Dispatch 5 Camden & Islington Young People’s Sexual Health Network: The Launch OR Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby. Featuring Contraception and Sexual Liberation: But wait, have women really been liberated?
Camden & Islington Young People’s Sexual Health Network: The Launch OR Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby.
Dispatch 5: 23 September 2015 CREATED LIVE!
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Contraception and Sexual Liberation: But wait, have women really been liberated?
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It’s a fairly reasonable statement to make: throughout documented history, mankind has battled with the notion of having sex without its reproductive consequences. The ancient Egyptians utilised a peculiar form of pessary that involved elephant dung (not one to try at home, we think…); the Old Testament made reference to a coitus interruptus (in other words, just pulling out, which we all know isn’t particularly helpful). The desire for sex without reproductive repercussions has existed for thousands of years, but it is only in very recent history, that women were able have sex safe in the knowledge that the contraceptive methods they are employing is up to 99% foolproof, enabling women to take control over their reproductive health, freeing the individual to decide when they want children, and on their own terms. In the US, significant developments were underway as early as the 18th century, with ‘primitive’ versions of cervical caps being developed and some of the first versions of what we would now call a condom becoming available by the time it was the 19th century. There was a backlash to this, however: in 1873, an American post inspector named Anthony Comstock took to a moral crusade against ‘obscenity’, leading the US to pass a law that banned the spread of information about contraceptives, inclusive of doctors. In the early 20th century, a nurse and activist named Margaret Sanger published The Woman Rebel, offering ‘illegal’ information on birth control which later drove Sanger to leave the US to avoid trial. Almost concurrently in the UK, Marie Stopes published what became a bestseller entitled Married Love and Wise Parenthood (1918), after which she opened several birth control clinics in England, with the first one being in Holloway. Stopes likewise fought multiple battles, with one of her fiercest critics, being the Catholic church. In the 1920s Stopes sued Catholic doctor Halliday Sutherland for libel, losing at the House of Lords after multiple losses and appeals.
Women’s reproductive health has long been a political battleground between what the status quo considered ‘moral’ standards. Here in the UK, 2011 marked the 50th anniversary of the birth control pill becoming available on the NHS, and it was initially prescribed pretty much exclusively to older women who already had children. Family planning clinics began to prescribe them to unmarried young women in 1974, a controversial decision at the time. This period marked a notable change in marriage and relationship trends, with the number of unmarried, cohabiting couples increasing, with less pressure to marry at a young age. But has that really meant sexual freedom for both genders? Advanced developments in contraceptive methods seen in the 20th century enabled women to engage in sex, or even (gasp!) seek pleasure of it without the fear of getting pregnant. But wait, are women now free to enjoy as much sex as they like? If the Slutwalk phenomenon (a series of protest marches originating in Canada rallying against rape culture and slut-shaming) in the last few years proved anything, there is still a status quo that prohibits women from openly enjoying sex, and
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female enjoyment of sex, despite being liberated from its biological shackles, still has repercussions from society, be it in the form of shame, or even violence. Consider this: a promiscuous man is often lauded as heroic of sorts, and a promiscuous woman is deemed a ‘slut’, or worse, shamed into the mindframe that any sort of violence that may be brought upon them as ‘asking for it’. The Feminist Activist Laurie Penny put the contemporary climate for sexual freedom quite succinctly in her latest book, published only last year:
“We have been sold a single idea of what sexual freedom is, and it still looks a great deal like serving a restricted menu of male fantasy, sliced and packaged for uncomplicated consumption.” (Penny, Unspeakable Things, p151) She continues: “The relaxation of moral standards in the age of contraception and antibiotics has not ended the enclosure of female sexuality. It has not returned the common ground of pleasure, adventure and desire to human beings of every gender.” Across the pond, a woman’s body has yet again returned to the centre stage of political attention: A mere few days ago, the US House of Representatives voted to freeze federal funding for Planned Parenthood, which is similar to Marie Stopes in the UK in that it provides advice, support and treatment specialising in women’s reproductive health. Assaults on women’s reproductive choices – and thus freedom – is unfortunately not something of the past, but very much present, and alas still something that urgently needs to be fought for. References: The History of Birth Control by Megan Gibson, Time Magazine http://time.com/3692001/birth-control-history-djerassi/ How the Contraceptive Pill Changed Britain by Rebecca Cafe, BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15984258 BBC Historic Figures: Marie Stopes http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/stopes_ marie_carmichael.shtml Penny, Laurie. Unspeakable Things: Sex, Lies and Revolution. 2014. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, London, UK.
