LOOKING FOR LOVE
Along with the push for gay marriage, more and more gay men are forming monogamous relationships, says Matthew Todd, editor of Attitude magazine.
‘It’s usual for people coming out to want to experiment but there is an evolution in the way many of us are thinking,’ he says. ‘Grindr has never been more popular with guys who are looking for hook-ups or just to make friends but, on the back of it, there’s a growing awareness that you can’t be a kid forever.
‘We recently published a special called The Issues Issue and that’s provoked lots of discussion about what we want from life. I’ve been speaking at events about how gay culture is changing and it seems to really strike a nerve’.
The idea that gay men have more sex than everyone else is kind of great, he says, but it can end up boring.
‘Underneath all the glitz and gloss that is presented by the gay scene most gay people just want to have stable, respectful relationships like everyone else and we will see that this year,’ he says.
NEGOTIATING MONOGOMY
From open relationships to disclosing affairs before they happen to giving a partner a ‘free pass’, negotiated monogamy is a way for some heterosexual couples to stay committed to each other without having to stay sexually faithful, says Ian Kerner.
‘Of course, this is easier said than done,’ he says, ‘but I think we’ll see more couples trying to navigate these tricky waters and separate sex – or at least sexual exclusivity – from long-term love.’
TIED UP
Bondage is becoming softer and more mainstream, with more people open to ‘tie up and tease’, says author and sex expert Julie Peasgood, who is about to launch her own range of Swoon sex accessories.
‘We’re bored with straightforward vanilla sex and are wanting to experiment a little,’ she says. ‘Thanks to the increasing availability of affordable, sensual satin materials we’re no longer confined to traditional hardcore “leather and steel” bondage.’
Coco de Mer’s Paul Seville leather lace gauntlets ( www.coco-de-mer.com, £200, pictured) are an example of how leather has been stylishly incorporated into S&M play.
LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX
Sex – or a lack of it – is one of the major contributors to marital strife between long-term couples, says New York-based therapist Ian Kerner, author of She Comes First (William Morrow, £14.99). This year Kerner has already seen an increase in requests for couples wanting to focus specifically on their sex lives.
‘Sex therapy helps couples who want to remain together in a monogamous relationship learn to enjoy sex again through communication and exercises, such as writing down and sharing their fantasies together,’ he explains.
‘Issues about sex are being talked about now more than ever thanks in part to the rise in infidelity and online porn usage’.
BOYS’ TOYS
Men are becoming less hung up about their sexuality, something Kathryn Hoyle of Sh! sex store puts down to the huge variety of toys now available.
‘There’s been a massive swing away from icky, cheap products and, as a result, sales of prostate toys are going through the roof,’ she says.
The new Tenga 3D range (www.tenga.co.uk) shows men’s toys are far less anatomical and more design-led.
GIRLS WILL BE BOYS
On trend with 2012 being a leap year, women are becoming more sexually self-assured than ever, says Kathryn Hoyle.
‘Along with marriage proposals, we’re predicting a whole lot of bedroom-related proposals too – women are chomping at the bit to fulfil their sexual requirements and take on a more alpha male role,’ she says.
Take pornography: the rise of women’s interest in porn has been well documented of late. Recent report Women, Sex and Shopping found that what women want from pornographic material is not so different from men – something that has been contested in the past.
The same report found that women spent $9billion (£5.8billion) globally last year on sex toys, lubricants, books, visual media, lingerie and luxury leather goods, which is predicted to climb beyond $60billion by the 2020s.
THE BIG O
Heard of an ‘energy orgasm’? Julie Peasgood says you will have soon due to the growing popularity of Barbara Carrellas. Carrellas travels the world teaching people how to have these full-body orgasms – ‘a gift originally for people for whom conventional orgasm is not possible,’ says Peasgood. This type of workshop will surge in popularity thanks to an increased desire to be taught sexual skills face to face.
‘We predict cybersex classes will also launch this year,’ says Kathryn Hoyle.
‘Social media is more popular than ever and we’ve had lots of enquiries from those in long-distance relationships about how to use our phones, the internet and Skype both sexily and safely.’
EROTIC TOYS
Despite the austere times, Kathryn Hoyle says we won’t penny-pinch when it comes to sex toys.
‘This year will bring more posh playthings with innovative design and function,’ she says. ‘Manufacturers are responding to the fact certain pleasures are recession-proof.
The stereotype of the throwaway novelty is on the way out, claims author and sex expert Julie Peasgood.
‘Shelves will be full of sleeker, cooler toys made from quality silicone material that will last,’ she says. ‘We’ll even see toys with new dimensions, such as added heat, this year.’
The classic ‘rabbit’ will also be revolutionised when a new improved version launches this April. The Happy Rabbit will feature three motors: one in the body and one in each of the flexible ears. It is rechargeable, so is better for the environment, and is also waterproof. In the meantime, there is a new Rabbit vibrator from Je Joue released this week called FiFi..
Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/lifestyle/892007-sexual-evolution-from-bondage-to-male-sex-toys-how-sex-is-changing#ixzz1oJFRLHae
