Tuesday, October 06, 2009

UK "Sex Week" sponsor promotes violence against women, group calls on UK to disassociate itself

For Immediate Release October 6, 2009

The sponsor of the University of Kentucky's "Sex Week" sells "Bondage Fantasy" sets and handcuffs on its website, a fact that has prompted a state family advocacy group to ask how this works into one of the week's main themes: protesting violence against women.

"We wonder how organizers of an event that's supposed to discourage violence against women justify promoting a group that considers handcuffs and whips 'bedroom accessories,'" said Martin Cothran, senior policy analyst with The Family Foundation of Kentucky. "What's next from UK, demonstrations against racism sponsored by organizations that sell white hoods?"

"For just $29.95, you can get everything you need from the sponsor of UK's 'Sex Week' to pretend you are beating up and humiliating women. If there's something about this that discourages violence against women, we'd like to know what it is. UK needs to disassociate themselves from this as quickly as possible."

Among the many events at UK's "Sex Week"--which includes bellydancing lessons, "poetry slams" and Tupperware parties for sex toys--is a march down Lexington's Main Street that calls on male students at UK to wear women's heeled shoes as a way of protesting violence against women. "Maybe they should also wear the wrist and ankle restraints sold by the sponsor of their event," said Cothran. "That'll show 'em."

The primary sponsor of "Sex Week" is Pure Romance, Inc., which sells the "Beginner's Bondage Fantasy Set" ($29.95) , as well as a whip for $14.00, handcuffs for $15.00, and the "Vanilla Bondage Set" for $12.00, which features ties that have "a loop at each end so they can easily be threaded on or off arms or legs, and are long enough to reach the leg posts of your bed."

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12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I checked the website for the event that you have helpfully not linked to, and found this on the programme,

A panel of clergy from a wide range of faiths-Buddhist, Christian (Catholic, Non-Denominational, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), Islamic, Jewish-will discuss issues and approaches to sexuality within and across their faiths.

This is a well organized event and gives our students an opportunity to become more aware of their sexuality at an impressionable age.

The much derided "godless" countries of Western Europe - France, Scandinavia, Germany, Low Countries etc - have much lower incidence of teen pregnancy, than does the US. After years of declining teen pregnancy the eight years of Bush with the fatuous policy of "abstinence education" saw a sharp spike in teen pregnancy and STD. In the US it is the liberal states that get it right, while the sanctimonious ones, Kentucky included, don't.

Thanks to the Morrill Act we have a number of land grant universities which remain islands of enlightenment in states like Kentucky, providing forums for freethought and debate.

Lee said...

> The much derided "godless" countries of Western Europe - France, Scandinavia, Germany, Low Countries etc - have much lower incidence of teen pregnancy, than does the US.

Not only that. They have much lower birth rates, so much so that within the next thirty years, they will no longer be "Europe" the way we recognize it, but will become Europistan, another Islamic "republic". The "lower incidence of teen pregancy" may have more to do with the fact that half the young people in Europe are Islamic.

Which is to say: Europe won't be godless for long. Adherents to the suicidal cult of agnostic socialism don't even love life enough even to reproduce. It's a world view that, even when it's predominant, has a shelf life. Enjoy it now, tomorrow it's over.

I hope the agnostics, having suffered so long under the intolerant Christians, enjoy living among the Muslims. I hear they're very understanding and solicitous of the grievances of unbelievers.

As far as the liberal states are concerned, last one out, please turn off the lights. As a resident of Virginia, the biggest change I have seen over the past fifty years has been the influx of Yankees who are fleeing not only the godlessness of the North, but the resulting economic mayhem caused by all their enlightened socialistic policies and unions. They pine for life back in Connecticut or New York, but they're living next door to me in Virginia. The only problem I have with them is they brought their voting patterns with them. So the good news is someday Virginia will be just like New York -- enlightened, agnostic, and unproductive.

Anonymous said...

Lee,
Teen pregnancy is a symptom of underdevelopment. The European countries with the largest Muslim population, France, Germany and UK have through years of education and policy decreased the incidence of teen pregnancy among 1st generation Muslim immigrants. In fact France's Muslim minister for social welfare (a woman too) is championing Sarkozy's drive to declare the burqa illegal. So Europe isdoing fine, thank you.

