October 2005 Newsletter
The Tattler [Changed in January 2007 to Public Sex]
Check out our new online journal The Tattler: "news, opinion and gossip from a sex-positive perspective." This is the only regular journal devoted to sexual/political issues that we know of. Today we published our second issue. We will email you the headlines when each new edition is published.
If you know of a story that we should cover, please advise. We have reporters ready to probe interesting sexual controversies. If you want to contribute a story, send us a brief outline. We are especially interested in original reporting.
Headlines from our latest Tattler:
Sexual Smarts Start in Schools
BC MP says sexually explicit television "not healthy"
Nudity phobia at the Vancouver Sun
Headlines from the first issue:
CBC prudes - sex-negativity at the Mother Corp
Sex work and the Vancouver Olympics
BC Sex-Negative Activist Profile
Court Challenges Program
Our court challenges program against sex-negative government policies is underway. Courts play a vital role in overcoming social prejudices and promoting social justice. Today there would be no gay marriage in Canada but for the courageous action of many gay rights litigants and the judges who heard their cases.
We filed our first case during the BC election after the provincial government refused to allow our fundraising event in any bar in BC or any private area where liquor is sold. We are about to sue Canada Post for refusing to deliver our flyer during the same election. We also have ambitious plans to challenge laws prohibiting sex work and public nudity.
Students at the University of British Columbia will participate in the court challenges program, as will several BC lawyers. If you are or know of legal talent that would like to get involved in this exciting project, please let us know.
Sexosophers' Café
Modeled after the popular Philosophers' Café sponsored by SFU, The Sex Party is hosting monthly gatherings at cafes in Vancouver to discuss interesting sexual issues. Our first gathering is at The Grind Café at Main and 25th in Vancouver 7-8.30 pm Sunday November 20, hosted by the delightful sexosopher and sex-positive activist Sylvia Machat. The subject is: Are women less sexually charged than men? If so, how does that affect our culture?
We will send you monthly reminders of the next Sexosopher's Café.
The Federal Election
Should The Sex Party run nationally? That is the question we will discuss at our next Sex Party executive meeting. Every week someone in the media inquires about our federal plans.
Our only hesitation in running at the national level is the expense. Election campaigns are costly, for even fledgling parties like ours. A national campaign would cost at least $12,000 for websites, phone bills, photocopying, posters, travel and the wages of an administrative coordinator.
But running federally would greatly advance the sex-positive cause. It would help cast light on sex-negative policies that affect all Canadians, such as criminal laws against prostitution and public nudity, Canada Post's sex-information prohibitions, the continued sex intolerance at Canada Customs, and so on.
Another advantage of federal participation is that donors to The Sex Party from all parts of Canada would enjoy a tax benefit (a tax credit of up to 75% of the contribution.). At present we are registered only in BC and the tax receipts we issue (that refund up to 75% of the donation) benefit only BC taxpayers.
If you would like to financially support our federal effort, please get in touch. If you know of a generous sex-positive benefactor please send him or her our way.
If we decide to run in the national election, we would seek to nominate one candidate from at least five provinces. Want to carry The Sex Party banner? Let us know.
Until next month....
John Ince
Leader, The Sex Party