Issuu

SexualiDit

ISSUE 87.3 MAY 2019

Free Lunch Every Fortnight on Friday During Semester #AdelUniUnion #getmore

EDITORIAL As Baudelaire stated, ‘sexuality is the lyricism of the masses’. Indeed, sex and sexuality have been important landmarks for human history since the beginning of time. Used as tools for expression, creation, work and education, sex has played an important part in understanding and analysing what it means to be alive. When scrambling through and attempting to understand sexuality as an adolescent, we found solace in the fact people like Freddie Mercury, Madonna and Lady Gaga had pioneered a sex-friendly and open discussion towards sex and what it means to have an individual sexual identity. We learned about sex through their music, intimate scenes in films, literature and art, but certainly not through our rigid Catholic education. It’s important for publications, especially one’s like On Dit, to analyse and explore sex and seuxality for students and young-adults who are still trying to understand themselves. To flick through the pages and feel some sort of comradery and solidarity with the issues you read about is something that’s important for many who may not feel comfortable in asking complicated questions to friends and family. We take pride that each year, this publication is willing to tackle these questions in a safe and communal environment featuring the insight of students on campus. It’s important we remain open to these questions and keep on exploring them for years to come. We are immensely proud to be part of this positive expression of sexuality and safe space for our students on campus. If you are experiencing any sexual issues or have a question that you are brave enough to ask, call SHINESA on 1300 883 793 or the Sexual Help Healthline on 1800 198 205. We hope you enjoy this issue. Love, Olivia, Sam, Imogen and Emily

Radio Correspondence What’s On? State of the Union SRC President Left, Right, and Centre Vox Pop EconDit “Amen” to Amending Catholic Sex Ed Ranking of All the Terms for Penis and Vagina St Maria Goretti: “Virgin-Martyrs” and Victim Blaming Depictions of Sex Throughout the Ages Democ[racy] Quiz Fourth Wave Feminism Sex Education Review Problematic in Paradise

6 7 8 9 10 12 1614 16 18 20 22 20

Editors Imogen Hindson Sam Bedford Olivia De Zilva Emily Savage Subeditors Maxim Buckley Clare Dekuyer

22 26 28 31 32

Endometriosis Sex Trafficking's Bigger in Texas! The Underrated Spaces of Adelaide Songs for Every Stage of Your Relationship Film Review: The Favourite Book Review: Normal People Artist Spotlight: Gemma Thorne

34 36 38 40 42 43 44

Gig Guide They Speak (playlist) blue. The Jewels Sermons on Sex Horoscopes 'Girls'

49 50 52 54 55 56 58

Felix Eldridge Ella Michele Dylan Rowen Design Emily Savage Cover Art Lily Pook-Ryan

We would like to Acknowledge that the land of The University of Adelaide is the traditional lands for the Kaurna people and that we respect their spiritual relationship with their Country. We also acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the Adelaide region and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.

Hey everyone, We hope you all have survived your first term of Uni and have had a wonderfully relaxing Easter break!

perfectly. Lastly, thank you to everyone who came and joined us, we hope you had a FAB night.

Taking a look back earlier in the semester, we wanted to give a shout out to the Student Media Union House Party, which Student Radio, On Dit and the Union organised to bring in the new year and farewell the old Uni bar. We had a massive turnout of new and continuing students (although we think they were more excited for the free pizza…)

We know things have been pretty quiet from Student Radio so far this year, as we’ve been VERY busy finding a new space for our studio and finding enthusiastic content creators. However, we have some very exiting news – WE HAVE A NEW SPACE! Student Radio will be running from the old music school library, and OH BOY are we excited to get this space ready for a great year.

The night had Mario Kart and a variety of DJ’s that provided the tunes - you know the music is a success when a conga line forms. Massive thanks to the DJ’s, the AUU members, and all who dedicated their time to ensuring the night was a hot success, with a very special mention to Austin from our team to make sure everything ran

Don’t forget, we have opportunities to get involved with Student Radio throughout the year, so if you’re interested in getting involved, don’t hesitate to send us a message on Facebook. Love, Austin, Ellie & Jade

WHAT’S ON

MAY10th

10th

12th

AUMA (Adelaide Fri-Yay Union Member Lunch, Elder Courtyard, 10th 0f May

AUES BBQ, The Cloisters, 10th of May

Mother’s Day Classic, North Adelaide Peace Park, 12th of May

16th

17th

21st

Arts @ Adelaide The Hub, 16th of May

AUMA Pub Crawl, 17th of May

Walk For Justice, Ligertwood, 21st of May

24th

1st

Fri-Yay Union Member Lunch, Elder Courtyard, 24th of May

AULSS Law Ball, Adelaide Oval, 1st of June

Arts Ball 2019: The Secret Garden, Cathedral Hotel, 1st of June

-JUNE 7

STATE OF THE UNION Words by AUU Board President Oscar Ong

Before I dwell on the theme of this edition, I would like to talk about clubs (again! I really love our clubs! The colourful picture was taken recently in the Holi Battle organised by the Indian Students Association). I am sure that you are already aware that 20 AUU clubs, spearheaded by the Adelaide Sustainability Association has taken over our campus (other than Maths Lawns & Barr Smith Lawns) for Sustainability Week. You might notice that all the directional signage for the week’s event are actually recycled O’Week signage that was donated by the Union. This is the very first event that receive the Campus Impact Grant, the new grant program I introduced late last year, where clubs receive grants for large events and our marketing and events team will provided support and guidance along the way. I was very impressed when the group approach our team to talk about their fantastic idea about an event earlier of the year. The Sustainability Week has traditionally been held by the university, but the group of students have taken the initiative to make it a studentled event this year. It is really great to see over 20+ of our clubs came together to do something phenomenal. It is also great to see the university and external organisations are partnering with our clubs in this fantastic event. I believe they have made the right call! This exactly aligns with the one of the pillars of the Strategic Plan that the Vice Chancellor recently announced- the Beating Heart of the Adelaide, where we see external organisations and our students coming together to organise an event for everyone and this will not stop with just this event. Keep an eye out for another three major events that our clubs will be holding in the year! This again proves that the AUU is the heart of our student culture and is able to work with the university to make things happen and I will continue to advocate such partnership with the university. Back to the main theme of the magazine, from what I’ve seen in the four years of sex edition of the magazine, there is at least one article that shouldn’t be taken for granted in a relationship. Whether it’s the role of consent, respect in the way we treat each other or useful advice

on contraceptives, there is a lot that goes into this issue which is good and beneficial for readers to know. For my contribution I want to write about a group of isolated students who might be missing out on the facts. Back in March last year, SBS did a report detailing the high number of international students studying in Australia are having to seek help to access abortions. It is believed higher levels of unplanned pregnancies and STIs among international students are due to a lack of information about safe sex, consent and little awareness of sexual health, especially those who came from conservative countries where they received little to none sexual-health education. Thankfully there are existing services in our university which provide guidance and help. The AUU's Student Care (in the Oliphant) offers independent help to students dealing with harassment or relationship abuse. Interpreter for international students who need advice or someone to represent their concerns with the university can be arranged. Support and advice are also available from the SRC’s International, Women's, Queer and Welfare Officers who are free anytime for inquiries affecting students from all backgrounds. Adelaide Unicare clinic at Horace Lamb provide checkups, contraceptive and sexual health advice as well. The University Counselling service can arrange referrals for international students to talk to someone in their first language. The International Student Centre inside the Kenneth Wills building and the Student Life page on the university website can also offer information on these services and others off campus. Condoms are also free from the desk at our AUU office on the 4th floor of Union House. Stay safe! Oscar Zi Shao Ong President, Adelaide University Union auupresident@auu.org.au

SRC PRESIDENT Words by SRC President Ali Amin

The Federal election has just been called. As history has shown, we can not trust the Liberal Party to stand up for a fair and equitable higher education system. It was during the beginning of my study at the University of Adelaide that the Liberal party announced their radical plans to completely deregulate university fees, meaning that Universities would be able to charge $100,000 for a degree. After the defeat of this attempt to Americanize our higher education system, the Liberals have frozen funding and capped places, locking tens of thousands of students out of getting a degree, as well as gutting research funding and capping the HECS repayment threshold. The alternative could not be starker. The Labor party has announced their plans to uncap places, reverse the HECS repayment threshold, as well as rebuilding strong public TAFEs. Labor has also committed to establishing a National Commission of Review which will examine all aspects of Australia’s post-secondary education system. It will examine and make recommendations about how our vocational and higher education systems address the country’s economic and societal needs. This is an essential step in decommodifying and transforming the higher education sector in Australia. As your SRC President, I will be out over the next several weeks organising around the issues that matter to students and working with groups such as the National Union of Students and other key student representative bodies to ensure that your voices are well represented at the highest levels of decision making. On another topic, I wanted to highlight some of the achievements of the SRC now that term 1 has ended: 1. We’ve helped create a new Enrolment Policy that allows academic members of staff to be given discretion to allow Muslim students to attend Friday prayers where a compulsory activity is scheduled, and alternative arrangements be made as appropriate. This applies to students from all faiths for significant religious reasons. 2. We’ve been strong advocates in the fight against sexual assault and harassment and are now finalising a University Sexual Harassment/Sexual Assault Policy to

address some of the failures of previous policy. 3. We’ve been fighting for a better outcome for students in regards to the RCC and are involved in every aspect of the review process with the University. We’ve also recently launched our survey with over 1200 responses and plan to finalise our position on the RCC by the end of term 2. 4. We’ve simplified extension and modified arrangement procedures and are in the process of finalising a new MACA policy with the University. 5.We’re leading the ‘Student Voice’ initiative to make University a place where everyone can contribute and be included in decision making. We aim to develop a culture of authentic student partnership within our University to enhance all aspects of learning, teaching, decision making and the student experience. 6. We’ve helped Clubs and Societies form relationships with their respective Schools/ Faculty outlining how students and staff work in partnership to enhance the student experience. 7. We’re taking wage theft head on and are working with the University, Government and community bodies to end widespread and severe wage exploitation. Among international students, 25 per cent earned $12 per hour or less and 43 per cent earned $15 or less in their lowest paid job depriving them of millions of dollars that is rightfully theirs. This will be a top priority for me and I will fight to make wage theft illegal, and help any student in need. This is just a small overview of what we’ve been doing! As always if you have any issues or ideas, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Ali Amin President, Adelaide University SRC Email me at: srcpresident@auu.org.au Tweet me @le_hashimi

LEFT RIGHT & CENTRE Left Leila Clendon Socialist Alternative 1. No, abstinence only education puts young people at risk of catching preventable infectious disease or becoming pregnant. This results in young people becoming pregnant with often very little knowledge of what is happening to them, which can be scary and dangerous. They are shamed for it and often unable to access abortion because of the cost, stigma and legal limitations and have to carry the pregnancy to birth completely changing their lives. Sex education should be taught in a way that is comprehensive, inclusive and ensures that when young people start to experiment with sex they have tools to minimise the risk of infection and pregnancy. 2. The obvious solution would be to open more abortion clinics. In Adelaide the only places to get an abortion is the Pregnancy Advisory Centre or at Flinders Medical Centre, which is only open half a day a

week. Meanwhile the Womenâ€™s and Childrenâ€™s Hospital recently closed its abortion services. The situation is even worse in rural areas. All hospitals should have full time abortion services. The que is also clogged up by two doctors having to sign off that the pregnancy is a risk to the patients physical or mental health for it to be legal. 3. Sex work should be fully legalised in South Australia. Criminalisation of sex work and of the sex industry victimises workers and makes the job more dangerous as they may fear legal consequences of reporting abuse. Consent should be seen as people actively choosing to engage in sex, without any pressure. When sex is exchanged for money this does put economic pressure on women to engage in sex, especially the poor. The majority in the sex industry are oppressed, overwhelmingly women and disproportionately poor, Indigenous, migrant, trans and refugees. It is a sexist industry relying on oppression of women.

