Empire Times 43.7

EMPIRE TIMES YOUR

STUDENT MAG

SEX

43.7

Warning: explicit content inside

- Editorial -

With seven issues down and only three left to go, this year is advancing at a terrifying rate. By the time you are reading this, we’ll be deep in issue eight and still more time will have marched away from us.

2016 has been like a series finale written by people terrified their show will not be renewed. It’s had everything. Good and bad.

In retrospect, it seems apt we chose ‘Changes’ as the theme of issue one, as this year has offered plenty of the bastards – changes, I mean. Maybe ‘Millionaires’ would have been a more productive first theme. Anyway, here we are, all the way through to the Sex Issue. It’s a mainstay of the magazine and if I recall correctly, the first theme we knew 2016 would have.

Have a look through and enjoy this coffeepowered magazine. The coffee tower in the ET office is testament to the possibly dangerous quantities of coffee consumed to get this magazine out there. The tower is even emblematic of 2016: it’s precarious, it smells of coffee, and it keeps falling over… actually I’ve forgotten where I was going with that.

These days it can take a while for young women to reach a sex positive, comfortable, confident place amongst all of the damaging mixed messages that society teaches us. Women are simultaneously supposed to be pure and dirty - as a fabulous Sex and The City episode described, it’s the Madonna/Whore complex. Women are judged and laughed at for being “prudes”, and we’re shamed for being “sluts”; there is no middle ground, and it’s a lose/lose.

Women are told so much these days that we shouldn’t be self conscious, that we should accept and embrace the way we look, and not let unrealistic portrayals of women and body image get to us. Yet, when women are confident, and love the way we look, we’re shamed for being up ourselves. We’re meant to be smack bang in the middle; modest, demure, and “ladylike”. One Direction taught us that the most beautiful woman is the one who doesn’t know or think she’s beautiful and needs to be convinced that she actually is.

On a completely different note, all you Pokemon Go-ers, I hear if you carry an ET around, you’re much more likely to encounter a Mew. Just a rumour I’ve heard.

Well, I call bullshit on all of those norms and ideals. If women want to take selfies, whether all dressed up, in lingerie, or nude, made up or bare faced, I applaud that. If women love their bodies the way they are, and see themselves as cute, beautiful, and sexy, and not as a body that constantly needs improvement, I applaud that. If women want to buy sex toys, and have sex, maybe with lots of people, maybe with men, women, or people who fit neither category, or both, I applaud that. If women already know and believe they’re beautiful, I applaud and love that. If selfies and sex aren’t your thang, and you’re not particularly confident and in love with your body, but you’re still getting by, I applaud that too. I applaud consent, safe sex and exploration, and sex issues of student magazines, encouraging open discussions!

Liam

Eleanor XXX

Having gone so far through the year, this has been an incredible rollercoaster. I know in the future I’ll look back on this as a deeply important year as the work of ET has been invigorating, and personal life has been… interesting. At the end of the day, I guess that counts for something: being aware of the importance of the days in which you live – however important it is to keep it in the perspective of tomorrow and all the days you would love to revive.

LIAM’S TOP PICKS p. 10 p. 29 p. 34 p. 43

Make Auspol sexy again SAMESH Interview Monogamy or Monotony?

Dr. Strangelove

( . ) ( . )

#freethenipple

ELEANOR’S TOP PICKS p. 26 p. 30 p. 39 p. 47

Pocketchage Pantry Culture of Condemnation Risen Level Up: The Sims and sexuality

I’m sure it’s no surprise to you, given the content of this issue, that we ed.s are pretty sex-positive. As long as it’s safe and consensual, I’m all for your right to have sexy times however you’d like.

The complicating factor for me, however, has been that for most of my young adulthood I’ve been watching from the bench.

I’ve not participated for a variety of reasons, none of which I feel the need to explain. Nonetheless, I’ve felt like a bit of a fraud.

Uni is meant to be the time when we’re running around like crazed hornbags, getting laid whenever and wherever we can, right? For a lot of us, we’re not getting laid as much as we’d like or as much as we feel like we’re supposed to or it all feels a bit awkward or we just can’t be bothered.

I’ve come to realise that being sex-positive means supporting the choice not to have sex as well. Because in a culture as sexsaturated as ours, the prospect of bonking on like they do in porn/GoT/magazines/ reality TV can seem a bit overwhelming to say the least. It’s okay to spend some time on the bench if you want.

It also means critiquing the society in which you live and the ways in which it constructs ideas about the interrelations of sex, gender and identity. ET has opened my eyes to the diversity around me that pushes back against narrow definitions of what sex and gender can and should be, and it’s helped me understand that being sex-positive starts with knowing and affirming my own sexuality.

I hope that however you feel about sex, you find something in this issue for you, as I have.

Lauren xx

LAUREN’S TOP PICKS p. 16 p. 20 p. 30 p. 44

Ask JT Right up our Laneway Culture of Condemnation Sex and the City

11

OH HELLO there.

Vol 43 Issue 7 EDITORS

Liam McNally Eleanor Danenberg Lauren Reid

SUB-EDITORS Anupol Bordoloi Kayla Gaskell Brenton Griffin Jess Miller Marithe Solis Leeza von Alpen

COLUMNISTS

Aden Beaver Rhianna Carr Ashley Curtis Jordon T. Early Richard Falkner Brenton Griffin Kelly Guthberlet Emma Hough Hobbs Jess Miller Karen Smart Elle Void Amber, the Devil’s Advocate

ILLUSTRATORS Rhianna Carr Kahli Griffin Benjamin Hall Emma Hough Hobbs Andi-Claire Pegler

CONTRIBUTORS Christine Bennetts Georgia Brass Eleanor Danenberg Marina Deller-Evans Cerie Glenie Grace Hill Amy Hueppauff Alfred Lowe Liam McNally Caleb Pattinson Andi-Claire Pegler Lauren Reid Amanda Sloan Ashley Sutherland Kathryn Venning

FRONT COVER

Kahli Griffin

INNER FRONT COVER Kahli Griffin

INNER BACK COVER

Emma Hough Hobbs

BACK COVER Kahli Griffin

SEX

Empire Times is the student publication of Flinders University. All work within remains the property of the producers and may not be reproduced without their consent. Empire Times reserves the right to republish in any format.

Empire Times would like to acknowledge the Kaurna people who are the traditional custodians of the land Flinders University is situated on, and that this land was never ceded, but stolen. We would like to pay our respects to the elders of the Kaurna nation and extend that respect to other Aboriginal peoples, past, present, and future.

‘The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the editors, Flinders University, or Flinders University Student Association. Reasonable care is taken to ensure that Empire Times articles and other information are up-to-date and as accurate as possible, as of the time of publication, but no responsibility can be taken by Empire Times Magazine for any errors or omissions contained herein.’

Advertising: stephanie.walker@flinders.edu.au

WITH THANKS TO Babes Rihanna Carr, Andi-Claire Pegler, and Kahli Griffin for sharing their first time (contributing artwork) with us. We hope it was as good for you as it was for us.

Brenton Griffin and Genevieve Danenberg for their first times reviewing films for our website, for films such as Demolition, Sing Street, and A Hologram for the King (can Tom Hanks do any wrong???) Don’t forget we post exclusive content on our website (see below) in between issues so you can get your ET fix.

Contact us: empire.times@flinders.edu.au www.empiretimes.com.au @empiretimesmag @empiretimesmag /empiretimesmag Empire Times Contributors

contents.

COLUMNS 6 A MESSAGE FROM YOUR SC PRESIDENT 7 INTERVIEW: INDIGENOUS OFFICER & POSTGRADUATE OFFICER

FEATURES 8 ABORTION 14 STAFF PROFILE 15 STUDENT EXPERIENCE SURVEY - WIN PRIZES!

POETRY & PHOTOGRAPHY 39 RISEN

CULTURE CORNER

10 MAKE AUSPOL SEXY AGAIN

20 FLINDERS UNIVERSITY TALENT: LANEWAY ARTISTS

11 TALK DIRTY TO ME

24 VOX POP: STUDENT VOICES

43 DR. STRANGELOVE

12 FUCKING TRANS WOMEN

26 VEGAN HEAVEN

44 SEX AND THE CITY

16 SEX ADVICE THAT YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE

28 INTERVIEW: SAMESH

17 PORN VS. REAL LIFE 18 FLINDERS UNIVERSITY QUEER SOCIETY

30 CULTURE OF CONDEMDATION 32 ALUMNI: SEXOLOGIST IN TRAINING 34 MONOGAMY OR MONOTONY? 36 THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT 38 ASEXUALITY

42 OUTLANDER

46 KIZNAVIER 47 THE SIMS AND SEXUALITY 48 MUSIC ABOUT LOVE & SEX

FUN STUFF 40 CROSSWORD 41 COLOURING PAGE FULL OF NIPPLES

What were the editors eating / watching / listening to while they were working on this issue?

Nothing says O’Week like free food, and nothing says sleep-deprived editor like making multiple trips to the free cinnamon doughnut stall each day to get your fill of that sweet carby goodness. *cough*LAUREN*cough*

Netflix and chill, anyone? Whilst putting together Issue 7, Liam has been unwinding with ep.s of BoJack Horseman. The rest of us are very confused by his quotes and references.

Eleanor listened to a lot of Marvin Gaye, aka the King of soul-infused sexy beats, during the production of the Sex issue. Let’s Get it On, Sexual Healing, I Heard it Through the Grapevine...need we say more? All hail the King.

Contents page artwork: Kahli Griffin

33

Sextember Calendar Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

29

30

31

1

Week 6

RELAX, Medicine Library

5

Week 7

Week 8

RELAX, Plaza, with full band

Philosophy Club Meeting 4pm

RELAX, Sturt Library

On this day in 1893, New Zealand became the first country to grant women the right to vote.

On this day in 1533, Queen Elizabeth I was born.

FLICS screening: Trainwreck, NTH 2, 5pm On this day in 1982, Grace Kelly died in a car accident

20

21

27

28

On this day in 1973, female tennis player and women's rights activist, Billie Jean King, defeated retired male tennis champion Bobby Riggs in three straight sets.

On this day in 1960, the first-ever televised presidential debate occurred between candidates John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon.

FLICS screening: Amelie, NTH 2, 5pm

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13

26

Mid-semester break

7

12

19

Mid-semester break

6

On this day in 1972, 11 members of the Israeli Olympic Team were killed during an attack on the Olympic Village in Munich by members of the Palestinian Liberation Army.

Friday 2

Flinders University Associations Collective Pub Crawl

8

On this day in 1974, Richard Nixon was granted a full pardon

by US President Gerald R. Ford for all offenses committed while in office (aka, Watergate scandal)

9 On this day in September 1976, longtime leader of Communist China, Chairman Mao Zedong, died.

15

16

On this day in 1890, iconic mystery writer, Agatha Christie, was born in England.

Saturday 17th FESA Education Ball

22

23

On this day in 1996, Australian Bob Dent, a cancer patient, became the first person to commit legally assisted suicide, under a voluntary euthanasia law.

29 On this day in 1941, Nazis killed 33,771 Jews during the Babi Yar massacre near Kiev.

30

On this day in 1924, American writer Truman Capote was born, best known for the classics, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and In Cold Blood.

SEXUAL HEALTH TESTING ON CAMPUS FOR STUDENTS: WHAT? The friendly staff at Health & Counselling can do sexual health tests via a blood test, urine sample, pap smear, or a swab, to test for a variety of STIs and STDs.

WHERE? Health and Counselling is located between Carpark 1 and the Hub, in the same building as Yunggorendi Mande.

WHO? An appointment is necessary to see a GP, but the Nurses accept walk ins. There are both male and female doctors on staff.

WHEN? Health & Counselling is open from 9:00am-3:45pm Monday to Friday.

HOW? Bulkbilling (aka, no out of pocket cost!) is available for domestic students with Medicare, and for international students with BUPA or OSHC Worldcare.

Artwork: Andi-Claire Pegler

Sexts 2 s r o t i d E e th Hey Editors, I am a wee bit concerned about this issue about... intercourse. Since when did you become peddlers of smut? Hope you come to your senses and choose more appropriate topics next time. xoxo Your Great Aunt Verna Dear Great Aunt Verna, We respectfully disagree. There is nothing wrong with having open and respectful discussions around sex and sexuality. Sex is not inappropriate, and people should not be shamed for being sexual if they choose to. Open your mind, Verna!

Your favourite great nieces and nephew, the smut peddlers, - Eleanor, Lauren, and Liam

So, what are you wearing? ; ) ; ) ;) ;D :p The same shirt I’ve worn for the last 4 days in a row. It has coffee stains on it.

Does that turn you on?

Artwork: Kahli Griffin

Unwanted dick pics GTFO. Thx. L.E.L.

55

- President’s Report -

FUSA Student President Patto’s Perspective

Caleb Pattinson Time at university can be stigmatised into years of sexual exploration and activity. This is concerning, even more so when students are forced into sex work to get themselves out of poverty.

This is incredibly concerning, but sadly not surprising. We all know the level of poverty students currently face. Many students get into sex work to not only cover the basic living costs but also to reduce levels of debt. It’s also not confined to either gender, with men having a slightly higher percentage of admitting they have worked in the field at some stage.

This problem is not confined to Australia, with international headlines highlighting the practises of the industry. It ties into a broader picture of how university students receive minimal support from governments and university management to cover only basic cost of living pressures. Surveys have shown that 1 in 5 students are sacrificing food on the table to afford the added costs of a university degree – manual handling expenses, parking permits and textbooks to name a few. This has seen students resort to the extremes only to end up with a quality of life that is far below the standard.

Another concerning conversation around sex at universities is the level of assault on campuses. Two activists took matters into their own hands and took the fight to university administrations.

This led to the production of the documentary film, The Hunting Ground, a deeply disturbing exploration into personal stories around American colleges. We have now seen colleges around America come under intense scrutiny after failing to act on reported sexual assaults. Fortunately this has had a positive international effect, with the National Union of Students in Australia, amongst other organisations, leading the charge to promote awareness of assault on Australian campuses.

Flinders University will be screening The Hunting Ground in semester two as part of the movement to promote safer

university campuses. A national survey conducted last year highlighted that the problem of assault was not unique to America. There is extensive work that needs to be done in Australia in order to continue to highlight and fight against this injustice. Fundamentally, it requires a grassroots movement and a shift in the culture around the country. This is done by having thousands of conversations with students in every university classroom and indeed in the broader workforce.

The issues around sex and how it is exploited at Australian universities are entrenched in student culture. Assaults on campus affect those who are already oppressed by society. It impacts women, LGBTI and international students more so than other groups. Some of the problems for men who have been sexually assaulted are the stigmas attached, feelings that their masculinity has been compromised and fear to come forward. These are problems in themselves and should not be ignored.

All these issues are depressingly highlighted in The Hunting Ground and are likely to surface in Australia as part of a national survey being conducted through semester two. FUSA will of course be at the forefront of the movement and advocating that senior university management take steps towards a safer campus.

