Queer History 120a: The Wild, Messy, and Revolutionary History of Strap-Ons

"What's the real history behind strap-ons, and why does it matter for sexual freedom today?"

Look, let's cut through the bullshit right now. You've probably wondered about the history of strap-ons at some point, whether you're curious about using one, already own a drawer full of them, or you're just fascinated by how humans have been getting creative with sex for centuries. And honestly? The story is way more fucking complex and revolutionary than you might think.

This isn't just about sex toys. This is about power, identity, religious control, medical gatekeeping, and ultimately, sexual liberation. The history of strap-ons is essentially the history of people saying "fuck you" to traditional gender roles and sexual expectations. And that matters today more than ever.

We're going to dive deep into over a thousand years of this fascinating history, from medieval bishops obsessing over lesbian sex to modern disability rights activists revolutionizing the industry. Because understanding where we came from helps us understand why sexual freedom still matters so damn much.

Medieval Morality Police and the First Documented Strap-On Panic

The year was 1023, and some bishop named Buchard was having a moral panic about what women were doing behind closed doors. This dude literally published a whole-ass guidebook for priests about what questions to ask during confession, including incredibly detailed inquiries about strap-on use between women.

Think about that for a second. A thousand years ago, religious authorities were so threatened by women having autonomous sexual pleasure that they created official church policy about it. They assigned five years of penance for using what they described as artificial implements shaped like male members. Five fucking years of religious punishment for getting off.

But here's what's really wild: the fact that they felt compelled to address it so specifically means it was happening enough to be considered a "problem." Women in medieval Europe were crafting their own pleasure devices and having sex with each other, despite living in an incredibly repressive society.

Fast forward to 1477, and we get the trial of Katherina Hetzeldorfer, who was prosecuted for having relationships with women. The court documents describe in detail the leather and wood device Katherina created. Reading between the lines of legal persecution, you can see someone who was living authentically in a world that wanted to destroy them for it.

Art, Rebellion, and Global Innovation

By the 1800s, artists were documenting strap-on use across cultures. German illustrator Albert Hendschel created surprisingly realistic depictions that suggest this wasn't just fantasy art—this was documentation of real sexual practices. His drawings show women with elaborate leather harnesses, treating the subject matter with the same artistic seriousness as any other aspect of human sexuality.

Meanwhile, halfway across the world, similar innovations were happening. In Zanzibar, communities developed sophisticated ebony implements with hollow centers for warm water—essentially creating ejaculation simulation technology in the 1800s. This wasn't crude experimentation; this was advanced sexual engineering.

What strikes me about this global history is how consistent the human drive for sexual creativity has been. Whether you're talking about medieval Europe, 19th-century Germany, or coastal Africa, people were solving the same basic problem: how to have the kind of sex they wanted, regardless of biological limitations or social expectations.

The Medical Loophole and Disability Rights Revolution

The 1960s brought us closer to modern strap-on design, but with a twisted caveat. Sex toys were illegal unless marketed as medical devices. Entrepreneur Ted Marche started manufacturing strap-ons specifically marketed as aids for men with erectile dysfunction. The irony is thick as hell—devices that could liberate women's sexuality were only legally acceptable when framed as helping men's sexual function.

But then something beautiful happened. In 1971, Gosnell Duncan, who had become paraplegic after a work accident, attended a disability conference and realized there was huge demand for strap-ons among disabled people. He started manufacturing body-safe silicone versions from his basement, creating custom-fitted devices that prioritized user safety and satisfaction.

Duncan's work represents a crucial turning point. This wasn't about medical "treatment" or working around male sexual dysfunction. This was about disabled people demanding access to fulfilling sex lives and taking control of their own pleasure. The disability rights movement essentially forced the sex toy industry to prioritize safety, customization, and actual user needs.

Letters to Duncan's company reveal that lesbians were also purchasing these devices, recognizing quality and safety when they saw it. The intersection of disability rights and queer sexuality created better products for everyone.