Centre Sofia Arlotta Adelaide University Labour Club 1. No. People are going to have sex. We need to educate them accordingly regardless of any contentious objections or how awkward talking about the subject may feel. It is important that children feel emotionally ready and confident in how to have sex safely. 2.The fact that women are made to wait to get an abortion, and what would already be a stressful time is prolonged, is absolutely disgusting. Especially when there are easy ways this can be avoided. Abortion can only be considered a right in Australia if the service is adequately accessible. Legislative change should be enacted for more South Australian facilities to be legally prescribed to perform abortions and to provide early termination medication. 3.Sex work is defined as the exchange of money or goods for consensual sex. For sex to be sex it must be consensual and to be consensual must be freely given.

Is abstinence-only education ever acceptable?

The current wait time for a woman seeking an abortion in South Australia is 2-3 weeks.

This delay has been described as “torture” by patients, and could prolong unwanted pregnancies past the nine week gestation limit for early abortion medication, forcing women into surgery. What should be done to improve this? 3.

Is sex work “real work” and can consent be bought?

Therefore, for the sex to actually be ‘sex work’ , then the sex relevant to the exchange of money or goods must be consensual. The question to ask then is would the workers still be having sex if there was no monetary exchange? If the worker would not consent to sex without it being in exchange money, then act is not freely given. I think the fact that this answer is most often “no”, highlights that money can not buy consent..

Right Sarah Tellis Adelaide University Liberal Club 1. I completely respect abstinence as a choice but I think it’s important to give people information in case they don’t choose that path, even if they are in religious schools or come from religious families. The Australian Study of Health and Relationships found that approximately 50% of people had intercourse for the first time between the ages of 16 and 18 and it’s important for both schools and families to prepare individuals to have the safest experience possible. The use of protection (condoms or other contraception) at first

intercourse has continued to increase from less than 20% in the 1950s to over 90% in the 2000s. Whilst this is a massive improvement it’s important to help increase or maintain this figure and ensure individuals don’t become complacent as they continue throughout their sexual life. 2. It is my understanding that there are about 80 legally stipulated facilities to provide abortion across SA but only 12 do. In the metropolitan area services are provided at the Pregnancy Advisory Centre, Flinders Medical Centre, Noarlunga Hospital and Lyell McEwan Hospital. There are also a number of regional locations that provide these services. Due to the time sensitivity associated with abortion I believe the abortion services at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital should be reopened even though the current abortion rate in SA is only 13.2 per 1000 women (a record low) and the rate has been steadily falling since 1999. It is important that women facing such an emotionally charged issue have access to the best advice available and a facility such as the Women’s and Children’s Hospital which already has medical professionals with the skills to deal with this is ideal to provide this. Access to abortion facilities and consultations ensures appropriate medical and psychological advice is given to women before undertaking

medication or surgical abortion. Abortion should not be undertaken lightly, and it is important we ensure everyone is getting the appropriate medical assessment and psychological assistance in making this decision. 3. As long as sex work is undertaken consensually and safely, and the individual is over 18 I believe it is a legitimate form of work to be undertaken. Sex work is legal or decriminalised in many parts of the world, including the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales here in Australia. In fact there aren’t many developed countries in the world where sex work is completely illegal as it is in South Australia. The argument surrounding consent in sex work is more complex. The notion of consent centres around the assumption that individuals are free to make a rational choice whether to do something or not. This becomes more complex when there is some sight of incitement to give consent such as money. In cases where someone is under the influence of alcohol or drugs or under the threat of violence it is clear they are not freely giving consent. I believe consent cannot be bought. I see the transaction of money for sex or the performance of a sexual activity as separate to consent. A sex worker can receive money for their services and still not give consent to performing those acts or having acts performed on them.

VOX PO P

Elliette

Law/Social Science 1. I think it is crucial that Universities have accessible information for students to continue the sex education delivered by high schools, however compulsory initiatives such as Consent Matters are more controversial. While issues of religion and imposition of inappropriate content would undoubtedly rear their heads, I think the importance of uniformly understanding consent and the potential legal implications overrides any such contention. 2. Disclosure of such significant, though private, information should be a legal requirement as it is generally not the people willing and courteous enough to disclose such status that are of concern. 3. There is undoubtedly a strong bias against more sexually promiscuous women with labels like 'slut' and 'hoe' commonly thrown around in a shameful light. The equivalent labels also exist for men such as 'fuck boy' and 'player' but these are more heroic terms, praising the said male as a stoic conqueror. 4. Unprotected sex is appropriate whenever the two consenting parties agree on it being appropriate. It is a matter of personal choice irregardless of potential pregnancy or STI risks, or societal norms as long as both people are informed and have consented

Remi Nursing

1. Yes, I believe it is so important for universities to educate their students around safe sex. I know that sex education is taught within high schools but programs are very limited and don’t give students thorough knowledge on safe sex or sexual health in general. It is so important for young adults to have the knowledge on safe sex when they get to university because for many people this is where they begin to explore, whether that be with sex, sexuality, and other sexual contact. By the university offering safe sex education through initiatives like consent matters module, it allows for student to be educated in a safe space where they are provided with other places or services to access if there need more support and education. I truly believe having programs like this module at university is so important not only for young adults to gain more education but also for international students that may have not been as fortunate to have had sexual health education throughout high school. 2. This is a really challenging question to answer. If I had an STI I wouldn’t want the whole world to know, nor should having an STI define who I am as a person so I would say no, it shouldn’t be legally enforced and should be up to the individual to choose who it's shared that with. From the other side, if I was dating someone with an STI I would feel that it is my right to know and that it should be a legal requirement for them to share. However, I still stand strong with that fact that if someone has an STI they should not be shamed nor discrimiated against because of that. At the end of the day it is at the person’s discretion what they choose to share and who they chose to share that with. 3. Woman are definitely judged more than men and called derogatory names for things that men would get away with or be praised for. Men often find their terms complementary like it is a game to them to see how many girls they can get with, while girls are slut shamed. There is a strong bias against women around having many sexual partners and is seen as something that “isn’t okay” in the eye of others. 4. At the end of the day it isn’t for other people to say when people can or cannot have unprotected sex. The only person that can make that choice and say it is ok is the person doing it. Yes, we can recommend when it is safe to have sex or not, like if you were in a long-term relationship or waiting to try and conceive then it would be considered “okay” to have unprotected sex, however we can’t tell someone that it isn’t ok to have unprotected sex if that is what they want.

1. Is it important for Universities to teach about safe sex through initiatives such as the Consent Matters module?

2. Should disclosing STI positive status be legally enforced or just an act of courtesy?

3. Do you think there is a strong bias against women with many sexual partners compared to men?

4. When is it okay to have unprotected sex?

Stasi

Alex

1. Yes, it is not a bad idea but this kind of thing should be taught much earlier. The fact that this was the first time me and many of my peers were really in the topic of consent educationally and in detail is really a disgrace.

1. . No, generally people should generally know about safe sex earlier before uni.

Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)

2. I thought it would surely already be against the law to fail disclose an STI before sex, protection or not. 3. Yeah there is clearly a stronger social stigma against women's sexual choices compared to men's which varies greatly depending on what circles you travel in.

Nursing

2. No, it’s people’s private business to know their STI status. It’s a private matter that should not be disclosed. 3. No, I believe women and men are equally as guilty for having multiple partners at one time. 4. Everyone is different.

4. Who am I to say what others should do with their bodies? However, I don’t think it is a great idea outside of committed relationship.

Words by Adelaide University Economics Club

EconDit

Option # 1 - Remain Things remain the same. Free movement continues, the UK remains in the customs union, the single market and keeps paying into the budget. The original agreement stands - the UK gets to keep its own currency and exemption from the Schengen common travel area. Position - Missionary Tried and tested. It might not be the most exciting option but there’s a reason vanilla is the most popular ice cream flavour, it works. Despite discontent and widespread dissemination of misinformation, membership in the EU has been hugely beneficial for the UK. While membership in the EU was costly, it is arguably outweighed by the benefits of free trade and inward investment.

Option # 2 - Common Market 2.0 What soft brexiteers lovingly refer to as the Norway plus option. Essentially the UK adopts the EU - Norway relationship with the additional bonus of a customs union. This means that even though the UK would remain in the single

market and customs union they lose the ability to participate in the EU’s decision making bodies. With that said, the UK would still need to contribute towards the EU budget, and is required to open its borders to unwanted immigration from Eastern European countries. Position - Wheelbarrow The UK obey’s EU laws without the right to actively participate in the decision making process. Objectively it requires a lot more commitment and trust from the UK as the EU controls the situation. Sure the UK is getting something but it’s lost all power to control what’s happening. In the end of it the hardline brexiters will not be satisfied while freedom of movement remains.

Option # 3 - Labour’s plan Substantially the same as Common Market 2.0 with the caveat that the UK will not have actual membership of the single market. Labour’s plan proposes that they join a permanent customs union with the EU and maintain a close relationship on security.

Position - Shower sex Sounds good in theory but it’s a little unrealistic. The labour party mentioned they will have some sway in EU trade deals, but there are no direct indications of whether remaining EU member states would agree to that. It could all go wrong with a little slip...

Option # 4 - EFTA/EEA The UK joins EFTA allowing them to retain membership of the European Economic Area but pulls out of the decision making bodies. Freedom of movement continues and the UK remains in the single market. The main difference with this plan is that the UK would not join a customs union in the EU instead pursuing their own trade policy. Position - Standing up. Seemingly to be an effective way of interaction according to the UK, albeit it is difficult and hard to execute. The EU is indifferent to the arrangement, yet the UK will face problems in the long term which have been overseen in current enthusiasm.

Option # 5 - May’s deal A 26 page declaration that’s pretty vague about the Brexit end point. The UK would leave both the single market and customs union, ending the current freedom of movement. The deal pledges a free-trade area and entails the undesired Northern Irish backstop which would insinuate a rather half-hearted divorce due to the close alignment with the EU. Position - 69 Well researched and good in theory but neither party is fully satisfied, besides Britain's stubbornness invariably fails to climax. Meanwhile, the desire to revert back to old habits exists, which leads to the former missionary position.

would occur with May’s Brexit deal. This option proposes no tariffs on goods traded between the EU and UK and gives a two year buffer for talks to continue. Essentially this is a ploy to get the transition period without the required withdrawal agreement. Position - Masturbation The UK just wants to have fun before they commit. Sure, it might make the UK happy in the short term but the EU wants no part. Moreover, in the long term, the UK will get bored and seek deeper integration with the EU.

Option # 7 - No deal The UK leaves all EU structures including the customs union and single market. Freedom of movement ceases. Tariffs and restrictions revert back to WTO trade regulations, a particularly harsh situation for trade in services, which is not addressed by WTO laws and rules. Major difficulties would arise between Ireland and Northern Ireland due to the construction of a hard border. In response to the growing fear of the ramifications of this option, the EU has stated that it will only commence trade talks with the UK if they first ensure the rights of EU citizens and work to protect the Good Friday Agreement in Ireland. Position - Clusterfuck Who the knows how this would work, but it’s unlikely to leave anyone satisfied, and the UK especially will suffer from the hastened decision and Britain's firm belief of making it by themselves.

