04 May 2007
Sexual Freedom Around The World

We love living in the UK, where we can pretty much do as we like sexually. Other countries aren't so lucky! In Sexual Freedom Round-up, we'll take a look at the week's issues surrounding sexual liberation around the world.

'Sex festival' in Bahrain upsets Islamists

A cultural festival in Bahrain featuring actors giving each other suggestive cuddles, in skin tight clothing, has sparked fury from Islamists. They are so disgusted that 'simulated sex' was shown in public, that it sparked a parliamentary investigation.

Bosundal, head of the investigation committee, said audience members were horrified by some of the festival shows. "What happened was a clear depiction of sex, acted out publicly, completely - everybody agreed on that. Bahrainis and Westerners left the audience," he said. "We're not against culture, and we welcome all world cultures, but this has to be within the framework of Bahrain's Arab and Muslim identity," he added. Source: Kuwait Times

Buying sex to be illegal in Norway

Norway's ruling Labour Party is trying to stop prostitution by taking the tack of banning the buying, not the selling. Street prostitution in Olso, the capital, has become a visible problem in the last few years. "A majority of parties in parliament wants a ban on buying sexual services - and we are going to implement it" said Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

The Labour Party say outlawing the purchase of sex will curb prostitution without penalising the hookers themselves, many of whom are young and broke foreigners, often forced into the trade. However, opponents of the new law say it will only drive prostitution underground, not to mention making prostitutes even more vulnerable. Source: News 24

Show porn on the TV all day, appeals Swedish election candidate

Teres Kirpikli, a Swedish election candidate, wants to help boost the negative Swedish birth rate by encouraging people to have more children. How does she intend to do this? By calling for "erotica and porn on television every Saturday and all day".

The 35 year old mother of 3 reckons Swedes aren't having enough sex, and claims "most people like porn, even though they don't want to admit it". If the porn was broadcast, "people would feel like having more sex". Source: BBC News

'Dancers For Democracy' protest against new Ohio strip club rules

Ohio lawmakers are trying to pass a law requiring strip clubs to restrict nudity after midnight and make dancers and patrons to stay at least six feet apart. But dancers say this would put them out of business - and they fought back this week with an organized protest near Ohio's capitol.

The strippers demonstrating carried a giant hoop, covered in police tape, to demonstrate the distance that they would have to maintain from customers while working. Many dancers pointed out that this distance would prevent them receiving tips.

Stippers aren't the only people who would be affected by the bill - all sexually oriented businesses, including adult bookstores, would have to close from midnight to 6am. Strip clubs with alcohol permits could stay open, but entertainment would be stopped at midnight. Source: KLTV

Pornographers will get death penalty in Iran

A new law passed by government leaders in the muslim nation of Iran will see porn producers put to death. If the country's draconian censorship standards deem a film 'vulgar', the maker will be subject to the death penalty.

Pornography in Iran has been tolerated for years, with amateur porn films prospering, fetching up to 30 euros each. However, when an explicit 'celebrity' sex tape of a prominent Iranian actress was released this year, Iran's "culture committee" started to crack down. The proposed new law is expected to be approved by a majority in the Iranian parliament. Source: AKI