Gorean

Gorean is a BDSM lifestyle and subculture derived from the 'Chronicles of Gor,' a series of science fiction novels by philosopher John Norman (pen name of John Frederick Lange Jr.). Beginning with 'Tarnsman of Gor' in 1966, the series describes a fictional counter-Earth planet called Gor where a patriarchal social structure features prominently, with formalized master-slave relationships as a central element of the culture.

Practitioners of the Gorean lifestyle, known as Goreans, adopt elements from the novels into their real-world BDSM relationships and communities. Key features include a structured hierarchy with free persons and slaves (called 'kajirae' for females and 'kajiri' for males), specific physical positions that slaves must learn and assume on command, ritualized speech patterns and forms of address, and detailed protocols governing daily interactions.

Gorean practice typically emphasizes what practitioners describe as a 'natural order' philosophy, in which dominance and submission are viewed as innate complementary drives rather than adopted roles. This philosophical underpinning distinguishes Gorean from many other BDSM dynamics, which may treat dominance and submission as roles that can be explored and exchanged.

The Gorean community has developed both online and in-person, with dedicated websites, forums, and social gatherings. Online Gorean communities, particularly those that developed in early internet chat rooms, played a significant role in establishing and disseminating Gorean practices and protocols.

Critiques of the Gorean lifestyle exist both within and outside the BDSM community. Some practitioners argue that its rigid gender-based hierarchy does not accommodate diverse gender identities and expressions. Others note that the 'natural order' philosophy can be used to justify non-consensual dynamics. Gorean practitioners counter that real-world Gorean practice is consensual and that participants freely choose their roles regardless of the fictional context's social structure.

As with all BDSM practices, ethical Gorean relationships are founded on informed consent, with participants choosing to enter the dynamic freely and maintaining the ability to leave.

The Gorean lifestyle originated directly from John Norman's 'Chronicles of Gor' novels, published from 1966 onward, with over 30 books in the series. Norman, a philosophy professor, incorporated elements of Nietzschean philosophy and evolutionary psychology into his fictional world.

The transition from fiction to lifestyle practice began in the 1970s and 1980s, with readers who found the novels' social dynamics appealing beginning to incorporate Gorean elements into their personal relationships. The advent of internet chat rooms in the 1990s dramatically expanded the Gorean community, as platforms provided spaces where people could practice Gorean interactions and find others who shared the interest.

Today, the Gorean community maintains a presence in both online and real-world BDSM spaces, though it remains a relatively niche subculture within the broader kink community. The novels continue to attract new readers and practitioners despite being out of print for periods.