Information on brexit options from ttps://www. politico.eu/article/uks-brexit-options-explained/

Option # 6 - Malthouse Contingent Preferential Arrangements The proposal supported by hard brexiteers wanted to avoid the Northern Ireland backstop that

“AMEN” TO AMENDING CATHOLIC SEX ED: MITIOG’S SHORTCOMINGS Words by Sofia Arlotta and Samantha Bedford

Catholic schools are notorious for giving sexual education a red hot go through preaching (usually ineffectively) principles like ‘abstinence is key’ or ‘no sex until marriage,’ leaving many children attending Catholic schools lacking adequate sexual education. If the Catholic Archdiocese had its way, this is all that would be taught. However, a more holistic and modern approach to sex education is vital for students. Currently, many Catholic schools substitute secular sex education for their ‘Made in the image of the god’ (MITIOG), if they even have one in the first place. MITIOG is a “Human Sexuality Program” that details that sex ed should be taught in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church. In reference to Genesis 1: 26-27, sexual morality in MITIOG is “based on the fundamental belief that humans are made in God’s image” and are therefore deserving “of the utmost dignity and respect.” It is also taught that “sexuality, integral to the human person, is a gift from God through which we can live out our vocation to love.” Sexuality and sex are a focal point for Christian morality, heavily scrutinised for the sake of reinforcing the patriarchal family unit, which mirrors the church’s teachings on ordained male authority and control over female sexuality. The fact that Catholic schools are permitted to adopt their own sex ed curriculum, moulded by their archaic ethos, has many negative consequences when considering what the Catholic church believes about sex. MITIOG is intended to compliment the teachings of parents and caregivers as a child’s primary educators with regards to their sexual education. While this appears to be a kind of permissive leniency, the perspectives offered by Catholic parents would differ little from their schooling, leading to a moral echo chamber where Christian dictates go unchallenged. The central dogma of the Catholic virtue is that sex is only righteous between a man and a woman within marriage. To respect this teaching, Catholic

schools use MITIOG to instill that premarital sex is wrong. This is a major flaw in this curriculum as, regardless of what you teach children in sex ed, a lot of the children will have sex, will continue to and maybe even already have. Leaving sexually active young adults who have little perspective on potential consequences of unsafe sex and failure to utilise contraception ignorant endangers the lives, futures, and emotional integrity of students receiving a Catholic education – wherein abortion is condemned and attitudes towards sex are informed by guilt, shame, and secrecy. There is also no talk of identifying when you are ready for sex, just the parameters of nuptial consummation and absolute monogamy. The Catholic perspective offered through programs like MITIOG fosters an unhealthy relationship between students and their sexuality by labelling any sex outside of this rigid and puritanical definition as sinful - demonising perfectly normal things like sexual thoughts, urges, and masturbation. Illinformed sex would most likely lead to unprotected sex and the lack of knowledge of potential health and emotional risks and costs involved makes it unsafe. STI is contracted they’re less likely to seek out medical attention in the first place and in the event of pregnancy due to unprotected sex abortion and other plan B methods are not available options. The prevalence of STIs is increasing and unwanted teen pregnancies are still more common than they should be. Because of these risks and the constantly evolving social pressures and ideals being placed on young people, it is too much responsibility to be left to the parents who probably will not do much better than schools. Also, who wants to hear their dad say the word clitoris anyway? Enforcing a standardised sex ed program in all schools would not encourage children to have more sex. It is about equipping children with knowledge so they can decide when they feel ready to have sex, and how to safely to mitigate potential risks when they do so. Many Catholic school students do not

ult d a g n you e v i t c ly a l a ue u q x e e s s n g o al c i t n "Leavin e t po n o e ace v r i t t c n e o c p ise l pers i t u o ure t em l i d a n f a , d s re u t u sex an f , ives l e h hol t t a s C r a e g ing v i e c endan e ts r n e d u t of s share the beliefs of their teachers and parents, who are entitled to receive the sex education they deserve, which is non-exclusionary and offers broader perspectives on sex which challenge the Christian narrative of sex as shameful, and any potential negative consequences as punitive. MITIOG is generally homophobic and transphobic, either by outright condemnation or implicitly by omission of LGBT inclusive content. It is the responsibility of all educational institutions to foster a safe environment for all students, and to not isolate or incite prejudice against LGBT individuals. Justifying homophobia through religious reasoning, and actively teaching children that sex should be between a man and a woman, contributes to a homophobic environment which is hostile towards students because of their sexual orientation. We can either let catholic schools create their own sex education programs and create a culture where consensual sexual acts are considered perverse, or we can provide momentum towards a society built on acceptance and embracing sexual diversity. Not only this, but it is important that LGBT students are able to learn sex education from their point of view rather than just learning it through a heterosexual lens which does not tailor education around protected sex to the community. In our sex obsessed world, effective and complete education is increasingly relevant to children who are exposed to sex through advertising, entertainment, internet algorithms, and day-to-day conversation. We are becoming a world where sex and sexuality are no longer taboo, and so developing a healthier relationship with our own and others’ sexuality is paramount. All schools have a responsibility to educate, and sex is no exception. Sex is a complex issue and despite the school’s best efforts to preaching abstinence has not dissuaded kids to engage sex so it’s time to accept that be realistic, to reject anachronistic prejudices and hang-ups, and do what is best for young people.

Words by Emma Mustaca

Sexy, Generally Acceptable VAGINA

PENIS Cock: the classic Dick: also fine, and also the bane of your existence if you’re named Richard.

Pussy: Whether you think this is sexy depends on how much you like the person referring to it. Cunt: Who are you, The Hound?

Less Sexy, But Inoffensive VAGINA

PENIS Length: Allowed exclusively in Mills and Boon novels. Even then, we’re pushing it. Manhood: This is cissexist, and should be lower on this list, but once you hit the bottom, despite this being problematic, you will see why it remains so high. Member: Hardly used, but in the event of a dick pic scandal in politics, we’re going to be glad we kept it. Groin: On the clinical side. Phallus: Grandma? Is that you?

Vajeen: Shockingly high on this list. Makes your vagina sound French and sophisticated. Vagina: Old, but gold. Flower: Smells like nickles. Lady Bits: Cissexist, but not bad. Nether regions: It’s a bit vague! It could be in reference to your knees!

Not Sexy, Slightly Horrible PENIS [insert name] Jr.: Men. Please. I’m begging you. Don’t. Dong: Onomatopoeic, but awful.

Junk: Both a term, and a performance review.

VAGINA Coochie: Spare coochie, ma’am? Sheath: For the man’s sword ;) Box: Like a meal deal from KFC. Snatch: Guy Ritchie’s second best film, and not an instruction manual.

Knob: Ugh. Prick: Like a needle! Rod: Very utilitarian. Tool: See above. Wand: Great for erotic Harry Potter Fanfic Wood: Wish you woodn’t.

Axe wound: I see where this is coming from, I do, but this is the kind of thing that keeps Freud in circulation, and for that alone, no. Beaver: For the furries out there. Muffin: This foodstuff deserves better. Clunge: Only good in accompanying “sponge” for hilarity’s sake.

Okay, Now You’re Just Being Childish PENIS

VAGINA

Baby-maker: Isn’t that a turn on? #not Choad: I had to Google this and now I hate having eyes. Trouser snake: Charming. Dragon: If it doesn’t shoot fire, don’t call me again. Fun stick: sounds like a toy. Lap rocket: see above. Little [insert name]: Same rules apply as Jr. Bishop: Insensitive, if anything, after that whole Pell thing. Love muscle: Accurate, but I hate it. Salami: Nothing gets me riled like cured meats. Schlong: Oy vey. Wiener/winkie: No thank you.

Hoo-ha: A good rodeo sound, bad anatomical term. Bajingo: Reminds me far too much of Bingo! Meat curtains/flaps: Mmm. Beefy. Pink taco: Janelle Monae would agree. Vajayjay: Not as fun as Banjigo. Cooter: Is it a vagina or a racoon? Fanny: It could be used to refer to the back or front and I don’t need that kind of uncertainty in my life.

You’re a Menace to Society (requires no explanation) PENIS Baby arm, hotdog gun, baloney pony, beaver basher, beef whistle, custard launcher, thundersword, dude piston, flesh flute, heat-seeking moisture missile, mayo shooting meter long king kong dong, piss weasle, purple-headed yogurt flinger, spawn hammer, steamin’ semen truck, tan banana.

VAGINA Snapper, banana basket, Pink Panther, penis fly trap, Notorious V.A.G., furburger, boner garage, bearded clam, agreeable rut of life, bacon sandwich, oyster catcher, hot pocket, muff, meat tunnel, foo foo, Miss Kitty, crotch, poontang, love clam/cave/ peach, cha cha, honey pot, panty hamster, tuna taco.

ST MARIA GORETTI: “ VIRGIN-MARTYRS” AND VICTIM BLAMING WORDS BY SAMANTHA BEDFORD

*** trigger warning: description of violent acts, references to rape

Like many “good Italian girls” I was raised Catholic, with all the trimmings; I never received ‘the talk’, besides being told by my mother that taking birth control is equivalent to having an abortion, and the minor Catholic high school I attended organised female-only assemblies just to tell 13 year old girls to make sure their dresses were past their knees to stop male teachers from being “tempted.” Catholicism had been such a defining feature of my youth, despite never really believing in any of it – and in my mid-teens, had become a cringey ‘Nü Atheist’ who read Christopher Hitchens and scoffed at her Religious Education homework, accepting her fail grade for refusing to ever hand anything up like a prize. But no matter how far you stray, the Catholic guilt always seems to catch up in one way or another. I have since revisited my Christian roots, to see if there is anything uniquely worthwhile within ecclesiastic teachings that couldn’t be reached through secular reasoning. I thought that, perhaps, being so young at the time, I hadn’t been able to fully engage with biblical stories, nor realise the sheer gravity of the Christian mythos. One of many disappointments I had with how I had begrudgingly dealt with the compulsory Catholicism of my childhood was choosing Mary MacKillop as my patron saint at the age of 9 simply because she was the newest one and Australian, when plenty of other saints had died much more gruesome, “sick” deaths (as you can tell, kids take this stuff quite seriously). In my later research, I decided that St Bartholomew would have been a bit more fitting, given that sitting in church every Sunday felt almost as bad as being flayed to death. I also came across the story of St Maria Goretti, born 1890 in Marche, a small town in central Italy, the third of seven children of poor farmers who shared their

"...I CAME TO REALISE THAT MARIA GORETTI 'S CANONISATION WAS NOT THE RECOGNITION OF WOMEN 'S SUFFERING I HAD HOPED FOR. MARIA COULD ONLY BE REDEEMED IN DEATH, BUT HER RAPIST COULD IN LIFE."

residence with another family. In 1902, the 20 year old son of their cohabitators, Alessandro Serenelli, made a sexual advance on 12 year old Maria who was caring for her infant sister in the farmhouse. When she refused him, supposedly yelling “It is a sin! God does not want it!”, the assailant choked her. When she insisted that she would rather die than submit to him, he stabbed her 14 times. According to the Catholic church’s account, she expressed concern for Alessandro’s mortal soul on her deathbed, forgiving him and wishing that he would be in Heaven with her. Her pardon also supposedly lead to the perpetrator’s redemption, becoming a lay brother following 27 years in prison.