From Underground to Mainstream: Pegging and Pop Culture

The late 1990s and early 2000s marked a massive shift in public awareness. The 1998 educational film "Bend Over Boyfriend" introduced mainstream audiences to pegging—typically referring to women using strap-ons with male partners. Sex columnist Dan Savage coined the actual term "pegging" in 2001, and by 2024, it had entered the Oxford English Dictionary.

Television shows like Sex and the City, Broad City, and Orange Is the New Black began featuring strap-on scenes that weren't just punchlines or shock value. These portrayals showed characters using strap-ons as part of normal, healthy sexual relationships. The representation mattered because it normalized something that had been underground for centuries.

When model Cara Delevingne wore "Peg the Patriarchy" on her Met Gala outfit in 2021, it represented how far this conversation had come. What started as a phrase coined by sex educator Luna Matatas to describe subverting oppressive power structures had become high fashion. Though Delevingne should have credited Matatas, the moment showed how strap-on symbolism had evolved beyond just sex into broader conversations about power and gender.

Practical Modern Applications: Safety, Pleasure, and Choice

Today's strap-on landscape is vastly different from those medieval leather contraptions or even Duncan's 1970s basement operation. Modern manufacturers prioritize body-safe materials, ergonomic design, and diverse sizing options. Research shows that people use strap-ons for various reasons: overcoming physical limitations, exploring power dynamics, addressing size preferences, or simply because they fucking want to.

The key practical considerations today include material safety (always choose body-safe silicone), proper fit and comfort, communication with partners about desires and boundaries, and regular cleaning and maintenance. Unlike our historical predecessors who had to craft their own devices or risk legal persecution, we have access to professionally designed, extensively tested products.

What's particularly important is that modern strap-on use isn't confined to any specific sexual orientation or gender identity. Straight couples use them for pegging, lesbian couples incorporate them into various forms of play, transgender individuals may use them to address dysphoria, and people across the spectrum use them simply because they enhance pleasure.

Community, Support, and Sexual Liberation

The strap-on community today represents everything our historical predecessors were fighting for: open discussion of sexual desires, access to safe and effective tools, and freedom from legal or religious persecution. Online communities provide education, product reviews, technique discussions, and emotional support for people exploring this aspect of sexuality.

What's remarkable is how this community has maintained the spirit of innovation and rebellion that characterized strap-on history from the beginning. People share DIY harness modifications, discuss the politics of penetration and gender roles, and advocate for better representation in media and research.

The community aspect also addresses something crucial: the emotional and psychological dimensions of strap-on use. This isn't just about physical mechanics; it's about power exchange, intimacy, identity expression, and sexual communication. The support networks that have developed help people navigate these complex dynamics safely and consensually.

The Future of Sexual Autonomy

Looking at this thousand-year history, what's clear is that strap-ons represent something much bigger than just sex toys. They represent human determination to create the sexual experiences we want, regardless of biological limitations, social expectations, or legal restrictions. Every person who crafted their own device in medieval Europe, every artist who depicted them honestly, every manufacturer who prioritized safety over profit, contributed to the sexual freedom we have today.

But we're not done yet. There are still places where this kind of sexual expression is criminalized. There are still communities that lack access to safe, quality products. There are still people who feel shame about their desires because of religious or cultural conditioning.

The history of strap-ons is really the history of sexual liberation, and that fight continues. Whether it's advocating for comprehensive sex education, supporting LGBTQ+ rights, fighting for disability access, or simply having honest conversations about what we want in bed, we're all part of this ongoing story.

So the next time someone tries to shame you for your sexual choices or suggests that certain desires are "unnatural," remember that people have been using strap-ons for over a thousand years. This isn't some modern perversion—this is human sexuality in all its creative, rebellious, beautiful complexity.

Your sexuality belongs to you. Use it wisely, use it safely, and never let anyone convince you that your desires don't matter.

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