Everything from sexual exploration to sexual assault on university campuses can have a long-lasting impact on the quality of a person’s life. As an association, as a university, as individuals – we all need to be doing more to promote a safe, equal campus where everybody feels welcome and included.

I am open for all students to contact me: E: student.president@flinders.edu.au P: 8201 3621 F: www.facebook.com/PresidentPattinson

- Student Council Interviews -

indigenous officer

postgraduate officer

Alfred Lowe

Christine Bennetts

Why did you run for your position on Student Council?

During my first year at Flinders I had many conversations with other Indigenous students around life and study at Flinders. It didn’t take long to realise that there is an overlooked culture of racism within the university, not just for Indigenous students but for all people of colour. After looking through these issues I decided that I could help by providing an active voice for Indigenous students not just on council but in the broader university community.

What do you want to achieve this year with your position on SC? I could probably hold the position for 5 years and still not get everything I want to achieve done, but for this year my main goals are to: • •

•

Introduce more compulsory Indigenous centred topics, especially for students who will be entering a workforce that directly interacts with the indigenous community.

Advocate for more support aimed at continuing Indigenous students. A lot of the time we put all of the attention on recruitment and first years while the current students fall through the cracks.

Provide a voice and standing in solidarity with other First Nations and People of Colour. Together we can fight for equality in all aspects of society.

Tell us what you’re organising or contributing to right now, in the capacity of your position...

At the moment I’m solely focused on organising NAIDOC celebrations at Flinders. The main thing to look out for is our Community Day on the 17th of August. Come over to the Hub between 11am – 2pm for some entertainment and free food.

Why did you run for your position on Student Council?

I decided to run because I was interested in becoming more involved in FUSA and the university culture. I had been the President and held other positions on the HIRSA (History and International Relations Student Association) executive and I was wanting to challenge myself further by representing a larger group of students on campus.

What do you want to achieve this year with your position on SC? Creating a culture for postgrads on campus. There are these organic satellite communities within schools and faculties, but I’d like a University wide network to connect them all.

Tell us what you’re organising or contributing to right now, in the capacity of your position...

The main thing I am doing right now is the ground work for creating a Postgraduate Student Association within FUSA. We had the Postgraduate Forum in June and the next step is the first meeting for the interim committee, a group of students across different postgraduate degrees and faculties to work out the nuts and bolts of the Podtgraduate Student Association.

Christine can be contacted at postgraduate. officer@flinders.edu.au or you can like the FUSA Postgraduate Collective on Facebook for more updates.

Alfred can be contacted at indigenous.officer@ flinders.edu.au or you can like the FUSA First Nations Collective on Facebook for more updates.

7

- Student Politics -

POLITICAL

What are your party’s The Greens

LABOR LEFT

It is a woman’s right to choose what she does with her body.

This theory extends to abortion, a service that the Greens perceive to be an essential option. Unplanned pregnancies can be difficult for some women as they endeavor to decide what is best for themselves and their families. For others, current circumstances can make the decision easy. Many women do not believe themselves to be in the position to raise a child. For these reasons, it is important to provide safe, legal, accessible, and affordable abortion services.

Currently in Australia the law regarding abortion varies state by state, and all states (with the exceptions of Victoria, the ACT, and, more recently, Tasmania) regard unlawful abortion as a crime.

Abortion is available to women in all states but some are more accessible than others, the least accessible being the Northern Territory. Many professionals and individuals believe abortion laws need to become consistent throughout the entire country.

Unfortunately, abortion in our country can be very costly depending on which state it is being accessed in and how many weeks along the woman is.

The Greens believe that we should invest in affordable, universal healthcare. Unfortunately, current access to sexual and reproductive health services can be inadequate. Abortion services can be expensive and difficult for rural or low-income women to access. The Greens wish to invest $15 million over four years to improve this access, meanwhile cutting out-ofpocket costs for procedures through a review of the Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) so as to assure that rebates adequately cover the true cost of a termination. A task force on abortion and contraception would be given $2 million in funding per-annum to work toward clearing the roadblocks to providing terminations in public hospitals.

The Greens support the decriminalisation of abortion under State law in New South Wales and Queensland, as well as the removal of criminal provisions in South Australia and Western Australia. In addition, we support “truth in advertising” laws for pregnancy counseling services, which aim to support women to make their own decision without anti-choice bias, deception, or judgement.

Ashley Sutherland Flinders University Greens Club facebook.com/flindersunigreens

At present the Australian Labor Party does not have an official stance on abortion other than it allows its members to vote by conscience. However, after abortion has been legalised in states, the ALP has regularly been a strong advocate. Many individual members of the ALP have also long supported abortion to be legal and more accessible, so as to protect the safety of those who choose to have them. The ALP is also pro-exclusion / buffering zones of protesters to ensure the safety and anonymity of women seeking abortions. Strong ALP advocates include Michelle O’Byrne, who put Tasmania’s 2013 bill to parliament to decriminalise abortion in Tasmania, and Penny Sharpe, who has recently put forth a bill in the New South Wales parliament to introduce 150-metre protester buffer zones around clinics offering abortion.

Labor Left at Flinders strongly supports and advocates for an individual’s right to choose. We believe that women, and all individuals, ought to have the right to autonomy over their bodies and that abortion should be safe, accessible, and affordable for all.

Amy Sonia Hueppauff Flinders University Labor Club facebook.com/FlindersUniLaborClub

- Student Politics -

PLAYGROUND Views on abortion?

SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE

LABOR RIGHT The journey towards women’s control over their bodies has been a long fight, and a significant part of that fight has been the right to have an abortion. In Australia we are fortunate enough to be able to seek medical help and not be penalised by law for our choice to terminate a pregnancy. In South Australia, abortion up to 22 weeks from conception, is legal when necessary to protect the life, or the physical or mental health of the woman, if the pregnancy isn’t viable, or if the pregnancy is a result of rape. The abortion must be approved by two physicians and be conducted in a hospital.

Labor parliamentarians are allowed to exercise a conscience vote on abortion. Abortion is a policy area which is incredibly tough for many people to make a decision on and allowing a conscience vote ensures nobody is forced to vote against their deepest held beliefs. Labor’s policy supports the rights of women to make decisions regarding reproductive health, particularly the right to choose appropriate fertility control and termination, and ensure these choices are made on the basis of sound psychological and medical advice.

As a young feminist, I strongly support Labor’s policy and a woman’s right to make informed decision about her own body.

The pro-choice movement seeks to gives women control over our own bodies, and recognises that you cannot attribute personhood to an embryo. This is particularly important to working class women with limited incomes, victims of rape, or for women who might suffer psychological or medical consequences from carrying out a pregnancy full term.

Having the choice to terminate an unplanned or unviable pregnancy is a large part of the fight for women’s control over their bodies. This fight must be supported by progressive Australians willing to have this conversation, and Labor will ensure that a woman’s right to choose is protected in modern Australia. Women’s rights, now and forever.

No one can rightly claim to support women’s rights without supporting free abortion on demand for all women, at all stages of pregnancy. Anything less than this is sexism.

It’s the most basic principle of bodily autonomy – do you think a woman always has the right to determine what happens to her body? Or do you think there comes a point at which a state, a church, or anyone else has more right to a woman’s body than she does? We believe that women have a right to bodily autonomy; therefore our club’s position is that a woman should have a right to an abortion anytime, from conception through to childbirth.

Socialists don’t just demand that abortion must be legal at any stage in any circumstance – we demand that abortion must also be 100% free. What good does it do for a working class woman if abortion is legal, but beyond her financial means? To be for women’s rights is also to be for universal healthcare – being for legalised abortion, but not for universal health care, is to say that rich women have more right to their bodies than poor women.

Historically it’s been revolutionaries leading the way in this fight – the Russian revolution saw abortion legalised in 1920!

We still live with appalling restrictions on a woman’s right to her own body. In South Australia, abortion still has not been completely decriminalised. South Australian law still specifies that a woman may be charged with “unlawful” abortion. Two doctors need to confirm that the pregnancy is detrimental to our health.

As recently as 2009 in Queensland, a woman and her partner were charged with procuring an abortion. Anyone who thinks sexism is dead needs to wake up. We want free abortions, on demand, for any women who want it.

Kathryn Venning

Grace Hill

Flinders Labor Club facebook.com/flinderslabor

Flinders Socialist Alternative Club facebook.com/SocialistAlternativeAdelaide

THE LIBERALS were approached for comment but did not submit

9

9

Make Auspo l sexy again

- Politics -

Let’s face it, most people don’t give two shakes about politics.

As a politics loving man, this is a hard truth to swallow. But it’s completely understandable; Australian politics and politicians do not have a great track record, and after years of political instability and sniping, people have become steeped in apathy.

of corporations in civil governance, which resulted in a passionate and idealistic person being crushed by the system. Ahhhhh Mike Schur, you magnificent wizard, how did you get it so right?

That’s why it is my goal to make Auspol sexy, to make it great again!

1. We could dissolve the major parties, and only have the minor parties go for gold. I mean, Sex Party, Shooters and Fishers Party, and Bob Katter’s Group all attempting to be the top dog; it’d be awful but fascinating.

To be fair, there’s already a fair amount of sexiness in the system already. I mean, politics and sex go together like a sausage in bread, just like the ones you enjoyed on election day.

But, I do have a couple of ideas on how to spice up our politics:

2. Question Time should just be politicians duelling in sumo suits.

My favourite politics moment of the year (so far) was the sacking resignation of Liberal MP Dennis Jensen, who wrote an erotic war novel entitled, The Sky Warriors. To save your minds, eyes, and indeed your sex life from unrepairable damage, I won’t quote directly from the book. Let’s just say that it did not fail to disappoint with poorly written and disturbingly detailed sex scenes. Let it also be known that Mr. Jensen unsuccessfully attempted to publish his book a number of times, before finally just self-publishing earlier this year. And, as you do, he sent in a rundown of The Sky Warriors to the publishers on his federal letterhead. The novel, which is also full of racism, overt sexism, and chockers full of grammatical and literary errors, tells of an apocalyptic future in which Australia goes to war against a coalition of our two biggest neighbours: China and Indonesia.

Predictably and miraculously, Australia wins the war, due to mateship, democracy, and all that true blue Aussie good stuff! It’s really not that much of a thrilling narrative. The only exciting thing is the fact that Jensen LOST HIS JOB AS A POLITICIAN because he decided to give his gift of erotic story-telling to the world, even when we really didn’t want it.

3. Hopeful candidates could first go through the minefield of democratic campaigning, following which they must battle other politicians in It’s A Knock Out! inspired obstacle course. Imagine George Christensen going through one of those. Just imagine.

But there haven’t even been any real sex scandals in Australian politics for a very long time. The closest we’ve got is the tiny blip on the radar that was the alleged affair between our dethroned King Bee Tony Abbot and his Chief of Staff Peta Credlin. Despite the low amount of evidence for this steamy sexscapade, it blew up for a couple of weeks and had everyone speculating about the two, and as quickly as the hullaballoo began, it died down.

But, in all seriousness, I do not know what the solution is to sexifying Australian politics is. As a nation, we are so over this shit that we don’t even care. But we can do it! Just like Donald Trump wants to make America great again, we can endeavour to make Auspol sexy. We can do it. It was once somewhat exciting, and we can get it to that level again. I believe in us. Or, if all else fails, we can ask the ridiculously dreamy Justin Trudeau to annex Australia and become Supreme Leader of Austra-Canada. That’d make Auspol sexy, right?

All I’m saying, is that I want some fire! I want some passion! I want some captivating power plays and cutthroat coups in Australian politics. I want to see the type of politics that is portrayed by Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright in House of Cards. Instead, all I see is the all too-real representation of politics that appears in Parks and Recreation. You know what I’m talking about, when Leslie ran for city council; the bureaucracy and the interference

4. Before any legislation can be passed, the proposing party needs to defeat any who oppose in a naked paintball competition in Parliament house. Why naked, you ask? Because it would hurt way more.

5. We could have all the comedians become politicians and politicians become the comedians. Honestly, we laugh at both, and both say ridiculous things, only we actually like comedians.

Seriously, #WilAndersonforPM, please.

6. We could do a Wife Swap-esque style of shuffling politicians around. Place Adam Bandt and Barnaby Joyce in the others’ electorate, for example. Picture Barnaby in the lefty capital of Australia. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? It would make for some great viewing, that’s for sure.

AUTHOR Brenton Griffin, 22, Bachelor of Arts (History) Brenton finds random gifs of T. Abb. winking at elderly, disgruntled phone sex-workers undeniably intoxicating.

- Devil’s Advocate -

talk dirty to me...

When people talk about “sex”there are so many different meanings. Traditionally it suggests the biological construction of an individual’s sexual organs. Following this, there are many number of societies which infer gender and their norms according to each sex. Not only are there these traditional descriptions of sex, but in more modern society, discussions of sex also include sexual appeal, sexual orientation, one’s sexual desire (which importantly differs from the former), gender fluidity and so on.

However, within media tropes, or within intimate conversations, sex means something different. At parties when the energy starts to dwindle andconversations inevitably turn to sex, they appear to follow a limited theme, and the commodification of sex starts to become apparent.

Conversations turn to how hot this person is, whether you’re getting some - and if so, how much and how good it is. It’s a quick fix for a break-up, a tool for empowerment, a moment of connectivity, or a moment of escape.

Within these conversations, if something is sexually appealing,its worth grows.

If it isn’t appealing, it’s not worth your time unless you have nothing else on your plate. This is problematic as it commodifies sex, which frames it as a kind of capital that someone has or doesn’t have, and in turn shapes the behaviours surrounding this capital.

It creates power structures revolving around sex, gender and sexuality, which are all based on a society’s sanctioned ideals and excluded taboos.

Yet, with all this talk of sex in the media and in conversations, why is talking about “different” types of sex still considered taboo? Why is it that the media uses sex to sell and gain our

interest so often, yet we still feel the need to talk about sex as if it’s uniquely rare? Why don’t we ever get bored of gossiping about who slept with whom, how many people we’ve had sex with and so on?

Considering the endless stream of articles, TV show episodes and movies surrounding sex, it seems we still can’t be sated. Although, it only seems to be about certain specific topics regarding sex that we talk about; there are still taboos when it comes to discussions about sex.

These conversations are shaped by capital and they are highly gendered; women can’t talk about periods, or say vagina in the media lest someone gets grossed out. If women talk about having sex, they’re called a slut. If women talk about not wanting sex, they’re called a prude. However, it’s not just women who are moderated by these taboos.

If men don’t live up to a certain sexual prowess he’s ridiculed by his peers, or considered to be unattractive by women.

If men don’t pursue women and brag about it, they’re considered lame or have their sexuality questioned. For straight men, it seems there is no greater threat to their sense of self as having their sexuality questioned.

Gossiping about people may aim to satisfy some internal hierarchical struggle which alters the social placement of the gossiper as morally superior in relation to the focus individual. While this may seem to have little effect other than the sating of a personal superiority complex, it does have implications for the focus individual and for the construction of societal norms.

