When it comes to openly embracing ‘sexy talk’ no one is more outspoken or direct about sex and relationships than me in my inner circle. After all when something as beautiful, natural and pleasurable as sex is existent in our lives, then why should we suppress our automatic urge to discuss our turn ons, questions on sexual health or anything else that is related to getting down and funky, simply because society deems ‘sex talk’ as inappropriate or has sex bans? Well quite frankly I call shade; there is nothing wrong with being out and open about our sex lives, nor is it inappropriate to discuss taboo topics with our friends and loved ones, because we should all have the freedom to express ourselves, however damn we please. After all, we hear, see and read so much about sex every single day.
It’s on the billboards as we travel to work, it’s mentioned as sexual innuendos in radio and TV adverts, it’s in magazine photography…it’s everywhere but that’s because it’s a marketers dream. It commands attention and creates interesting copy for readers/viewers. From the food that we eat to the clothes that we wear, much of what we do in a daily basis is defined or can be relegated to the sexual sphere of conversation, allowing us to take for granted just how free we are to discuss taboo topics outside our homes, in comparison to other less liberal states. Here in the UK I can openly discuss having sex on my period, don’t need to shy away from discussing birth control options and can even go into an Adult Sex shop to purchase sex toys and lingerie, without fearing the authority breathing down my neck and diminishing my free will. There are no sex bans here.
But what if we lived in a society where sex and mention of it was heavily censored? What if you lived in a country where being gay is seen as ‘illegal’, where you are not allowed to have sex before marriage, where you are not allowed to celebrate Valentines Day, or where even the lingerie you wear can be banned?This is an issue in many countries around the globe and with the recent controversy over sexuality and punishments in Brunei, it’s never been more relevant. After all a country who declares ‘stoning by death’ for anyone found to be gay, or engage in ‘gay sexual relations’ is enough to make my blood boil. And while as a writer it is often my job to hold my ‘tongue’ and mediate a neutral response, I was never one for following the rules, and thus passion becomes my written sword against sex bans around the globe. After all it beggars belief that sex and sexuality could be considered to be so abhorrent, and it saddens me that many men, women and gender fluid individuals are subject to torture, scrutiny or punished for simply being gay, fluid, or open about their sex lives. Whatever happened to free will? From countries who have imposed bans against homosexuality, to bans against sex toys in States like Arizona, here are five global sex bans that might shock you.
In 72 Countries Homosexuality Is Still Considered To Be Illegal
Of all the sex bans around the world, it is the fact that 72 countries still consider homosexuality to be a ‘sin’ that angers me the most. Banning strip clubs is one thing, as one could argue that men and women might become ‘dehumanized’ or ‘objectified’ for the consumers gaze, but why should someone’s desire to love and be loved, be seen as wrong. Whether you are attracted to both genders, to the same sex, or the opposite sex, who you fall in love with, should never be up for discussion, and that’s final. Just as we are brought into this world not by our choice, our sexuality is not chosen either, and regardless of who we gravitate towards, our sexual preferences should not be seen as a sin. Our choice to love, our choice to have sex, our choice to feel should not be limited by societal control; we are our own identities and noone can take that away from us. While I identify as straight, as someone who has a number of friends and loved ones who identify under the LGBTQ umbrella, I have always been a firm believer that anyone regardless of sexual orientation, gender, labels, stereotypes, backgrounds or ethnicity should have the freedom to love, to fall in love completely and be utterly and deeply in adoration. It saddens me that as an ally for the community I have witnessed atrocities towards my dear loved ones, simply because they are Gay, Bisexual, Lesbian, Transgender, Pansexual or Gender Fluid. No matter who you are, or where you come from, you should always be yourself, even in countries that want to punish you for being ‘you’.
In 2017 it was revealed that 72 countries continued to criminalise same-sex relationships, including 45 in which sexual relationships between women are outlawed.There are eight countries in which homosexuality can result in a death penalty, and dozens more in which homosexual acts can result in a prison sentence, according to an annual report by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA). Some of these countries include Brunei-who was recently in the media for creating a ‘death by stoning law’ for anyone found to be in a gay relationship or engaging in same sex activity- Iran, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, ( who still state that homosexuality is still punishable by death, under sharia law) and the report shows that potential exists for a death penalty to be handed down under sharia courts in at least five other countries – Pakistan, Afghanistan, the UAE, Qatar and Mauritania, being notable examples where homosexuality is frowned upon. Of all the 72 countries who have criminalized same sex relationships, it is perhaps Brunei who is most topical at present, who received backlash recently for its decision to introduce stoning LGBTQ people to death, which has now as of the 6th May been revoked. In April Brunei introduced strict new Islamic laws that make anal sex and adultery offences punishable by stoning to death, in an attempt to ‘strengthen Islamic teachings’ according to Sultan Hassanal who heads the Brunei Investment Agency. But quite frankly, I call bullshit; the decision to punish people ‘for being themselves’ is nothing more than propaganda to control the masses, and deter ‘activity’ that doesn’t fit into their so called heteronormative box.
