eros

JOURNAL
the new

Adult’s Only Retailing in Australia

ISSUE 5 | 2017
 eros
are you a member of the

association?
With 25 years experience in providing services and advocacy to
adults-only businesses, the Eros Association is Australia’s

representation
longest serving adult industry association.
Eros is an incorporated, not-for-profit membership-based organisation.

respect
The core focus of the Eros Association is ensuring members success
through a combination of professional representation, education,
advocacy and service provision.

Our Mission is to :
• Secure a responsible and non-discriminatory legal framework for
adult businesses to operate within.
• Provide an on-going and positive public relations campaign for
the benefit of the adult industry.
• Support, educate, inform and empower our members.
• Provide referrals to a wide range of services required by our
members, both general and industry specific.

Contact Rachel today on 03 9670 7345 to discuss the best

membership package for your adults-only business or click
on to ‘Memberships’ at www.eros.org.au
Email: [email protected]

regulation
Support the
industry association referrals
that supports you recognition
2 the new eros journal
contents
2 Are you a member?
4 A Word from the President
8 The Latest from the Eros Association
10 Opal - The Wonders of Vibrating Glass
12 Vale Eric Hill
16 No Education Harms Kids
18 Book Review: A Teen Girl’s Guide to
Getting Off
22 Welcome to the Pleasure Zone
26 Twisted Angel
30 Vantablack is the New Black Market
34 Employer Assist
36 Calexotics
40 Industry Profile: Realities of Sex Work
44 Federal Incentives To Cut Local Red
Tape
46 Lovehoney Celebrates 15 Years of
Sexual Happiness
48 The Activities of The Australian Sex
Party: Victoria Branch
50 Bodypolitics with Fiona Patten
56 Financial Discrimination Against the
Adult Industry
58 The State of Vape Across the World
62 History of Eros: The Love Bus
64 Product Reviews: Fleshlight Quickshot
Vantage
66 Sponsors

Cover Image supplied by Centrefold Lounge from Miss Nude VIC

Executive Producer: Art Director:

The Eros Association Board Rebecca Lanning
Managing Editor: Editor:
Rachel Payne Robbie Swan

For advertising and further information contact [email protected]

Box 23237 Docklands VIC 8012 | www.eros.org.au
©Eros Association 2017

3
 e, Set Th em Free
Fre e, Fre . ..

A Word from the President

It was mutually agreed in June 2017
that the Eros members of The Australian
Sex Party Federal Executive Committee
resign to allow the party to move forward,
giving them the ability to attract new
It was the great Gordon The official date of birth was 5th August,
members, new contributors and possibly
2009.
a new name.
Sumner, known to us On forming the ASXP, Robbie said to The
mortals as STING, who Age newspaper on 20th August, 2009…
“After discussions with the Eros
in 1985 released his first Committee members and major
Fiona Patten MLC

solo smash hit ‘If You Love stakeholders in the industry, the Eros
Association announced last November
Someone Set Them Free!’ that it would set up a new political party
to try and further its objectives.”

If you need somebody, call my name. Fiona went on to say…

If you want someone, you can do the same. “The fact that the Australian Electoral
If you want to keep something precious, Commission (AEC) spent so much
Got to lock it up and throw away the key. time considering the word ‘sex’ further
You want to hold on to your possessions, exhibits our need for honest and open
don’t even think about me. discussion about sexual matters – be
they censorship, education, health or
discrimination”.

So it has come to pass, it is time to let Fast forward to 13th February 2016 to an
The Australian Sex Party lead by Fiona article in the Good Weekend magazine
Patten and Robbie Swan grow out from section of The Age “Now That Sex Party
under the wings of Eros. MP Fiona Patten Has Your Attention”
from journalist and author Mark Dapin…
Born out of continued frustration with
Australian politicians and their broken “Somehow the Australian Sex Party
promises, the final straw came when the seems to have turned into something
Labor Party’s Stephen Conroy lead a else as well. Since she was elected in
charge to introduce mandatory internet 2014, Patten has done little tangible for
censorship in 2009. porn-ographers and lap-dancing clubs,
but instead drafted the abortion buffer-
At the time Fiona said…
zone legislation, and instigated two
“One of the reasons for establishing the
parliamentary inquiries: into end-of-life
party was to provide a positive platform
choices - that is, voluntary euthanasia
for sexual issues amongst the negative
- and drugs. The party’s surprising
notions of sex that most politicians and
success seems largely due to the drive,
political parties have”.
charisma and political intelligence of
Patten herself”.

