex occurs within the bounds of the party. For everyone –– not just the lucky few.
Defining the orgy
You see, the contemporary iteration of “sex party” falls somewhere between an orgy and a consensual, sultry warehouse party. Sure, group sex is an option –– but so is solo play, partner sex, you name it. Organizations across the country help to cultivate sex-positive, kink-friendly, gender-identity-inclusive safe spaces for play and exploration –– along with corresponding communities of repeat-attendees. But where, exactly, did this concept originate?
Biblical Times
Well, according to historians, the “orgy” –– which is not the same as a sex party, but does qualitfy as a relavent forebearer –– has been around since as early as biblical times. In fact, in the bible, men who were capable of supporting more than one wife were free and welcome to partake in polyamory (King Solomon rumoredly had 1,000 wives).
Ancient Egypt
Similarly, in ancient Egypt, “fertility festivals” were fairly commonplace as means of celebration when the Nile flooded at the start of the spring –– the likes of which famously incorporated alcohol, plentiful dancing, and –– you guessed it –– sex. The Greeks, who seem responsible for a great many of our hedonistic traditions, made a practice of gathering to hear music, dance, drink, and, well, fornicate (the term “orgy” originally referred to a secret cult in this context).
Roaring 20s
In less blatant terms, in the U.S., the Jazz Age (think: roaring ‘20s) gave way to what became known as “petting parties.” While these weren’t outright orgies by any means, they were a purportedly safe space for folks to explore their sexual limitations –– and they were a uniquely exciting space for forward-thinking, liberal women. The idea was fairly simple: While sex, itself, was not the goal, these were places for kissing, for touching, for stimulating pleasure, without fear of pregnancy, STIs, or even loss of virginity. Essentially, pleasure without any of the caveats. Naturally, the public wasn’t altogether thrilled about this –– and plenty of coalitions did their darndest to put a stop to the behaviour. But the reality was, this was a major moment for pleasure –– especially female pleasure. One study even went to prove that, by 1924, 92% of college women had tried petting.
Sexual Revolution of the 50s
By the ‘50s and ‘60s, with the introduction of birth control in many-a-form, and amid the sexual revolution, petting parties were no longer necessary as a way of engaging in what was technically “sexually deviant” behaviour. With far less fear of both disease and pregnancy (thank you, contraception and modern medicine), folks could explore sexuality in newly thrilling, adventurous ways. And when partner sex in all its many forms became normalized, so too did a desire to lean into kinks of all kinds. In fact, in 1972, “The Joy Of Sex,” which is oft-cited as a seminal text in our contemporary understanding of pleasure, included a full chapter on the appeal of the contemporary orgy –– a detail that, for many, demarcated group sex as a part of a healthy, sexual lifestyle.
Present Day
At present, the “sex party” manifests in many ways. Local collectives across the country rent spaces, host events, enforce consent to the nth degree with written contracts and many a rule intended to protect the sacred and vulnerable nature of public and communal sex, while still ensuring that patrons can explore the limits of their pleasure to the fullest extent. So yes, it’s modern. It’s exhibitionist. It’s liberal. But frankly, it’s also biblical.
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