Facesitting

Facesitting, also known as queening (when performed by a woman) or kinging (when performed by a man), is a sexual position and practice in which one partner sits on or hovers over the other partner's face. The primary purpose is typically to receive oral-genital or oral-anal stimulation, though the practice carries additional psychological and power-dynamic dimensions.

The practice can be performed in various configurations. The sitting partner may face toward or away from the reclining partner's body, each orientation offering different angles of stimulation and visual perspectives. The degree of weight placed on the reclining partner's face can range from hovering with minimal contact to full-weight sitting, depending on the comfort and preferences of both partners.

Facesitting intersects with several sexual interests and practices. As a form of oral sex delivery, it places the receiving partner in a more active, controlling position compared to traditional oral sex positions. This reversal of typical dynamics appeals to many practitioners. In BDSM contexts, facesitting is often associated with female domination (femdom), where the practice serves as an expression of power and control, with the sitting partner literally positioned above the other.

Safety considerations include maintaining awareness of the reclining partner's ability to breathe comfortably. Establishing clear communication signals, such as tapping the sitting partner's thigh, allows the reclining partner to indicate if they need a break or adjustment. The sitting partner should be attentive to these signals and ready to adjust their position accordingly. Weight distribution and duration should be managed to prevent discomfort or strain.

Legal and cultural considerations have also surrounded facesitting. In 2014, the practice received significant media attention when it was included among acts restricted from depiction in UK-produced pornography under the Audiovisual Media Services Regulations, sparking protests and debate about censorship and sexual expression.

Facesitting as a sexual practice has been depicted in erotic art across multiple historical cultures. Ancient Indian erotic sculptures and the Kama Sutra include depictions and descriptions of sitting positions for oral sex. Japanese shunga (erotic woodblock prints) from the Edo period (1603-1868) also depict facesitting scenarios.

The term 'queening' for female-on-face sitting has historical roots in European sexual culture, though its exact etymology is debated. Some scholars trace it to medieval and early modern European traditions, while others suggest it emerged more recently in BDSM subculture. The association with royalty and dominance reflects the power dynamics inherent in the position.

In contemporary culture, facesitting became a more publicly discussed practice through its prevalence in internet pornography and BDSM communities. The practice gained particular public attention during the 2014 UK pornography regulation controversy, when it was listed among acts restricted from depiction in UK-produced online pornography, leading to the widely covered 'Sit on My Face' protests outside Parliament.