blakrose@watarts.UUCP (11/06/83)
As a scholar and consumer of erotic literature, I am intrigued by the current debate going on in both feminist and anti-feminist circles about the societal impacts of pornography, and possible social curbs. I used to be one of the "stop it from being sold" types, until a couple of points were brought home to me: a) A gay friend is worried that if we tighten up the porn laws, gay erotica will be clamped down on particularly hard. He is not paranoid; we have the disgusting debacle here in Ontario of the Attorney-General's office laying charges against a gay NEWS publication and then appealing the acquittal ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. As the Attorney-General was quoted as saying: "We'll keep prosecuting until I get a verdict I can live with." b) The same province that refuses to show an anti-porn film in public theatres (Not A Love Story) allows the entirely degrading and misogynistic film "The Story Of O" to be freely exhibited. Therefore, how far can we trust this state to protect our interests? This comment and other astute and though-provoking ones can be found in an article by Wanda Burstyn in the June-July 1982 issue of FUSE magazine, published in Toronto. If you write me, I will send free copies of the article. Anyway, I think tge messahes of the feminists on porn ( "We want Erotica, not Porn") are admirable but not very constructive. They are prone to launching tirades against what they consider unacceptable, but I have yet to hear them cite examples of "the good stuff" -- non-sexist erotica. In my continuing research on this subject, I have noticed that Playgirl carries a monthly section called "Erotica" that consists of reader's retelling of their favourite sexual fantasies or experiences. For a male, like myself, these provide fascinating glimpses into what women like sexually -- or think they should, etc. What I would like to ask readers of the net is: Have they seen any collections of such letters, published by Playgirl? If so, could they provide me with details for ordering a copy? If I get ahold of one, I will post further articles to the net on the attitudes expressed by these women towards their sexual activity, to encourage debate on the net on this subject.
riddle@ut-sally.UUCP (Prentiss Riddle) (11/08/83)
It may be only one example, but Anais Nin wrote two volumes of beautiful
erotica acceptable to (at least some) feminists. Check out her books
"Delta of Venus" and "Little Birds".
(Of course, Nin herself thought that these works were trash and wrote them
only because she was in dire need of money.)
And as for erotica on film, look at an item I posted recently to net.movies
on the Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini.
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Prentiss Riddle
{ihnp4,seismo,ctvax}!ut-sally!riddle
riddle@ut-sally.UUCP