Gossiping and shaming individuals for their sexual desires, practices and so on

only reinforces the taboo construction of the action, which may in turn cause individuals to perform these acts under unsafe circumstances in order to hide them from the ridicule of their peers. Not only are their psychological consequences for being seen as deviant by larger society, there are also problematic behaviours associated with sexual taboos.

With all our discussions about sex and the constant saturation of sexual imagery via both traditional and new media, why is it then that anything but heteronormative and conquering sex is never up for discussion?

It’s either something that only freaks or the mentally ill would engage in (BDSM), people who have their erogenous wires crossed and are therefore also freaks (foot fetishes, etc), or a joke (small penis, premature ejaculation, anal sex), or undesirable in the first place (“weird” body shapes - either fat guys, or fetishised fat girls).

All of these sexualities, desires, actions and bodily constructions should be considered normal, yet they aren’t. Why is that? Personally, if it was up to me, y’all should take your weird body issues somewhere else, and just let people be happy doing what and who they like.

But, I suppose if we were all happy and equal there wouldn’t be any positions of social dominance for heterosexual people to lord over everyone else, and the cosmetic industry wouldn’t be selling $30,000 penis extension procedures.

AUTHOR Amber, 23, Bachelor of Behavioural Sciences (Psychology)

Amber finds open dialogue about intimate desires a huge turn on.

11

INTO THE GENDER VOID FUCKING TRANS WOMEN I want it to be clear that sex without consent is sexual assault.

Most people like sex. At its best, it is one of the most pleasurable activities (it’s up there with a good coffee and a book). And at its worst it’s a boring, repetitive activity where you wait for it to be over. I’ve had a lot of sex and it is almost always different. If it’s the same every time, maybe evaluate whether you enjoy it or if you want to make a change. Everyone has different things they like, different things they are good at, and different things they are willing to try. So if you’ve got someone who is good at things you enjoy and who loves what you do, you’re on the right track.

I used Tinder for a time, and the hook-ups from it were not too bad. I’ve made some pretty close friends as well. However, Tinder is not always the best place for a trans woman to be.

I’m completely upfront about being trans, so anyone who had more than a passing glance at my profile would have known this.

And because of this I was subject to questions that can only be described as personal and invasive. One of the most common questions was ‘What’s in your pants?’ or variations upon.

Perhaps waiting until you might actually get into my pants would be better than asking in the first 20 words of our communication.

You usually chat with someone a bit before asking to see their junk, so why would a trans woman be any different?

What’s down my pants isn’t what most people expect to find down a girl’s pants, and of course I’m not going to surprise anyone with it if I don’t really know how they’ll take it – a lot of trans women experience violence, and the gay panic defence is still legal in SA (yeah, I know it’s often not used but it still exists); so obviously for my own safety, of course I’m going to tell you if you’re likely to see what I’ve got. If you’re uncomfortable with that then that’s your business.

Let’s assume a trans woman trusts you enough to tell you she has a dick; that’s a huge step already. Your next question should not be ‘Does it work?’. Not only does this display a fundamental lack of understanding of bodies, it’s also insensitive and again, invasive. The idea that if you don’t have a ‘throbbing hard cock’ and therefore your body doesn’t work, is upsetting and generally a nasty frame of mind to have. Trans women are vastly

different people (like all women are), and we all have different ideas and different bodies. The concept of ‘does it work?’ should be rephrased to ‘is it something that I believe to be taboo and will it get me off?’ because ‘does it work?’ has absolutely polar meanings to different trans women. While there are trans women who are able to get erections, and have penis function in similar ways to their pre-transition dicks, oestrogen can completely change things and make it harder to get or maintain erections (which is generally all the people who ask if it works, want to know). Some trans women will not get erections at all, and some trans women are really happy about this (because you know, some trans women do not want dicks).

Even questions about how trans women have sex are insensitive and ignorant. You might have heard lesbians make jokes about how when men ask how they have sex, it displays their ignorance, and the implication that sex can only be penetration; well questions about how trans women have sex are much the same. Regardless of what my body actually does looks like, I can have sex in any way you can imagine, plus a few ways you’ve probably never considered…

I’m sure many people reading this have watched porn, and I’m fairly sure a large group of you have watched porn that has trans women in it. I understand that it can be really hot, but remember that most porn is filmed for people to wank to, so what is happening on whatever screen you’re watching it on is going to have been filmed and cut together in such a way that you, the consumer, will be able to get off. Many positions in porn are kinda uncomfortable and not exactly the best way to pleasure you or your partner. Those reverse cowgirl couch scenes are purely for the camera, plus it’s often a two hour plus session for that 20 minute video of non-stop action.

When it comes to trans woman, lots of people find it hard to disconnect the fact that a body with a dick is not innately a man’s body. Of course not everyone does, some men like the idea that they can play with someone else’s dick without being accused of being gay. On the flip side, a guy might be completely into a trans woman, but upon finding that she has a dick, will do

OPENLY SEXUAL

a complete 180 and walk away because he believe if he plays with a dick, regardless of whether it’s on a woman, that it’s gay.

The idea that someone is not going to like a trans woman because she has a dick is quite prevalent, and of course you have a right to your own bodily autonomy, and if a dick is going to make you uncomfortable, of course you have every right to look after yourself. Nobody is trying to pressure you into anything.

But if you like women then you have to include trans women in that (otherwise you’re a transmisogynist). Trans women don’t all have dicks, and those that do might not have one that works like you’re imagining.

Any trans woman who is taking oestrogen and/or T blockers is likely to have reduced sperm production, potentially even leading to infertility because of it, but this doesn’t mean that a trans woman can’t get someone pregnant. So using protection is still quite important to prevent unintended pregnancies. Protection is also important to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Condoms and dental dams are great for keeping all parties safe. If you’re sleeping with multiple people or about to sleep with someone new, why not get an STI check?

Plenty of places offer them as a free service in Adelaide.

Honestly there is so much more that can be linked to fucking trans women and it’s not all that hard to stop making assumptions. In an age where social media puts communicating openly with millions of people around the world in your pocket, people who are willing to answer questions can fill you in on areas you are honestly interested in, and answers are just a few clicks away.

I am one trans woman and these are my opinions and experiences and not to be taken as that of all trans women.

AUTHOR Elle Void, 24, Bachelor of Social Work

Elle says she finds far too many things sexy to narrow it down to just one!

Artwork by Andi-Claire Pegler

13

13

staff profile

Now for something completely unrelated to sex... what do you do here?

Name: Chloe Roeger.

Job Title: Restaurant Manager - Alere Restaurant.

And what does that mean, exactly?

I look after the day-to-day running of Alere Restaurant.

Tell us a bit about your career path and how you got to where you are now...

2004: Finished high school.

2005 - 2010: Worked at the Grange Golf Club as Restaurant Supervisor and obtained Cert. II, III & IV in Hospitality and Frontline Management.

2010 - 2012: Worked as a waitress/in front-of-house at Gleneagles Hotel & Golf Resort in Scotland.

2012- 2013: Returned to Grange Golf Club as House Manager.

2013 - 2015: Restaurant Manager at Jolley’s Boathouse Restaurant.

2015 - 2016: Restaurant Manager at Botanic Gardens Restaurant (Alere’s sister restaurant).

Current: Restaurant Manager at Alere!

What do you wish Flinders students knew about Flinders staff?

That our restaurant is here - located on Level 2 of The Hub. We offer a wonderful menu and wine and cocktail list, and are open for everyone! We offer student discount too, and have a wonderful function room for events.

What’s the best thing about working at Flinders?

The variety of people I get to work with and look after as guests at Alere Restaurant.

- Features -

- Student Experience Survey – - your feedback is important – - win prizes!!! -

Flinders University is participating in the 2016 Student Experience Survey (SES) during August 2016.

The SES is a national survey which is being conducted for the Australian Government Department of Education and Training. Your feedback is very important and will contribute directly to the quality of teaching and learning for current and future students.

The SES is administered online. Students randomly selected to participate in the survey will receive an email invitation with a link to the SES questionnaire.

We encourage you to participate in this important survey but your involvement is voluntary. All responses are confidential and no personal information will be linked to your response.

There are plenty of prizes to give away so get in as soon as you can to increase your chances of winning!

For further information, including terms and conditions of the prize draw, visit www.ses.edu.au This message is from the friendly folks at Planning Services, Flinders University.

15

T J k s A

Love-life got you down? Got a problem that no amount of therapy or booze will fix? Fear no more for JT is here to answer all your burning questions.

Dear JT, I know this guy who starts a new relationship every few weeks, how do I tell him this may not be ‘the one’?

-FrazzledFriend When all else fails, I find the mathematic route to be most effective.

Perhaps you should tell him there have been so many ‘ones’ with ‘zero’ substance that, in binary code, spells out the word ‘manwhore’.

Now don’t tut, I wasn’t slut-shaming but sometimes it remains an objective fact. I’ve often found that those who treat their romantic partners like underwear – sure it’s relatively fresh for a few days before it turns into a humid, crusty prison (this analogy isn’t reflective of any autobiographical experiences) – might be better off simply not having romantic partners but rather ho-mantic partners for bedspring dislocating, mattress-pummelling sexual congress.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting companionship but at least a casual companion will ensure that nobody gets hurt…um… emotionally speaking – I don’t know what your friend is into. Maybe he needs to wait until he finds someone totally compatible with him before he makes the huge, major commitment of ‘seeing someone regularly’ – we all know how great men are at that. Either way, perhaps encourage him to try this more casual form of interaction that way it doesn’t have to be so serious so quickly.

There’s also masturbation. Not that I do that…less than three times a day.

Dear JT, My new boyfriend wants to wait to have sex until we’re married. What should I do?!

-NotVirginMary Doesn’t it suck when he wants to put a ring on it before you put your ring on it?

Compelling imagery aside, your boyfriend clearly has some spiritual beliefs that means the only organ he’s focused on is the musical instrumental responsible for many brooding hymns. The only body he’ll place his tongue on, is the body of Christ in the form of the sacred wafer. But yes, what about your sacred wafer?

You obviously like this guy enough that you haven’t run away for fear of your unsated vagina, so let me recommend some advice: it is far better to respect his beliefs than to try and compromise them. So what if you happen to walk around in transparent lingerie when he comes over? So what if you start moaning whenever you eat in front of him because the food is: So. Damn.

Good. It’s not like you’re forcing yourself on him. I think you’ll find that the way to counteract religious beliefs is the same way they are planted in the brain in the first place: indoctrination. Get inside his head and eventually his head will be inside you. (I’m not talking about the one above his neck, someone died doing that once. Google it.)

And as I said to the first person, there really is masturbation.

Dear JT, I’ve noticed a disturbing new trend of youths milling about on their phones, talking in some kind of code. They keep looking to trade ‘pikachus’ and ‘charmanders’. What can I do to halt this new gang of drug-crazed youths spreading?

-ConcernedConservative ConcernedConservative, I’m very impressed that someone as obviously over-forty as you are, is down with the times, cowabunga.

Yes CC (if I may call you that), there is a new drug called ‘Pokemon Go!’ A drug in which antisocial, unfit kids have finally become the opposite of themselves: socially confident, well-chiselled butterflies (when I say kids, I mean people in their early 20s so it’s legally okay to describe them as ‘well-chiseled’). Believe me, as someone who has snorted some cocaine in that Great Gatsby-themed dream he had a few nights ago, I can tell you that this is the high you actually want to be on.

People aren’t catching STIs, they’re catching Charizards. People aren’t choking on their own vomit from taking too many tabs of E, they are choking on happiness from finding a PokeStop. And more importantly, nobody’s kids are getting taken away because they prioritised meth over clean diapers (I’m not referring to people in their early 20s here); but they are being taken outside because they gotta catch ‘em all!

Don’t worry CC, I think you’ll find that society is changing.

Everybody wants to be the best, like no one ever was.

Dear JT, I have this massive crush on a guy I’ve never met. He’s so sexy and handsome and witty. He writes an advice column in my uni’s student mag. How do I get him to notice me?

-TJ. Ah, very subtle and smooth: the exact opposite of when I lost my virginity if you will.

Well I’ll be honest, it’s because you’ve never met me that you may have a ‘crush’ on me. After meeting me, you might find you have an urge to crush my skull in with a few nearby bricks and I would let you. “Sexy and handsome?” Should’ve gone to Specsavers. “Witty?”

Here’s an example of my shining wit: Why did I cross the road?

Because I thought a bus would meet me halfway.

Yes I know, self-deprecation is very eye-roll inducing and perhaps it seems like a shout into the void letting everyone know how hungry you are for compliments. But I am honestly saving you from wasting a lot of time. Have you seen everyone else here on campus? Like, damn we may not have to Seek Light, but we certainly need to Seek Nominations for the Mr and Mrs Universe competition. I highly recommend everybody, if not anybody else to be the recipient of your crushing. I am merely milk that is destined to expire very soon.

(Speaking of: Don’t be a cow, support your local dairy farmers).

Send all your desperate wonderings to: empire.times@flinders.edu.au!

- Get Smart -

Get smart gets real about sex

It’s a familiar scene. A woman lies poolside in a bikini, soaking up the sun, perhaps with a drink and a book by her side. She’s minding her own business – it’s a nice day, after all.

Suddenly, the neighbours’ teenage son pops his head up over the fence. Their air-conditioner is broken, and the house is an oven – can he swim in the pool? Mrs. Bikini, the kind-hearted soul that she is, agrees.

Five minutes later, two perfectly ripped and hairless bodies are bonking like rabbits and it’s clear that Neighbour Boy is some kind of sex-god straight out of the virginity gate because he has given his lady friend three orgasms in twenty minutes despite miraculously avoiding all of her non-vulvic erogenous zones.

If you believe the vast majority of straight porn, men are supposed to have the moves from the very beginning and women are expected to need nothing more than a bit of a boob-mash and a quick “dipstick in the oil tank” to get them thrashing about in ecstasy. Not only that, men are supposed to be physically perfect – tall, six-pack, chiselled jaw, and with a better-than-average sized penis-wand that, with merely a wave in the general direction of a willing woman, shoots magic orgasm sparks from its tip (okay, maybe not – but it’s fun to dream about).

And for the women..? The generic porn shopping list includes flowing hair (often blonde), medium-to-large gravity-defying breasts (which point freakishly upward even when they’re lying flat on their back – I call shenanigans on that one), thin body shape (because overweight women can’t possibly be sexy to anyone, right?), no cellulite or stretch marks (the latter could signify motherhood, and that messes with desirability), perfectly manicured (practical, short nails need not apply), and more often than not, utterly bald from the neck down.

Porn is batshit, lies-straight-to-your-face, insane.

The saddest part is that for a lot of people, this is what they’re conditioned to expect in a new partner. A genuinely bizarre mix of thin-but-curvy-where-it-matters, perfectly maintained from head to toe, and willing and able to orgasm on command. And when an amazing person comes along who falls short in some prescribed way – well, they’re the weird ones.

She doesn’t shave her pits? Who would let themselves go like that?