As for Virginia, it is socialist as one couldget, for what would the state be without all the generous money the feds pump into it - federal government departments, congressional residences, the CIA, FBI, the military etc. So Virginia like any other "red" state thrives on government largesse. In fact nationally the blue states are net contributors to the national exchequer incomparison to the red states that are a net drain (save Texas, but then Texas too now is clamouring for stimulus funding). New England, Mid Atlantic, the Central Midwest (around Chicago) and the West Coast - all blue areas host the innovation, intellectual, and cultural hubs of the country. Red state has for years have been trying to go blue. It is a natural process, as liberals move in they bring their values with them - a commitment to welfare, public education, cultural diversity, internationalism, and innovation. Take Ohio, where traditionally liberal Cleveland, and traditionally conservative Cincy are now both playing 2nd fiddle to liberal Columbus. So with N.Carolina where the triangle area and Charlotte have come to define the state, as with NoVa for Virginia. The future of the US is liberal. Texas is slated to go majority minority in about 20 years, and join California in the Democratic column. With that the Republican Party as we know it today, and its reactionary values will be gone the way of the dodo.

If I were you I would be careful before I smirk over Europe. Western Europe's safety net is holding very well, and its citizens even in this grim time don't worry about health care, which is efficiently priced and delivered effectively.

Lee said...

> Teen pregnancy is a symptom of underdevelopment.

This link here (http://www.webster.edu/~woolflm/singlemothers.html) says the UK has the highest number of unwed teen mothers in the world. This link here (http://www.topix.com/forum/religion/islam/TAIO4RSJL95JKICPG) says the US has the highest teen pregnancy rate). If that's true, then the US and the UK are underdeveloped, by whatever definition you are using.

Seems like a confusing topic, but I'm glad you're certain about. Me, I would tend to question whether you are relaying fact or opinion. Was teen pregnancy higher, say, in less-developed 16th Century England than it is today? How about undeveloped Judea during the Roman times?


> So Europe is doing fine, thank you.

Somebody isn't watching the news.

> As for Virginia, it is socialist as one couldget, for what would the state be without all the generous money the feds pump into it - federal government departments, congressional residences, the CIA, FBI, the military etc.

I think what you mean is that red states tend to receive more federal funds than they send in federal taxes. That does not mean the Virginia state government itself is a socialistic as New York or Massachusetts, or its taxes as rapacious.

> Red state has for years have been trying to go blue.

That's a little bit like saying Georgia tried to go Yankee when Sherman walked through.

> It is a natural process, as liberals move in they bring their values with them - a commitment to welfare, public education, cultural diversity, internationalism, and innovation.

The way I see it, is they ruined their states and now can't find employment there... so they've come down here, and as you say, brought their values with them, and so will ruin our states.

> Take Ohio, where traditionally liberal Cleveland, and traditionally conservative Cincy are now both playing 2nd fiddle to liberal Columbus.

Columbus is the capital. They get to reap the taxes of Cleveland and Cincinnati. This ought to surprise no one. The dog is sick, but the tick is healthy.

> So with N.Carolina where the triangle area and Charlotte have come to define the state, as with NoVa for Virginia.

As you pointed out, would Northern Virginia be thriving if it weren't for the bloated federal government.

> The future of the US is liberal.

Liberalism is in its death throes. It is cheerfully ruining our economy and doubling down on the kinds of bad debt and perverse incentives that caused this economic crisis. Liberalism is doomed. The only question is whether it takes everything down with it.

> Texas is slated to go majority minority in about 20 years, and join California in the Democratic column.

You're presuming that once minorities become mainstream Americans and productive citizens, they will be as cheerful about paying the high taxes of a socialist tyranny.

> With that the Republican Party as we know it today, and its reactionary values will be gone the way of the dodo.

The Republican Party can go stick its head in the toilet as far as I'm concerned. They handed us over to the liberals like Judas.

> If I were you I would be careful before I smirk over Europe. Western Europe's safety net is holding very well...

It's not their "safety net" I'm smirking over. It's their countries themselves. They're going to like living under Sharia law so much.

> ...and its citizens even in this grim time don't worry about health care, which is efficiently priced and delivered effectively.

That's what I mean by doubling down. That sort of socialism, high taxes, and profligate spending has gotten us here, so of course the solution is more of the same. Open your eyes. The U.S. cannot afford these programs. We're having to retrench. We may have a complete economic collapse. When this happens, of course, the liberals will examine the wreckage and lament how we could have saved ourselves if only we had socialized medicine.