The veneration of St Maria Goretti is tantamount to a very complex, codified form of victim blaming which further problematised my relationship with myself, with sex and sexuality, with the Church, and with a God I was trying to find solace and absolution in.

In 1950, when Pope Pius XII declared her a saint, he asked of the 500,000 congregants to Saint Peter’s Basilica, “young people, are you determined to resist any attack on your chastity with the help of grace of God?”. Her martyrdom for the sake of chastity and her unfounded forgiveness for the attempted rapist were what earned her respect in the eyes of the Catholic church, which bordered on a conflation of two implicitly equal ‘evils’ – the rape of an underage girl and the purported self-corruption of a girl’s chastity.

Under great distress, many seek out religion for justification, comfort, and closure – things which hadn’t been satisfied by several years of talk therapy which generally skirted around the issue, merely addressing how the trauma manifested in behaviours while ignoring its aetiology. I recognise now where the feelings of uncleanliness and self-blame came from, the real crux of the unbearable shame that tormented me years after the initial incident. Finding pleasure in sex after rape, when Catholicism teaches of lust as a deadly sin, and secular society preaches of women’s enjoyment as secondary to that of men, proved extremely difficult.

Maria Goretti remains one of the youngest people to have ever been canonized by the Catholic Church, a testament to her idolisation by the clergy. After initially believing that the Catholic Church might have redeemed itself even slightly after centuries of endorsing marry-your-rapist laws, teaching against the use of contraception, and covering up child sex abuse, I came to realise that Maria Goretti’s canonisation was not the recognition of women’s suffering I had hoped for. Maria could only be redeemed in death, but her rapist could in life.

I was the same age when a man forced himself on me. Had I not resisted enough? Had I not fought hard enough? Was it my fault due to my lack of faith? Could I ever be as worthy of forgiveness as Alessandro Serenelli?

The same feeling of being tarnished, of having “baggage”, being “damaged goods”, stripped of my virginity – taught to me as my most important attribute as a young unwed female, was reinforced by the prejudiced double standards of the secular world. After thousands of years of women being controlled and violated, men pushing the boundaries of consent, and the ‘untouched’ female body being a conquest of desire and outdated Christian morality, haven’t we had enough? For my sake, and the sake of all women, it is time to end the cult of virginity.

DEPICTIONS OF SEX THROUG A guide to the body from canvas to pixels

The flower is the jumble of thighs, the sun’s harem – Malcolm de Chazal

Sex has been an integral theme of art spanning from finger painted figures on stone walls by Neanderthals to modern paper magazines. Depicted throughout the ages as a form of pleasure, pain, intimacy and desire, sex has been a recurring theme through the work of artists including Pablo Picasso, Marcel Duchamp, Frida Kahlo and countless others. When the paintbrush left the canvas, and the world was introduced to film and photography, the representation of sex became much more apparent, with tactile, human naked bodies shown as an erotic reality for many an onlooker. As we moved through the iron wall of conservatism; sex, especially in art, became celebrated and seen as an important imprint of culture and shared-history between generations.

As we engage with sex in modernity, we can delineate the importance of past depictions of the body and its functions outside of procreation and labour. It is important to celebrate these landmark representations and understand the history of how sex has become something beyond its function. As painter Gustav Klimt once said, all art is erotic. Here, I’ve compiled a list of some of the most significant depictions of sex throughout history. From the prehistoric era to the selfie-age, I have uncovered some of history’s most important representations of the body and how these images have influenced modern thinking about sex as an authentic and legitimate art form. #6 Neanderthal Cave Art (artists and dates unknown) Though historians can’t be one hundred percent accurate in their analysis of prehistoric life, many have agreed that Neanderthals took some inspiration from sex and the body when creating

Words by Olivia De Zilva

GHOUT THE AGES: art painted on cave walls or engraved into stone. In a 2012 article for Science on NBC News, Jennifer Viegas notes that “multiple engraved and painted images of female sexual organs, animals and geometric figures discovered in the Chauvet Cave and Abri Castanet in Southern France are believed to be the first known wall art”. Historian Randall White claims that these “dominant images” of female vulvas could either have been created by female Neanderthals or for ritualistic purposes involving a certain tribe. In any case, White concurs that these findings “raise anew the questions of the evolutionary and adaptive significance of graphic representation and its role in the successful dispersal of modern human populations out of Africa into Western Eurasia and beyond.”

NEANDERTHAL CAVE ART (ARTISTS AND DATES UNKNOWN)

"...THE WARREN CUP HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT IMAGES IN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF SEX AND HOW IT HAS BECOME MODERNISED". WARREN CUP - UNKNOWN ARTIST, WARREN CUP, C. 5-15 AD, COPPER AND SILVER, ROOM 70, BRITISH MUSEUM, LONDON.

#5 Warren Cup - unknown artist, Warren Cup, c. 5-15 AD, copper and silver, Room 70, British Museum, London.

the animalistic nature of our human urges. Using simple drypoint on paper, this image, featuring harsh lines and exaggerated features, Rembrandt used this depiction of sex to cater more to the lower and The Warren Cup, named after art-collector Edward working class who had previously been shunned or Perry Warren, is an ancient Roman artefact which limited from enjoying his high art hung in art galleries. depicts the act of homosexual intimacy and the The Monk In the Cornfield opened up discussions exploration of male sexuality engraved onto a copper surrounding sex and how it was important to continue and silver cup. Though not entirely scandalous in expressing in art. Rembrandt’s work broke several 5-15 AD, when the Warren Cup was purchased in taboos of his day and opened up opportunities for 1911 by an art dealer, it was entirely tabooed and artists of all economic and societal backgrounds to as a form of pornography hidden away from young begin exploring sex and creating erotic images for children. Purchased for 1.8 million Pounds Sterling by years to come. The British Museum in 1999, the Warren Cup became a symbol of ancient sexuality and turning point for #3 Sex Parts – Andy Warhol, Sex Parts and depictions of eroticism and same-sex intercourse. Torsos, c. 1977, Photography, Andy Warhol Now an important part of historical representations and Hedges Project, New York. of sex as well as the celebration of LGBT+ portrayals in art, the Warren Cup has become one of the most An artist who came from a lower-economic and social important images in our understanding of sex and background growing up, Andy Warhol embraced how it has become modernised. these unglamorous sides of human nature in most of his works in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Warhol was a prolific manufacturer of “low art”, creating countless #4 The Monk In the Cornfield – Rembrandt, depictions of the mundane and odes to pop culture. The Monk in the Cornfield, c. 1641-1651, Warhol also had a strong focus on sex. He created Drypoint on Paper, Art Institute Chicago, dozens of works portraying and celebrating the abject Chicago. (i.e., incorporating semen and urine in his work). Warhol’s photography series Sex Parts and Torsos is a As a traditional baroque painter, Dutch artist more demure inclusion to the artist’s brave catalogue. Rembrandt’s work never strayed too far from portraits, Featuring images of friends and models half-clothed biblical re-enactments and sweeping landscapes. or naked in provocative positions, the work explores However, when he depicted a monk in a cornfield the idea of the human body and how it can be made throwing away his vows with a wench maid, he and moulded for sex. Though one of his underrated subverted his image of “high-art”, glamourizing works, Sex Parts and Torsos was an important series

THE MONK IN THE CORNFIELD – REMBRANDT, THE MONK IN THE CORNFIELD, C. 1641-1651, DRYPOINT ON PAPER, ART INSTITUTE CHICAGO, CHICAGO.

to help the general public embrace nudity and see sex As nudity became more accepted in the late 90s outside of their own bedrooms and erotic novels. and early 2000s, many photographers and artists began exploring more about the human body #2 Au Naturel, Sarah Lucas, Au Naturel, c. outside the guise of “high art”. Kim Kardashian, a 1994, various mediums, SAATCHI Gallery, pop-culture staple to this day became a muse for London. many a photographer for her fearlessness when it came to expressing her sexuality after a leaked British artist Sarah Lucas’s ongoing exhibition Au sex tape in 2003. Paper Magazine, an alternative Naturel is a radical exploration of sex through a publication born from inspiration from artists including variety of objects including mattresses, newspaper Warhol, was not afraid to push the limitations when clippings, tables, chairs, sculptures and a raw it came to sex and nudity on its front page. Coming rotisserie chicken. The work explores how sex can be into the 2010s and capitalizing on the social media seen in anything and anyone using various models of trend amongst millennials, Paper Magazine enlisted women and men to exemplify how the act isn’t limited Kardashian as well as famous French graphic to a specific weight, height or ethnicity. Lucas’s work designer Jean-Paul Goude to recreate his famous illustrates the ridiculous limitations past artists have work Carolina Beaumont, New York, 1976. Exposing put on sex as she uses colloquial images and objects her famous derriere as well as showing full-frontal to show how sex can be expressed in any location at nudity, this series literally broke the internet and any time. inspired many to embrace nudity and the female body. Critics would say Kardashian would readily #1 Break the Internet: Kim Kardashian, take off her clothes for no reason, and this series by Jean-Paul Goude, Break the Internet: Kim Paper really showed why she should. Kardashian, c. 2014, photography, Paper Magazine.

SEX PARTS – ANDY WARHOL, SEX PARTS AND TORSOS, C. 1977, PHOTOGRAPHY, ANDY WARHOL AND HEDGES PROJECT, NEW YORK., BREAK THE INTERNET: KIM KARDASHIAN, JEAN-PAUL GOUDE, BREAK THE INTERNET: KIM KARDASHIAN, C. 2014, PHOTOGRAPHY, PAPER MAGAZINE.

AU NATUREL, SARAH LUCAS, AU NATUREL, C. 1994, VARIOUS MEDIUMS, SAATCHI GALLERY, LONDON.

Words by Sam Burt

DEMOC[RACY] QUIZ In light of the upcoming federal election, take our sexy quiz to find out which South Australian politician you most closely identify with...

Your weapon of choice is...

To get in the mood, you listen to...

Massage oil 4 Handcuffs 1 Melted chocolate 3 Role-play 2

Livin’ On a Prayer – Bon Jovi 1 All About that Bass – Meghan Trainor 4 Lay Lady Lay – Bob Dylan 3 Born This Way – Lady Gaga 2

You’re in the mood on campus. The two of you head to...

In the bedroom, you’d describe yourself as...

The Ira Raymond Room couch 3 I would never have sex on campus 1 The bank of the Torrens 4 A unisex bathroom 2

Your go-to PornHub category is... Female orgasm 3 Amateur 4 Rough sex 1 Blowjob 2

Experimental 2 Loud 4 Straight-laced 1 Confident 3

To do something special for your partner, you... Don your Australian flag boxers 1 Light some candles and wait, naked, for them to come home 4 Cook them a meal and spend the evening together 3 Treat them to a gift. They’ll return the favour next time. 2

Your sexual fantasy is set... In a forest 4 At uni 2 Over Facetime 1 In the shower 3

7-11 Cory Bernardi You won’t be swayed by the crowd and like things done your way. Security is important to you, so you always use protection. Make sure you’re listening to your partner’s needs and not shaming others for their sexual preferences. It might be healthy to experiment during your uni years- curiosity is nothing to be scared of. 12-16 Christopher Pyne You’re always up to try new things. Rumours have circled about your sexuality, but it’s water off a duck’s back because you’re so self-assured. Your charming manner is attractive to all genders. Just remember it’s not all about you, and that give and take is essential in bed. 17-21 Penny Wong You’re pretty good at everything so we assume you’d be an ideal sexual partner. You don’t overcomplicate things in the bedroom and love morning sex. You’re the advice-giver in your friendship circle, but make sure you’re not putting too much energy into solving others’ relationship crises. 22-28 Sarah Hanson-Young You are sexually empowered and will let slut-shamers know it. Sex is a big part of your identity, and in your opinion the human body is the ultimate art. You’re searching for a soulmate, but would be happy in an open relationship in the meantime. Be sure to communicate honestly with your partner rather than bottling up emotion.