Sultan’s proclamation at a public address according to AFP news agency, did not mention the strict new interpretation of Sharia, or Islamic law, instead stating that he wanted to “see Islamic teachings in this country grow stronger” met with outcry worldwide, with celebrities like George Clooney calling for a boycott of the luxury hotels that Sultan owns, including the Dorchester Collection, a global hotel franchise including the Dorchester in London and the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. And who could blame them for wanting to distance themselves from a man who thinks that homosexuality is a sin. After all religion is meant to be about peace, love and community, so how would strengthening ‘Islamic Teachings’ have anything to do with stoning people to death? It just does not make sense. Even before the new Anti-LGBT law was put into place in Brunei in April-which I believe had more to do with Brunei’s weakening economy and attempts to hold onto power than religious principles, but more on that another time,- Brunei still saw homosexuality as a ‘punishable offence’. While an execution has not been carried out since 1957, Homosexuality was already illegal in Brunei and punishable by up to 10 years in prison.Under the new laws Lesbian sex also carries a different penalty of 40 strokes of the cane and/or a maximum of 10 years in jail in Brunei. While we are all entitled to ‘freedom of speech, expression and opinion’ under no circumstances should any of your actions be considered as ‘ok or humane’ if it involves hurting someone else, whether that be through torture, death, abuse or anything else, making anti-LGBT laws sickening in my eyes. Love is love, what part of that does Brunei not get?
Thankfully in the UK, homosexuality was decriminalized in 1967, with changes to an amendment in the 1967 Sexual Offences Act, which had previously stated that gay or bisexual men could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. While it has been fifty years since gay sex has been decriminalized, it wasn’t until 2014 that gay marriage was legal in the UK. There are still steps to take against the sex bans against homosexuality around the world, but here’s hoping that those 72 countries take a leaf out of the UK’s book and allow lovers to be lovers regardless of their sexual orientation. Everybody say love.
You Can Get Arrested In Seven Countries For Having Sex Toys In Your Luggage
Picture the scene, you have planned the ultimate dirty weekend with your beau abroad, hoping that a little naughty something will be enough to tickle his pickle (and yours). But imagine your shock and horror as you roll up at the Maldives airport, only to discover that your dildo is on show for the world to see, because pornographic materials are prohibited by Maldive Customs, with most extreme cases resulting in arrest. While it might seem ludicrous that sex toys are viewed as a punishable offence (because let’s face it since when was a dildo seen as a weapon?) Maldives isn’t the only country who has bans against sex toys. From the United Emirates, to Vietnam, here are seven countries who apparently don’t know what the meaning of a good time is.
Maldives
I would love to go to the Maldives but knowing that porn and sex toys are prohibited under the 1998 Anti Obscenity Act is enough to make me cry. I mean can you imagine a guy going without porn for the duration of his holiday stint? After all the guy I am seeing tells me that he watches porn to masturbate everyday, while I indulge in a good ol’ fashioned sex toy run most days, so how would we go without our guilty sexy pleasures abroad? Troubling Times.
Saudia Arabia
Keep the dildo’s away because the Po-Po’s did not come to play… (slang for police)
United Arab Emirates
Not only will they take your ding-a-ling away, but they will also put you behind bars. Ouch.
Thailand
Despite its liberal attitudes towards sex, Thailand is a no no on sex toys, which can get you prosecuted.
Vietnam
In 2011, authorities made buying sex toys or bringing them into the country illegal.And if visitors are found bringing sex toys into the country by customs, they will be confiscated.
Malaysia
Sex toys are also prohibited in Malaysia, according to the country’s penal code.It states that possession of ‘any obscene objects whatsoever’ can result in a fine or even prison.
India
Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code bans objects which are ‘deemed to be obscene’.Objects include sex toys as well as books, drawings and figures. Massagers can be taken into India but not if they are phallic shaped. Does that mean that fleshlights are allowed then? Asking for a friend LOL.
