Erotica for Women?

Two books seem to have had a lot of publicity in the last couple of weeks. Sphere published a collection of erotic stories this week entitled 'In Bed With'. A series of well known female authors including Fay Weldon, Adele Parks, Jane Moore and Stella Duffy have been drawn upon to write 5,000 short stories under a "porn name". Louise Doughty (one of the authors) describes that this was achieved by taking the name of their first pet and following it with the name of the first street they lived on. This would give me the rather fabulous name of 'Smokey Southwood' which sounds like some sort of fabulous American (in my head). The general tone of the pieces surrounding the book is women emerge as sexual creatures. Significantly, the authors remain anonymous and the stories reflect female sexual fantasies. This follows various press about 'Wetlands' by Charlotte Roche which has also been pitched as a 'liberating text' about women. I was planning on getting that book for my journey to San Fran and it appears to have been published earlier than planned. That said, the reviews on Amazon seem to pan it.

Public Sex and the Law

I'm currently working on a book for Routledge on the subject of public sex which will be published next year. The book will include a glossary to explain some of the associated language that will appear in quotes from discussion boards etc e.g. 'gloryholes' or 'trade'. I'd really love to hear your suggestions whether you're a student or casual blog reader on terms that should be included. Please post your suggestions by clicking 'comments'. Thanks in advance!

Sexualities: New Content

Details of the latest edition of Sexualities can be found below. Sunderland students can access hard copies in the St Peter's library and electronically through Sage.

Patricia Elliot
Engaging Trans Debates on Gender Variance: A Feminist Analysis Sexualities 2009 12: 5-32. [Abstract] [PDF] [References] [Request Permission]

Daniel Nehring
Modernity with Limits: The Narrative Construction of Intimate Relationships, Sex and Social Change in Carlos Cuauhtémoc Sánchez's Juventud en Éxtasis Sexualities 2009 12: 33-59. [Abstract] [PDF] [References] [Request Permission]

Gregory Tomso
Risky Subjects: Public Health, Personal Narrative, and the Stakes of Qualitative Research Sexualities 2009 12: 61-78. [Abstract] [PDF] [References] [Request Permission]

Sean Slavin
'Instinctively, I'm Not Just a Sexual Beast': The Complexity of Intimacy Among Australian Gay Men Sexualities 2009 12: 79-96. [Abstract] [PDF] [References] [Request Permission]

Gail Mason and Gary Lo
Sexual Tourism and the Excitement of the Strange: Heterosexuality and the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade Sexualities 2009 12: 97-121. [Abstract] [PDF] [References] [Request Permission]

Catherine Jean Nash
Book Review: Kenneth W. Cimino, Gay Conservatives: Group Consciousness and Assimilation. New York and London: Harrington Park Press, 2007. 146 pp. ISBN 13:978—156023—608—5 (hbk) ISBN 13:978—156023—609—2 (pbk). Price US$39.95 (hbk), US$19.95 (pbk) Sexualities 2009 12: 123-124. [PDF] [Request Permission]

Jan Löfström
Book Review: Jens Rydström and Kati Mustola (eds) Criminally Queer: Homosexuality and Criminal Law in Scandinavia, 1842—1999. Amsterdam: Aksant. 2007. 312 pp. ISBN: 978—90—5260—245—5. Price $29.90 Sexualities 2009 12: 124-126. [PDF] [References] [Request Permission]

Yvette Taylor
Book Review: N. Rumens and A. Cervantes-Carson (eds) Sexual Politics of Desire and Belonging. New York: Rodopi, 2007. 274pp. ISBN 978—90—420—2239—3. Price $60, US$ 93 Sexualities 2009 12: 126-128. [PDF] [Request Permission]

'Not all of this is over - you aren't home free yet'

The Guardian carried a review of the new Milk film last week. The next week or so is going to carry reviews on most TV shows, newspapers and magazines and there has already been loads. The film opens on Friday in the UK and looks pretty amazing. A view all the reviews I've seen share. This review was different, offering a perspective from a local SF resident talking about how life has changed. The comments about the film being 'edited by history' are really rather beautiful and the conclusion of B Ruby Rich's review is thought provoking and contains a raw edge that is lacking in so many other pieces by 'reviewers'. The final paragraph is worth repeating in full:

