Marvel Studios Announced “it’s Joe Locke-tober”
Marvel Studios recently announced on social media that this month is officially “Joe Locke-tober,” in celebration of Agatha All Along star Joe Locke, who plays Billy Maximoff. While this quirky declaration is fun for fans, it also references an existing tradition in kink culture known as “Locktober.”
What Straight People Think Locktober Is
Recently, some straight men on TikTok have adopted “Locktober,” but with a twist they don’t quite understand. To them, Locktober means “locking in” on personal goals. Their goals include fitness, clean eating, and cutting out vices like alcohol for a month. It’s become a self-improvement trend, similar to Lent or Dry January, where they focus on building a better version of themselves.
However, the original Locktober, which began around 2015, has a very different meaning in the kink community. For kink practitioners, Locktober involves wearing chastity devices—often referred to as cock cages—throughout the month of October, focusing on submission, denial, and control. It’s a challenge rooted in sexual restraint and psychological endurance, often involving a keyholder who controls the lock.
What is Locktober?
In the kink community, Locktober is a month-long chastity challenge. Since its rise in popularity around 2015, participants, often men, lock themselves in chastity devices or “cock cages” for the entire month of October. This practice is rooted in dynamics of control, submission, and denial, with the goal being to stay “locked” for as long as possible, usually with the aid or supervision of a partner.
Locktober has evolved into a significant event within the kink community, particularly among those interested in chastity and submission dynamics. While it initially began in the mid-2010s as a playful challenge on forums and Tumblr, Locktober has since grown into a month-long practice where participants commit to wearing chastity devices, often referred to as cock cages, for the entire month of October.
The practice is rooted in the concepts of control, denial, and submission. Many engage in Locktober for the heightened sense of intimacy, trust, and discipline it fosters between partners, particularly within Dom/sub dynamics. Chastity devices, typically designed to prevent sexual activity, serve as a physical manifestation of the power exchange. This can also promote self-discipline, mental endurance, and a form of erotic abstinence.
Locktober gained popularity in 2017 through blogs like “Keep Him Locked.” Social media platforms helped spread the event further. Now, it’s one of the most recognizable events in the kink calendar. Participants aim to remain locked in chastity throughout October. The rules vary depending on personal or relationship dynamics. For many, the month culminates in a release at the end.
Marvel’s cheeky play on this kink tradition through “Joe Locke-tober” is a humorous nod to the actor Joe Locke, but also a wink to those familiar with the tradition of Locktober within kink spaces. This layered marketing reference taps into both mainstream and subcultural audiences, blending humor with clever wordplay.
What Are Chastity Devices and Cock Cages?
A chastity device, also called a cock cage, is used in kink communities to prevent erections. Typically made of metal or plastic, these devices can be locked with a key, symbolizing power dynamics between a dominant and submissive partner. The keyholder controls access to the wearer’s genitals, heightening the anticipation and dependence on the eventual release.
Chastity play emphasizes psychological elements of trust, surrender, and control. The practice often deepens emotional bonds between partners and heightens sexual tension. In challenges like Locktober, participants stay locked for longer periods, adding a social and emotional component to the experience.
Wearing a chastity device can also promote personal growth by pushing emotional boundaries and testing endurance. During Locktober, many participants share their experiences on social media, creating a supportive and connected community. This shared experience fosters camaraderie among those in kink spaces, blending personal exploration with public engagement.
Marvel’s Playful Nod to the Kink Community
Marvel’s “Joe Locke-tober” isn’t just a celebration of Locke’s breakout role, but it also cheekily taps into the Locktober trend, especially given that Locke is an openly gay actor and his character, Billy, is part of the LGBTQ+ community. Whether intentional or not, Marvel’s nod to the kink community adds a fun layer of pop culture to this otherwise niche tradition.
So, whether you’re more into Joe Locke’s acting or Locktober’s challenge, this month has something exciting for everyone! Catch Joe Locke in Agatha All Along on Disney+ for more of the Marvel magic.
