The home is empty now, but clothes still strewn across the floor reveal a growing trend among the wealthy elite in Saudi Arabia and foreigners, who indulge frequently in what are becoming known as “sex parties” in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. This couple, who hosts a monthly “event,” as they call it, told Bikyamasr.com that without freedom to go out on the town, couples have come together to have sex parties. “It is something we do and we are not ashamed of it,” said 32-year-old Tara, who asked that her complete identity remain obscure. For her, it is an opportunity “to find out more about ourselves sexually.” Her husband, Mark, nods in agreement. They said that for their “event” some 5 couples come to their home, strip naked and partake in what can only be defined as an “orgy.” “What we do is we put all our names in a hat and draw out one woman and one man, then we continue until all the names are counted and then we begin,” Mark said, adding that all couples have agreed and are willing participants. “We would never allow someone to be coerced into this kind of thing,” he added. The swingers party then erupts into sexual escapades, with couple indulging in each other's bodies, and Tara admits that sometimes couples join together for “for intimate and intriguing experiences.” While the details are self-explanatory, the couples' do fear being caught. Sexual relations in the ultra-conservative Gulf country are shunned, and sex outside of marriage is considered adultery and can be punishable by death. “That is why these parties are kept very secret. We believe in the concept of sexual freedom and in a country like Saudi it is difficult to really live,” Tara added. But what about their relationship? The couple said they have been partaking in swingers events since they began dating 6 years ago and have no qualms about having sex with others. “We were both very sexually open when we began dating and after we got married and moved to Saudi, it was only natural to find other couples who were interested,” Mark revealed. “For us, it makes us stronger as a couple, knowing that we are open and free about our lives and our bodies.” The couple said that they also attend another house once a month for the “sex parties.” They have had scares though, with one resident in their building questioning them over what goes on during the meetings. “It was very worrying when he came up one day and saw two other couples in robes, naked. He threatened us and demanded to know what was going on. We told him we were doing massage techniques and he left, but if he went to the police, it would have been scary.” The couple said the man has since moved away from the building and the monthly parties continue unhindered. With a growing number of expatriates living in Saudi and frustrated over the lack of freedom, the “sex parties” they argued, “give people a chance to release the frustration and tension that builds up living here.”
