Welcome to Bator Sex. This community issue is a stream of knowledge about how we flow through spaces and modes of play. Like water, we run free, yet also pool together into interconnected communities. 

But what does Community really mean? Community isn’t a collection of loose interactions, of “friends” and “followers”. It implies a sense of belonging, of being seen and embraced. It’s a group of people who share experiences and find gratitude in each other’s company.

Bators are social. Even those who self-identify as solo-sexual engage in community. Being a Bator is not just about playing with your dick. It can coexist with all other sexual expressions. It’s a mindset to playfully explore together and care for each other as a culture.

Bating online requires access to technology and a stable internet connection. But most importantly, also having “personal space” and the privacy to relax for hours in front of a webcam. We exist in a context of privilege of having our basic needs met, having free time and a sense of safety. Such factors determine where bators exist and how we connect.

This zine comes from the Bator Bro community in London, which aims to bring online Bator culture into physical spaces. We believe in connected, (b)romantic friendships and intimate modes of group play. This can differ from traditional Jack-Off clubs which often cater to a “down-low” audience. Bator Bro aims to give everyone a space to experience intimacy together, away from expectations of “how it should be”. There is another side to bator culture.

A subset of bators who romanticise viewing porn as the sole expression of their sexuality. A modern one-person variation of the Dom/sub dynamic where porn is in control and one has “no choice but to bate”. We want to bring to light the alternative. The side of Bator culture where we are “each other’s porn” just the way we are. A community where cumming together leads to validation, self-acceptance and ultimately, healing and self-love.

This issue is a product of a deep dive into bator communities. We’ve interviewed many bators and event organizers. This includes a 90-minute podcast with spearheaders like Jared (Master Bator Convention), Alex (Sausage Fest) and Fuzz & Jay (Guerilla Jax) about what community means to them.

This conversation is available online as a companion to this issue. We are very proud of this issue. We hope it helps you make some new bate buddies and share some incredible sessions together!

We’ll be back in February to explore themes like bate coaching, hypnosis, bator lubes and gear on the Edging and Cum Control issue. We’ll see you then. Happy bating!

— DoubleA & Nick Woof