FEMINISM AND ITS LEGACIES Words by Dylan Rowen

The feminist movement over the last century can’t be contained or neatly arranged into any one ideological box, but its development in the term of “waves” is incredibly useful in understanding its complexity and crucial historical relevancy. Its legacies and after-effects are constantly crashing and seeping into each other; feminism’s fluidity is what makes it unique and effective. The first-wave can roughly be traced from 1848 to 1920, with the second-wave occurring from 1963 to the 1980s, the third-wave from the 1990s to the early 2000s, and currently we are in the fourth-wave, which started in about 2012. First-wave feminism began in the late nineteenth and twentieth century, and focused primarily on legal issues such as female suffrage and women’s property rights. Both the terms “first-wave” and “second-wave feminism” were coined and officially documented by Martha Lear in article titled ‘The Second Feminist Wave’ for The New York Times in 1968. Writing out of the context of the burgeoning 1960s women’s movement and giving explanation and analysis from Betty Friedan—author of the 1963 The Feminine Mystique, a text widely credited in sparking the beginning of second-wave feminism—Lear writes that:

According to Prudence Chamberlain, the problem with specific waves’ identities and figureheads is that earlier waves and cis-heterosexual white “grandstanding” feminists have “set up exclusionary norms for feminist waves. This has continued through the ways the waves have been documented and archived, with an emphasis placed on highly literate, educated, white, straight women.” The diversity and complexity of feminism’s history has simply not been recorded and memorialised correctly. This is a problem which later waves of feminism wish to address. Third-wave feminism emerged in the 1990s through the radical feminist theory of the 1980s. Third-wave feminists believed feminism still had objectives to achieve; such as questioning gender binaries, the ways in which media proliferated power, and identities connected to one’s own position in the world. This new wave of feminism was influenced by the emergence of postmodernism and critiqued manifestations of cultural hegemony that defined ideas

“In the anti-feminist view, the status quo is plenty good enough. In the feminist view, it is a sellout: American women have traded their rights for their comfort, and now are too comfortable to care…”

about beauty, sexuality, womanhood, gender and toxic masculinities. In an effort to place intersectionality at the forefront of its tactical approach, third-wave feminism responded to definitions of “woman” as multivalent and fluid. Black feminist scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 coined the term “intersectionality” as an analytic framework from which to derive action via critiquing the systems of power in society which keep marginalised people oppressed. Third-wavers prioritised “multivocality over synthesis” and “action over theoretical justification.” American writer and activist Rebecca Walker—daughter of the radical feminist author Alice Walker—emerged as a prominent leader in third-wave feminism. In her famous 1992 article published in Ms. Magazine, she proclaimed “I am the Third Wave.” Walker ended her manifesto declaring identity as always shifting, constantly overlapping, and sometimes conflicting. Walker defined third-wave feminism as an integration of the: “ideology of equality and female empowerment into the very fibre of life. It is to search for personal clarity in the midst of systemic destruction, to join in sisterhood with women when often we are divided, [and] to understand power structures with the intention of challenging them…” Third-wave feminism emphasised an inclusive approach to feminism that encouraged diverse minorities to form coalitions of active power against patriarchal forms of subversive control. Fourth-wave feminism is the new iteration of the feminist movement and focuses heavily on the empowerment of LGBT individuals,

trans-inclusivity, sex-positivity and bodypositivity. This wave of feminism has been focalised via the use of technology in its rise, with the internet allowing its proliferation through “hashtag activism” resulting in online communities pushing for global change. The emergence of this wave began around 2012, with a focus of sexism, rape culture and sexual harassment. It was generated in opposition to entrenched institutionalised misogyny, and prioritises a reckoning of sexist and racist individuals within positions of power. The #MeToo and the Time’s Up movements mobilised in response to the “Weinstein Effect”, a global trend currently exposing the sexual misconduct of famous and powerful people. Fourth-wave feminists rely on social media to organise and advocate against systematic power injustices and abuses of power. The relevance and need for feminism is crucial, especially in today’s political and cultural climate. With an equal emphasis on intersectionality and an analytical awareness of how the dynamics of class, race, sexuality, gender, religion, and age all affect us in differing ways, fourth-wave feminism continues the radical principles of its past and evolves it into the now.

REVIEW: SEX EDUCATION WORDS BY EMMA CARSON There is some irony in the show’s title; high schools are entrusted with educating students on matters such as safe sex and anatomy, yet most classes still fall short. In my health lessons, I recall having a model penis and condom thrown my way, followed by some nauseating images of genitals with different STIs. I wasn’t taught about sexual disorders or phobias, safe sex for the queer community, or the importance of consent. The characters in ‘Sex Education’ are in a similar boat. Because of their insufficient education on the matter at Moordale Secondary School, they turn to protagonist Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield), son of sex therapist Dr Jean Milburn, to help them through their (sometimes awkward) problems. Netflix’s original comedy, which aired its first season in January this year, not only presents stylistically awkward scenes of masturbation, nudity, and sex as a source of humour, but also as a lesson on sexual health. By depicting the various intimacy issues that its characters have, ‘Sex Education’ dismisses the notion that sex is always enjoyable, as is so frequently suggested in popular culture and pornography. The characters who approach Otis deal with very real issues that people can encounter when they get between the sheets. From difficulties achieving orgasm, to feeling paralyzingly self-conscious about having a partner see their naked body, to even being repulsed by fellatio or anuses, there isn’t much that the show doesn’t tackle. Perhaps the only pitfall here is that most of the characters’ sex problems are simplified,

typically being solved with a few conversations rather than weeks (or years) of therapy. Sex aside, much of the drama in this show stems from failures in communication or the crossing of boundaries. The often-awkward relationship between Otis and his mother Jean (Gillian Anderson), for example, offers plenty of laughs. A sex therapist herself, Jean unintentionally provides Otis with the knowledge he needs to help his fellow students. At times, her attempts to intervene in Otis’s life to try and solve his problems, usually without his consent, borders on cringeworthy. Anderson’s caricature of a sex therapist was sometimes problematic and unprofessional, giving into outdated stereotypes I’d expect from a 90’s sitcom. With this in mind, Jean was still one of my favourite characters. Her carefree attitude towards promiscuity is refreshing and the blunt honesty that she offers to her smitten lovers is similarly admirable. While its depictions of sex therapy are exaggerated and fraught with unethical practices, ‘Sex Education’ still succeeds at being an incredibly amusing and sex-positive show that caters to both adolescent and adult audiences. For teenagers especially, who may not know how to verbalise issues they’re dealing with, the characters’ predicaments show that they’re not alone and could help them open a dialogue with a doctor or sex counsellor. The series has been renewed for a second season and I am eager to see what comes next!

PROBLEMATIC IN PARADISE: Exploring Toxic Masculinity in ‘The Bachelor in Paradise’ Words by Olivia De Zilva

Content Warning: Domestic Abuse Roses and banana daiquiris aside, this year’s Bachelor in Paradise series is proving to be anything but paradise. Starting innocently enough, dozens of genetically blessed clones congregated around an island bar in the middle of Fiji. All from different seasons of The Bachelor and Bachelorette, they are expected to mingle their singleness through carefully curated dates, talks on the beach and strategic kisses behind the palm trees. There have been walk-outs, shouting matches and producers breaking the fourth wall when the contestants throw a very dramatic and very reality tv tantrum about why they are still single on an island of conventionally tanned and toned hotties. After last season’s queer-baiting scandal involving cleverly edited teaser trailers of bisexual identifying Megan Marx, many thought that Channel 10 would clean up their act in Paradise. However, after a string of problematic behaviour from men on the island, viewers, and even host Osher Günsberghave voiced their concern about what the network has chosen to air. Gaslighting, manipulation and toxic male aggression have all been glorified for the “drama” of reality television, pushing female contestants to breaking point or downright fear of their male counterparts cohabiting on the island. The first display of this behaviour would be when contestant Bill Goldsmith from Ali Oetjen’s season of The Bachelorette courted both Alexandra Nation and Florence Moerenhout to “explore his options” on the island. Although already in a devoted coupling

with Nation, Bill pursued Florence on an overnight date hoping to become intimate. Returning back to Paradise with Florence in hand, Bill denied anything had happened between them to the befuddled Alex. Calling Florence a “malicious salty bitch”, Bill gaslit both women into “manipulating” his intentions and proceeded to have shouting matches with them while laughing with his bro-friends at the tiki bar. Taking him back, Alex conceded that Florence was indeed a “salty bitch”, while Bill bragged that he’d had sex with at least “80–100 women at the dog park”. Jules Bourne, a “quirkier” contestant on the island also practised gaslighting with his potential ‘love connection’, Alisha Aitken-Radburn. While initially becoming intimate quite quickly, Jules abandoned his feelings for Alisha when someone he found more attractive walked through the doors of Paradise. Leaving her confused and unwanted, Jules pursued this other connection only to get rejected himself. As a rose ceremony loomed, he crawled back to Alisha and emotionally manipulated her already fragile state of mind into a state of confusion and guilt. Although Jules is often seen as the “nice” and “harmless” romantic of Paradise, his actions proved to be extremely damaging and hurtful to Alisha who thought they had found a genuine connection together. A more alarming display of toxic masculinity in Paradise is shown through the brawny and blokey Ivan Krslovic. Initially gaslighting the bubbly Brittany Weldon into giving him a rose then ignoring her all together, Ivan has had a rather woeful track record. When the beautiful Tenille Favios entered Paradise, Ivan made a rather aggressive bee-line towards her. Taking Ivan on her first date, Tenille was uneasy about his over zealous attachment to her.

As their “connection” progressed, Ivan became totally possessive over Tenille, disallowing her from forming relationships with other contestants and becoming violent when another man talked to her. Punching a wall in his shared cubby, Ivan claimed that Tenille was “his property and other guys should stick to the bro code’. Storming into her room while using the bathroom, Ivan confronted Tenille for wanting her space away from him and used his imposing stature to hold her into a submissive position where she was unable to move. After ending things with Ivan due to feeling suffocated by his overbearing advances, Tenille was made to feel guilty and shamed much like Alex, Florence and Alisha before her. In a teaser trailer for next week’s episodes, Channel Ten shows Ivan on a jealous rampage, becoming physically aggressive with another contestant who shares a genuine connection with Tenille. Just to add more ridiculousness to the situation, Tenille and Ivan had only known each other less than a week.

"Gaslighting, manipulation and toxic male aggression have all been glorified for the “drama” of reality television..."

