Maine University to Host Lecture on Professional Dominatrices

The Women and Gender Studies program of the University of Southern Maine will host author and sociologist Danielle Lindemann on Tuesday, March 19 at 5:30PM at its Portland campus to lecture about her new book, Dominatrix: Gender, Eroticism, and Control in the Dungeon.

According to USM’s press release advertising the event, “Dr. Lindemann’s book draws from extensive fieldwork and interviews with professional dominatrices in New York City and San Francisco to offer portraits of pro-dommes, their work, and their clients.  Upending the idea that these erotic laborers engage in simple exchanges, Ms. Lindemann’s work contributes to a more sophisticated understanding of gender, sexuality, and hierarchy.”

A “pro-domme” – or professional dominatrix is a woman who is paid to engage in sadomasochistic sexual behavior often involving the infliction of pain on typically male clients.

Wendy Chapkis, the director of Women and Gender Studies program at USM, said in an email Wednesday that the University will be purchasing Lindemann a bus ticket to travel north from a conference she will be attending in Massachusetts.

The event will come just one week after USM President Theo Kalikow said Tuesday that University officials are looking to cut $5 million from the school’s budget for the coming year.

The event is free to attend and open to the public.