I’d date him – if he lost 20 kilos.

She’d be fuckable if it wasn’t for that face.

Dude, I’m telling you, it was full Seventies bush…

Real life isn’t porn life. Sex – actual real life, wobbly-bits out and proud, stray-pimple-on-the-arse-but-who-gives-a-shit sex – can be messy and noisy and even kind of sloppy. There are the

awkward first few weeks getting to know a new sexual partner and how you move together, and maybe even a lot of dissatisfied rumbling around in the sheets while you try to figure it all out.

There are accidental sex-farts and “shark week” and weird squelchy noises and awkward angles and the confusing etiquette of condom application (and removal) to deal with. And there are far less insta-orgasms in general, and far more pubes.

But when everything clicks, none of that matters.

The best sex you’ll ever have in your life will be with the person who makes you laugh as much as they make you cry out. When you head-butt your partner accidentally and cause a nosebleed, or fall off the bed during a particularly energetic session, or set fire to the TV with your sexy-time candles (water, electronics, naked skin and (unintentional) hot wax is not a good mix…or so I’m told) then it helps if you can laugh at yourself. The good guys and girls will stay.

Some final advice from someone who has been there and done (almost all of) that: 1. You are under no obligation to sleep with someone – ever.

Even if they paid for dinner. Even if you’ve been dating three months and still haven’t done the No Pants Dance. Even if they’re horny. NEVER, EVER. 2. Gentlemen (and ladies) should never kiss and tell (or sext with their partner and then share that with their mates, for that matter).

3. Be prepared. Carry your own condoms. Don’t make it his responsibility.

4. Stay safe. If you’re getting even the smallest hint of a bad vibe from someone, call a taxi or a friend. You don’t owe an explanation, but if you feel awkward, blame food poisoning.

5. Pro tip: When getting down to it, things are supposed to be slippery. If they’re not, put in more prep work. This is good advice for everyone.

6. If things aren’t clicking, get proactive. You know how you work down there – show your partner. Christmas for everyone!

Happy bed-hopping! (And keep the fire extinguisher handy, just in case).

AUTHOR

Karen Smart, ‘On the flip side of 30’, Bachelor of Creative Arts (Creative Writing) Karen finds intelligence and compassion (basically nerds) sexy.

17

- Clubs -

WHAT THE

A couple of twists to the column this month. Firstly, we are profiling a club that doesn’t exist – for now. Secondly I – Richard – am sharing this article with my colleague and friend, Ceri Glenie.

We sat down with the FUSA Queer Officer Nardy Zanos-Jardine to yak about the Queer Collective and the Queer Society to discuss the roles of both groups and to map out the Venn diagram – where they intersect where they cover different territory.

However very early on in the interview we discovered that, at present, the Queer Society, Queer Collective, and the Queer Officer are all one person - Nardy.

As I have mentioned in previous What The FUC columns, it is not unusual for university clubs to wax and wane as members graduate or leave Flinders. However, the space where a club has existed, will be occupied again when a number of like-minded individuals feel the cause is important.

To give you a sense of the importance of re-establishing a viable and vibrant Queer Society at Flinders, I’ll pass the metaphorical microphone to Ceri.

“I remember first arriving at university, having come from a small country school, and being so excited to see a Queer Society at O’Week – not sheltered, or hidden away in a corner, but there, with their own table, and no one was complaining about it! Of course, I was too shy to actually say or do anything. But it was comforting to see that it could be so visible and open.

So to find out that the Queer Society more or less doesn’t exist right now is disheartening to me. I can’t help but think how I felt better when I learnt about the Queer Society, and how many other queer students might feel exactly the same way as me. Even though there is a Queer Space (Level 1 of the Hub, by the way, behind the FUSA office space) and it does get used, without the Queer Society it seems a bit directionless. I think it’s important that the queer space is something that everyone – especially new students – know about, which is something that a Society could help achieve.

Nardy says that she’d like to see the Queer Society running again.

The most important thing is getting the numbers together, showing

FLinders University Clubs

FUSA that there’s definitely interest in a Queer Society. Clubs don’t need much to get off the ground – 5 members initially, and 10 to hold an official AGM. I find it difficult to believe that this would be hard to achieve.

I’m optimistic that with help the Queer Society could be back on its feet by the end of this year. I know that it can be – it’s just a matter of getting people on board, and moving along the right track (and having time to do this between lectures and tutes and all the other life stuff there is to do). Once the society’s been renewed, it’d be great to see what it can do. Of course, the number one goal is to provide a safe, bully-free, non-judgmental space for everyone.

Something that sprung to mind for me is the LGBTI uni guide, a free online source that students at Australian universities can use to see where different universities fall on LGBTI rights. It’s an easy way to indicate what’s working and what needs attention: Flinders is not a part of ‘Pride in Diversity’, an Australian support program for LGBTI inclusion in workplaces and institutions; there is little to no engagement with external communities and organisations for LGBTI issues; it’s unclear whether or not health needs specific to LGBTI students are addressed, and whether transitioning students are properly supported; and not much is done by way of supporting and recognising students who identify as non-binary (outside of the binary gender system of male/female).

These are the kinds of things that I think the Queer Society could work towards, once it’s properly cemented as a club again.

Especially with a motivated Queer Officer, and an (hopefully) enthusiastic Queer Society President, the Queer Society could really achieve a lot on campus. Back to you Richard.”

Nardy shares Ceri’s desire to reform the Queer Society with all the trimmings – FUSA affiliation, constitution, elected board.

Nardy has done a great deal so far as a lone organiser. Remember IDAHOT day with the cupcakes and BBQ? She has also organised a Hang Out in the Tavern with Tav food and a live band, a safe schools lecture in the Education building. Nardy has also been a driving force behind organising and decorating the Queer Space (as Ceri mentioned the Queer Space is located next to the FUSA Offices on Level 1 of the Hub), making it a comfortable

/FUQSociety/

and welcoming place for students to interact and bond as a community. Early in her tenure, Nardy had to liaise with Campus Security after the regrettable and highly un-Flinders homophobic vandalism of the Queer Space.

Between Nardy’s large workload and Ceri’s observations, it is clear that the reestablishment of the Queer Society should be a priority at Flinders in semester 2. Hopefully by the time you read this article, the Queer Society will be a happening thing. Once the society is constituted and has an elected board in place, it can work with Nardy and FUSA to breathe new life and purpose into the Queer Collective. Through a functioning society and a collective, LGBTQIA identifying students will be supported and have an avenue to campaign and fight for the issues they confront on campus and in the wider community.

Until then, Nardy will keep working hard to organise events such as pizza days in the Queer Space, another Tavern Hangout, an event or two in the multimedia lounge and maybe, later in the year, a pub crawl.

Find out more at: fusa.edu.au/queer-collective/

Queer OFFICER Nardy zanos-jardine

CONTACT FACEBOOK, FUSA

ACTIVITIES COMING SOON!

MEMBERSHIP AUTHOR Richard Falkner, 52 (not out), Bachelor of Creative Arts (Creative Writing)

watch this space...

Sex sex sex - that’s all you eds ever think about!

AUTHOR Cerie Glenie, 20. Bachelor of Creative Arts (Creative Writing) Cerie finds Vikings sexy.

19

19

RIGHT UP OUR LANEWAY

The Flinders laneway has a new look - and it’s courtesy of two students and empire times regulars.

In the mid-year break, the Flinders Laneway underwent a regeneration. The Laneway was the base of student activity and socialising just last year but has been overtaken by the Hub this year and left somewhat in the shade by its bigger, sleeker neighbour. Two student artists, Sheydin Dew and Aden Beaver have set about giving the Laneway a brand new look. We meet in the Laneway, amid their art.

‘We found out through the FUSA Facebook page,’ says Sheydin of how they came to know of the chance to redesign the Laneway’s art. They both decided the opportunity would be a good one as they both hope to work in visual art professionally.

The art features a series of deliberate juxtapositions. Sheydin highlights the birds and fish paired together, and the woman sleeping in the galaxy. Sheydin describes it as being like a ‘walkthrough of her dreams’. The fish flying over the galaxy highlight this marrying of contradictory elements.

‘Every Thursday or something, we’d sit in the Laneway and do sketches,’ says Aden. It was then that they discussed the opportunity, and looking around the space, decided to try it.

From there, Aden became the project manager, assisting with the admin side of things, Sheydin adds. They collaborated on their designs and sent through their proposal. Eventually three groups were invited to an interview, of which their duo emerged successful.

Aden recalls receiving the email telling them of their success, scrolling through his phone in the dentist’s chair. Once free of the chair, Aden called Sheydin to relay the good news. Their celebration didn’t come without a twist as they received their email later than they expected, leaving them with the belief their application had not been the successful one.

Throughout the next week came the time for them to ‘really nail down’ their design in preparation. Aden recalls their initial plan to be more akin to an ‘art gallery and put up pieces of artwork’ with a ‘student-centred’ focus.

Sheydin describes their initial plans as having an aspect with ‘more temporary’ art. Frames would have been around the Laneway showcasing a variety of student artists in a ‘constantly changing’ style.

These initial plans were amended due to the desire to give students the chance to have a major project regularly.

Sheydin points to the artwork adorning the walkway from the Laneway to Humanities courtyard. ‘This one was a bit different. It [initially] had solid hair rather than the galaxy,’ she says. The request was, however, to unify the space more through the art.

It was a matter of constant meetings to continually refine the ideas and unifying factors of the space.

They, and all other applicants, were offered a great deal of freedom for their designs. As long as the art was reflective of the space, they were allowed relatively free reign. This resulted in them coming up with a number of designs. They refined the ideas between themselves before taking it to FUSA. They talked through their suggestion with a committee of people whose job was choosing the artists. The refinement continued through the process as they worked on it even as they were working on the walls.

Ever louder drilling indicative of the continued regeneration of the Laneway space drives us over to the Social Sciences courtyard in search of quiet.

They timetabled their work thoroughly so knowing when they started, finished, and everything in between would be no trouble.

The requirement was to have it done in readiness for the second semester, an aim they thoroughly fulfilled. Sheydin expresses her feeling the project was managed well, a sentiment Aden agrees with, ‘even if I do say so myself,’ he adds.

They describe a project that ran smoothly with input from a number of groups. Once they had their role confirmed, FUSA came to them with ‘a few tweaks’ to aspects of their design, Aden explains. Sheydin gives the example of the ‘unifying galaxy’ motif present throughout.

Aden says that after the tweaks and suggestions were added to the work by Sheydin, as he says the designs were ‘largely hers’.

As the project continued, suggestions were offered but Aden is quick to state they ‘were not overly controlling’ but they also ‘knew what they wanted’ from them. Sheydin credits Buildings and Property in helping ease the process by moving furniture and fittings to give them easier access to the walls. They cleaned up the walls before they started, says Aden. Sheydin adds that they provided a couple of materials – a help that meant they didn’t have to dig any deeper into their budget.

Sheydin says that having never done anything as big as this before, it was a great opportunity for her to get her foot in the door. She goes even so far as to say the experience was life-changing on a level. Aden is a little more reserved on that particular front, saying he would ‘have to look back on it to see if it’s life changing’. Sheydin remains steadfast she believes it was. Whatever their views on that particularly matter, they are in absolute agreement the experience was a tremendously positive one.

Neither had worked much in the field of acrylics, both coming from a background in digital art – their artwork can be seen throughout Empire Times. This new experience of a slightly different art form and a foray into project management is one they both have almost exclusively good things to say about. So the question must be – what would they do differently were they in FUSA’s position?

Sheydin suggests her changes would be to clarify the brief a little more. The final half wall they completed proved something of a grey area, Sheydin saying they were told if they had the paint and time to do it, they were encouraged to do so. Aden agrees there were a couple of small things that could have been clearer and that perhaps a ‘clearer vision for the walls’ would have been beneficial.

However, both maintain FUSA was very good to deal with and any improvements were minor ones in retrospect. Sheydin and Aden agree it links back to the aspect of their freedom in the project: they were given a great deal. An artist’s fear is a blank canvas, says Aden. ‘[FUSA] did a wonderful job,’ they both conclude. It has taken FUSA three years to set the precedent that students are to be offered chances to have their art on campus - and be paid for it.

Neither having taken on anything the size of the Laneway art project previously, Sheydin and Aden encourage other student artists to try things and to take opportunities such as this. Sheydin recalls having walked past the mural in the Humanities courtyard and thinking how she’d like to leave something similar behind. Aden offers the parting advice that one should never be afraid of constructive criticism and not to accept ‘good’ as feedback, searching instead for ways to improve.

The project ‘could not have been done without teamwork’ says Aden. The project was a collaborative effort.

PICTURED: Sheydin and Aden with their completed Laneway artwork.

For more of Sheydin and Aden’s artwork, visit their respective art sites online: Facebook page: Sheyded Art behance.net/adenbeaver

AUTHOR & PHOTOGRAPHER Liam McNally, 23, Bachelor of Creative Arts (Creative Writing)

Liam finds the idea of Hawthorn getting less than 400 free kicks a game sexy.

21

21

We are all animals

Artwork by Kahli Griffin

2323

x vo 1. Minew Ridgeland.

1. Bluey Yalanda.

2. Women. Confidence.

3. Snog May, marry Obama, avoid Turnbull.

4. It’s Business Time Flight of the Conchords.

5. The dissection room.

6. No.

2. BIG BEARDS!

1. Trixie Hawker.

3. Snog Turbull, marry Obama, avoid May.

2. Confidence.

4. Teenage Dirtbag Wheatus.

3. Snog Turnbull, marry Obama, avoid May.

5. The UPCo. caravan.

4. Let’s Get It On Marvin Gaye.

6. No.

5. UPCo. 6. No.

Owen, Medicine

Jen, Medicine Lani, Medicine

Q.s

1. What would your porn star name be? 2. What do you find sexy? 3.

Snog/marry/avoid: Turnbull/Obama/May. 4. What would be top of your sexy time playlist? 5. Best place on campus for sexy times? 6. Is monogamy dead?

pop

1. Russell Road?

1. Lexie Walden.

2. Friendliness and approachability.

2. Muscle, leather, confidence.

3. Snog Obama, marry Turnbull, avoid May.

3. Snog Turnbull, marry Obama, avoid May.

4. Sugar - Adam Levine.

4. One More Night Maroon 5.

5. The library (books).

6. No.

5. Library study rooms (with curtains).

1. Oscar Glenrowan.

2. Chocolate.

3. Snog May, marry Obama, avoid Turnbull.

4. SexyBack - JT. 5. The library.

6. Not entirely.

6. Yes.

Richard, it + business

meg, psychology tequilla, behavioural science + legal practice

25

- Cooking -

pocket-change pantry grilled eggplant burgers with sweet potato fries and roasted capsicum hummus serves 4-6

‘Make-your-own’ burgers were a classic family favourite in my household growing up. An array of wonderful ingredients would be placed in the middle of the table where hungry hands would dart in and out, building toppling creations we couldn’t actually fit in our mouths. I’ve never grown out of that, and thus eggplant burgers were born!

