A surprisingly sexy Sexpo

March 05, 2010

But I checked my sex snobbery at the door and assumed an open mind when my obligations as the BT event and entertainment hack (and yeah, my innate sexual curiosity) sent me stalking down to South Bank to learn and write about the porn, the products and the people of the "world's largest adult lifestyle expo". (You can check out my photos here).

And I admit it. It truly wasn't that bad after all.

See, the best thing about Sexpo is the fact that the folk who make Sexpo magic happen are (heavily censored) but unashamed and really do let it all hang out. Literally. There's real live boob and bum, a bloke that paints with his prick and inflatable dolls who stare blankly at an inflatable room filled with doll-like strippers who'll do you a lap dance (for a fee).

(Yeah... you know what he's doing...)

Then there's the booth where you can get whipped by a minxy dominatrix and massage parlours galore (though the happy endings I encountered in Thailand are markedly absent) - there's also more merch than any sexpot consumer whore could buy in a lifetime.

Though while there were still the elements of tack and cheap that I abhor in life general (being a quality not quantity girl, mass-produced goods and tawdriness irk me philosophically) there's also a lot that's worthwhile about the show - enough to make me reconsider my position.

'Course - it helps that the business savvy GM of the gig has made an effort to make the show more attractive to women and young couples through schmick branding and stalls that feature female friendly staff and stuff (consequently the pedestrian traffic on opening day bore little difference to what you'd find on Queen St Mall, minus the minors, and "the vibe, the constitution" was pretty vanilla).

Plus, I agree on principle with the event's message that a healthy approach to sex means openness and choice.

And as a woman who's keen to explore and develop all areas of her humanness, from head to heart to hoochie-coochie, I love talking with people who've made one of those elements their forte because it helps you help yourself ...

So a conversation with a porn star or a tantric sex expert can actually match, IMHO, one shared with a learned professor of economics in terms of intrinsic 'life lesson' value - if you've got the right perspective and ability to listen without judgement.

Meaning I'll be going back to Sexpo this year. As a punter. With a pack of guy and girl friends who were eager as beavers once I suggested it.