Anonymous said...

Lee,

The teen pregnancy rate in the US - the highest in the developed world - is twice that of UK's. UK although better than the US, is still a laggard in Europe, when it comes to sex education. In France the day-after-pill is freely available. In the US the reactionaries are busy fabricating yarns about it. Development is not only a matter of economics. Nowhere is that more obvious than in the provision of healthcare. The US spends twice as much per capita as any other country and yet, thanks to a rapacious corporate health insurance lobby, leaves 1000s bankrupt from health expenses (80% of whom have insurance). In the US too it is the red states that as a rule have higher teen pregnancy rates than the blue states.

If the definition of news is Fo(au)x Channel, sure I don't watch it!

Virginia isn't socialist, it is simply a beneficiary of socialism! Mass and NY have high taxes and deliver a superior quality of life to their citizens - better education, dense cities brimming with private sector opportunities, great universities, culture and the arts and a vibrant international flavor. NYC especially is my favorite city, like no other city in the world, it is America at its best. Boston again is the intellectual capital of America. It is worth paying the taxes to live there. And in a recession residents of these states can always find jobs in other places, because they are seen to be the best among their profession. But with increasing urbanisation, the red states too will, in another 20 years, grow their cities.

NoVa thrives and is the engine of growth for Virginia. And then what about Norfolk, who keeps the city afloat?

This won't be the first time liberal ideas revived the economy. After the excesses of the gilded age that wrecked the economy the New Deal saved it. So also now, 10 years of finance led growth collapsed last year. So we need a 2nd New Deal, this one to regulate the powers of corporations and strengthen our safety net. Talking about Europe, I find it interesting how their excellent welfare policies have done away with the need for charities, that force people to beg for what is their due.

After the frenzy we witnessed over the Sotomayor nomination, the Republicans can forget retaining the Hispanic vote. Voters are not concerned about just taxes - which in a country like ours are justified given the high standards of accountability that the government lives up to - but dignity. No right minded person - leave alone minorities - will vote for the Republican Party - a party that believes that jobs, welfare and peace come always after the interests of the wealthy and privileged.

Productive spending alwaysworks,there is no better example of that than the US. The many institutions - universities, parks, research labs, infrastructure (Interstate), Medicare, Social Security, are among the shining examples. America works best when the government builds and takes care of the foundations of the economy and keeps a tight leash on the corporations.

Lee said...

> The teen pregnancy rate in the US - the highest in the developed world - is twice that of UK's.

This statement, taken with your earlier statement -- "Teen pregnancy is a symptom of underdevelopment" -- leads inevitably to the conclusion that the US is underdeveloped. Your syllogism, not mine. All I did is finish it for you.

> UK although better than the US, is still a laggard in Europe, when it comes to sex education.

Isn't our teen pregnancy rate higher than it was before sex education was pushed into schools?

> In France the day-after-pill is freely available.

France, in about thirty years, will reap its reward as its own culture is replaced by Islam, because the French have trivialized sex.

> In the US the reactionaries...

Aren't you supposed to say, "Boo!"

> ... are busy fabricating yarns about it.

You would prefer question-begging epithets?

> Development is not only a matter of economics.

Ah. Here comes the pitch...

> Nowhere is that more obvious than in the provision of healthcare.

So if we were a lot poorer, but had socialized medicine, we'd be more "developed," as you define the term. But unless you specify precisely what you mean that word, all you're performing is a gymnastic show of circular reasoning.

> The US spends twice as much per capita as any other country and yet...

Do you imagine the market has not already been distorted by government intrusions such as Medicare and Medicaid? Or the tight lid the AMA keeps on the number of medical schools?

> ...thanks to a rapacious corporate health insurance lobby...

Do you mean the same rapacious corporate health lobby that Obama is trying to, er, motivate to stump for socialized medicine, such as the drug companies and AARP? Or do they quit being rapacious when surrounded by the aura of The One?

> ...leaves 1000s bankrupt from health expenses (80% of whom have insurance).

If 80% have insurance, then what's the problem? Why does everyone's medical care have to be socialized to take care of 20% of the populace?

> In the US too it is the red states that as a rule have higher teen pregnancy rates than the blue states.