2.

Wash your sweet potatoes (scrub them a little if necessary) and chop off both ends before slicing into chunky bite-sized sticks.

3.

Pile the chopped sweet potatoes onto the oven-proof trays (they can be overlapping a little, but try to give them as much space as possible) and drizzle over the olive oil, salt, pepper, cinnamon and ground cumin.

4.

With clean hands, toss the sweet potatoes a little so they olive oil covers as much as possible. Slide the trays into the oven.

5.

While the sweet potato fries are cooking, prepare the burgers. Chop the bottom ends off the already washed lettuce leaves and put to one side.

6.

Cut the leafy heads off the tomatoes and slice. Put to one side.

7.

Smash the avocadoes with the back of a fork, before stirring in the lemon juice and some salt and pepper if you so desire. Set aside in a bowl for serving.

8.

Line another oven-proof tray with baking paper and drain the cans of pineapple rings. Heat a grill-style frying pan (alternatively, use an actual grill or normal frying pan if need be) and place the pineapple in rows in the pan.

9.

Once the pineapple has brown grill-lines, turn over until the same happens on the other side. Turn the heat off.

Place the rings on the oven-proof tray and set aside.

GF option: use gluten free buns or bread.

INGREDIENTS BURGERS 2 medium to large eggplants 2 avocados Juice of one lemon 1 head cos lettuce, stripped and washed 3 tomatoes 6 larger burger buns or 12 smaller 2 cans of pineapple rings Olive oil for frying SWEET POTATO FRIES 3 medium to large sweet potatoes Large pinch salt Large pinch pepper 2 Tbsp. cinnamon 2 Tbsp. ground cumin Olive oil to drizzle METHOD 1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and line two oven-proof trays with baking paper.

10. Check the sweet potato chips and turn them over using

- Cooking -

INGREDIENTS 1 can chickpeas 1 large red capsicum (or 2 smaller) 1 large clove of garlic, crushed (add more to taste if needed) Juice of one lemon ¼ cup olive oil (and 1 Tbsp. extra for roasting the capsicum) Large pinch salt to taste (and one smaller pinch extra for roasting the capsicum) 1 Tbsp. tahini paste Splash of soy milk (or water) Handful of pine nutes (optional) ROASTED CAPSICUM HUMMUS Prepare and serve on the table with the burgers.

Hummus is one of my favourite foods in existence. Like, ever.

Mum used to make a really delicious garlicky, buttery hummus when I was younger and I asked her to teach it to me a few years ago. I put my own spin on it with this roasted capsicum hummus – creamy and sweet.

GF note: check that the tahini you use is 100% GF. METHOD 1. Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Line an oven-proof tray with baking paper.

tongs if necessary. Place back in the oven.

2.

Chop the capsicum/s into quarters and ‘clean’ them by removing the seeds and head. Slice each quarter into halves and place them on the baking tray.

Drizzle with a little olive oil, toss over a large pinch of salt and place the tray in the oven.

3.

While the capsicum is cooking, drain your chickpeas.

Rinse in the sieve and then pop them into a food processor. Blend for 20-odd seconds.

4.

Peel the clove of garlic and crush with the side of a knife blade before chopping into tiny pieces. Add the chopped garlic, olive oil and lemon juice to the roughly blended chickpeas and blend for another 30 seconds.

5.

If you would like to top your hummus with toasted pine nuts, add them to the tray of capsicum currently in the oven. Be careful to keep an eye on them so they brown, but do not burn.

6.

Spoon the tahini and a splash of soy milk/water into the processor before blending again, this time until the mixture becomes a soft, evenly textured paste.

7.

Check your capsicum, and if the edges and skin are blackening and they are soft, take them out. Let them cool for a minute or two before adding all but one or two slices to the mixture and blending until mixed throughout.

8.

Chop the remaining small slices of roast capsicum.

Spoon your hummus into a serving bowl and top with the capsicum, pine nuts, a dash of extra olive oil and some herbs of your choice (I like dried basil).

11. Cut the ends off the eggplants and then slice into approximately 1cm thick pieces, making sure they’re as even a thickness as possible.

12. Place the tray with the pineapple into the oven with the chips to keep warm.

13. Return the grill-pan to the stovetop and set the temperature at a medium to high heat. Drizzle a little olive oil in pan and place the eggplant slices in rows.

Cook them in the same manner as the pineapple, though you may have to do two or three rounds due to the amount of eggplant.

14. Make sure that your eggplant slices are all cooked through (should be soft and the skin should give if you tap it with the side of the tongs or a dull knife).

15. Take the sweet potato and pineapple rings out of the oven, gather the ingredients you prepared earlier, grab the eggplant and arrange them on dishes in the middle of a table, Make sure the bread rolls are either fresh or toasted, according to personal preference!

Top tip: get creative with how you use this hummus – spread it on sandwiches or toast, dip in crackers or veggie sticks, stir it through pasta or dollop on top of potato chips. It also works as the perfect accompaniment to other recipes such as the eggplant burgers.

16. Let everyone fight over the best bits!

Top tip: add your favourite chutneys, sauces or dips to the bread rolls before piling on the ingredients. The red capsicum hummus pairs perfectly, however, and I highly recommend making it earlier (even just 5 minutes earlier) than you do the burgers so you can serve them together.

AUTHOR

Marina Deller-Evans, 19, Bachelor of Creative Arts (Creative Writing) What does Marina find sexy? “People who love my cat just as much as I do and people who make me laugh.”

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INTERVIEW with SAMESH, the SEXUAL HEALTH PROGRAM behind THIS advertisement...

Empire Times editor Eleanor Danenberg chatted to SAMESH Team Leader Wills Logue...

Tell us about SAMESH – what do you do, what services do you offer?

SAMESH (SA Mobilisation, plus empowerment for sexual health) is a new program in South Australia, a consortium program of Shine SA and the Victorian AIDS council. The demographic we primarily offer services to are gay men, men who have sex with men (MSM), and people at risk of (or are currently living with) HIV. SAMESH provides wider LGBTIQ community support, through our space at 57 Hyde Street in the city. Hyde Street is centrally located and provides a safe and inclusive space for LGBTIQ and people living with HIV. Numerous LGBTIQ social groups from across Adelaide are currently accessing the building for community events.

As you’ve said, SAMESH services focuses predominantly on men and LGBTIQ men – why is this such an at risk group for sexual health?

SA Health fund us primarily for STI and HIV prevention amongst gay men, MSM and people living with HIV. Research clearly shows that members of the LGBTIQ community, and particularly gay men, trans men, and trans women, are at higher risk of STIs and HIV than the broader population, and are more likely to suffer from mental issues. SAMESH provides a variety of services, including free counseling, peer based sexual health workshops, volunteering opportunities, sexual health screenings, and a safe community meeting space for gay men, MSM and people living with HIV Why are STIs, as common as some are, still such a stigma in today’s society?

It’s interesting that you say STIs, I think some young men see an STI as a badge of honor in some ways. Having an STI is very different from HIV for example – people are more likely and comfortable to tell their peers or friends they’ve had gonorrhea, syphilis, or chlamydia, but they’re less likely to tell their peers that they’re HIV positive. At this particular point in time, all STIs are curable, other than HIV. I would say there’s probably less stigma surrounding STI infection that there is around HIV infection. As already mentioned, education about sexual health and testing regularly for STIs and HIV is important, through education we can end ignorance and stigma.

Your organisation works around removing the stigma of HIV. Tell us more about that.

We do, we work around removing the stigma through education; HIV is a virus, it doesn’t

discriminate against who it infects. South Australia is quite unique in the Australian context but quite common in a global context, in the way that HIV infections in South Australia are 50% heterosexual and 50% homosexual. Some of our partner organisations (Such as Relationships Australia, South Australia) work with informing the wider heterosexual community and working with heterosexual people living with HIV, whereas our organisation works predominantly with gay men, trans men, and MSM. HIV does not discriminate, that’s what we’re trying to make people aware of, that it’s important they use condoms, test for HIV, and if they are HIV positive, they go on to treatment to suppress the virus, because if you suppress the virus, you won’t transmit the virus. “Test and treat” is a mantra that’s very common at the moment, as well as other HIV prevention strategies such as PrEP, which is a pill which can be taken daily, which prevents the transmission of HIV. PrEP isn’t available in South Australia, however there are trials in Queensland, Victoria and NSW; it’s been proven to work, and the World Health Organisation has recommended it be made available to all at risk populations. It’s not currently available on the PBS in Australia, but we’re trying to make that happen, and if that happens, it will be an amazing prevention tool. Just like the birth control pill changed the lives of women in the 1960’s, PrEP will revolutionise HIV prevention and we could potentially see the end of onward HIV transmission by 2020 in Australia.

SAMESH offers many services, amongst them is free sexual health tests. Tell us about this.

We offer free STI and rapid HIV tests – for gay men, trans men, MSM, or a trans women either pre or post op, can access these free services provided they are Medicare eligible. If they’re not, they can pay around $30 for a rapid HIV test, for full blood draws the cost does go up.

What advice do you have for sexually active uni students who may be reading this interview?

Use a condom and make sexual health screening part of your health care if you’re sexually active and not in a monogamous relationship! More often, university students who are heterosexual will not use a condom; university students who are homosexual males are more likely to use condoms, condoms have more or less become part of

the gay culture since the onset of AIDS in the early 80s. Heterosexuals primarily perceive condoms as a birth control prevention, and heterosexual males have this notion that it reduces pleasure, and that it’s the girl’s responsibility to take the pill, and they don’t think about STIs – however, infection rates of gonorrhea and chlamydia are rising in SA, and the largest number of these infections are occurring in 18-25 year old heterosexuals – so my advice to sexually active uni students is to use condoms and get a regular STI check up, take responsibility for your and your partners sexual health.

STIs are like Russian Roulette, you can be with only one person and you can still get an STI; all you need to do is have bad luck.

If you are between 18-25 and single and sexually active in 2016, and maybe having 3-5 sexual partners a year, the odds are that you don’t know who those people have slept with. That guy you’re sleeping with might be sleeping with other guys, and if he’s not using a condom with you, he’s probably not using a condom with the other people he’s sleeping with, and he might not have had an STI check.

Australia, 50% “ In South of HIV infections are heterosexual people, and 50% is homosexual people; this notion that HIV is a gay man’s disease is not the case.

”

SAMESH services to keep an eye out for: Rapido clinic (SAMESH rapid HIV and STI clinic): Friday nights 4-7pm, and Saturday mornings,10am-1pm. Free tests delivered by peers, gay and bisexual men. A tiny finger prick, and it only takes 20 minutes to find out if you’ve been exposed to HIV. There’s a registered nurse ready to do full STI tests and provide Hepatitis B vaccinations.

LGBTIQ Queer Gamers: A board game group that meets at SAMESH, 57 Hyde Street, for LBGTIQ people age 20-30 from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, who particularly find it difficult to come out and be gay or trans in their communities. This will involve Saturday afternoon board game sessions with free food, an opportunity to meet other LGBTIQ people in your community, make friends and have fun in a judgment-free zone.

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- Features -

a culture of condemnation

Artwork by Andi-Claire Pegler Behind the bushes and in the “out of bounds” area of the schoolyard that everyone still seemed to frequent, a few of the boys in my class had found a strange object during recess. Within no time, the school was abuzz with talk of this foreign “condom.”

What exactly was it? And why had it caused such horror and fascination amongst my peers?

Driven to frustration by the boys’ refusal to explain its purpose, my friends and I had sifted through our dictionaries to find a description. What we found was alarming and soon led to our discovery of all the gory details of the dreaded S-E-X. Following this were exclamations of extreme disgust and a whole lot of giggling, resulting in a scolding that merely only worsened once the subject of our attention had been determined. I knew from this point on that sex was not something that would was to be be openly discussed for many, many years to come.

I received the entirety of my early education within the public

sector. From what I remember, we were subjected to a few hours of sex ed., during which we were taught the absolute basics. A man inserts penis into a woman’s vagina; the man ejaculates; the sperm reaches her egg and eventually a living, breathing, screaming poop machine hitherto ruins the couple’s life.

My sexual education hit somewhat of a road bump when I started at a Catholic high school. For the first two years, despite in many cases the rather obvious disapproval of our teachers, we were taught about the Rhythm Method.

When it finally came time to address other modes of contraception, we were separated by sex and placed in different classes. I didn’t notice at the time, but these classes lacked almost any recognition of sex as an act that could incite pleasure or gratification.

There was no mention of non-heterosexual sex, masturbation, or any other sexual act that did could not culminate in the

- Features -

production of a child. Despite this, sex was – and will always be –a topic that was at the forefront of every young adolescent’s mind.

I have a poignant memory of a particular set of names that were consistently and ruthlessly scrawled across the walls of the school’s toilet cubicles. These names had been added to what was cruelly known as the “slut list.” If your name was added to the list, you were afforded a dual sense of notoriety and shame.

At the time, I hadn’t though of these lists with the distaste that I do now. I admit that when I was younger, I hadn’t realised the depth of the societal issues captured in these vulgar lists that were concocted on those dingy bathrooms.

The “slut list” was quite obviously compiled by young, impressionable girls who shamed their peers for a perceived enjoyment of sexual activity. Whether or not some of these girls added their own names to the notorious lists, as was sometimes unkindly supposed by my friends and I, it remains that there was a culture of condemnation toward young women and sexuality that is still highly relevant today.

I found the dualities that existed within this adolescent culture troubling. Whilst you were a “slut” or a “whore” if you gave yourself up to easily, you were a “prude” if you stayed a virgin too long. Virginity was a frequent topic of conversation amongst my friends and I, who often made a point to keep tabs on who had and hadn’t done the deed yet.

“Yes, your body is a temple - but you are its God. ” some magical state of being that must be preserved for Prince Charming, I think it is troublesome that many young girls feel inescapably pressured to strip themselves of the virgin label.

I think that attitudes toward women who enjoy sex are equally troublesome. I recall a conversation that I had with my mother a year or so ago, during which I asked her how many sexual partners she had had in her lifetime. Though I love my mum, she can at times be guilty of perpetuating ideals that I do not agree with.

That night, she told me that throughout the entirety of her life, she had slept with three men – one of them being my dad. She then carried on to advise me that I had better not get a number that was much larger than that, lest I be known as the “town bike”. This logic, that insists that the number of sexual partners a woman has had is somehow profoundly significant in determining her worth, is sadly shared by a large majority of people.

At twenty-years-old, I have struggled through my own journey to acceptance. In my early teens, I felt shame and embarrassment for feelings of sexual desire. At sixteen, I cried because after I’d lost my virginity, I felt like I had lost my innocence or my sense of moral goodness.

“ I had better not get a

number that was much larger than [three], lest I be known as the “town bike”.

”

I’ve been ridiculed for consensual sexual encounters, despite their instigation by my male peers. I’ve been called a slut for moving on too fast from a relationship, despite being dumped. And I’m absolutely positive that this kind of treatment will continue unless something is done.