It’s quite troubling that Ten is encouraging and using this dangerous behaviour to fuel ratings and popularity in their 730pm weeknight slot. Although the show has got people talking, it’s been for the worrying depiction and glorification of behaviour that many have argued constitutes domestic abuse. According to The Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1 in 4 women have experienced emotional abuse by a current or former partner since the age of 15. These devastating statistics continue, with the ABS stating that 1 in 5 women have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15 while the AHRC notes that 85% of Australian women have been sexually harassed. This data is showing that the actions of Ivan, Jules and Bill is certainly no joke. This epidemic of harassment, physical and emotional abuse is something that should be taken extremely seriously, especially by a Network attempting to recover from its ongoing controversies in 2019 (see Kerri-Anne Kennerly’s racist outburst over changing the date of Australia Day). What’s worrying about BIP is that producers are obviously complacent to the serious issues surrounding their contestants. Many have taken to Twitter to share their concern as to why the behaviour of the three men is allowed to continue without consequence or immediate eviction. The glorification of this behaviour for entertainment has tainted the fun of a bunch of fame-hungry reality stars making a fool of themselves in Fiji. Channel Ten should be ashamed of their relentless capitalisation of womens’ harassment and abuse by men who should have been strictly disciplined for their outrageous actions. In the era of #MeToo and sexual harassment crises in the workplace, educational institutions and the home, these scenes of distress are absolutely shattering and set the movement for safer conduct towards women truly and totally behind. If you are experiencing domestic abuse or are unsure about associated behaviours, please contact 1800RESPECT.

Words by Maxim Buckley

Endometriosis Endometriosis affects one in ten women. That statistic has always been staggering to me. When I first heard about endometriosis, I was working at a café in Richmond called Karma and Crow. The owner’s sister and resident artist Ellie Kammer frequently paints art relating to endometriosis and the pain that many women experience, pain which often goes unnoticed by those around them. At that time, I didn’t realise I would also meet my last girlfriend, Lucy, who suffers from stage IV severe endometriosis. Up until November 2017, I had never heard of a disease that affects 10% of the female population. How could that be possible? I know more than ten women, how did I not know that any of them have endometriosis? Were all my female friends just extremely lucky?

Late in 2018, SBS Insight ran episode on endometriosis. By this time, I had done two major assignments for my course on the topic and so my knowledge was fairly decent. They talked about several issues such as the time it takes for a diagnosis, supports in place to help someone who suffers from endometriosis, sex life and fertility issues. One thing that really stood out to me from that episode though was the funding that endometriosis research receives. Professor Jason Abbott, a researcher hailing from UNSW, stated that endometriosis research received $12 million in the last 12 years. For reference, the national breast cancer foundation spent $17.4 million in research grants for the financial year of 2016-17. The lack of funding toward endometriosis research continues to surprise me. Surely, something that affects 10% of the Australian female population would receive more funding, right? Perhaps a good place to start when unravelling this mystery is the greatest killer in Australia, heart disease. For it’s 2018-19 budget, the federal government pledged $125 million nationally for heart disease and diabetes translation and a further $230 million for promoting healthy and active lifestyles. Now, I must take a moment to praise this section of the budget as too often we get wrapped up in curing diseases when often it is a more effective measure to prevent them ever happening in the first place, smoking related lung cancer being a great example of this. Anyway, heart disease received ~100x more funding in one federal budget than endometriosis received in a 12 year time span, but heart disease affects both men and women (though statistically more men than women). What about a disease that only affects men? The Australian federal government pledged in 2018 that it would, in conjunction with the Movember Foundation, invest ‘$12 million into ground-breaking new research aimed at reversing the significant number of deaths caused by the disease’. In one fell swoop, the Australia federal government invested the exact same amount of money that had been invested in endometriosis research in the last 12 years. Now, I’m not saying that prostate cancer isn’t a worthy cause worth investing money in, it just continues to baffle me that a serious condition such as endometriosis can just not receive funding, especially considering it is a condition that is often experienced for 40< years of a woman’s life and is attributed to a loss of ~$12,000 per year per woman affected.

Now, the 2019-20 Coalition government budget promises $30 million dollars to endometriosis and ovarian cancer research. On the surface, this seems like a step in the right direction. However, once this addition to the budget is broken down, it does show its weaknesses. $9 million is to be put toward funding ‘accurate detection and treatment of endometriosis’. $1.06 million is to be put toward a ‘one stop shop digital platform for endometriosis research and support’ (which is actually being developed right here at the University of Adelaide in the Robinson Research Institute). There are a few other funding promises for smaller amounts to other organisations, but the bulk is listed above. The remaining $20 million in funding will go toward ovarian cancer prevention, detection and treatment. I honestly do think it’s great that these conditions are receiving their own sections in the budget, however more should be committed, especially from a government who felt they could spare $6.7 million for a boat to cruise around Australia. I know some women who are forced to work part time since they cannot commit to a full-time roster because of constant pelvic pain. I know women who have lost faith in the health system due to being turned away again and again. I know women who have had their appendixes unnecessarily removed just because it was the most likely cause of their symptoms. Put quite frankly, this is a condition that is not receiving enough funding and it’s because it is a female centric condition. I’d be willingly to bet that most of you didn’t know that March is the month for endometriosis, whereas you could tell me the month for testicular and prostate cancer. I’d bet that you know of the fertility issues associated with testicular cancer, but you wouldn’t be able to tell me the same for endometriosis. $10 million in research funding is just a drop in the bucket compared to what is required. I hope to one day have children, and if they are a born female, I do not want them to have the chance of suffering the way I have seen so many women suffer. I do not want them to be turned away by physician after physician who claim the pain is all in their head. I do not want them to have to go on nerve pain medication to the detriment of their mental and physical health. I want them to be able to live happy and fulfilling lives which are unencumbered by conditions such as these. $10 million is a step in the right direction, but more can and should be done.

SEX TRAFFICKING’S BIGGER IN TEXAS! Words by Sofia Arlotta

Sex trafficking (the act of transporting for the purpose of sexual exploitation) is a widespread crisis impacting many individuals and their broader society. When the term sex trafficking is mentioned, the graphic knee-jerk reaction of women in developing countries, captured and physically held against their will comes to mind. Although prevalent and a colossal issue in many places, the complexity of human trafficking exceeds the idea of purely physical imprisonment and extends to the psychological imprisonment of those trafficked where the morbidity of the latter situation is just as prevalent. In Texas there are prostitution tracks of up to 313,000 trafficked workers, making them one of the biggest sex trades states in the United States. Women begin working on these tracks either by themselves or are introduced to the work by a pimp but both are as problematic as each other. The pimp is the main issue in the scenario, however women who begin working for themselves end up requiring a pimp quickly as the track is competitive leaving the woman vulnerable which is preyed upon by others leaving them often fall victim to violence. These trafficked workers, of whom are generally women and work for a pimp, are subject to a horrendous reality where their freedom is limited by the economic and psychological control their pimp has over them. Working with a pimp comes at a cost

as the woman is required to give him all the money she makes, meet a quota and tell her pimp her every move and when she fails to do so, violence is the consequence. In the majority of these situations, pimps do not explicitly force their women to work with them for their sex trade. To the pimps the idea is simple: the sex trade is just another market and thus the business model applies. The pimps use the idea of security to recruit their workers - the women, who facilitate the sale of the pimps commodity: sex. A condition of employment is that the money the women earn goes to the boss. They are rewarded with goods they may request, and they have the choice to leave. The pimps regard this holistic control as just business and in business and after all, they so generously provided by the pimp including safety and security, leaving the ethicality of it not being questioned. A pimp’s ‘employee of the month type of worker’ is a girl or women of socio-economic status who are mentally, physically, emotionally or financially vulnerable and have little to no means to change this status. When she’s found, pitching a sale of security becomes too easy. The pimp goes on to describe persuade the woman that a life of sex work is an ‘opportunity’. They can makes lots of money and have someone looking out and protecting them essentially they will live a life of security. The ability

for the woman to say “yes or no makes it seem like it’s her decision to take up prostitution and she is making it as an equal, just like any other non-contractual work. The large majority of these feel they are not trafficked and that their life of prostitution, in these circumstances, was their choice made out of complete free will. However, the advertised idea of the security appeals to the basic human needs and desires and signifies the commencement of a pimp’s psychological control of his sex worker. The existing power structure between the groups of subordination (women) and domination (pimps), means that pimp and woman are not equals through a power imbalance that can never be achieved between a pimp and his prostitute because of the desperation her circumstance creates. This goes onto foster the economic and psychological control, a pimp has over his prostitute between a pimp and his prostitute, plants a seed of loyalty between her to pimp. This resulting control from the nature of the pimp/prostitute relationship blurs the line between force and choice challenges the woman’s perceived idea that the she has chosen the life of prostitution purely through her own free will. Despite this the commodification of a human being and the service they can provide is lost on a lot of these women as they idolise their pimp in an adoring manner. Although women may feel like prostitution is their free choice as they are not physically restrained and have the ability to decline the offer to work for a pimp, a woman choosing to work for a pimp is never out of her own free will. Relationships with an imbalanced power structure, like that of a pimp and prostitute, that society enforces creates coercive situation that enables a pimp to use his power and manipulate women into becoming prostitutes and sex trafficking them, while making it seem like it is for the benefit of the women.

"In Texas there are prostitution tracks of up to 313,000 trafficked workers, making them one of the biggest sex trades states in the United States." 37

THE UNDERRATED SPACES OF ADELAIDE Words by Sarah Hamilton

Adelaide, the city of wine. Adelaide, the city of culture. Adelaide, the city of nostalgia? Although us Adelaidians love to project our home as being this pulsating creator of artisanal foods, contemporary arts and international festivals, we still have a soft spot for the places which have always been there to remind of us of who we really are. The places, which, in 20 years, when we’ve all grown up and are living far away will make us miss the simplicity of our youth, of small-town living, of everything that is uniquely Adelaide. The Exeter: The Exeter Hotel is a historic piece of Adelaide glory situated in the heart of The East End. Founded by Robert Radford in 1851, this pub has been the meeting place for students, workers, lost souls and everyone else in-between. The Exeter, or “the Ex” as it’s colloquially known, doesn’t feature much in tourist brochures about the city. There’s no glitz, there’s no glam, there’s just a pure functionality that makes this place special in Adelaide. It’s the place we go when our hearts get broken, when we have some good news to share with friends, when we need some solace from the troubles of our busy lives. There’s nothing quite like drinking an Exeter cider against

the backdrop of the iconic green-tiled walls and mosaic tables; seeing friends from all over the city congregate in this tiny-shared space of Adelaide’s diverse population. Drinking at The Exeter is an important celebration of our history and the hard work of Robert Radford, a pioneering spirit who first commemorated Adelaide’s passion for a good larger and chat with friends. The Exeter has and always will be the backbone of connection in Adelaide. It brings people from all walks of life to one central melting pot of arts, culture, music and community. Between the landscape of an ever metamorphosing city, The Exeter is a representation of the history and comradery which makes this city so great. Men in Black: There are two unsung heroes in Adelaide, protecting us all from intergalactic warfare in our very own suburban streets. Although faded since their first display, the cardboard figures of Men in Black stars Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones have become a quirky landmark. For 20 years, they have been the unofficial mascots of the city, serving us through questionable state-elections, technological and sociological changes and other important slices of South Australian history. When their Unley Road