They have more teens. It makes sense that they have more teen pregnancy.

> If the definition of news is Fo(au)x Channel, sure I don't watch it!

It might not mix very well with the cocktail cooked up by the liberal mainstream media, granted. But you'd be better informed.

Lee said...

> Virginia isn't socialist, it is simply a beneficiary of socialism!

As I said, even capitalists believe in having a military.

> Mass and NY have high taxes and deliver a superior quality of life to their citizens...

Superior quality of life or not, there's no jobs. That's why so many of them live in my Virginia neighborhood.

> ... - better education, dense cities brimming with private sector opportunities, great universities, culture and the arts and a vibrant international flavor.

If argument consisted of colorful adjectives, yours is competitive.

> It is worth paying the taxes to live there.

Problem is, when liberals think it's worth it, they don't just make that bargain for themselves. They have to coerce the rest of us to participate.

> And in a recession residents of these states can always find jobs in other places, because they are seen to be the best among their profession.

That's a wonderful selling point. When their socialistic policies drive the productive folks away, they can find jobs in places that aren't as socialistic. Yet.

> NoVa thrives and is the engine of growth for Virginia.

Healthy tick, dying dog.

> This won't be the first time liberal ideas revived the economy.

I know. The last time was under Carter, where he revived unemployment to a peak of 10% -- a number that Obama is poised to beat. Interest rates were about 18% -- that's pretty hard to beat, too. Inflation was double-digit. All very superlative numbers.

> After the excesses of the gilded age that wrecked the economy the New Deal saved it.

Nonsense. FDR prolonged the recession with his policies.

> So also now, 10 years of finance led growth collapsed last year.

That's what happens when the government forces lenders to give mortgages to people who can't afford them.

> So we need a 2nd New Deal, this one to regulate the powers of corporations and strengthen our safety net.

When our country goes belly up, where will the safety net be then?

> Talking about Europe, I find it interesting how their excellent welfare policies have done away with the need for charities, that force people to beg for what is their due.

Why is it someone's due to be given someone else's money?

> After the frenzy we witnessed over the Sotomayor nomination, the Republicans can forget retaining the Hispanic vote.

I don't suppose there are any conservative Hispanics? Linda Chavez will be disappointed to hear that.

> Productive spending alwaysworks,

We can always apply for jobs to put up "stimulus" road signs and crush perfectly good cars.

> America works best when the government builds and takes care of the foundations of the economy and keeps a tight leash on the corporations.

If a government can spend its way to prosperity, then we're on the right track. It can't. But it can spend its way to tyranny. But you've already said that economic wealth isn't the same as development, so it sounds like getting poorer is all part of the grand plan.

Martin Cothran said...

This is all fine and good, but I'm still waiting for someone to defend the sponsor of an event that's supposed to discourage violence against women who markets handcuffs as whips as "bedroom accessories."

Anonymous said...

Whips and handcuffs are certainly viable sex accessories for those that choose to use them. BDSM has an extremely strict set of rules and regulations behind it, and at no point do those that participate consensually advocate violence.

Even if you wanted to say that BDSM was inherently violent, it is not inherently violence against women; very often men are the subservient ones in bondage play because both partners enjoy the role reversal.

There is no logical argument for saying that someone selling handcuffs (the absolutely most rudimentary of bondage gear)as a sex toy is automatically advocating violence against women anymore than there is for saying that role-playing promotes adultery.

Your post just reeks of misunderstanding and of being wholly uninformed on how couples utilize such bedroom toys.

Lee said...

It wasn't that long ago I was solemnly informed that kids playing cops & robbers with toy guns are being trained to be violent. Now, I'm told that real using whips and chains has no effect on someone's outlook on violence.

I just can't keep up.

> BDSM has an extremely strict set of rules and regulations behind it

BDSM is regulated?? There's a Bureau of Kinky Sex?

> very often men are the subservient ones in bondage play because both partners enjoy the role reversal.

The implication being that it is normal for men to beat women, so it's fair to reverse the roles and have it the other way?

> ...anymore than there is for saying that role-playing promotes adultery.

That would be an empirical question. Have there been any surveys? Is there a well-established data pool?

> Your post just reeks of misunderstanding and of being wholly uninformed on how couples utilize such bedroom toys.

Being wholly uninformed on certain topics is not altogether bad.

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