'With the recent election, Milk has transcended its own status as a film and become a political fact, a political act. A generation ahead of Barack Obama's victory, Harvey Milk had his own mantra: "You've got to give them hope." Van Sant's decision to mix documentary footage into his drama facilitates the audience's identification with its story as the stuff of history. Indeed, its most emotional scenes, for me, don't even concern Harvey Milk: they are instead the harsh dragnet footage of 1950s and 60s police busts of gay bars, shining spotlights on to the faces of clean-cut men rounded up by the "vice squad" simply for patronising a bar, thrown into a police van for having a drink, criminalised for seeking community. Look back, remember, don't forget, the footage seems to signal to its audience. Not all of this is over - you aren't home free yet.'

EU Art

Thanks to Sean for 'flagging up' (pardon the pun) this story with me. An artwork was unveiled at the EU last week that satirised different European states by portrayign their stereotypes. France was portrayed as always ons trike and the the UK was absence. Poland is represented by Catholic monks raising the rainbow flag. Fabulous.

Bishop Gene Robinson and Obama Concert

Tomorrow sees the formal inauguration of Obama as the 44th President of the United States. Yesterday saw some of the celebrations kick off and a concert in front of the Lincoln memorial. As part of that, openly gay Bishop, Gene Robinson delivered a blessing for the incoming President and I found it a thoughtful and warm prayer. The idea of an openly gay bishop addressing such a large audience as part of this collective celebration is hugely symbolic. Yet, as optimistic as we might feel, we can't forget the real challenges for Obama - on civil unions/marriage and gay rights more generally.

Recession Hits Pink Pound?

It seems to Pink Pound is also affected by the recession. Well maybe, maybe not. It may be that the credit crunch has made life more difficult for the chain CloneZone but the Pink Pound angle makes it more of a story for sites such as Pink News which reports the chain has gone into administration. The opening of a Newcastle store relatively recently was taken by some (including me) as a positive development of the gay 'scene/village' in Newcastle. It's closure will leave another derelict building when the area should be getting it's act together. Their site is still operating and promoting a 50% off sale.

It may be that even with £37.48 off, people are less inclined to buy a genuine cast of Gage Weston's 10" penis.

Soho Sex Worker Raid

The latest CAAN newsletter also carries an interesting story relating to a raid on sex workers. You can read the full piece below:

Police raids in Soho endanger sex workers’ safety
(from English Collective of prostitutes)

On 18 December, three police officers from Charing Cross Clubs and Vice Unit visited a flat in Romilly Street, Soho, London and issued a written notice against Ms Tracey Ramsey* who works as a receptionist there, that they intend charging her with“controlling prostitution for gain”. Soho has been one of the safest places for women in the sex industry to work. As a receptionist, Ms Ramsey is women’s first line of defence against violent attacks and exploitation. If the police are allowed to proceed against Ms Ramsey, other receptionists will be driven away and women will be forced to work alone. Why are police targeting safe premises?

Details of the raid

The police are familiar with this and other flats in Soho. The police notice claimed that their visit was “to check the welfare of the occupants and to ensure that there are no juveniles or trafficked victims working at the location”. It threatened charges such as: “to keep or to manage, or to act or assist in the management of a brothel”; “controlling prostitution for gain” as well as “causing or inciting child prostitution”. No underage or trafficked women or any evidence of force or coercion was found at the premises, and none had been found during the weekly visits by the police during the whole month of September. This is an abuse of process.


New legislation to be announced on 19 January

These raids and prosecutions are aimed at preparing the ground for new legislation being announced on 19 January which would force women into “rehabilitation”, make it easier for the police to close brothels and arrest kerb-crawlers, and make an offence of “paying for sex with a person who is controlled for another person’s gain”. Such measures would force prostitution further underground, adding to sex workers’vulnerability and stigma.