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Live doodling
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After a question and discussion session there was a short introduction to the network which was established in April 2015 and is there reason we’re all here today. Jennifer Reiter explains the key motivations behind the Camden & Islington Young People’s Sexual Health Network which offers a shared sexual health service for the boroughs’ under 25 year olds including clinical outreach, SRE education in schools, advice and support. Sallie Rumbold (of Homerton University Hospital) introduces her team including Effie Stergiopoulou and Terry Delaney (of Brook) who works with schools providing SRE advice. Sallie explains the consultation of young people that helped created the network right down to the design of the very colourful (we Ladies*approve!) logo. It is important for experts to share their expertise but also consult young people in the creation of services that are specifically designed for them. While we wait for the website to officially launch, the service can be reached centrally a camish.network@homertonnhs.uk
We spotted Chista bobbing along to the amazingly talented singers, a group of five young girls and one boy, from the Roundhouse Songwriting Experiment Project. They retailed us with songs about sex (love, relationships and womens’ lib via some empowering lyrics) that were they co-wrote with twenty or so members.
You’re up first! Oh, sorry... (laughter) Liz Illman presented the Outreach Clinics in the two boroughs (Islington and Camden) highlighting the role of young people in the partnership. “We listened to them” she said in the formation of the clinics and “they are a key part of our ‘union’.” There are several Outreach Clinics in Islington and Camden ‘s Pulse @ Hive is coming soon...
“They (the musicians) all went to the toilet...talk amongst yourselves!” 6
The Questions: How can we promote sexual health services to young people? Freebies! Street outreach, meaning handing free things (and information) on the street. Youth clubs and in the toilets, where there is privacy (obvs!). Should we talk about pleasure when we are talking about sex? The general consensus was: Yes we should. But the question was around how is it relevant? We talked about how sex is represented in the media, including porn. Should SRE be taught in schools? Yes. What should it cover? A million and one things. Relationships, consent, peer pressure, puberty. What age should young people be? Start as early as possible, already in primary schools there should be some basic education about sex. Should we be encouraging more young people to be using long acting methods of contraception? Yes we should. They are reliable and prevent teenage pregnancies. What should be considered to create a more inclusive health service? Opening times and accessibility, making sure that young people can access the service at times that suits them. Well trained staff who are able to help with the most up to date information and topical issues e.g. the latest on social media etc. How do we encourage young men to access more sexual health services? The central thing is, we’re not young men, so we need to ask them.
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The ROUNDHOUSE Songwriting Experiment Project
We’re not afraid to say no, if we want.
Just let ourselves go, if we want. We don’t have to create anyone.
It’s just sex in the end, that is all oh oh oh
(giggles in the room) 8
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Cupcakes!
Practicing...
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“Our next song is about Sexologist Marie Stopes...saying that sex is not just for reproduction but for pleasure...”
In partnership with the Wellcome Collection Sexology Season, the Roundhouse offered young people ages 16 to 19 the chance to create music to feature at the Wellcome Collection’s exhibition, “The Institute of Sexology”. The songs are inspired by the themes of sex and relationships. For more information: http://www.roundhouse.org. uk/young-creatives/autumn-2014/the-songwritingexperiment-/
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“We’re going to sing some songs...once we fix the mic.” “This is a song for when you’re feeling lost; mentally, sexually, life-ly...” — Young Musicians from Camden & Islington
Brandon Centre: You don’t have to be a clinician to operate a C-card and conduct a chlamydia screening. There are sites where young people can get free condoms all over London, it is a pan-borough initiative. Terry Delaney: Terry delivers SRE training and coordinates a bi-annual SRE forum meetings in Islington and Camden. If you are delivering SRE services or has any questions about SRE, schools or targeted work please talk with Terry. Brook is about working one-to-one with young people, specifically vulnerable young people. Gareth Esson runs an innovative early intervention programme with young people. Glen Thompson works one to one with young people, in partnership with nurses, to enable young people to understand the impact of their behaviour and make more informed choices. Jessica Polydore delivers peer education and coproduces and promotes young people’s events!
