Kink, Peter Acworth Profiled in N.Y. Times

SAN FRANCISCO — BDSM site Kink.com and its founder, Peter Acworth, are profiled in a Sunday New York Times Magazine article entitled "A Disciplined Business."

Writer Jon Mooallem spent several weeks with Acworth learning about the BDSM business at Kink's Armory headquarters in San Francisco, and shed some open-minded light on the misconceptions of fetish play that the mainstream community holds true.

Mooallem's article reads as a sort of starter-guide for those interested in learning about the online adult industry, explaining Internet-focused topics such as secure billing and website competition, and touches on almost every aspect of the adult industry that the public could either be curious about, or has been misrepresented by other media outlets.

A main focus of Mooallem's article was the fact that Kink's employees, as well as those in many adult businesses, are college educated and are not “a bunch of sleazy guys that are drunk all day,” as Reena Patel, Kink's vice president of marketing, put it.

Mooallem was at the Armory during Kink's struggle with community members over the company's $14.5-million acquisition of the historic building, the opposition upset that the space wasn't being used for "positive" purposes. It took Acworth several weeks of discussion before he was able to prove to the community that he was not bringing an evil porn company into their neighborhoods. (Community members failed to realize that Kink had always been in their neighborhood, just a few blocks down the street from the Armory.)

This led to Mooallem's discussion of obscenity and the common misconceptions that the public holds in regards to BDSM play. Acworth told Mooallem that BDSM is often compared with rape or abuse, and that Kink's required before-and-after scene performer interviews — which play along with each scene featured on the website — are made with the sole intention of assuring viewers that what they're watching is consensual, planned and, most importantly, thoroughly enjoyed.

The mainstream public's acceptance of content like Kink's is discussed lastly in the article, admitting that events such as the Armory controversy, as well as the amount of media coverage regarding President Bush's fight against obscenity, only further spreads awareness of the industry's lasting existence.

In the article, adult industry lawyer Paul Cambria brought up the possibility that these events may have acted as an educational tool for the public.

Cambria revealed that acceptance comes when more people are exposed to the fetish lifestyle, and when these people see others — who appear just as "normal" as they do — living and enjoying that lifestyle.

"You say, 'Well, this is a part of America,'" Cambria told Mooallem. "Familiarity leads to acceptance."

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Trial Set for Lawsuit by U Wisconsin Professor Fired Over Adult Content

A trial date of June 22, 2026, has been set for the civil lawsuit filed by veteran communications professor Joe Gow against the University of Wisconsin board of regents, which fired him for creating and appearing in adult content.

New UK Task Force Meets to Target Adult Content

The architect of an influential report that recommended banning adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic” has convened an “Independent Pornography Review task force” aimed at translating that report’s findings into action in the U.K.

11:11 Creations Launches Affiliate Program

11:11 Creations principal Alicia Silver has launched 11:11 Cash for creators and affiliates.

Pineapple Support, Pornhub to Host 'Self Love' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Pornhub are hosting a free online support group for performers to develop self-love.

Show More