Expelled college student sues; says sex was role play, not rape

McLEAN, Va. (AP) — A student expelled from George Mason University for violating its sexual misconduct policy is suing in federal court to clear his name, arguing that a sexual encounter with a girlfriend was sadomasochistic role playing, not rape.

A hearing in the case is scheduled for Friday in Alexandria, Virginia. The ex-student has sued under a pseudonym to protect his privacy. The university is demanding he identify himself publicly, despite arguments that doing so would expose not only him but the woman who says she was assaulted.

The student says he had been in a longstanding relationship with the woman, and that they frequently engaged in sadomasochistic role playing that involved using a safe word.

According to the lawsuit, the woman filed a complaint against him after they broke up.