Event and Ticketing Details
Dates & Times
Thursday 03 April
6:15 PM - 7:15 PM
Too long the exclusive realm of men, women are successfully claiming the world of pornography as their own, and shaping it in a direction more suited to their desires. The rise of feminist pornography highlights the growing demand for explicit portrayals of sex by women, and for women.
Sex therapist Cyndi Darnell has devoted her life to the pursuit of pleasure, assisting countless women in realigning their sexual expectations. Award-winning feminist erotic filmmaker Anna Brownfield has changed the nature of sex on film for an entire generation of young Australian women. Gala Vanting is an erotic imagist, who retains ownership of her sexuality through photography and short films that challenge what it means to be a sexual being. CEO of the Eros Association, and the leader of the Australian Sex Party, Fiona Patten also joins the panel.
Together, these three women discuss feminist pornography as an expression of female sexuality. Honest, revealing and illuminating, this event gives conventional notions of pornography a firm and long overdue slap.
Presented in association with Pleasure Forum Australia.
Let’s Talk About Sex
It’s time to reveal what really goes on under and between the covers, as the Wheeler Centre embarks on a week of frank literary bedroom chat, with the focus firmly on female sexuality. Brace yourselves for a series of sweet nothings whispered in your ear as we delve into a cornucopia of pleasures sure to satisfy even the most ardent book lover.
Featuring
Fiona Patten
In November 2014, Fiona was elected a Member of the Victorian Legislative Council for the Northern Metropolitan region. She is one of a number of cross-benchers who hold the balance of power in Victoria’s Upper House. Fiona is the founder and leader of REASON, a future-focused, evidence-based movement committed to delivering equality, sustainability and freedom through new methods of political engagement and pragmatic consultation.
Her decision to run for political office came after 20 years of lobbying for the rights of small business owners, sexual health organisations, sexual freedoms and censorship reforms. She was best known as the CEO of Australia’s national adult goods and services lobby group, the Eros Association.
Anna Brownfield
Award-winning feminist erotic filmmaker Anna Brownfield has gained extensive media attention for the originality of her work.
Coming from an experimental and art film background, she has progressed towards narrative film while retaining a unique and highly arresting style. Her films look at strong female characters, female gaze, sex, sexuality and domestic craft.
Her work, which includes The Money Shot, The Band and the documentary Making it Handmade, has screened at numerous festivals here and overseas, including the International Women’s Conference (Beijing) the WOW Film Festival (Sydney), the Melbourne International Film Festival and the Cannes Film Market.
She is currently making a film about feminist pornography around the world entitled Doing it Her Way.
Cyndi Darnell
Cyndi Darnell is a holistic sex & relationship therapist, counsellor and sex educator, with advanced degrees in Counselling and Sexual Health and a Bachelor in Adult Education. She has presented her work locally and internationally and is a published academic author and media commentator. Cyndi counsels individuals and couples, runs workshops and seminars on sex and the human condition, and offers insight into the quandaries of the erotic to transform fear into freedom.
Gala Vanting
'Whilst I’m aware that #notallfeminists are anti-sex work, there’s a pretty gaping chasm between "not being against" and being an ally.'
Gala Vanting is a writer, sex worker advocate living and working as a migrant settler on Gadigal land. Her work weaves through the brothel, the boardroom, screen, stage, and page, public health and sex education. She aims to create compassionate and justice-driven dialogue about gender and power, sexuality, technology, media and culture, and is a passionate advocate for the human rights of sex workers.
PLAYLIST
Books
- Revolting Prostitutes by Juno Mac and Molly Smith (Verso)
- Emergent Strategy and Pleasure Activism by adrienne maree brown (AK Press)
- Decolonizing Solidarity by Clare Land (Zed Books)
- Playing the Whore by Melissa Gira Grant (Verso)
- Axiomatic by Maria Tumarkin (Brow Books)
Podcasts
- The Heart
- How to Survive the End of the World
- Healing Justice
- The Oldest Profession
- Meat
- Silent Waves