What is a brothel?

The word brothel conjures up images of big exploitative establishments.Yet by law two prostitute women sharing premises to work constitute a brothel, even if no force and coercion are involved. Many women prefer to work in such brothels because they offer greater safety, companionship and lower running expenses. Working indoors is 10 times safer than working on the street. Why should women not be allowed to work in this way?

Impact of the raids

Receptionists such as Ms Ramsey face criminalization and imprisonment for up to seven years(increased from six months by New Labour). Immigrant women face deportation; clients face “a hefty fine and a criminal record”.

Police profit directly from raids

Since the Proceeds of Crime Act, raids have become profitable for the police. They receive 25% of any assets confiscated both at the time and from subsequent prosecutions. The Crown Prosecution Service keeps another 25% and the rest goes to the Inland Revenue, ie the government. It is common for the police to seize any money found on the premises. Even if no one is charged, the money is rarely returned as police take advantage of sex workers’ reluctance to go public. Women who have worked for years to put money aside lose not only their livelihood but their home, car, life savings, jewellery, etc. This exploitation by agents of the State is the worst form of theft and pimping. We believe it is a main reason why raids are now high up on the police and government agenda.

Government statistics on trafficking are false

The figures the government is using to justify raids are based onblatantly discredited research which claims that 80% of women working in the sex industry in the UK have been trafficked. Convictions for trafficking are distorted because the UK definition of trafficking for prostitution, unlike trafficking for any other industry, does not mention force or coercion. This enables every woman with a foreign accent to be labelled a victim of trafficking!

Measures that would help women get out of prostitution

The government has done little to address the homelessness, poverty, debt and domestic violence, which were established as key factors driving women into the sex industry. With women’s hourly wages ranging from £5.73 to £11.67, enforcing pay equity would also reduce the number of women working in prostitution. In New Zealand where decriminalisation became law five years ago, sex workers’ criminal records were expunged making it easier for women to leave prostitution if they want to. Sex workers recount being more able to report violence and insist on their rights.

Rape and violence against sex workers dismissed

The conviction rate for reported rape is a shameful 6%. Sex workers who have been attacked face particular discrimination when seeking justice. Seven women came to the ECP in a two month period reporting rape and other attacks which the police had refused to investigate. One woman was told to gather the evidence herself; another was forced
out of her flat by a raid and was violently attacked on the street.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Write protesting that these raids will isolate sex workers from essential support and force women out of the safety of premises onto the streets. Demand an end to the prosecution of women working in the sex industry, including for brothel-keeping and “controlling” if no force or coercion is involved. Please send your complaint to:

Jacqui Smith, Home Secretary, Email: smithj@parliament.uk Fax: 020 7035 3262

Head of Clubs and Vice, Charing Cross Police Station, Agar Street,London, WC2N 4JP

Sir John Stephens, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, New Scotland Yard, 8-10 Broadway, London, SW1H 0BG

Please send copies of any letters to:
English Collective of Prostitutes: ecp@allwomencount.net
John McDonnell MP: mcdonnellj@parliament.uk
Richard Faulkner, House of Lords: faulkerro@parliament.uk

CAAN Call to Action

The Consenting Adult Action Network (CAAN) has released the following call to action:

Join us to mark the death of another freedom.

* Sunday 25th January 2009, Parliament Square, Westminster, London, 2-5pm*

Beware the kinky porn ban!

On the eve of the commencement of the kinky porn ban, CAAN are back in London for another awareness raising action about laws which criminalise adults because of their sexuality. A law we don't think the Government is publicising widely enough, which all adults who possess or access pornography need to know about.

This law is based on lack of evidence and lies!

Provisions 63-68 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 come into effect on 26th January 2009. Despite lack of evidence, the government claims criminalising of the possession of what it calls 'extreme pornography' will reduce sex crime. In fact, what evidence exists provides grounds for thinking this measure will have exactly the opposite effect to that intended - making sex crime MORE prevalent.

