Photographer and performance artist Sheree Rose is best known for her collaborative work with performance artist Bob Flanagan and her photography documenting a wide range of Los Angeles subcultures, especially in relation to BDSM and body modification. I sat down with Sheree to hear her takes on new anti-feminist policies emerging in government, her own liberation and deprogramming from the patriarchy, and the fascinating experiences with sex and dating that followed. The conversation covers the full, beautiful arc of her life–from her discovery of BDSM with a life partner of 16 years, to her hopes for the next chapter.

Guest bio:

Sheree Rose is American photographer and performance artist. She is best known for her collaborative work with performance artist Bob Flanagan, and her photography documenting a wide range of Los Angeles subcultures, especially in relation to BDSM and body modification. Rose was raised in a Jewish family in Los Angeles. She was married in 1964, and she and her first husband both worked as teachers. In the 1970s, after divorcing, she earned a master's degree at California State University, Northridge and became active in socialist feminism, consciousness-raising groups, and the punk scene.

Resources:

• Rated Rx Book: https://ohiostatepress.org/books/titles/9780814214480.html

• Al's Instagram: ⁠@sexystacks⁠

• Pelvic Sanctuary website: ⁠https://www.pelvicsanctuary.org/⁠

• Pelvic Sanctuary on Instagram: ⁠@pelvicsanctuary⁠⁠

• Music by Celeste: ⁠@xceleste.xx⁠