The “bed trick” is a literary device and behavioral phenomenon that can be found in traditions around the globe. From appearances in the bible’s Old Testament to contemporary cultural manifestations like “catfishing” that play out on popular dating/sex apps, the bed trick is a trope of deception in which sexual subjects find themselves fucking (or attempting to fuck) someone they didn’t realize they were fucking (or attempting to fuck). It’s bait-and-switch sexual con artistry. Izabella Scott’s The Bed Trick: Sex and Deception on Trial, fresh off the press on February 5, is a FASCINATING exploration of the trial of Gayle Newland, who was convicted of impersonating a man online (via a fake persona) and in the bedroom (via a prosthetic penis and blindfold). Newland claims that the “deception” was actually a collaboration with the victim – they were both in their early 20s at the time – to maintain their closeted lesbianism. Newland lost the case and was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault. She appealed and was found guilty again, and ultimately served six years in prison. She’s now a registered sex offender. We’ve linked you to Olivia Laing’s review for The Guardian. Take a peek if you’re so inclined my dear curious pervs!
A Curious Case of Catfishing