This law creates harmless criminals!

This law now gives the police the power to invade anyone's home and interfere with their privacy. Convictions for possessing extreme porn will carry up to 3 years jail sentence and inclusion on the Sex Offender Register. Just for possessing an image.

This law gives murderers and abusers excuses!

Abuse is illegal, holding images of crimes is illegal and material which promotes abuse is illegal, and quite rightly so – so where's the need for a new law? This law is aimed at consensually made adult fantasy images and based on the bad excuses of a murderer. "The pictures made me do it".

What do we want? Autonomy! When do we want it? Now!

Please join us. Feel free to bring placards and banners and dress as you please, as long as it's not obscene or involving nudity. Yes, you can bring masks, chains and cuffs. Do not bring: alcohol, non prescription drugs or weapons.

If you can attend the action, or are able to assist with things behind the scenes like transporting equipment, people, or donating resources during the time surrounding the action, or are interested in sharing a lift (there’s several carshares already, please get in touch with us ASAP at info@caan.org.uk

Headteacher Survives Public Sex Conviction

I've only just picked up the last Pink News (18 Dec) and it carries a fascinating story on page 4 with the title 'Convicted Teacher Weeps at hearing'. According to the piece a headteacher who has been convicted of outraging public decency at a Birmingham 'beauty spot' was allowed to continue as a Headteacher but reprimanded by the General Teaching Council. He continues to assert he is innocent of the crime and the governors at the school stood by him. Would the governors have stood by a convicted man who pleased guilty? Should public sex in this sort of situation (where he was arrested by a plain clothes policeman) really lead to such devastation of someones life? The paper can be viewed here.

Relationships and Identity

The Guardian carried a touching and humorous piece by Mark Dowd yesterday. As I read it I thought "this should be a film" and the author reveals towards the end of the piece that he is planning to do just that. The story is hard to explain but is summed up in the heading to the article - 'I went to my ex-lover's funeral as his son'. It can be read here.

Extreme Pornography Guidance

Following on from my last post, the Home Office released guidance on the new extreme pornography offences last month. That guidance can be read here. It highlights just how absurd the legislation is. Paragraph 5 which examines how pornographic material will be defined is a particularly good example. This legislation is appallingly conceived, badly drafted and a disgrace in the twenty first century.

London Fetish Awards

Much to my embarrassment, I failed to post the results of the London Fetish Awards despite encouraging people to vote in it. The full results are reproduced below and the awards website can be viewed here. I was really pleased to see the Consenting Adult Action Network win 'Specialise Website of the Year'. They are doing some really important work and will be holding their next protest on the 25th January, just before Sections 64-67 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 come into force.

European Gay Fetish Event of the year - Folsum Europe
Sauna of the year - Chariots
Fetish Shop & Suppliers of the year - RoB
Outreach / Sexual Health Organisation of the year - GMFA
Gay Sex & fetish Magazine of the year - QX MEN
London Gay Fetish Event of the Year - Hard On 5th Birthday
Sex & health Information website of the year - GMFA
Social Websites of the year - Recon
Specialists Website of the Year - C.A.A.N (Consenting adult action network)
Fetish Porn website of the year - FetishLad
Club Website of the Year - Hard On
Venue of the year - Hidden
Newcomer of the year – Berlin (Eagle)
Weekly Fetish / Cruise Club of the year - Bootcamp (Eagle)
Weekend Fetish / Cruise Club of the year – Gummie (Central Station)
Bear / Beefy Men Club of the year - XXL (The Arches)
Specialist Fetish Club of the year – SM Gays ( The Hoist )
Fetish dance club of the year – Hard On (Hidden)
Door whore/host of the year – Rami (Mega Woof)
Fetish imagery/artist of the year – Ashley (Savage Skin)
Performer of the year – Ashley Ryder
Fetish Hall of Fame / ’The Playroom of Pleasure’ - The Respect Awards, sponsored by Fetish Freak
1. Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence2. Kellan Farshea, for his work with Spanner Champaign & SM Pride3. Derrick Cohen, for his work forming S.M Gays & Spanner Trust4. SM Gays - Colin & Dave, for their voluntary work5. Peter Shapcott - Eddie Surman Trust, for his 12 years as a volunteer6. Guy Irwin - The Hoist7. Suzie Krueger, for her clubs Fist & Hard On
Promoter of the year - Suzie Krueger
Bear/beefy Men Club DJ of the year – Tim Jones
Cruise club DJ of the year - Jim Stanton
Fetish Dance Club DJ of the year - Halo-iS

