Bozeman’s kink community breaks away from preconceived notions

Please be advised that the following article contains sexual themes that may not be suitable for all audiences. The content includes discussions of sexual acts, intimate relationships and adult themes. Additionally, everyone quoted in this story will be identified by either only their first names or stage names in the interest of anonymity. Reader discretion is advised.  

Many people would be shocked to walk into a room and see a person willingly locked in a cage and suspended just above the floor, but at Bozeman’s annual Fetish Ball (FB) this past Saturday, it was nothing out of the ordinary. Participants and performers were dressed in everything from lingerie, to animal wear to suits and gowns. People were leashed, gagged and collared — each of them tied up in the allure of the event.

On Feb. 8, the 7th annual FB packed the second floor of Main Street’s Eagle Ballroom from 7:30 p.m. to the early hours of the morning with music, dancing, performances and kink demonstrations — a showcase of specific kink or fetish activities, such as teaching safe bondage techniques. There were more than 250 people in attendance from across the region, but the event was primarily a fundraiser for the Bozeman Help Center (BHC) and a celebration of individuality that had nothing to do with sexual acts, according to event organizers.

The BHC is a Montana organization that offers a 24-hour crisis hotline, resources for survivors of sexual assault, crisis counseling and community education in 13 counties across the state, according to its website.

Ultimately, the 2025 FB raised more than $5,000 for the BHC Help Center and featured performances from “Starlite Pole Studio” and local performers  “Austine Moonshadow,” “BlueKD,” “DevilMayCare” and drag king “Rex Pistols.”

Prior to the ball, the event organizers sat down with the Exponent to discuss misconceptions about their event, BDSM — bondage and discipline, dominance and submission and sadomasochism —  and the fetish community.

“Just in general, people think BDSM is synonymous with sex,” said “Ropemantic.” “All across the board, you see this everywhere. And they're sexy, they're hot as hell and they are fun to mix with sex. But it's not at all a requirement. The act itself, there's nothing sexual about it. You are just being restricted in your movement,” they said.

“[BDSM is] almost just a sensation. I'm mostly asexual, but I run the local BDSM group,” said Blue, another organizer.

The organizers spoke of fetish and kink as a form of expression and connection rather than as something inherently sexual. According to them, the event usually draws expressions from the swinger — a person who engages in group sex or the swapping of sexual partners — community, the BDSM community and many from the queer community.

During the event, Queer Bozeman Board Chair Jason spoke about the importance of an event like the FB for many in the queer community given the current political climate.

“I think that right now there's so much fear and people opposed to this type of space,” he said. “But having safe spaces where queer folks can come together, where allied communities can come together. That's how we get through periods like this.”

There has been discourse in online spaces and within the LBGTQIA+ community about the inclusion of kink and BDSM in pride parades, according to Them, an online magazine that focuses on LGBTQIA+ culture and politics.

“I've got to be honest, I feel like we're risking a lot tonight,” said FB volunteer Mikhal. “There's a lot of people here who fall into the categories that this government does not want. In fact, this entire event falls under that.”

The same day he took office, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14168, which mandates that government organizations recognize only two sexes, male and female, according to the White House. According to NBC News, this Order creates complications for non-binary and transgender people — who have previously changed their gender identification — from obtaining or renewing passports.

Despite current sociopolitical events, the FB organizers aimed to create a celebration of the identities that many in the federal government have been working to erase from common verbiage.

“This is who we are. We're everywhere, even small-town little Montana. It's just a place to express that a little bit and be yourself. Some executive order isn't going to change who we are, so we're here,” “Ropemantic” said, emphasizing the significance of this event to the Bozeman community.

Event organizers, volunteers, sponsors and attendees repeatedly remarked on the inclusive nature of the event and the importance of coming together as a community to celebrate in times of unpredictability.

Billy McWilliams — a sponsor of the event and owner of local adult boutique Erotique — explained why he has his business sponsor the event. “I do it because there's not enough joy in the world,” McWilliams said. “If you have an opportunity to support that, why wouldn't you?”

To get involved with the FB, follow its Instagram, @BozemanFetishBall.