Il 'Caso Spanner': Sadomasochismo, corpi e potere

In this article I briefly analyze the so-called ‘Spanner Case’ in order to show that the trials connected to it articulates imply a reference to core issues not only for a marginal sexual community, but for each individual whose sexual practices do not comply with the norms regulating sexuality in contemporary democracies. In such cases, even fundamental legal notions such as ‘consent’ and ‘privacy’ may be overcome in the name – and for sake – of so-called ‘public interest’ and ‘public health’, for policing individual bodies, their sexualities and sexual practices with the aim of preserving the heteronormative regime. Of course, this political exercise of power in the first instance targets transgressive bodies, like those of SMers. However, my conclusion is that the body of each one of us is constantly at risk of being considered transgressive, and hence also subversive, in case we are not able, or refuse, to conform to the values and rules established by the currently prevailing groups in our societies.