If porn teaches us anything, it’s that you can’t keep a good thing down. In this instance we’re talking about the campaign of anti-porn censorship protests that have been taking place in the United Kingdom since December 2014.
The protests were born from the outrage that followed after new rules were put in place as to what sex acts were allowed to be filmed for UK porn productions. The almost inexhaustive list contrived to put the brakes on a number of acts that included:
Spanking
Caning
Aggressive whipping
Penetration by any object “associated with violence”
Physical or verbal abuse (regardless of if consensual)
Water Sports
Role-playing as non-adults
Physical restraint
Humiliation
Female ejaculation
Strangulation
Facesitting
Fisting
The last three in that list were deemed “potentially life-endangering” by the British Board Of Film Classification (BBFC), who appear to be in dire need of a dictionary as quickly as they can.
So after a number of protests that caught the media’s attention worldwide and sent social media into a dizzying tailspin of sex acts, leather masks and all the beautiful people, the time has come for the fifth and final protest. This time it’s a whip-a-thon in a dungeon in one of the UK’s most picturesque seaside towns, Brighton; also regarded as the nation’s gay capital.
The event – as with all the others – has been organized by the tireless and combative Charlotte Rose, a fearless campaigner, educator and award-winning sex worker. With the consensus in some quarters being that the new rulings were sexist (the banning of female ejaculation is a massive red-flag here) and would only serve the notion that porn is little more than a male fantasy playground, the campaign has brought to light the severe consequences that may occur at any point down the line.
Aside from indulging in more whipping than a squirty cream factory, Charlotte and other speakers will be railing from the pulpit against these confusing and downright ridiculous rulings. Although no word has been proferred from the authorities as to whether their draconianism will be lessened or reversed, the strong resistance from Charlotte and all those involved has shown the power of community and the importance of having a voice.
“While the measures won’t stop people from watching whatever genre of porn they desire as video shot abroad can still be viewed,” said Charlotte, “They do impose severe restrictions on content created in the UK, and appear to make no distinction between consensual and non-consensual practices between adults.”
So, listen up you Brighton boys and girls and all you other UK-heads. Fancy a Sunday afternoon of pleasure and pain with a social and moral conscience? See you down there!
More information can be found at this event’s Facebook page.