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On offer at Brook: • • • • •
C-Card Scheme: Your people aged 13-24 in Camden/Islington Allows young people to access free condoms Gives staff the opportunity to discuss sex with young people Free and confidential
Workforce Development • • • •
Sex & Relationships L1&2 offered Trained to offer Chlamydia screening Offering training on emerging issues, eg pornography Networking
Condoms available via C-Card wherever the logo above appears!
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The Services:
The Brandon Centre 26 Prince of Wales Road NW5 3LG Ph: 020 7267 4792 Email: reception@brandoncentre.org.uk www. brandoncentre.org.uk The Brandon Centre leads on delivery of sex and relationships related training for staff working with young people in both boroughs, and co-ordinates the condom card scheme. Brook Euston 92-94 Chalton St, Euston NW1 1HU Ph: 020 7387 8700 www.brook.org.uk Brook delivers targeted outreach to vulnerable young people and are subcontracted to co-deliver the condom card scheme in Islington. PULSE 164 Holloway Road N7 8DD Ph: 020 7527 1300 www.homerton.nhs.uk/camish Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (Homerton) are new to both boroughs, providing services from their base at Pulse on Holloway Road. Homerton also provide clinical outreach in a variety of locations. Homerton also coordinates all services within the network, supporting the achievement of the overarching outcomes of the network.
“I hope you are listening, because there is a test bingo at the end!� 19
Main Sites The Brandon Centre A great big thanks... 26 Prince of Wales Road Firstly to Camden50 curator Charlie Levine and NW5 3LG Christa Drennan for organising the Camden & Islington Ph: 020Young 7267People’s 4792 Sexual Health network launch! Adam “The Fire Guy” for ensuring us we’re going Email: reception@brandoncentre.org.uk to be rescued. The Young People at LIFT who baked www.brandoncentre.org.uk us the amzing cupcakes. Also to the three organisations that form the network:
Brook Euston 92-94 Chalton St, Euston NW1 1HU Ph: 020 7387 8700 www.brook.org.uk
About the venue PULSE 164 Holloway Road Lift is Islington Council’s healthy living hub for young N7 8DD people. The former Victorian school has been transformed into 020 a 30-station equipped with the latest specialist kit, Ph: 7527gym 1300 a cafe, media and computer suite, meeting rooms, kitchen, www.homerton.nhs.uk/camish a large dance studio, a roof top terrace with fabulous views over London and an urban garden.
Lift is much more than a place to take part in healthy activities. Young people can come for personal help with apprenticeships, college applications, CVs, looking for work, volunteering or developing projects. We have opportunities to develop skills and experience for employment. Lift is also here to support with advice and guidance on personal issues, lifestyle decisions and sexual health. The hub is funded by Islington Council and through income generated by hiring out the spaces to local businesses and organisations when it is not being used by young people. Lift is managed by Isledon Arts CIC. The Network offer an outreach clinic here at LIFT “Pulse @ LIFT” on Mondays and Wednesdays.
About the typeface
The typeface used for the logo of Demo Press as well as headings used here is designed by Spike Spondike, font developer at Dalton Maag (daltonmaag.com). ‘Spike connected the diversity of shapes in the Thai script with the design of Blenny. She took on the challenge of creating Thai glyphs whilst maintaining the key features of Blenny’s design. Creative decisions on the Thai in turn led back to refinements to the original Latin.’
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Ladies of the Press*
Via pop up events in various sites and interactions with people on the streets of Camden, Ladies of the Press* challenge conceptions of engagement and go straight to the audience with their mobile printing press. Informed by DIY cultures, grass roots activism and inspired by Camden’s rich history of radical press they are making new works in print for the 50th celebrations. These are printed instantly and promote the hard working and revolutionary women of Camden. #Camden50 #DEMOpress www.ladiesofthepress.org