Wearside Sex Cautions

News a little closer to home comes in the form of this story in the Sunderland Echo today. According to the paper 'hundreds of Wearsiders have been given cautions for sexual offences.' They point to these offenders being given a caution and placed on the Sex Offenders Register. The paper and the Kidscape commentator don't seem to realise just how serious and life changing being placed on the Sex offenders Register can be. The story notes that the offenders are as young as ten but we don't know what that ten year old is on there for. It's very easy to jump to conclusions in such a sensitive area as sex offending but we need to start having a much more mature, measured and informed discussion of this complex and important area.

Police Destroy Public Sex Images

The Cape Cod Times reports that Police in Great Yarmouth (the US one not the English one) have destroyed a series of photographs they took earlier in the year of men walking, or engaging in acts of public sex in a conservation area. The images were destroyed after the Police decided not the proceed with any prosecutions. ACLU has become involved in an interesting discussion about privacy and the potential damage that can be done by the leaking/public disclosure of such images.

If you should go down to the gym today...

The Canadian site xtra.ca has quite an entertaining piece on sex in your local gym setting out some of the unwritten rules of play. It can be viewed here. It might be one to read for all those who've just bought gym memberships as part of their new year, new self.

Stonewall Equality Index

The Guardian reports today on the publication by Stonewall of their Equality Index. Lloyds TSB tops the league as the most gay-friendly employer whilst the Home Office wins the award for Employee Network Group of the Year and law firm Simmons & Simmons is named Most Improved Employer. The Stonewall press release can be viewed here. The top 100 can be viewed here.

DOMA Protest

The Miami Herald blog is reporting that this Saturday will see a protest on Miami Beach against the Defence of Marriage Act. The group, jointheimpact was formed in November during the Presidential election and their website certainly suggests they are well organised with some great resources. They'll probably need to be as the Proposition 8 fallout in California reminds us.

The Only Out Gay Man in Professional Rugby Union

The other interesting story in the Guardian yesterday concerns Nigel Owens, the only out professional rugby union. It's an interesting read but it shouldn't be forgotten there are gay rugby teams out there that help to change the image of the sport (and the image of 'gay' actually) such as the Newcastle Ravens who are currently recruiting new players. Read more about them here.

China in 'Vulgar' Crack Down

Apologies for being a day behind but I didn't finish reading the Guardian until late in bed with a Lemsip last night (I know, it's wild existence I lead). Anyway, they had a couple of stories of note yesterday. The first one comes from China and their apparent crack down on what they call 'vulgar' online searches - principally what they deem pornography. State television showed equipment being seized. Given the sensitive nature of what can constitute 'pornography', particularly in such a conservative culture, I wonder how gay networking sites such as Gaydar, Gaydar Girls, Manhunt and so on fare under such a regime. A quick search on Gaydar for those living in Beijing revealed over 1000 profiles (the most it will show on a general search) so it doesn't seem to be holding back such sites at the moment. In April 2008 the Guardian reported on Gaydar setting up a China arm called GaydarNation China which it set up, hosted from Australia, to get around some of China's restrictive Internet licensing arrangements. This latest move by the Chinese government is designed to tackle the loopholes so I think this is one to watch.

Most of these sites usually have what some what call 'provocative' imagery on their splash or front pages. Amnesty International runs a campaign against Internet repression which can be viewed here.