4 the new eros journal

As one of those members, I wish the Most importantly, it is good for the David Watt is co-founder of the multi-
party many years of continued success in community, and ironically it was so-called award winning distributor Windsor
their drive to change and add value and pornographers that have been calling for Wholesale Australasia and has been
common sense to our society. this investigation, and the churches have Eros President since 2014. Despite
been opposed for obvious reasons.
Even though I don’t consider myself his youthful looks he has more than 30
It was time for them to come out of the
a pornographer, (I’m more of a dildo years industry experience and holds an
closet!
salesperson), I support the anti- MEI (Masters of Entrepreneurship and
discrimination policies of the party which I have no doubt that the Australian Sex Innovation) from Swinburne University
is very much in line with that of Eros and Party will continue to fight for the rights of which he completed in 2011
our members. Eros members in this day and age where
the conservative right wing politicians
On a personal level, I am proud of
seem to be getting more desperate to
the success Fiona and the party have
take us back to the bad old days of
achieved whilst we were on the ASXP
Sunday schools and six o’clock swills (a
board.
reference to the lock out laws in NSW).
The buffer zone legislation was simply
To continue to support Fiona and Robbie
an astonishing beginning in our first
in their quest to keep the bastards
year of being elected. Our continued
honest, you can help set them FREE by
push for a Royal Commission into
donating at supportfionapatten.org.au
Sexual Abuse and the churches was
started many years ago by Eros. This
will be remembered for a long time.
David can be contacted via email at:
[email protected].

5
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7
 The Latest from the
Eros Association
By Rachel Payne

Campaigns and Advocacy

An update from the General Manager
BANKING DISCRIMINATION “Broad cancellation of services against CLASSIFICATION
members – in some cases with less
than 24 hours notice – on the basis
of industry-type is not in keeping with Lobbying state Attorney General’s &
Eros continues to receive sound management of financial risk. Classification Branch

complaints from members Moreover, such behaviour constitutes You may recall at the end of last
unfair discrimination against legal year Eros appeared before a Senate
regarding discrimination from Australian businesses”. committee regarding the outdated
classification system, particularly
banks, whether it be flat out To date, we have not received a
around X-Classification and Refused
response from NAB.
denial of services or policy Classification (RC).
Complaints from members are being
collated into case studies that will inform a In their report, the committee agreed
changes resulting in the with Eros and recommended that reform
wider-review of banking discrimination of
banks removing services. We adults-only businesses, and will be used of the classification system needs to
to make official complaints to all relevant occur to bring the system up to date
have seen diversity on what government agencies and the media. with technology, including adopting the
Australian Law Reform Commission
service provisions are being In addition, we have had regular Report No 118 recommendations (that
contact with the ACT Human Rights are still technologically sound given the
denied, however interestingly Commissioner and will be submitting report was made in 2012).
a formal complaint for investigation.
all of the banks continue to The Commissioner has reiterated that The committee also acknowledged that
the ACT Discrimination Act provides the classification system is a cooperative
use the same reasons for arrangement between federal and state
protection from discrimination on the
governments, and to achieve reform will
refusal - they do not provide grounds of ‘occupation, trade and
require a collaborative approach.
calling’, however this must apply to an
services to the adult industry. individual being discriminated, not a Subsequent to the recommendations
business. We continue to work with our made by the Senate Committee and
ACT members on putting a case forward, following on from meetings with the
Most recently, an Eros member was
therefore if any member based in the Classification Branch, it was determined
given less than 24-hours notice that
ACT has experienced discrimination that Eros work with the various state
merchant facilities would no longer be
personally due to their employment, we Attorney-General’s to ascertain their
offered to their adults-only business as
would like to hear from you. position on classification reform, and
part of a ‘merchant services review’ by
National Australia Bank. These services In this edition of the New Eros Journal provide any industry insight in moving
were cancelled, with notification provided information is provided on how to request forward. Recently, I have met with both
via email, after 20 years of being a a review and advice on dealing with the VIC and NSW Attorney General’s
customer. Eros issued an objection to banking discrimination more broadly. If departments, and the response has been
the NAB highlighting their lack of sound you have experienced discrimination from positive. I am still waiting to hear from
management of financial risk: a bank because you work in the adult QLD, SA and WA.
industry get in contact with Eros.

