Ottawa Sex-Hibition

[JuliasUndies 7288]

This looks like a very interesting exhibit at the Museum of Science And Technology and equally controversial. A must see on my list.

 

http://www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/english/whatson/2012-sex-a-tell-all-exhibition.cfm

[Boomer 33202]

I got a chuckle from an article in this mornings Globe. On this long weekend it's what Victoria might have thought of this controversial exhibit. It's already shown successfully in several major cities in Canada without the righteous indignation of the narrow minded. Does it really make sense to let our kids learn about sex from their peers, and not have some adult guidance.

 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/elizabeth-renzetti/o-canada-you-retain-the-modesty-so-wrongly-associated-with-my-name/article2437827/

[DukeSSk 3430]

Ya, I saw Heritage Minister Moore on CBC News World comparing this to an adult film store...

 

He claimed that he received numerous complaints from parents, fair enough, but would those people prefer their kids learning about sex in an educational setting or by virtue of a cheap porno flick found by their buddy?

[Kathryn Bardot 99339]

Where is the "public outcry" coming from? Fundamentalist religious groups. http://scathinglywrongrightwingnutz.blogspot.ca/2012/05/about-that-so-called-public-outcry.html

 

And what of people who have actually visited the exhibition?

"The most provocative images in there were from the advertisements that they displayed that show how sexuality is imposed on us through the media out there in the open public. So when you think that there are far more controversial images on a bus than in here, I think it's important to allow our children to put it into context and if we were there with them we can do that for them." http://ottawa.openfile.ca/ottawa/text/what-people-are-saying-about-sexhibit

[Nathalie L 112512]

While I was in Quebec City this weekend there was a lot of reports about this exhibition. In Quebec they think the public outcry is a moral panic about youth exposure to sexuality and sexual expression. Most youth (note they aren't necessarily children) have access to all this information via porn, websites, etc. I agree with Quebec when they say museums might as well make this information accessible in a public forum where it is (at least) somewhat accurate! There are also people who can answers questions openly and honestly, which you can't necessarily say about the internet.

 

I can't wait to see it later this week. I hear there's a button you can press to demonstrate a penis from flaccid to erect. Wouldn't it be great if it were that easy? (Mind you, sometimes it is!)

[SamanthaEvans 166767]

I've heard several reports on CBC radio about this. My 17 year-old son was here when we heard the last one. He thought the complaints were silly but also pretty sad. He said that parents need to get real and recognize that their kids usually know a great deal about sex and that even things like group sex and BDSM are very common among teenagers. Too often, waiting for parents to be comfortable talking about sex is futile, he says. His friends' parents are all over the spectrum, from not able to say anything to being completely comfortable talking about everything, anytime. (I'm glad to know that I'm in the latter group!) He also said that when parents aren't able or willing to talk about sex without judging their kids or skewing everything towards conversations about why it's a good idea to be a virgin "forever," their kids can find anything they want on the Internet, anyway. The trouble with that, he said, is that "porn on the 'net isn't realistic. Way too many pizza delivery boys and French maids." :icon_lol:

[loopie 15358]

I live here in Ottawa, and sadly yes, people here are that stupid.

[backrubman 64800]

Does anyone know when this "temporary exhibit" is over?

 

I did try to determine this but I can only find it started May 17th but no end date. While I would not make a trip to the Canada Science and Technology Museum to see this exhibit specifically I am curious to know if it will still be there in a little less than a month's time when as luck will have it I will be "relaxing" in Ottawa and often do the museum thing during such recharge intervals.

[Aspen Wilde 31370]

I was there this week!

 

It was a fun exhibit. Some displays were broken mind you, and I kinda wanted to rewrite some of the information presented as it was very exclusionary of trans people. There was a game with what I found to be a questionable moral "Sleep with lots of people, and you'll all get HIV!"

 

But on the other hand, as far as I know Ottawa hasn't had anything like this before, and I think that overall it acts as a friendly and approachable exploration of sexuality suitable for young people. Certainly not 'child pornography' or any of the other criticisms that folks who have never actually visited the exhibit have been slinging around.

 

Sheesh.