Strip Clubs Are Banned In Iceland
With Iceland having an openly Lesbian head of state, you might be thinking that banning strip clubs is down to feminism, with outlets declaring Iceland as being the most ‘female friendly country in the world’. But here’s the T, while I am thankful the sex ban was not engineered by religion, as someone who wholeheartedly identifies as a feminist, I A. don’t have an issue with strip clubs provided that the workers are not forced into or sold into labour and have entered the industry out of their own choice and B. even if I do think that some industries like the strip club market can exploit young women in some instances, I don’t think banning strip clubs, or even sex work (which Iceland had previously banned), in the name of preventing the exploitation of women, works. After all history has clearly demonstrated that criminalizing these industries-whether that be sex work, strip clubs or other forms of adult entertainment- simply drives them underground, where they continue to thrive, but with little regulation and definitely no protections for the workers. So what does this mean? Does this mean that banning strip clubs is not a feminist victory? You have hit the nail on the head; if this was a ‘feminist act’ against strip clubs, then you would not ban an industry that gives its workers a roof over their head, food on the table and money to pay their bills. Instead what countries should do is not ban strip clubs but regulate working conditions so that workers have fairer wages, fairer hours and more support in an industry which is renowned for not offering their workers protection against the abuse and violation that sex workers, especially women can receive.
And if Iceland has an issue against strip clubs then surely what they should do is open up the job market and create better opportunities for women and men, so that they are given the choice to go for roles that offer more economic certainty.
You Cannot Have Sex With The Devil In Bakersfield California (but only if you are not wearing a condom)
And now for some light relief; after all that talk of death by stoning and going to prison for owning a sex toy, you might be pleased to know that in Bakersfield it’s illegal to get the devil’s D. Errm what? What the devil is going on here on this day? Think I am joking? Well think again. Apparently the only way that you can get jiggy with the devil is if you use a condom. Must be to avoid you getting pregnant with the devil’s baby. That or the world has gone officially mad if it thinks that you will be having sex with someone or something that you can’t see. That would be like saying that you can’t have sex with a ghost, unless you rubber up. I don’t know about you, but I have never had the urge to get down and dirty with the devil. Mainly because I don’t believe he exists, but ya know semantics, semantics. However if you do suddenly have the urge to sell your soul to the devil, then do stock up on some Johnnies, because the only way that you will be shouting out the devils name during sex, is if you wrap up that devilish cucumber.
Doesn’t it strike you as odd that Bakersfield even felt the need to pass such a strange sex ban? It almost makes me feel like some government officials wandered into some frat party titled ‘saints and sinners’ and saw an ‘angel’ getting it on with a devil (both in costume of course) and declared the law on the spot? One thing is for certain, I wont be looking for the Devil’s D in Bakersfield that is for sure…
In Minnesota It Is Illegal To Have Sex With A Live Fish
If you are feeling fishy and ready to mingle, then bad news sucker, you can’t go around having sex with a live fish anytime soon. So put away your lady garden or pee wee, and go find an alternative source of sexy time that doesn’t smell like it just got plucked out the sea. Live fish everywhere can rejoice knowing that they won’t be part of an all you can f**k genitalia buffet, and will be thrilled to know that in Minnesota a one way ticket to bestiality central will be firmly and rightly denied. Unfortunately this rule says nothing against having sex with ‘dead fish’ so apparently necrophilia is ok? I don’t know what is worse, someone having the urge to have sex with a live fish or one that is dead. I don’t know about you but I have never had the urge to give my vagina a ‘fishy blessing’ and even if I wasn’t a vegetarian, my vay jay jay would be firmly for human penis use only. It’s like turning up to a swingers party, except instead of bringing humans along for the ride, you just plonk a load of dead fishies on the table, like some sort of necrophiliac bestiality dealer, serving dead fish realness. Not cool. Can you imagine the poor fishies thinking they are going into fishy heaven after they pass, only to find out that they are part of some sadists sex mezze instead? Gross.
And if those sex bans aren’t enough to shock you, then the guys at Carvaka Adult Toys have put together this infographic which details some of the more obscure sex-related bans around the world. Did you know for example that in Iceland, strip clubs are not allowed and that lacy lingerie is banned in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan? Read on to also discover those places around the world where homosexuality is outlawed (as I mentioned above); this of course is a serious situation and is upsetting for people of different orientations wherever they reside, to know that this issue still exists. Check out the full graphic below for more!
Which Global Sex Ban Shocked You The Most?
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