home was up for sale in 2008, there was furore across the city as to whether these heroes would still be around to protect and serve from their Cross Road fortress. Fortunately, the new owners kept them in their rightful place, restoring balance in the universe. The Men in Black have become an Adelaide staple for the same reason as our dear Exeter. For 20 years, they have seen the city grow, develop and flower into modernity, but for 20 years, they have stayed the same. Having them survive that long is like keeping your childhood jumper till adulthood, although it’s all old and scruffy, you still have it around because it’s always been there to keep you warm and secure. The Men in Black have proven to be this scruffy jumper, this lasting memory from childhood. A reminder that the inherent nature of Adelaide will never change, no matter how many sky-rise buildings and international festivals are planted in our streets. Hindmarsh Square (Emo Park): The Hindmarsh Square Playground was supposed to act as an interactive play space for inquisitive Adelaide children. However, since being named South Australia’s best urban landscape project in 2009, the Playground has become the haunt of another type of citizen. Dubbed “emo park” through the South Australian grapevine, The Hindmarsh Playground has become a hangout for disillusioned

youths from across the city. Amidst the post-modern bone-structures and concrete fish-carcasses, the teens of Adelaide have found sanctity right in the middle of the city. Emo park has become a city landmark because of its notorious design (which detracts from the red brick architecture of the adjoining Grenfell street), moody atmosphere of delinquent teens and #memes made in its honour on Adelaide tribute pages online. Emo park is not celebrated by all, however, with local businesses complaining that the constant onslaught of youths has destroyed their industry and trade. But this is why Emo park is so important. It’s a rejection of normality and industry, a celebration of Adelaide’s unorthodox and quirky nature and permanent reminder of our famous stubbornness. Emo park is in the memories and hearts of every Adelaide teen who mouthed the words to every My Chemical Romance song blasting from their iPod. It is the graveyard of after-school hangouts, Maccas runs, first kisses and heartbreaks. It will always the landmark of our formative years, the messy years, the years where we used too much eye-liner and hairspray. Oh, the places you’ll go, the sights you’ll see and the people you’ll meet. Wherever you are in the world, these “landmarks” will always be a reminder of home and what it’s like to truly and authentically be Adelaidian.

D id s were just for song l ain. Wh you think love fused, crushing, h overs? Thin k ag in e t n l o v ether yo u’re co t of love – there artbroken o r jus ’ p s e w it a trac h the c o nce k for t h at.

Words by Nicole Wedding You’ve got a new crush: Blue Bird – Dirty Projectors “The Palace Versailles is nice / but if I am honest, I feel just fine on this bench with you” This song is sickeningly sweet, so you really have to save it for those times you’re looking through rose-coloured glasses. Long-term compatibility? Who has time to think about that when you’re busy staring into someone’s eyes?!

You’re infatuated: Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me – Mel Carter “They told me, ‘Be sensible with your new love’ / ‘Don’t be fooled, thinking this is the last you’ll find’ / But they never stood in the dark with you, love” There are a few different recordings of this song, but my favourite version has an unmistakable string arrangement. Every time I hear those violins, my thoughts are: “Love must be real! How else could someone write a string arrangement so beautiful?” This song perfectly captures the feeling of naïve, all-consuming infatuation, and I am here for it. It’s… love? It’s Oh So Quiet – Björk “You want to laugh, you wanna cry / You cross your heart and hope to die” I’m sure science can provide a good explanation for what happens to your brain when you’re in love, but I would rather just listen to Björk. Her cover of this ‘50s classic has everything: exploding crescendos, an ebb and flow of emotions, and movie-musical-ready arrangements. The Spike Jonze-directed music video is also the best. You can’t figure someone out: I’m Your Man – Leonard Cohen “I’ll do anything you ask me to / And if you want another kind of love / I’ll wear a mask for you” Does this person want a relationship? How do they like to communicate? What do they want from our interactions, and do they even like me at all? I don’t have the answers to those questions, and neither does Leonard Cohen. This tune is perfect anyway. You truly know someone: Honey and Smoke – case/lang/veirs “It’s all honey and smoke / They don’t really love you / Like I do” Firstly, how good is this supergroup? Secondly, how dreamy is this song? Hints of jealousy might be detectable in the lyrics, but they’re delivered with such warmth that you can’t help but soften when hear the admiration this person has for their partner. Your feelings are unrequited: Strawberry Blond – Mitski “You tell me you love her / I give you a grin” There are a lot of unrequited love songs in the Mitski back catalogue, but this one stands out because it just sounds so cheerful. It’s easy to wallow in the pain of discovering someone doesn’t feel the same way as you, but what’s the point? It’s scary to be sincere and vulnerable, and you should be proud of the fact you saw the best in someone. You’re ready to move on: A Lot’s Gonna Change – Weyes Blood “Falling trees, get off your knees / No one can keep you down” If I have a daughter one day, this is the song I’d share with her if she’s going through her first heartbreak. Although life is short and abandonment almost inevitable, it’s a beautiful reminder that there is still so much more to come – even if it doesn’t feel that way yet. It’s all about perspective.

Movie Review: The Favourite 2018, Scarlet Films, dir. Yorgos Lanthimos Reviewed by Alexandra Karstens

You may have heard of The Favourite through Olivia Colman’s win of the Oscar for Best Actress, which is justly deserved for her performance of Queen Anne. Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz are also commendable as Abigail Hill and Sarah Churchill Duchess of Marlborough, respectively. The Favourite depicts the arrival of Abigail (Stone) at the court, who uses her wit and charm to appeal to the current monarch, Queen Anne, in order to win her favour, gradually pushing out the Duchess Marlborough. (Weisz) The film may dramatize scenes here and there, but its story largely stems from true historical events. How do I describe The Favourite? On one hand, it has the runtime, cinematography, and mundane plot of an arthouse film that might be difficult to enjoy for those who generally enjoy fast-paced action. My brother, a diehard Marvel fan, often checked the time during our viewing. On the other, The Favourite doesn’t hold back on crude humour, and the realistic and often gross truths of the era that makes it stand out amongst other period dramas. I’d be surprised if anyone can get through this film without even a nose exhale at Nicholas Hoult’s appearance. Additionally,

its bold choice of costuming in almost entirely monochrome is pulled off masterfully. However, while I personally found this film generally impressive on cinematic elements alone, what made this film truly a highlight of cinematic viewing was the refreshingly unabashed depiction of romantic love between women. Though I held my breath throughout the film, not once did the ugly “Bury Your Gays” trope rear its head. But foremost, what I appreciated most about The Favourite is that the plot is completely driven by the agency of the female characters. Rarely did a male character manipulate the plot in any way, and they were far less prominent than the trio of women who led the film. As a queer woman in a largely predominant society, I was extremely pleased to watch The Favourite with its ambitious female characters, who defied all my expectations with their unique characterization. While I find it impossible to call any perfect, The Favourite is a standout in not only the period drama genre, but also as a masterful example of cinema and what is most significant to me, a feminist work of art. 4 out of 5 stars.

Book Review: Normal People by Sally Rooney Reviewed by Phoebe Christofi

In a small remote town in Ireland, lives two people whose lives are about to become complicated; but isn’t that where a good story always starts? Connell and Marianne have known each other all their lives, and yet, they’ve never been the closest of friends. Marianne is deemed as the weird and quirky girls at school, so naturally making friends doesn’t come easily to her when all her options are jock type guys, and girls that are more interested in looking pretty for those jock type guys. But through a simple conversation, and a few romantic encounters, their lives become a whirlwind of secret meetings, and hushed kisses. Before you know it, they’re both accepted into Trinity College in Dublin, and their lives are flipped upside down from what they’re previously used to – but is this a good thing, or is their entire connection about to be obstructed by their future?

is out to wreak havoc on them, but they also discover that their connection will never be easily broken. Winner of the 2018 Costa Prize for Best New Novel, Normal People is a novel you need to read immediately. Nothing is sugar coated, everything is laid bare for the reader. No bump or lump of life’s obstacles or issues is left out, which is what makes this novel so relatable to everyday normal people. 4.5 out of 4 stars.

Normal People shows us the trepidations and heartbreak that change can bring; but also, the benefits and opportunities it allows us to experience as well. Everyone has a past, and that’s exactly why we end up in the places that we’re meant to. As Connell and Marianne find out, at times it seems like everything in the world

ARTIST FEATURE: GEMMA THORNE Interview by Imogen Hindson

When and how did you become involved in poetry? I find it interesting that I hated studying poetry in high school. I'm dyslexic and it was very disciplined, while free verse wasn't taught. I had this innate talent for writing songs as a young child. Growing up with Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen (musicians who were also poets) influenced me to write the way I spoke and express emotions from an early age. My lifeâ€™s journey was interrupted by grief and mental illness. Stagnation created a reflection that manifested in creation; my poetry evolved through the knowledge that forced pause gifted me. When I was eighteen my father passed suddenly from a heart attack and as a result I have spent time focusing on my mental health while creating poetry of a journey interrupted. When I was going through an abusive relationship, after being cheated on and hurt, my text replies started turning into poetry. 6 months later I started writing my first real poem, 'Save Yourself' after a fight with my mother. I was feeling betrayed and abandoned by those closest to me

and I realised that I needed to be my own strength. In that moment I blossomed. I wrote this poem as though under a trance. I stumbled across an Open Mic (Draw Your (S)words) in my Facebook suggestions and was elated. I now perform regularly and had a feature artist performance this Fringe at Bibliotheca, though I must admit the spoken word community is hard to break into. One person in particular, Charlie Brooks, has been a wonderful mentor to me in this community and I am grateful to him for his encouragement. 2. If you could describe your work, how would you? Honest Raw Relatable Emotional The darkest most honest parts of myself. They are my weapon against the people that have hurt and wronged me. With a flicker of my tongue I speak a truth that terrifies and disarms them. I present a series of autobiographical poems written as

These are the omens I live by I recite them like prayers when I need them In my darkest times they come to me And now I send them to those I love When storm too become them In the desolate we found salvation You are now someone I love Use these when you need them

Moss You know those moments In the shadows In the seconds between those moments I think I live there You know moss grows where the sun doesn’t reach Slowly forming before anyone can notice In those seconds where I live where nobody’s looking That’s when it moves it bends in stretches A little taller than it was before Even the saddest most broken parts of this world know how to move forward So I don’t know why I don’t How my life got stuck in this Groundhog Day Even my dreams are stuck on repeat How I got stuck in a washing machine of emotion of anxiety You see the second you stop moving forward in life Every little thing falls out of place The carefully curated ecosystem falls from the forest Now let’s go back to those moments Those moments where I have lived since my father died In those long deep carvings In those drunken hazes that loom above me like tall willow trees And poor decisions In those empty passionless indiscretions And yes I may find myself But I forget the most beautiful thing about moss is that it grows so slowly when no one’s looking And then it’s there And then it’s all anyone can see My father always said I was a slowly blossoming flower And I guess He always knew more than me. These are the final ones...

