Last weekend, the Kapital Kink sex show offered Ottawans kinky workshops, a fashion sexpo, a fetish ball and an “Exploratorium,” all within the cozy walls of St. Brigid’s church in the Byward Market. And the four-day show came and went with zero controversy – exactly the way it should be.
The real (and serious) problem with the sex show came nearly a month before the actual event, but evidence of it remains on Centretown’s bulletin boards and taped to its streetlights.
One poster features a young woman in a thong being bent over and whipped, her bottom in full view but her face nowhere to be seen.
The problem? It’s not the advertising of a sex show. In fact, advertising it and putting the show on is great, and probably a large number of Centretown residents would agree.
Sex is rad and a lot of fun. Toys, tools and information sessions on how to make it even more fun are a great idea. A healthy dialogue about sex is one of the things that is often missing from a community.
The problem lies in the fact that organizers and sponsors of the event seem to think it’s OK to feature a woman’s bare butt hanging out on a poster for every toddler, grade schooler and family to gape at.
Being anti-poster isn’t being anti-sex or a prude. It’s just using common sense. It was a stupid way to advertise the event.
If the organizers of the event really wanted to tap into a market of people interested in sex who might go see a show, this wasn’t the best approach.
What’s most annoying is the large number of businesses that supported the advertising and had their logos emblazoned on the posters. At least three of these businesses are located in Centretown, where the majority of the posters were put up.
The most surprising sponsor wasn’t the Second Cup on Bank Street, but Venus Envy, a sex shop on Lisgar Street that bills itself as a welcoming, accessible and untraditional sex shop.
It is more surprising that Venus Envy would sponsor the event because they seem to have such a good grasp of how a sex shop and its merchandise can fit into a community and provide a positive impact.
Venus Envy’s lavender walls are brightly lit, and the staff are really open and helpful. The place is a completely non-threatening, community-oriented store.
Obviously, Venus Envy didn’t have a hand in designing the posters, but like any business, it needs to carefully consider where it puts its stamp of approval.
Hopefully next year organizers can offer another fun and educational weekend to Ottawa’s sex enthusiasts without the offensive and inappropriate advertising.
It's not going too far to suggest that conscientious members of Centretown’s community should reconsider their support for an event that gives sexual education – and fun – a bad name.