Conducting a series of interviews with people involved in the Perth "swingers" scene has been a revelation. For years it has been common knowledge that a sub culture of partner-swapping sex activists, known as "swingers", has operated in Western Australia.
But as I delved further into the activities of regular "players", the number of participants and the social status of some of those involved astonished me. Thousands of West Australians like to swing. Many seek involvement through adult dating sites. Others attend regular "meet and greet" parties where those considering participation meet regular players and other "newbies". Some participate out of curiosity and, having tried swapping partners and having sex with a stranger or watching, their spouse or partner do the same, they do not return to the scene.
Some find the emotional burden, the suppression of human reactions of jealousy and shame impossible to overcome, in some cases leading to depression and self loathing. Sexual practices include a range of activities, from those which are considered normal to fetishes which, when recounted by participants, can be shocking.
Some former participants are still damaged by the experience describe being used as "bait" by a male spouse anxious to become a player in the scene. He used me as bait to attract bisexual or bi-curious women to participate in threesomes. A lot of that goes on. Too many women are coerced into participating by the man in their lives. I hate those men", one woman told me.
Many other women are willing participants. Natali a pseudonym collaborated with me on the project. After seventeen years trapped in a loveless marriage, Natali, once divorced, embarked on a quest to fulfill what she described as a "bucket list" of sexual fantasies. She described the experience as liberating and satisfying.