The Sand Ate the Sea I am a young girl And fragments of me are left when a gasp of air feels my lungs And I feel myself slip away from this moment Frozen in time When this costume This human creation Is nothing but cells dressed up for damnation. And fabrication for your own dissatisfaction I am a young girl But I am a woman. I am a product of my parents I am DNA I am damned. I am promised. I am skin cells. I am the matter that makes up this world. And I ask us all to step back To peel our consciousness away from our creation. To be matter in the vastness of the universe once again To be more than the shell that holds us here. For the designer is imagined and yet unknown. And I think I live In these moments when we become plastic peeling from windows. Drowned in rain. When we become products of the sun and the stars Instead of wanderers trapped inside our minds. For I am a woman. But I am the stars. And maybe that’s all we are. I think about my father and where he is now. I saw one night that a heart and breath can stop in a moment. Yet I don’t know when the soul flicked out of the arteries and lived among his tongue. Darling I can’t tell you when he closed his eyes. Or what he saw when he did. I have learnt we are flesh and we are blood but we are dancers, We laugh and love And my reader I have learnt that all that soul has to go somewhere. For I am a woman For you are a person. But we are all consciousness We are all streams of dreams trapped in a bubble And we are matter So my father. He is the stars. I am the stars. And he is still here And as I fall in and out of the societal constraints in which my head is meant to live I learn In the moments that my heart slows. The moments between beats that I am with the lost I am with my father And that is where we all unite. For we are nothing but the darkest most lost parts of ourselves And we are all trying to hide our demons. We are all every creation and perception of this world I am just one woman but I am my father. If we just take a moment to unravel And step back.

interior monologues. While it has been suggested that my work is in danger of appearing as diary prose, I hold no shame in presenting gritty, real reflections of my life. Emerging from diary reflections, the work has been carefully crafted, transforming raw and honest emotion, to which readers can relate, into art transformed by imagination. These poems reflect the unravelling and rethreading of my thoughts and the constant challenges to seek less cliched, abstract ways of describing emotion. I am interested in writing fiction. However, writing poetry, reflecting true experience, is my current focus. The story of grief and living through trauma is one in which many can relate.

is an important part of my life. It's also a gift I give to those around me. In the future I wish to study psychology and offer the gift of poetry to help people better understand their experiences. I often do this for friends... Not when they ask but when I feel they need them. 4. What poem are you particularly proud of? Why?

This work is a real portrayal of living with grief and mental illness. I strongly preach that depression and anxiety have become accepted by society, but more obscure and unspoken illnesses such as panic disorder, PTSD and agoraphobia are seen with an intense stigma and considered ‘crazy’. We need to break the barriers in conversations about ALL mental illness, not just those that taste palatable. I choose to see myself as a voice of this. I strive to always offer a voice of truth.

Moss is the poem I feel as though my father would be most proud of. It’s so honest and yet not pessimistic as my mind so often longs to be. It’s about forgiving yourself. It’s about really letting yourself feel pain and not being afraid of it. I realised I was so afraid of being sad as I thought I would crumble; so fearful I wasn't acknowledging or embracing my emotions at all. This poem is hopeful. It highlights my pain, yet doesn't antagonise it. We should all sit in the misery sometimes and know that in it we are safe.

I'm proud of many poems as they represent different aspects of my experience. Save Yourself is the catalyst of my poetry journey. It makes me and those who read it feel strong and independent.

3. What does poetry mean to you? I see my poetry as a weapon, a protector and my inner soul, my consciousness speaking to me. It's a way of understanding how I feel. It's also a release. When I was raped last year by a close friend, my entire friendship group abandoned me. I wrote a poem published in On Dit’s women’s edition, Elle Dit, titled 'a few good men.’ When it was published, while my rapist may never read it, nor the people who supported him, I felt liberated from oppression and finally free to express the rage that all sexual assault survivors should. Studying a Creative Writing degree at Adelaide University and currently writing a book that I soon hope to publish, writing

Save Yourself

Hold yourself together. Wrap silk ribbon round your chest to keep your insides from falling out. Watch them dye with black ink. Now wrap the dark crusted ribbon round your wrists and your raise hands above your head. Get used to the discomfort. Make this grotesque pose a symbol of strength. Strive. Grow. Now crush the now black rotten ribbon between soft delicate fingers. Feel them callous and harden as it fades to ash. Wipe it around your shoulders. Let it become a skin over your skin. The feeling you felt when they held you. Hold yourself. For this is how you save yourself. Reach into your chest at the mud At the dark at the slime And don't stop squeezing until the aching stops. Watch it burst. Remember no one else exists to save you. And finally let go. Let it harden. Let it be. Let yourself harden. Let it pour out because you are not meant to be filled with such toxicity. They may be your brother, your mother, your best friend, your partner and you think this means they owe you something. Maybe they do. But How one should act and how one can is not within your control. Not your burden to bare. Listen So save yourself.

I want to pull my tongue out from its rooted home and wrap it around my neck when I try and speak poetry Of when my mother washed away every piece of clothing that smelt like him Because no human organ can give justice to that feeling. Or the moment my remaining family piled in the car and I realised this was all I had left. And it didn’t feel like a family But two people Who meant something to me. No longer a security. And people did not blink when I broke down on his birthday in a club with too much liquor trying to drown out his voice. And that’s simply how it is you see. But that doesn’t hurt as much as the fact I couldn’t tell you what he sounded like. See the thing people don’t tell you about grief is that you forget them And people around you forget. No one asks how you are after one month A year on I realised I couldn’t put grief on a form explaining why I couldn’t move, physically, for months. Because it wasn’t allowed to be my tragedy. People look hollow when I mention his name. Maybe my voice turns grey. Maybe I’m tired of writing poetry that could ever possibly describe this feeling with no one listening. You all stopped instantly

WORDS BY IMOGEN HINDSON

BEC STEVENS When: May 3 Where: Jive

HELLIONS When: May 3 Where: The Gov MILAN RING When: May 4 Where: Rocket Bar & Rooftop

BABE RAINBOW When: May 11 Where: Lion Arts Factory WING DEFENCE When: May 18 Where: Exeter Beer Garden BROODS When: May 22 Where: Thebarton Theatre

PEMBERTON, SODA & TEENAGE JOANS

CERES

When: May 8

When: May 31 Where: Crown and Anchor

Where: Crown and Anchor

WORDS / IMOGEN HINDSON

1ST BASE: CRUSHES AND SMOOCHES

I Love You So The Walters

Toothpaste Kisses The Maccabees

You and Me Penny & The Quarters

2ND BASE: PLAYING IT COOL

Always Like This Bombay Bicycle Club

Mystery Girl Housecall

06 Goodie Bag Still Woozy

Them Changes Thundercat

Movie Tom Misch

Crystalised The XX

YOUR MONTHLY MIX

3RD BASE: HIGH TENSION

4TH BASE: FULL ON GOOD TIMES

You Sexy Thing Hot Chocolate

Careles Whisper George Michael

Sexy M.F. Prince

Smooth Operator Sade

Hello Lionel Richie

I Can’t Go For That Daryl Hall & John Oates

Drunk in Love Beyonce, Jay Z

I Like It Cardi B, Bad Bunny, J Balvin

Nelly Furtado LOSER

MO’S AND BUSH

FILTHY BEATS

blue.

Words by Olivia De Zilva Illustration by Emily Savage

when you talk it’s like a Father John Misty Song i love you, honeybear. you’re created from atoms and skin and blood and bone but sometimes you look like Neptune in the moonlight conquering the sea of our sheets / limbs all akimbo your hand hidden under a pillow feet stretched beyond the mattress fighting a battle in your dreams mumbling to yourself as saliva spills onto your chin like the sea foams if you had a Wikipedia page i’d put myself in your personal life click edit so you wouldn’t leave me like Joni Mitchell said I’d drink a case of you darling and i’d still be on my feet. let your atoms soak through my blood stream till they explode into my own a fever stuck in bed all day humming a tuneless song till we fall asleep kiss me on the cheek and say goodnight I’m still dizzy from you when i wake up

The Jewels From “Les Fleurs du mal” (1857) by Charles Baudelaire Translation by Darryl Do My beloved was naked, and, knowing my heart’s desire, She wore only her jewels, which tinkled and chimed, And whose opulence conveyed of her the grace of a conqueror, Of Moorish slaves during their halcyon days.

When the jewels dance, they make a lively and provocative din, This dazzling world of Stone and Metal Delights me to the point of ecstasy, and I lust after the madness of it, This intermingling of Sound and Light.

She had then lain down, flinging herself into love’s frenzy, And from atop the divan she smiled in pleasure At my love for her which was as deep and gentle as the sea That rose, as a tide to a cliff, to meet its lover.

Her eyes gazing into mine, like a tamed tiger, She made numerous poses, dream-like and fantastical, And her candour married with her ardour Lent a novel charm to her metamorphoses;

And her arms and her legs, and her thighs and her loins, Burnished like oil, undulate like a swan, Came alive before my eyes, sweet and serene; And her belly and her breasts, these grapes of my vine.

She advanced, more lecherous than a Fallen Angel, To disturb the calm that was the State of my Soul, And to crack the great cliffs of crystal On which, still and solitary, she had been enthroned.

I thought she presented an unorthodox picture of the unity Of the haunch of Antiope and the bosom of a boy, Which gave prominence to the ampleness of her hips. How magnificent these embellishments on her brown and tawny complexion!

—And the lamp, itself resigned to death, And the lonely fireplace, giving life to the room, Whose flame, each time it breathed its scintillating sigh, Drenched her amber-toned skin in blood.

sermons on sex Emma Violet

I wonder why it seems the greatest gift I can give is that of myself wrapped unopened pink bow on top now I have been undone wrapping paper around my feet of my own volition was I not still bought for the same price? somehow sermons of wrigleyâ€™s gum chewed crushed spat out settle on my psyche like spittle will nobody love me second-hand?

The signs in the bedroom Words by Olivia De Zilva

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

As you’re a fire sign, Aries, you like things to get a little spicy in the bedroom. Your need for control and domination propels you to pleasure and you prefer to be facing upwards rather than downwards when you are getting to that special place.

Unlike your fiery siblings in Aries, you are more grounded, Taurus, being closer and more in tune with the earth. With this in mind, you like your love making to be more primal and closer to what would’ve been practiced by Neanderthals and early humans.

You prefer both your personalities to be present while you’re making love, Gemini. Threesomes allow you to explore creatively and find different parts of the body that attract you. You’re more balanced when there’s more people involved because it means they can hear your witty pillow talk.

The Magic Bullet

CANCER

Doggy Style

LEO

Threesome

VIRGO

‘69’

Bondage

Finger action

Much like the shape of your sign, you fall into a full circle when it comes to sex. You like to reciprocate what your partner gives to you, so you allow yourself to do work at the same time.

Like Aries, you are a fiery one in the bedroom and you like to use that fire to stay in dominate. After getting consent from your partner, you like to use all sorts of fun whips and chains to explore your pulsating urges to control and be the loudest in the room.

Your quiet, demure nature allows you to speak more with your hands than your words. You prefer to touch and feel to make your partner comfortable before anything too hot and heavy starts to happen.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

You prefer the safer side of sex rather than to go through all that messy business. Your sex life revolves more around the balance of each partner and how they’re feeling. Sex is a scientific practice, you, Libra, believe sex can be anything – a connection of souls, a simple look or caress.

As the most sexual of all the signs, you like your sex to be loud and proud for everyone to see. Engaging in dogging (public sex) allows you to feel the thrills of being caught in steamy passions. Some parts of you don’t want to be seen, Scorpio, but most parts of you really do.

Your sweet lips are perfect for singing and talking. In the bedroom, you like to use them for something more substantial.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

You’re too busy worrying about making your next fortune on bitcoin than to be thinking about your role in the bedroom.

Like your Sagittarius siblings, you prefer to use your mouth over anything else. Kissing brings you closer together to your partner, so you use it to connect and feel every part of them. It’s a slow build-up for sure, but it’s worth the wait in the end.

You’re done with it all, Pisces. After sex, you can’t help but watch romcoms and cry into a tub of ice cream because your partner has answered a text which wasn’t from you.

Spooning

Abstinence

Dogging

Make-out

Oral

Crying

APR IL

58 'Girls' by Lily Pook-Ryan

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