You Don't Have to be Gay to Receive Homophobic Abuse

Out-Law.com is reporting a fascinating decision from the Court of Appeal. The ruling extends harassment legislation to situations where someone is teased for being something they clearly are not. The case revolved around the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003. Lord Sedley stated: "The calculated insult to his dignity, which depended not at all on his actual sexuality, and the consequently intolerable working environment were sufficient to bring his case both within Regulation 5 and within the 1976 Directive. The incessant mockery ('banter' trivialises it) created a degrading and hostile working environment, and it did so on grounds of sexual orientation.

"It can be properly said that the fact that the appellant is not gay, and that his tormentors know it, has just as much to do with sexual orientation – his own, as it happens – as if he were gay," said the ruling. "If, as is common ground, tormenting a man who is believed to be gay but is not amounts to unlawful harassment, the distance from there to tormenting a man who is being treated as if he were gay when he is not is barely perceptible."

The full case judgment of English v Thomas Sanderson Ltd [2008] EWCA Civ 1421 can be read here.

Ultimatum to homosexuals, drug dealers, thieves and other criminals

Pink News carries a disturbing story from the Gambia. According to the site 'a 79-year-old man from the Netherlands has been found guilty of indecency with several Gambian men.' The site goes on to report that 'Mr Boers was arrested at the city's international airport on December 23rd when officials found he was in possession of nude pictures of himself and some Gambian men and other pornography.' The full story can be viewed here. The Gambian government is apparently initiating a clampdown against 'homosexuals, drug dealers, thieves and other criminals'.

California Gay Marriage

Pink news is reporting on the latest twist in the Proposition 8/gay marriage row in California. It reports that The National Centre for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and Lambda Legal have filed a reply brief in the California Supreme Court, the next step in the lawsuit seeking to overturn Prop 8. According to Pink News 'The new brief backs state Attorney General Jerry Brown's position that certain fundamental rights, including the right to marry, are inalienable, cannot be put up for a popular vote and cannot be applied to invalidate existing marriages.' To my mind that could in theory be upheld and the Proposition 8 ban also upheld with marriage being a right, but marriage being an activity which can only be between a man and a woman. A position, incidentally, which Obama has stated so anyone hoping for help from the new administration will be disappointed. More generally, students will find the Lambda docket history of interest and use. It can be viewed here.

There has also been speculation as to whether Proposition 8 will now apply to existing marriages. When Proposition 8 passed I stated that it was my view it would invalidate existing rights. For me, that was what made Proposition 8 even worse than some opponents had been fearing. Whilst this still has to unravel it seems clear that hospitals which grant certain rights to someone "married" can not do so to same sex-sex couples if the term "married" has been changed constitutionally to exclude same sex couples.

The US based website Findlaw earlier this month predicted that US marriage would be the number one legal issue and in California that seems likely to come true. I hope Proposition 8 is overturned but I'm not optimistic. The LGBTQQI community(ies) also need to continue a dialogue about what they want - civil unions/partnerships and/or marriage and what those things mean.

In English law we failed to have that full dialogue and I think we are the poorer for it. Whilst marriage might be a big issue in the USA, the UK will see the new Equality Bill brought before Parliament which I hope will lead to further discussion about what equality is and (shock horror) whether it is intrinsically a good thing.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Well I had my vacation from blogging, saw some friends and family and then got hellish flu, which I'm still recovering from. Anyway, I am back blogging so I'll be updating this. I should have some exciting news in the next couple of weeks that I can share with you (well I think it's exciting, you might not). In the meantime, I've been falling in love with my new iPhone (when the O2 man asked what made me choose it I honestly replied "marketing) and uploading the fabulous Narcys to it. I've previously embedded their fabulous video for Toi T'en Rêves which considers gender/sexuality/identity. You can view that post with the English lyrics here. I wish some label would sign him up.

Anyway...it's the season of New Year messages and on the flight back from Sydney last month I re-discovered a fabulous song from 1999 that had me welling up (think it was a combination of dodgy food from Thailand and lack of sleep as much as anything) 'cos you do see it coming true as you get older (boo hoo). Anyway, here it is below. Sound advice for any final year student...