Members of the Christian Action Network gathered on the front steps of the Cape Town International Convention Centre, the Sexpo venue, on Friday, brandishing posters and engaging with expo-goers about the morality of the event.

"Pornography is as addictive and destructive as drugs, yet drugs are illegal and pornography is being freely promoted at places like the Sexpo, which is held at one of the city's premier tourist destinations," said Christian Action Network organiser Taryn Hodgson.

She believed sex exhibitions should not be held in South Africa at all because it "lured in members of the public who wouldn't normally explore pornography or strip clubs".

"It should be criminalised, as should strip clubs, because these clubs basically act as brothels."

The group of about 20 protesters, who dwindled to about 10 later in the afternoon, held posters that read: "Real Men Don't Use Porn", "Sexpo = Sexploitation", "Pernicious Porno Plague Rife at Sexpo" and "Woman are Not Objects or Commodities".

However, by late on Friday afternoon, Sexpo organisers were upbeat about the success of the four-day exhibition, which ends on Sunday.

By 3pm, more than 15,000 visitors had attended the raunchy expo - 18 percent more than the same time last year.

Last year, 35,000 people attended in total, but this year more than 40,000 people were expected to turn up.

Organisers even approved of the protest in a statement, saying they welcomed differences of opinion and freedom of expression.

"The Mother City is one of our favourite legs of the Sexpo year," said organiser Silas Howarth. "It's by far the most cosmopolitan city in the country and in our experience, the most liberally open to new experiences."

Cape Town's Sexual Health Centre director Dr Marlene Wasserman, commonly known as "Dr Eve", did not believe this was the case for the majority of Capetonians.

She said South Africans in general were clammed up about sexuality and were often reluctant to speak about it openly.

Even Capetonians, who she considered to be a very open-minded community, were "shut down" to the topic.

Wasserman said South Africans had previously not had the opportunity to talk about sexuality on a safe, comfortable platform.

Many people, especially women and couples, did not feel at ease in strip clubs or adult shops, which made up most of the country's platforms.

The Sexpo, she believed, finally offered people an alternative.

"This event has become synonymous with being given the permission to look and see and engage in a public space."

The focus, she said, was also not only on sex - there was also a strong emphasis on relationships.

Wasserman, for example, would be there offering counsel, education and advice to individuals and couples.

"The main thing is that this is getting people talking about sexuality, and that's what we want. If it gets people talking, no matter their viewpoint, we've made progress."

More ...

Sexpo in Adelaide, 2008

sexpo.com.au, 5/23/08 - A record crowd of more than 40,000 is expected to attend the highly anticipated Club X ADELAIDE SEXPO, when it is staged at the Adelaide Showgrounds, Wayville, from Thurs May 22 to Sun May 25.

Among other things, the event will establish a world record for female orgasms, and play host to the world’s top porn stars.

Sexpo is a unique Aussie-creation that is now taking the world by storm. The Adelaide event will include Strip Poker tournaments, the amazing penis-powered artist Pricasso, porn stars Belladonna and Bobbi Starr, an attempt to establish a world record for the most female orgasms, regular on stage performances, and a diverse range of exhibitors.

The event is being held at the Adelaide Showgrounds, Wayville. Entry $20 at the door or $18 online @ www.sexpo.com.au

THURS MAY 22 11AM – 9PM
FRI MAY 23 11AM – MIDNIGHT
SAT MAY 24 11AM – MIDNIGHT
SUN MAY 25 11AM – 9PM

ADELAIDE WORLD RECORD – THE MOST FEMALE ORGASMS – It’s an issue that has confounded scientists, therapists and men for generations – but Adelaide is set to solve the mystery! Sex Machines Australia aims to establish a world record for the most number of (fully clothed, no sex required) female orgasms. Certainly, there’s no doubt Adelaide is a sexy place, and now it’s time for the rest of the world to find out why.