Time and time again, society has dictated to me how women should not like sex. Society has painted this picture of feminine sexuality which is so clearly split into two definitive sectors.

You’re the virgin, or you’re the whore.

Whilst there was still the consensus that your virginity was a special gift that could only be given once, at sixteen I felt a huge societal pressure to catch up with the rest of my friends and just get it over and done with.

I won’t go into the details of the ordeal out of respect for the other party involved, but the loss of my own virginity was not what I had imagined. As a lover of cheesy romance novels, I had spent years reading about first dalliances that involved hotel rooms and rose petals and scented candles and long-time boyfriends. It is safe to say that I certainly hadn’t expected to be drunk (and totally and utterly indifferent to the guy).

The insurmountable societal pressure that I had felt to have sex had pushed me toward an encounter that I had not been ready for. Though I do not believe that a woman’s virginity is

I think it’s high time to take back sexual education and teach young girls that it’s okay to enjoy sex.

Yes, your body is a temple - but you are its God. It’s up to you and you alone to decide who can worship it.

AUTHOR Ashley Sutherland, 20, Bachelor of Arts - High Achievers (History and Creative Writing) Ashley finds confidence and compassion sexy.

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- Features -

alumni interview ET editor Lauren Reid spoke to Kaisha WyLD What did you study at Flinders?

counselling. Those are the three major pathways, but I have colleagues who are planning to utilise their sexology qualifications in criminal justice and medical careers.

I studied a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), graduating in 2015.

As Psychology is the study of human behaviour, sexology is the study of human sexual behaviour, and this spans identity, orientation, behaviour, attitudes, social concepts and movements, lifespan changes, education, the concept of self, spirituality, and culture. Sexology isn’t just about how much sex people are having; it’s so much more.

Did you get involved in any extracurricular groups or activities here?

I was a member of the Flinders Psychology Students Association (FPSA) from the start, although I wasn’t able to get to or support a lot of their events due to work. About half way through, I became involved with Flinders Rotaract and I haven’t looked back! Fortunately, their membership isn’t restricted to current students, and I’ve just finished a term as club secretary.

The biggest misconception about sexology is really just a combination of two disappointing reactions: that sex is dirty and should be kept a secret, and the unfounded belief that abstinence-only sex education works.

I am selective of whom I tell I am studying sexology; if I feel they are going to become uncomfortable or make me feel uncomfortable (because if a female mentions the word ‘sex’, it means they want to have sex with you, apparently) I’ll just say I am studying public health.

How would you describe your time at Flinders overall?

My time at Flinders was very studyfocused, and I wish I had been more involved in social and extra-curricular activities. Having said that, it was incredibly enjoyable and inspiring, and led me to my current field of study.

What lead you to want to work in the area of sexology, and what does ‘sexology’ even mean exactly? Are there any misconceptions you’d like to clear up about the field?

As an undergraduate, I took a few Women’s Studies electives, and they were the best electives I ever took.

Starting my Psychology studies, I had a goal of becoming a trauma and PTSD therapist, with the end-goal of working for or in the Australian Defence Force.

In a second year Women’s Studies topic, we were given two readings on pornography, one staunchly against the making and distribution of, and one advocating the benefits of pornography. I’d never before come across such different views on something I’d previously been fairly neutral to, and I remember thinking

that if teens were provided with more information (and some critical thinking) on what’s real and fake in porn, we’d potentially have a more sexually-healthy generation.

So, I started researching current sexual health education requirements in Australia, realised they are incredibly subjective and vague, and since I have made it my goal to improve sexual health education.

When I finished my Honours, I applied for a Masters of Sexology, an external course through Curtin University in Perth. What I really enjoy about this course is you can graduate and you still have broad options on how you pursue a career: in public health, education, or therapy and

It’s disappointing and frustrating that, generally, sex is still taboo and people will believe what they want to believe instead of listening to the data, or even just understanding that the majority of people will have sex at some point in their life – and they should be aware of the physical and emotional risks.

What do you see as the most pressing issues for us to solve in terms of positive sexual relations and sexual health, as individuals or more broadly?

The most pressing concern is that many people still consider sex as penis-vagina intercourse. Anything other than this is ‘not really sex’. This has implications in how we consider sexual assault (non-consensual handgenital contact is broadly considered as not being sexual assault, even though it is), sexual health (you can get an STI with mouth-genital contact, yet we focus more on genital-

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kaisha wyld, sexologist about sex ed., feminism, and what it really means to be a sexologist genital contact protection), and sexual intimacy (you can get as much, if not more satisfaction from other sexual activities, and penis-vagina intercourse doesn’t have to be the defining activity of your sexual interaction).

Network, and don’t get stuck on achieving one outcome. Network, because you never know who knows whom, and they may just be the leg-up you need in your chosen industry. Don’t get stuck because sometimes your ultimate outcome isn’t achievable.

By believing that sex is only penis-vagina intercourse, we exclude the people who don’t enjoy p-v intercourse, who cannot participate in p-v intercourse, and those who just don’t want p-v intercourse. I’m much more open to the idea that sex is any consensual physical contact a person finds sexually arousing, but even that excludes cyber-sex and sexting (which can both be sexually arousing in their own right).

What would your ideal sexual education look like?

My ideal sexual health education is inclusive and provided by qualified peers.

Inclusive meaning it considers all genders, orientations, identities, and activities.

Currently, it seems to be aimed at ablebodied heterosexual couples engaging in penis-vagina intercourse where pregnancy is the biggest risk, which means that samesex, disability, asexual, and trans* health issues are overwhelmingly neglected.

I think it’s important that sexual health education be provided by qualified teams (providing a masculine and feminine perspective). Some schools support their teaching staff in gaining additional training specifically on sexual health and related issues, but the quality of implementation is lacking; many students are still receiving incomplete or inaccurate knowledge.

Peer-taught is a massive goal of mine: if you’re being taught how to use a condom by a greying 50 year old who wears pearls and uses the phrase ‘young people today’, part of the class is going to stop listening and it won’t matter how knowledgeable they are.

What’s your opinion regarding the growth of “pop-feminism”?

Pop-feminism is a tough one. On one hand, it’s great that a new generation is

I want to be a psychologist, which means I need my Masters or PhD in psychology – unfortunately, my grades weren’t up to scratch at the end of my honours to be admitted into either course. It’s taken me a while, but I’ve realised I can be doing the same work with a different qualification – and your clients aren’t going to think you’re “lesser”. Of course, keep applying to the course you want! finding empowerment in strong feminine figures. On the other hand, pop-feminism is reductionist and doesn’t fully appreciate that feminism is about fighting for gender equality.

I have a favourite quote by G. D. Anderson:

Let’s talk about sex, baby!

Flinders Uni topics that you might be interested in...

“Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong.

It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength”.

ARCH1006: Sex, Death and Ritual in the Ancient World

Pop-feminism also doesn’t appreciate that feminism isn’t meant to be popular: feminism is meant to be uncomfortable, it’s meant to attack and question deeply ingrained social structures that people cling to. Yet, pop-feminism gets people talking about feminism, and hopefully looking for more information that don’t come from out of context, misogynistic sources.

HIST2022: Memory and the Politics of Difference: Sex, Race and Belonging SOCI3048: Gender and Sexuality WMST1001: Sex, Gender and Identities in Australia WMST2014: Media and Cultural Identities: Gender, Race and Sexuality WMST2015: Sex, Gender and the Law

Where do you see yourself taking your career in the future?

I want to keep studying, become a sexuality and relationships counsellor and divide my time between that and sexual health education. What’s so great about sexual therapy and health education is that it never ends. A new age, a new partner, a new life event and suddenly knowing how to use a condom isn’t relevant any more, and new information becomes relevant.

Any advice for current Flinders students?

WMST3009: Sexualities: Perspectives, Pleasures, Politics Take note of any prerequisites before enrolling in topics, and keep in mind that not every topic runs every year. Chances are, the offerings will be different in 2017 - but this is just a quick sample of the kinds of things you could study if this interview has made you think of studying sexuality at Uni.

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monogamy or monotony?

Are single-partner relationships over?

Despite our extensive evolution over the past however many millions of years, we humans, as descendants of monkeys, are undeniably animals with animalistic instincts and needs; we eat when we’re hungry, we sleep when we’re tired, we defend when we’re threatened, and we fuck when we’re horny - just like animals.

with someone new every weekend or multiple people at once.

Amongst my peers I’ve even seen the concept of exclusively dating someone recently transform into ‘seeing’ or ‘talking to’ someone - a situation in which exclusivity isn’t usually discussed - and thus it is not uncommon to ‘see’ or ‘talk to’ a number of people at any one time.

Now, it is no secret that the majority of animals have many sexual partners in a lifetime due to their animalistic instincts and needs discussed above, except for a few species such as wolves, beavers, termites, and a variety of birds. It’s also worth mentioning that the aforementioned faithful species don’t necessarily remain entirely loyal to their mate, according to research. In fact, David Barash, a Psychology professor at the University of Washington, believes monogamy is a myth in the animal kingdom.

We’re also seeing higher numbers of divorces, with one in five Australian couples that divorce attributing their separation to infidelity. Additionally, surveys have found that approximately 60% of men and 45% of women have cheated in their marriages, and 47.1% of men and 44.3% of women say they’ve cheated on a partner. Thus it appears despite best efforts to remain monogamous and have sex with only one person at any one time, a great number of people fail to do so, for all sorts of reasons.

Despite our animalistic origins, due to the socio-cultural concept of monogamy, we humans are expected to engage with only one sexual partner at any time and eventually pick one to stay and sleep with for life through the institution of marriage.

All of this begs the question of whether our monogamous society is in fact repressive – whether as animals, we humans are in fact polygamous at heart and our needs are not being met by monogamy. Is this current culture of playing and cheating a result of that? Are we in fact bored with monogamy, and as a result have turned sex into a game for fun? Is monogamy just too monotonous?

However, in modern society, we’re seeing more and more people defying this expectation of monogamy by staying single longer and longer, seeking the freedom to sleep with whomever and however many people they please – sex has stopped being a special experience for lovers and has become a numbers game for players.

This is seen most commonly in our youthful age bracket, where those in their late teens to early twenties are sleeping

“ ...sex has stopped being a special experience for lovers and has become a numbers game for players.

”

The fact that we often go through numerous partners before settling for one speaks to our natural polygamy; the fact that even when in a relationship we are all undeniably still physically attracted to other people speaks to our polygamy, and the fact we are seeing an epidemic of singles and splits speaks to the fact our needs are not being met in monogamous relationships.

These examples also prompt us to question whether these singletons and divorcees deserve the stigma attached to them for doing nothing but acknowledging and acting on their animalistic needs.

As a person who was raised Catholic, and taught to believe in the sacredness of matrimony and remaining with one person for your entire life, I never truly questioned the concept of monogamy until: 1) I discovered agnosticism 2) I started having sexual desires and sexual intercourse myself 3) I found myself in very serious deeply romantic relationships, yet still being strongly sexually attracted to other people to the point where I myself broke the cardinal rule of monogamy (yes, I’m appalled with me too).

Since then, I have constantly wondered whether monogamy is a natural instinct or a monotonous, impractical ideal.

- Features -

Artwork by Andi-Claire Pegler One’s opinion of monogamy is obviously very personal for each individual, and in expressing my beliefs I do not mean to discredit anyone else’s. But I will say this much of what I believe after all my years of constant wondering about this concept: I believe in soul mates, in having one person who you connect with on every level physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and spending your life with them.

However, I believe you can also share connections with many others on those levels, including physically, and to ignore those connections that draw you to a person is to ignore instinct – something animal – and in that, you are ignoring who you are in nature.

In this, you could say I believe in metaphysical monogamy, but not physical monogamy – my past choices reflect that belief.

When I look around, I believe that what I’m seeing is an uprising of people sharing similar beliefs to mine who rather than repress themselves instead choose to fly in the face of expectation. I

believe that what I’m witnessing – what we’re witnessing - is a widespread implicit rebellion against the monotony of monogamy in modern society.

In the future I believe that we are going to be seeing many more singles, divorcees, couples in open relationships, and various other expressions of romantic and sexual diversity becoming common.

That, or we’re going to be seeing some crazy animalistic instincts kick in and something resembling the cat-fight carnage of Mean Girls occurring over mates – and no one will be able to complain about that being too boring!

AUTHOR Georiga Brass, 22, Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Arts (English and Drama)

Georgia finds Ginuwine’s song ‘Pony’, and the Magic Mike flashbacks that often accompanies it, sexy.

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- Features -

THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT

How do YOU MEASURE UP? I was stuck for something to write about this issue. I mean, my only experiences with sex are, well, my experiences. And I’m not about to share those with you; we don’t know each other well enough yet and I’m not sure we’ll ever have that kind of relationship. But then, as I had just about given up hope, I was perusing a friend’s bookshelf and came across a glossy, colourful book about penises.

Hmm, this looked promising! Maybe I could come up with some ideas from within the pages of this tastefully laid-out tome. As I perused, pausing every now and then to read the articles (I swear that’s true!), I came to the conclusion that every coffee table should have one - a glossy book about genitals that is, not an actual penis!

Anyhow, during my research I found this little brain-teaser that I would like to share with you, dear reader.

Question: Arnie Schwarzenegger has a long one, Brad Pitt has a short one, Madonna doesn’t have one and the Pope never uses his.

What is it?

Answer: A last name.

Okay, be honest. Who had their mind in the gutter and immediately thought the answer was going to be ‘penis’? I did, I admit it. Sure, I’ve been known to snigger at the odd juvenile joke and I have been accused of giggling at sexual innuendoes, no matter how cleverly disguised and witty they might be. But in my defence, my response was influenced by the fact that I held a book about penises in my hot little hand. What’s your excuse?

Anyway, when you really think about it, how could the answer possibly be ‘penis’? Let’s explore this a bit further. Think back to those body-building pictures of Arnie in his younger years. Now, I’m in no way implying that the Terminator does steroids, but you’ve gotta wonder when you look at the size of his package in those Speedos. I’m going to give the guy the benefit of the doubt though, and choose to believe that it just looks small in relation to the rest of him.

Clearly, the penis response doesn’t apply to Madonna either.

Without a shadow of a doubt, that woman definitely has a penis, or a huge set of balls at the very least. How else would she have dared to reach such heights of musical world domination? A vagina just doesn’t cut it in a man’s world (sense the sarcasm!)

Come to think of it, perhaps she stole someone else’s package and is using it for her own gain. This seems like a slightly macabre but immensely satisfying thing to do. Maybe I’ll try it if the ‘writing a best-seller’ plan doesn’t work out.

However, Mr Jolie is the exception. He does indeed have a short one. I’m tempted to say I know this from first-hand experience, but I’ve already told you that I’m not prepared to divulge. I know this

because for a while (back when I was earning a decent wage, before I gave it all up to pursue my dream of becoming a world famous author) I may have had a slight addiction to glossy celebrity gossip magazines. I may have scrutinised terrible invasion-of-privacy photos taken by paparazzi who should be ashamed of themselves. I may have ogled Brad and then fiancé Gwyneth Paltrow sunbaking naked on a balcony in Capri or somewhere just as exotic. As you do.

