Within the BDSM scene there are a lof of different roles that people identify with. There is no right or wrong here. Everyone has their own interests, limits, wishes, etc. I present an alphabetical overview of the most relevant roles in relation to my play and a small description for each.
Bottom
A bottom chooses to give control over to another (the top) for the kinky activities they perform together. There’s not necessarily a direct submissiveness towards the top, as this can also happen on the basis of equality.
Brat
A brat doesn’t like to cooperate and abide by the rules. She teases, does bad things, is stubborn, fails to listen or purposefully ignores the rules. Mostly just like a regular adolescent ;)
Cuckold
A cuckold enjoys the humiliation and/or the voyeurism of his wife having sex with another man. Within BDSM the cuckold is often constrained in such a way that there’s no other choice than to watch his wife being pleasured by another man.
Dominant / Domme
A dominant (feminine: domme) is someone who consciously takes control or takes charge of a scene. Someone can be dominant for a short period of time for a scene or a session. Or it can be for a longer period in the case of a long term D/s relationship. It can also become a permanent part of a relationship and make the power balance an integral part.
Hedonist
A hedonist sees pleasure as the highest attainable goal. Enjoying sex, is often an important part.
Kajira / Kajirus
A kajira (masculine: kajirus) is a slave girl/slave within the Gorean lifestyle, from the stories by John Norman. In the Gorean language the term “la kajira” even means “I’m a slave girl”. Kajira is used for a female slave. Kajirus is used for a male slave. Both have stringent rules and customes to abide by.
Kinkster
A kinkster enjoys the different BDSM elements, such as sadism, masochism, or power balances, but a kinkster does not want to fit in s specific role or stereotype.
Little
A little identifies most with a child and want to behave as one during a session.
Masochist
A masochist is someone who enjoys being the target of pain or humiliation. Pain and humiliation can be inflicted both emotionally and mentally as well as physically.
Master / Mistress
A master (feminine: mistress) received and takes (temporary) ownership over a slave girl or kajira. This can last for a session, but also for longer periods as part of a mutual understanding about the power balance or as part of a relationship.
Middle
A middle like to feel like a teen. During a session then mimic the behaviour of a teen. For inspiration for relevant sessions you can look at a role play with a babysitter or schoolgirl.
Submissive
A submissive chooses to voluntarily relinquish controle over herself to another. This can be given for a short period of time, like for a single scene or a BDSM session. But it’s also possible to give control for a longer period as part as a D/S relationship, or as a permanent part of a regular relationship.
Doll
A doll wants to be seen as an object, a living doll. A doll want to be transformed within a session and used as a living doll. As if the other is playing with a doll.
Prey
A prey enjoys the game where she is hunted and eventually captured by a hunter. She wants to be conquered, grabbed and overpowered.
Primal
A primal want to forget modern rules, traditions and habits, and want to live and feel like our primal ancestors did. Lust, overpowerment and instincts are important keywords here.
Rigger
A rigger enjoys the art of bondage, where he binds a partner mostly with rope or in a similar way and restricts the movement of his partner.
Rope Bunny / Rope Bottom
A rope bunny (or rope bottom) is the subject of a rigger. A rope bunny is tied by a rigger (ofter with rope) for an SM session or a photoshoot.
Sadist
A sadist enjoys inflicting pain and humiliating others. Pain and humiliations are not only inflicted physically, but also emotional or mental discipline can be part of it.
Sadomasochist
Someone who enjoys being both on the receiving end and the inflicting end of pain and humiliation in either physical, mental or emotional form.
Slave-girl / Slave
A slave girl (masculine: slave) willingly gives over control over herself to her master or mistress. The slave girl may expect that she’s taken care of by the person she agrees to give control to.
Slut
A slut embraces her sexual side and does not respect the current rules and conventions. Her lust and desires are more important than the social expectations of others.
Swinger
A swinger has intimite contact with others outside of his own relationship.
Switch
A switch can act in both a dominant and a submissive role depending on their partner, session or surroundings. Some switched only switch between sessions and keep their role within a sessions. Others enjoy switching the power balance during a running sessions.
Top
A top has or takes control during kinky activities with another (the bottom). But the top doesn’t necessarily have a dominant role over the bottom. The top and bottom can still be equals.