WORLD’S BIGGEST PORN STAR IN ADELAIDE– Leading international porn star Belladonna was recently crowned the ‘THE DIRTIEST GIRL IN PORN’ at the 2007 FAME awards. She will be joined at Adelaide Sexpo by another leading adult star, Bobbi Starr. They’re looking forward to meeting their fans in the flesh.

STRIP POKER TOURNAMENT – With the booming popularity of poker tournaments worldwide, it only stands to reason that Sexpo should host a major strip poker contest. On the hour, three male and three female visitors to Sexpo will play for a range of prizes. The person with their clothes on at the end of the game wins!

PRICASSO – Queensland-based Tim Patch has stunned the world with his ability to paint lifelike portraits using his penis as the brush, and this year he even entered the Archibald Prize with a self-portrait. Apart from his depictions of our leading politicians (“it takes one to paint one!”) he will be painting portraits of Sexpo patrons who want a truly unique keepsake of their visit.

EXHIBITORS – A LIFESTYLE EXPERIENCE – Sexpo is sexy and surprising. There are all the exhibitors you might expect to find – including the very best in lingerie, sex toys, glamour photography etc – and then there are plenty of things that surprise. Whether it’s skydiving, designer handbags, chilli sauces, jetskis, herbal aphrodisiacs, Egyptian linen (and much more), Sexpo is a true adult lifestyle experience.

AUSSIE SEXPO GOES GLOBAL – Sexpo is a unique Australian concept that has now gone international. South Africans are now enjoying the Sexpo experience, and more overseas venues (including Greece) are in the planning.

THE AMATEUR STRIP & ON-STAGE ENTERTAINMENT – There are regular stage performances at Sexpo and it’s a high-tech, big entertainment experience. From the hottest male and female performers, to the fun of the Amateur Strip challenge (that’s right, many brave locals will be stripping down in front of thousands – a must see experience!).

History of Sexpo

Since its debut in 1996, SEXPO has attracted nearly two million people and is now a well-established event around Australia. But it came about in a most unlikely fashion – through a near-fatal car accident.

As it was, motor mechanic David Ross suffered serious injuries and was forced to make a career change.

Using part of his insurance payout, he purchased a share in a brothel (as you do!). At age 25, David entered the newly legalised world of prostitution.

David sold out of the brothel within a year. He took a public relations course and was soon appointed PR consultant for Top of the Town, one of Melbourne largest legal brothels.

He later moved to Club X, a national adult store chain, to do their marketing.

His brief was to make adult bookstores more appealing and less intimidating to women. Why? Because women are the largest purchaser of adult merchandise. Men might buy DVDs and videos, but women buy sex toys, so it was vital to welcome them into the stores.

He believed that by providing a relaxed, non-threatening environment, potential customers –especially females – would feel more comfortable examining the products and asking questions.
His original concept was to hold a two-day "touch and feel" expo of adult toys, an event that, in his words, "would allow people to see how they could bring a spark back into their sex lives without being scared or embarrassed". Held at the Carlton Crest Hotel and featuring just 20 stands, the event drew a crowd of more than 8000 people!

The unexpectedly large response inspired David to stage the first formal Sexpo. He folded invitations, sealed envelopes and wrote every media release, radio and TV advertisement himself. Today he employs a team of advertising, marketing and PR consultants, and is the overseer of a major national and international event.

David’s motto is 'Lighten up! Sex is Fun'. He likes to think Sexpo has been instrumental in changing people's views towards sex by creating an environment in which people aren't afraid to ask questions.

Mums and dads, boyfriends and girlfriends and even 80-year-old couples can all be seen walking hand-in-hand around Sexpo …so it would appear that his concept is working!

Sexpo is not just an exhibition about sex. It is about health, sexuality, and adult lifestyles.

More news about porn in Australia:
Australia Porn Filter Will Slow Internet
Porn scandal exposed in Australia
Study Says Porn Doesn't Show Women as Sex Objects

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