And unless Photoshop was used in an extremely cruel and barbaric way, Brad does indeed have a small penis.

Those of you reading this who are the proud owners of both X and Y chromosomes must be thinking, ‘Sucked in, Brad. You may be rich, you may be famous, you may have been crowned ‘Hollywood’s Sexiest Man’ several years in a row, you may get to sleep with Angelina on a regular basis, but despite all this, you have a tiny penis!’ Right about now the world must seem a fair and just place.

Don’t get too excited though. According to statistics (which never lie) most erect penises are about the same length, give or take. This means that the smaller they are when flaccid, the more they grow when erect. Bigger ones don’t need to grow as much to get to the average size.

As for the Pope, well, I’m not even going there. This is not that kind of article.

AUTHOR Amanda Sloan, 50, Bachelor of Creative Arts (Creative Writing)

Amanda says sexy is an indefinable quality that she only knows when she sees or feels it.

Hidden Gems Date night on Gouger Street Adelaide can sometimes be seen as a city where there is not much to do, as we do not have many main tourist attractions, and as Adelaide happens to be one of the less popular places for tourists to visit, especially in winter. When talking with friends, most of them will say Adelaide and Melbourne are similar cities, but the difference is, the city of Melbourne seems to be well executed and can be seen to have a more vibrant nightlife. To those people, I say this - Adelaide does have a vibrant nightlife, you just have to go looking for it, instead of waiting for it to come to you.

Gouger Street is located in Adelaide’s CBD, and is filled with cafes, restaurants, patisseries, and it even has its own bar, but more on that later. Gouger Street is located near China town and has a variety of different international cuisines. Gouger Street is filled with restaurants that offer Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Greek cuisines, as well as many more international flavours.

This street is a lovely place to go for an intimate outing whether it be with family, friends, or a special event or a date, there is something here for every occasion. The best part about this street is that the restaurants are open until late, so if you want to go for dinner later on in the night (or even just for dessert), then it is possible! There is a small shop that makes Bubble tea, a Taiwanese tea- based drink which has become increasingly

popular in Adelaide. I am personally not a fan of bubble tea, but I recommend you at least try it, as it is very different, and you may love it!

There is a bar on Gouger Street, inventively named ‘Bar on Gouger’, which also offers meals as well as drinks. I have been to this bar on a Thursday night and it has a great atmosphere, friendly staff, and reasonable drink prices. It’s also a great place to hang out socially, as you’re able to have a conversation without having to shout, and there’s the space for you to show off your moves on the dance floor.

No matter what you like, whether it be a quick eat on the go or a sit-down meal; whether you are looking for a cheap meal or a fancy evening out; dessert, some drinks, a dance, or just a fantastic atmosphere; then Gouger Street is a great place to visit and enjoy on a winter’s night.

NOTE: Not all restaurants on Gouger Street take bookings.

AUTHOR Ashley Curtis, 21, Bachelor of International Tourism

What does Ash find sexy? “People who have confidence and set out to achieve their goals. Oh, and Hawaiian Pizza.”

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Fiction --- Features

AMBIVALENT

“Admitting ambivalence about my sex life, and anyone else’s, is liberating in its own way...”

I’m not worried about that. I mean it would be good in a way, then You say ‘sex’, I think ‘ambivalence.’ I reflect on my own thinking: ‘I am ambivalent about sex,’ and I don’t care to wonder why.

To probe why, or how, or if it even matters at all, would be too uncomfortable, too costly on my (perceived limited stores of) time. Admitting ambivalence about my sex life, and anyone else’s, is liberating in its own way. I’m off the market for sex, I do not wish to have it, I don’t want to give it, and I don’t want to share it either. Sexless.

Only it’s not all that simple really, because I’m in a relationship. I don’t want to deprive this person of their due dosage of the range of affections normally shared. So, sex is my duty now. Sex is the insurance that I pay, it is a bank deposit I make for the sake of the relationship. I don’t want that sex bank account to run dry for fear of being cruel and absent in that way toward my partner. But I am not enthused about making large regular deposits either. Is that bad?

The past 18 months have been an exercise in diminishing the sex deposits and hoping ‘no-one’ notices. Frankly, I would rather be reading a book, or cuddling, or having my shoulders rubbed.

I’m just not interested, and now that I am safe enough in the relationship, I can stop the pretense…. to a point. Am I concerned that my partner might stray one day, on account of my reticence, ambivalence, and even avoidance of sex and sexual activities? No,

I could just not have sex - but my companion would be gone and that would be bad. So this is what my sex is: companion tax.

Would I date me, would I date this sex-avoidant creature? Yes. I’m not unreasonable, but like any normal human, I tend to want to maximise my own comfort, and sex like any chore, I’ll do enough just to get by; don’t ask me to do too much more, or I’ll become cranky.

Sex is over-rated, an excuse for all sorts of posturing and puffery. Having said that, I still make an effort to look attractive enough, as being visually repellent is not the path of my brand of ambivalence. But readers may feel assured that there is someone, of some gender here on campus, who is not going to try and seduce your girlfriend or boyfriend, no matter what. Maybe you wish I would, because maybe you’re tired of the efforts of seduction too.

AUTHOR Anonymous, over 25, Bachelor of Medical Science

- Poetry -

Risen We are not your sluts.

Our bedrooms are our own – invitations extended at our leisure, when we want to.

We are not naïve, nor irrational, neither bitches, nor dumb.

We can disagree as we please, dream as we please, feel as if we are feeling, with every aching tear ever shed by women everywhere.

It’s simple, really.

We are not your property.

We are our own.

Poet and photographer: Andi-Claire Pegler

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Complete the crossword and send a picture of your answers to empire.times@flinders.edu.au and WIN one of ten free double passes to Palace Nova!

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Crossword clues by Liam McNally

Down Down 2 A quiet party goes terribly wrong and throws hero into a series of our diminutive 2). A our quietdiminutive party goes terribly wrong and throws fantastical battles.

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12). Gerard Butler communicates from beyond the grave. (4 words) 13). A man desires to become a doctor due to his love of helping people. (2 words) 14). Controversial Danish filmmaker makes explicit two part film.

Uni stressing you out? Unleash your sexy creativity and unwind...

Artwork: Emma Hough Hobbs

Additional challenge: How many nipples can you spot in the above illustration?

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Reader's di-Jess(T) OUTLANDER

by

DIANA GABALDON

Diana Gabaldon’s fantasy romance novel Outlander follows the extraordinary life of Claire Beauchamp, a World War Two English nurse who, whilst on a second honeymoon to Scotland with her husband Frank, is accidentally transported two hundred years back in time. Plunged into the violence of the Jacobite Rebellions, Claire is forced to take up residence with the Mackenzie clan, a family of Scots who not-so-secretly believe her to be a spy. Subject to the alien world of seventeenth century medicine, superstition and an almost barbaric treatment of women, Claire has no choice but to play her role very carefully, if she is ever to return to the twentieth century.

Outlander is the first instalment in a thus far eight-book series, first published in 1991. More recently, it was adapted to an acclaimed series starring Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan and Tobias Menzies, and produced by Starz. Even more recently than that, one of my close friends told me they hated it so much they only read three hundred pages – and for a thousand-page book, that barely cracks the spine.

When I asked them why, they exclaimed, ‘Because it’s misogynistic!’ and that was the entirety of the conversation. I wish we’d continued to talk about it, but there were other factors involved; we were with drunk people, we were on a bus, etc. So instead, I will talk about it here. Keep in mind that this friend is one of the most insightful and passionate feminist thinkers I know; I respect them a lot, and I definitely don’t want to discredit their belief that Gabaldon has created a world offensive to women, because in a very large sense it’s true.

Instead, I’d like to use this review to think about how we as readers deal with misogyny in fiction – why some of us seek to engage with these texts, whilst others refuse to indulge it.

Because the truth is that I love Outlander. I love Claire, I love Scottish people, I love time travel, I love Scottish people, I love wellwritten romances and history and Scottish people and witches and Scottish people. And when I was faced with the statement that it was misogynistic, my immediate response was, ‘Of course it is – it’s set in the seventeenth century!’

Our two-sentence exchange is a prime illustration of perhaps the most basic rule of literary theory, and probably the first rule of life – that everyone thinks differently. Feminists all subscribe to their own particular perspectives on modern life, and readers all adapt to their individual methods of engaging with texts - specifically those texts that push us to our ideological limits.

Outlander is undoubtedly one of those texts. The ordeals faced not only by Claire, but by her friend and romantic interest Jamie, are a display of such repulsively out-dated ideals and prejudices that it would be quite easy to stop reading at times. Claire treats many of these archaic values with disgust. She is herself, however, living within the psychological mould of a 1940s woman – an identity with more agency than that of a seventeenth century woman, but nevertheless shrouded by views on homosexuality and gender roles which in turn seem out-dated to any rational thinker of the twenty-first century.

There are multiple layers at work here – two centuries’ worth of progressing attitudes towards gender and sexual rights piled together in the same narrative. And I found it fascinating to peel back these layers, to examine Claire’s actions and decisions in light of her respective time periods, and in turn to realise new layers of Claire.

I don’t deny that there are moments in Outlander that I could have done without; Gabaldon is a romance writer, after all, and there are certain conventions of this genre that many feminists take issue with. Once or twice, for instance, I found myself wishing that Claire would save herself instead of waiting to be saved by Jamie.

But this is historical fiction, and these are perspectives and identities accurate to what we know seventeenth century Scotland was generally like. If an epoch is challenging to confront, it should be represented as such. To do otherwise in this case would be to deny the incredible progress gained by the women’s rights movement, and to disrespect the real lives of seventeenth century women. Outlander is a problematic text full of confronting circumstances, but to me it should be engaged with rather than flat out rejected.

But as we all know, everyone is different. My friend’s method is a defiant one. Mine is more of a curious one. Both are perfectly valid.

Rating: aaaae AUTHOR Jess Miller, 22, PhD (English and Creative Writing) Jess finds dapperness incredible sexy. Also bed socks. Possibly not at the same time.

Dr STRANGELOVE: OR HOW I LEARNT TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB REVIEW In 1964 Stanley Kubrick approached the topic of nuclear war with his film Dr Strangelove or: How I Learnt to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (in its full title). Kubrick presented the film from a satirical angle and shot using black and white film stock. Although this film is over 50 years old and the fear of a nuclear war has since declined, the overlying issue of global mistrust among countries is still relatable.

Dr. Strangelove was, and still is, seen as an incredibly influential film from its fictional large scale ‘War Room’ to its clever satirical script. The film even left an impression on future President Ronald Reagan. When Reagan entered The White House in 1981 he asked where the ‘War Room’ was, as he had seen in this film.

The witty Peter Sellers plays three separate roles: Group Captain Lionel Mandrake, President Merkin Muffley and the President’s sinister Nazi-esque advisor: Dr Strangelove. Captain Mandrake furiously attempts to figure out a recall code to stop an impending nuclear bombing of the USSR ordered by the crazed General Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden). Meanwhile, President Muffley tries to convince the drunken Soviet Premier over the phone that the ordered attack was all a silly mistake, while Dr Strangelove (a German Nuclear Physicist) confirms the existence of the dreaded Doomsday Machine – a secret Soviet retaliatory nuclear device guaranteed to obliterate the whole human race. Other prominent characters include the immature and optimistic General ‘Buck’ Turgidson (George C. Scott) and Major ‘King’ Kong (Slim Pickens) who was initially to be played by Peter Sellers as his fourth character for the film. Sellers was unable to adopt an authentic Texas accent for Major Kong, and also broke his leg after falling from a model plane 15ft off the ground, which is also why his character Dr Strangelove was played sitting in a wheelchair.

Stanley Kubrick’s films always have intriguing stories behind how they were made, being so inventive and cutting-edge. Stanley Kubrick worked with Terry Southern (an American author) on the screenplay. When asked what was the most outrageous thing

character General Jack D. Ripper could say while still remaining credible, Terry Southern suggested the idea that General Ripper had a crazed obsession over “precious bodily fluids”; General Ripper tried to protect America’s “precious bodily fluids” from communist USSR by sending the nuclear attack. Ken Adam (Production Designer, famous for early James Bond sets) and Peter Murton (Art Director) together created astonishing sets, in grand scale and authenticity. The interior of the B52 bomber plane was dangerously close to the real planes used by the U.S. Military, so much so that they were at risk of being investigated by the FBI. A final cream-pie throwing scene was shot and was to be shown at the end of the film, but was later scrapped and replaced with a speech from Dr Strangelove. Kubrick only had one chance to shoot the scene as the War Room would be destroyed as a result of the food fight, and throughout the whole scene the actors were laughing and characters became unrecognisable due to the creampie build-up on their faces.

A preview screening of Dr. Strangelove was due to be released on 22nd November 1963. As this was three weeks after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the film’s preview release was strategically moved to January 1964. In addition, a line from character Major Kong was dubbed, it was changed from ‘Shoot, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in Dallas with all that stuff’ to ‘weekend in Vegas.’

Dr Strangelove is one of Kubrick’s best and most well-known feature films. A must-see.

RATING: aaaaa AUTHOR & ARTIST Rhianna Carr, 21, Bachelor of Media Arts

What does Rhianna find sexy? Someone with a fantastic sense of humour — i.e, her sense of humour.

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10 shows that changed television #7

SEX & THE CITY This is the show that made the Cosmopolitan cocktail famous; the global sensation that spawned six television seasons, two film sequels, and a prequel book and television series; this is the show that my friends and I used to watch at sleepovers or school camps, giggling in awe at all of the naughty hijinks that grown women got up to, asking each other if we were a Carrie, a Miranda, a Charlotte, or a Samantha.

Let’s look back at the shows these ‘10 television shows that changed TV’ pieces have featured throughout 2016 so far; Twin Peaks, Dr Who, Blackadder, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Cheers, and The X-Files. Notice anything? Classic television shows are either more male dominated in characters and plot than they are female dominated, or they’re more evenly split between male and female main characters; it’s hardly the other way around – more femalecentric. Enter Sex and the City in 1998, one of the first big television shows that was unapologetically, explicitly focused solely on women.

Sex and the City was based on a book of the same name by American writer Candace Bushnell, and over half of the 94 television episodes in its 6 series run were written by women. The writers of the show even had a rule that they weren’t allowed to write something for the show unless it had happened to one of the writers, or to someone they knew firsthand. This gave the many juicy, hilarious, cringe-inducing moments of this series, a personal relevance to the women watching at home, as these things were really happening to women around the world.

