Rejected Kink as Merely Taboo
Though it's name was taboo, the magazine often made the case that these desires were natural and valid—not dirty secrets.
Magazine editor James Braddock, who...
Crossed Into Performance Art
Performance art is a form of expression that combines various forms of performance such as dance, theatre, music, spoken word, and film to create an immersive...
Served as Precursor to Today's Kink Magazines
Taboo was an American magazine published from 1952 to 1986 that featured sensational and controversial articles about sex and eroticism. It began its...
Did Not Always Include Penetration
Unlike typical porn, many Taboo shoots omitted genital focus altogether—using body language, restraint, and tension as the erotic centerpiece.
The term...
Taboo was a gateway for many people seeking community. It provided an easy way to find others interested in exploring their kinks without having to search elsewhere. For some, it was the first time...
Addressed Religious Symbolism in Fetish
Some sets subvert religious imagery—nuns, priests, altars—raising questions about authority, sin, control, and erotic transgression.
The fetishization of...
Influenced Fetish Erotica Publishers
Independent erotic publishers, such as Cleis Press or Circlet Press, are influenced by the popularity of fetish media to provide readers with an exciting and...
Encouraged DIY Kink
Without the Internet, taboo became a DIY guide for many. Readers learned how to make their own floggers, cuffs, or play furniture from household items.
Find materials that...
The overlap between fear and fetish has been explored extensively in literature and psychology for decades. In this article, I will explore how some fashion photographers are using elements of horror...
First Exposure to Kink for Many Readers
For readers growing up in conservative or rural areas, Taboo was often their first exposure to kink—offering a radical and life-changing sense of...