Born this way? Is kink a sexual orientation or a preference?

What does it mean to be kinky? Is it a deviant tendency, a recreational activity, a deep-seated desire or an integral part of one's subjectivity? In this thesis, I address the latter theory. Specifically, I explore the question of whether kink - for some people - should be considered a sexual orientation. I will begin by surveying different definitions of sexual orientation, considering what the term means in various socio-legal contexts, and how it has tended to focus on gender preference of sexual partners. I will then analyze whether sexual orientation should be a more inclusive term to encompass sexual practices. Finally, using data collected from interviews I will present how kink practitioners themselves categorize their activities with relation to sexual orientation. Is kink something that people are born with? Or something they develop?