Sex and the City is about four New York women, and their friendship, their careers, and their romances; basically, it is about their lives together. Our main character is Carrie Bradshaw (colloquially known as ‘the one with the wild hair’), and I think the term ‘hot mess’ just may have been created for her. Carrie is all at once neurotic, confident, mysterious, and a hopeless romantic. Carrie can be ridiculously frustrating to watch as she often slams the ‘self destruct’ button on her life, but there’s not a Sex and the City fan alive who hasn’t wished we could be more like Carrie sometimes; whether it’s her bizarre outfit and accessory choices that somehow work, or when she unapologetically has dramatic public meltdowns and fabulously storms out on dates, we’ve all admired the irreplaceable Carrie. Carrie, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, is a writer who writes a sex column for a New York newspaper, and she draws her inspiration from her and her friend’s love lives.

There’s Miranda Hobbes (the redhead), who is a lawyer with a personality to match; she’s witty, organised, fiercely independent, and she can be very critical. Miranda, played by Cynthia Nixon, has rules and boundaries, she writes up lists of positives and negatives, and she’s always logical. There’s Charlotte York, (the brunette), who is an art gallery director, who is classy, uptight, and a bit prissy; played by Kristin Davis, Charlotte is very collected, which just makes it all the more entertaining when she loses her shit. Finally, there’s Samantha Jones, who truly is one of a kind, and in my opinion, the most entertaining part of the show. Samantha, played

by Kim Cattrall, is a cunning businesswoman in public relations.

Sam calls a spade a spade, and shoots from the hip; her great love and passion in life is sex (the wilder the better) but not so much relationships.

Between the four of them, the gals go on a lot of dates, and have quite a lot of sex, 95% of which is hilarious, cringe-inducing, and more often than not, fodder for Carrie’s column. A good thing about the Sex and the City sex scenes is that often they convey how sex is in everyday life; it’s not always perfect, pleasure isn’t always easy, and one person’s sexual dreams and practises don’t necessarily mirror the next person’s.

Despite sex and romance being a big part of the show (and even in the name), it’s not the most significant aspect or message of Sex and the City. The show is about women and friendship. The boyfriends and sexual partners come and go, but friendship is for life; the romantic interests are only ever the co-stars, while the leading ladies are always front and centre, where it usually is the other way around in television. What I love most about the friendship dynamic between these four ladies is how real it is; they’re all different, they clash, they disagree and argue, but they’re there for each other, they always support each other, no matter what. The characters are not perfect, they’re sometimes downright unlikable, but that just makes them more real. There’s a scene where a guilt-ridden Carrie tells Samantha that she’s been having a secret affair with her married ex-boyfriend, and she asks: ‘Don’t you want to judge me, just a little bit?’ to which Samantha replies, ‘Not my style’.

Another fabulous and authentic aspect of Sex and the City was how it didn’t shy away from nitty gritty parts of women’s lives, even when other television shows wouldn’t dare to. Just a few examples are: abortion (and the rare notion that sometimes women don’t regret that choice), sexually transmitted infections

and diseases, plastic surgery, infertility, adoption, masturbation, menopause, cancer, religion, infidelity, and miscarriage.

There are a few stellar moments throughout the series that especially shine from a feminist perspective; such as, when Steve breaks up with Miranda simply because he she makes more money than he does. He says that the difference between their income and background makes him feel bad about himself; this episode raises the question of why so many men feel emasculated, embarrassed or uncomfortable when they are not the breadwinner in their relationship. This episode examined how “traditional” gender roles are restrictive ultimately to both men and women.

Then there is the episode, possibly one of my favourites, where Carrie gets shamed for her single and “excessive” lifestyle by her married-with-kids friend; the friend implies that because she doesn’t have a husband and kids to worry about, that Carrie doesn’t live a real life. Carrie contends that she has celebrated and supported her friend’s choices in life to marry and have kids, and that she deserves the same. This episode is about a woman’s right to choose what she does with her life, and to not be shamed or judged by anyone regardless of her choice.

However, as much as I adore Sex and the City, it’s certainly not perfect. Sex and the City is regarded as a bit of a fantasy in the way that Miranda, Charlotte, Carrie, and Samantha are all very well off despite being young in their 30s and doing reasonably ordinary jobs; Carrie herself only writes a weekly column for a newspaper and she somehow affords a Brownstone apartment,

constant nights out, and many, many designer brand shoes. Sex and the City is a parade of whiteness, with only 2 out of possibly hundreds of romantic interests not being white, and all of the main or recurring characters being white. The closest Sex and the City came to representing transgender people was using drag queens as butts of jokes, and bisexuality is seen as “a layover on the way to gay-town”. In these ways, it’s not representative of real life in its entirety. I enjoy Sex and the City as a fantasy and as escapism because that’s what it is, but I still take valuable lessons here and there from the series.

A lot of people criticise the amount of sex that the Sex and the City ladies have, but I think that if women want to have sex and orgasms, that’s their prerogative, and good on them. They have sex when they want to and stop when they want to, and they’re not afraid to reject or break up with guys if it’s not working – I personally find that message very empowering. Sex and the City emphasises the importance of female friendship, and how independence and being single isn’t always a bad thing to be dreaded and pitied.

Sex and the City concludes that women take different journeys in life, and that what works for some women doesn’t work for others; Charlotte enters an interfaith marriage and adopts a Chinese daughter; Miranda has a non-traditional wedding and keeps her own surname, as does her and her husband’s son; Carrie and Mr. Big eventually marry but remain childfree; and Samantha doesn’t feel the need to settle down with any man, she remains single, yet not lonely. She breaks up with men with the fabulous reasoning, ‘I love you, but I love me more’, a rare example of a woman putting herself first, and not apologising for it.

‘Maybe we can be each other’s soulmmates, and men are just these nice, funny guys to go out with’

Eleanor Danenberg, 21, Bachelor of Arts – High Achievers (Women’s Studies and Creative Writing) Eleanor finds feminism unbelievably sexy.

ARTWORK Benjamin Hall

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- Anime Review -

ANIME REVIEW: kiznavier What do you get when you mix expertly written character drama with science fiction? Evangelion? Yes of course, but right now I’m talking about Kiznaiver!

Having just finished its April to June 2016 run of 12 episodes, Kiznaiver was a surprising standout. It’s a rare anime treat, as it takes you to a completely unexpected destination and doesn’t leave you feeling bewildered. From the first episode you are introduced to a pretty wild assortment of semi-unappealing and stereotyped characters, a lacklustre science fiction element, and the impending urge to pretend you never started it in the first place. However, in this case my persistence was far more rewarding than that time I foolishly believed a friend who swore the My Little Pony reboot was excellent. Basically, Kiznaiver gets very good.

agonising about how on earth they made it so smooth and beautiful - not to mention its lush colouring, Studio Trigger knows what they’re doing, and I can’t help mentioning the character designs are all really cute.

The wow factor for Kiznaiver is undoubtedly how well and purposefully the show turns itself around. All of a sudden you realise the emotional drive behind the script with the characters’ developments, and you’re left with sweaty palms and a tense chest because you’ve actually become attached to the characters; this moment is really gratifying and emotional to watch. It was a really brave move to withhold the big action and sci-fi philosophy of the anime until the end, but there’s no other way a story like this should be told.

Katsuhira Agata is your typical white-haired anime boy: charming, vaguely distant, and just a little mentally unstable. Having no sense of pain for as long as he can remember, he has wandered through life as indifferent to others’ pain as to his own. That is until he and five of his classmates are abducted and forced to participate in the city council’s backyard science project to secure world peace. The teenagers are bound to each other through experiencing onesixth of everyone’s pain, becoming “Kiznaivers”. What follows is a cleverly crafted clash of interpersonal reasoning and emotionally charged sadistic milestones staged by the council.

Breathing new life into the high school age, sci-fi drama genre, Kiznaiver is primo new anime. Fans of Mekakucity Actors, Angel Beats and the last 2 episodes of Evangelion will feel well at home.

Put together by the relatively new Studio Trigger as an anticipated runner up after their wildly popular Kill la Kill (which I never watched because it looks kinda terrible), Kiznaiver is as equally super stylised and total visual perfection. I probably spent most the series

AUTHOR Emma Hough Hobbs, 19, Bachelor of Creative Arts (Digital Media) If Emma could have any fantasy superpower, she would want the fantasy superpower to copy other fantasy superpowers.

- Game Review -

SEXUALITY IN THE SIMS

Level UP When creating a simulated character in a simulated world, choice and customisation is everything. Players should have the option to choose age, hair colour, weight, skin colour, look, fitness, even the choice to express a non-binary gender, and marry anyone regardless of heteronormativity. The Sims franchise has always addressed this issue very well, and from the pixelated characters with a limited range of premade outfits of the first game, to the most recent game with its smooth animation and ability to customise almost every aspect of a character, The Sims has evolved not just in the quality of its graphics but also in its progressive values.

The Sims is a series of life simulation video games, published by Electronic Arts, with the first game in the franchise released in 2000. All of The Sims games are very open, with no specific goals to achieve, and focus around creating virtual people (‘Sims’), putting them in houses in a town, and helping to satisfy their needs and wants, and progress through their lives.

Since the first Sims game, all Sims have been essentially bisexual, as they can experience romantic attraction and interact romantically with Sims of either gender of the appropriate age group. In The Sims there was no possibility for same-sex marriage however, and that is perhaps a reflection of a different political and social climate to the one we have now.

With The Sims 2 released in 2004, came some defined measure of preference for either gender, built into the coding of the game, and not editable during character creation. These preference scores change throughout the Sims’ lives as they interact with other Sims during gameplay, shifting their preferences for either gender. A chemistry mechanic was also introduced in The Sims 2: Nightlife expansion pack. This chemistry mechanic can be used in character creation to select certain features of other Sims that the Sim will be attracted to, regardless of gender. Same-sex marriage was also introduced with a ‘Joined Union’ option for gay and lesbian couples. Whilst the title may be different, the Joined Union functions the same way as a normal Sim marriage and the Sims may adopt children.

In The Sims 3, released in 2009, any couple can get married (with no separate title for same-sex marriage), with the Generations expansion pack teens may go to the prom as a same-sex couple, and with the Into the Future expansion pack, same-sex couples can even engineer their own biological child in a laboratory (yay for science!). Again, same-sex couples can adopt children if they wish.

The Sims 4, the latest release of the franchise in 2014, takes things even further, with the same sort of same-sex relationship options as The Sims 3, but with more options for gender selection during character creation. A patch has recently been released for the game which adds several options including the ability to select whether your Sim uses the toilet standing up or sitting down, dresses in a masculine or feminine manner, and even whether they are able to become pregnant or impregnate other Sims. This patch (released in 2016) has massively expanded the possibilities of Sim creation, with the most notable outcome being that transgender Sims can now be created within the game, along with possibilities for androgynous and genderqueer Sims.

Currently, these flexible gender options do not extend to the unplayable randomly generated NPCs (Non-Player Characters), however this represents a massive shift towards diversity and inclusion in gaming, as Electronic Arts have stated: ‘The Sims is made by a diverse team for a diverse audience, and it’s really important to us that players are able to be creative and express themselves through our games.’ Removing gender restrictions in Sim creation definitely allows for this.

Furthermore, The Sims 4 has removed the requirement for monogamy that was present in the past three games. In its predecessors, if a Sim in a relationship carried out romantic interactions with a Sim who is not their partner, their relationship score would immediately decrease and the partner would become furious with the Sim, wanting to fight and breakup. This mechanic has been removed in Sims 4, now the partner will simply become slightly jealous of this new love interest. This means that polyamorous relationships can now be pursued among Sims, expanding the possibilities in the game even further.

The Sims game series has always been progressive, and this latest patch shows that Electronic Arts is listening to its audience.

This hopefully suggests a shift in culture for the gaming industry towards a more modern view of sexuality and gender identity.

As an avid fan of The Sims franchise, I have enjoyed playing Sims 4 with so many new options, and I look forward to whatever Electronic Arts introduces next.

AUTHOR Kelly Guthberlet, 21, Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary)/Bachelor of Science Kelly thinks the confidence to wear crocs in public sexy.

K

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- Music Review -

The Music Column You’re all horny and going to hell, here is a lovely album to distract you from your impending doom...

I can’t believe the amount of sex on the radio! Well, truthfully I can. We all know that sex, and to a lesser extent, nudity on the cover art, sells otherwise shitty records that one wouldn’t even look at in the discount bin. Very rarely these days do we see albums and songs that instead focus on love and human connection, while still maintaining a degree of pop appeal and radio-friendliness. That’s why I’m throwing it back to 2011, when we were all reminded of someone we used to know. I’m of course talking about New Zealand’s Kimbra Lee Johnson, and her award winning debut album Vows.

There’s something about Vows that always brings me back to it. It features simple harmonies and melodies, instrumentation that’s vast and sometimes chaotic without being cluttered and overblown, jazz-pop that’s not overproduced and sounds real. She’s achieved all this with a voice hard to beat, reminding us of similar soul singers like Bjork, Prince, and Nina Simone.

The album fades into Kimbra multi-layering her voice scat-singing, slowly creating the beat for the first song “Settle Down”, singing of tying the knot with her lover, even if her lover is drawn into temptations with someone else. The next song “Cameo Lover” is a lot bouncier, with off-beat drums and tambourines galore. It slowly builds up to a grand finish with brass and guitars, as Kimbra shows the full heights of her upper register in the chorus.

From this point on Kimbra shows how well she can arrange and work with different instruments and musical styles. “Two Way Street” is a string-laden piece with some curious percussion here and there, before fading into “Old Flame” a synth-heavy electronic track, with strong Prince influences. While this track does feel weaker than the others there are some highlights, particularly the way Francois Tetaz handles the production. The song finishes with a teaser of the next track “Good Intent”, a mixture of jazz, soul, and blues, in probably the best track from the album. The music video is also brilliantly filmed, produced and choreographed (as they all are); a slick look at jazz and noir from a time long past.

From herein, it gets deeper. Kimbra envies and desires a married man in “Plain Gold Ring”, but in “Wandering Limbs” she shares a duet with fellow soul artist Sam Lawrence. They split the singing equally and sound great together, although their voices are vividly different. The high point is when the song hits peak crescendo, with instruments flowing and swaying left and right as it all fades and bursts out, leaving only a piano playing a simple note sequence.

The songs on this album work surprisingly well together, even though they all sound disctinct. The album has a clear progression, as it starts off musically high and safe then gets more interesting, subdued, and downbeat towards the very finish, where she can’t leave the person she loves on “Withdraw”, yet questions her love at the same time on “The Build Up”. I could go on and on about the specific moments on this LP that tie it all together and work perfectly, but then I’d be here all day writing.

Vows deserved my 5/5 back in 2011, and it still does today.

Other albums on love worth recommending would be “As Day Follows Night” by Sarah Blasko; for hate-love and everything else, “Rid of Me” by PJ Harvey; for sex, “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye, or anything by Madonna.

AUTHOR Aden Beaver, 19, Bachelor of Creative Arts (Digital Media)

What does Aden find sexy? The thrill of “finding moments to verbally exert my authority”, he says.

aaaaa

By Emma Hough Hobbs. If you like this artwork, Emma has a SALA exhibit open every Wednesday to Saturday 3:00-9:00pm for the rest of August, displaying her original prints. Come to Candela on Goodwood Rd to check it out!

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