8 the new eros journal

The Classification Branch (within the • The legalisation of the sale of X18+ offered towards 10,000 retail jobs, Eros
Department of Communications) are set at a state level (through the federal has again approached the Minister of
to produce a report at the end of the year government subsuming the responsibility Employment, Michaelia Cash, requesting
detailing their proposal for classification for enforcement); and a review of adult industry eligibility.
reform. It is anticipated that the report will Exclusions currently apply to ‘a position,
• Industry self regulation model.
focus on moving towards a centralised including a retail position, involving nudity
federal model and co-regulatory or in the sex industry’.
approach with industry consultation. EDUCATION AND PORN This is a broad exclusion that
I will be discussing with members their The Burnet Institute recently released encompasses positions far removed
experiences with the current system, and a landmark study into the use of from sex work or work within an adult
input on how members may envisage pornography by young Australians, entertainment venue. As highlighted to
an industry-based regulatory model. the first of its kind in the digital-smart- the Minister:
This information will be used to inform phone era. This study recommended
A snapshot of some employment types
the state AG’s departments and the that pornography be addressed in
excluded under current policies include:
Classification Branch, and detail how the comprehensive sex education for
industry will approach self-regulation and secondary school students. In response, • Warehouse and logistics workers
co-regulation. Feel free to get in contact Eros agreed that education is desperately managing packaged adult goods.
with your feedback. needed, emphasising that adult
• Customer service representatives within
entertainment is made for adults and
Review into Classification Fee lingerie, party-supply and adult novelty
should only be viewed by adults: “Porn
Structures retail stores.
is adult fantasy, not everyday reality. Has
In March the Eros Association was invited sex education kept up with modernity?” • Web design and marketing employees
to make a submission in response to for online adult retailers.
The growth of online video sharing
the Department of Communications and
websites such as ‘PornHub’ and ‘XTube’ • Customer service representatives within
the Arts undertaking a review of the fees
has increased the accessibility of sex-positive or LGBT bookstores.
charged for classification services under
pornography to young people. Material
the Classification (Publications, Films Many adult goods are sold at chemists,
shared on these websites is often done
and Computer Games) Act 1995. The service stations, newsagents, clothing
so in violation of the rights of copyright
review will include fees charged for the outlets and supermarkets but are
holders and without consideration
provision of classification training and not subject to exclusion. This is an
of the performers involved. As such
other services. inconsistent approach stemming
we encourage adult users to pay for
from the Department’s concerns
Specifically, the department sort industry pornography to provide a barrier of
in regard to employment benefit
views on ‘future demand for classification access to young people as well as
schemes incentivising job seekers
services, technological change and its to deter the spread of unlawful and
to enter sex work or work within an
impacts, and the current fee structure nonconsensual images online.
adult entertainment venue. However,
including quantum of fees’.
In response, Eros emphasised that in workers within such industries act as
In our submission, we reiterated our regard to adult use, no peer-reviewed independent contractors, not employees,
position on industry self-regulation and study has found a causal link between and therefore would not be eligible. The
moving forward with the Australian adult pornography use and social harm. current scheme appears overly broad
Law Reform Commission’s 2012 Viewing pornography either by oneself and excludes job seekers from many
recommendations. Ideally, Eros would or as a couple is a healthy feature of promising employment opportunities
be the single industry association that modern sexuality and should not be within the adult industry.
works with the relevant branch in the stigmatised. The adult industry does not
classification of content. As detailed in want to be, and should not be expected
the submission: to be, the primary sex educator for young
people.
There is potential for returned support for
the classification scheme by our industry
if future reforms of the classification WAGE SUBSIDIES
scheme adopts:
EXCLUSION
• Single media classification act;
There is a long history of adults-only
• The homogenisation of classification businesses being excluded from
markers and extension of the X18+ government supported employment
classification to include some consensual incentives and job creation schemes.
fetish content that is currently refused So with the government’s recent Contact Rachel via email at
classification; funding announcement of incentives [email protected]

9
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11
 Vale: Eric Hill
Eric Hill passed away in On the back of adult cinema Eric and Eric was always on the lookout for new
Ken’s company, HGC, then launched ideas and new businesses to move into.
March but he will leave his what is probably Australia’s best known Sue Raye from Video Ray remembers
adult shop brand – Club X. Eric well. ‘I was deeply saddened to hear
stamp on the industry for of Eric’s passing. I first met Eric around
1982 when he and Ken were thinking of
many years to come. In the late 1980s, during the golden
branching out into videos. They invited
era of adult retailing, they opened
my colleague and I at Electric Blue,
Pricebusters which became one of the
Known by many in the industry as one to their offices so we could give them
largest X rated video companies in the
of the genuine pioneers of adult retailing a run-down on the industry as it was
ACT. At the same time they joined forces
in Australia, Eric and his brother Ken, then. Fast forward to 1998 when they
with John Lark and Gerry Hercus to form
moved from drive in theatres to adult purchased the remnants of Electric Blue
Australia’s first adult lobby group – the
cinemas like the Shaft cinema in the early from me to add to their, by then, large
Adult Video Industry Association.
1970s. Situated on Swanston street in portfolio of video titles. Eric was always
Melbourne’s CBD it was legendary for an absolute gentleman in every way and
showing National Geographic type films John Lark commented, ‘Eric Hill’s it was always a pleasure to catch up with
of bare-breasted native women, at a passing is a sad time for the industry him through the years. Gone too soon,
time when censorship laws banned the as he and his brother Ken were leaders he will be sadly missed by family, friends
latest European adult films from coming in the field. Never afraid to face legal and the industry’.
into Australia. The Shaft pioneered challenges, they took on the best and
adult cinema in Australia and like most with help from others in the industry
Eric was a quietly spoken man who
pioneers it sometimes fell foul of the law. managed to keep the industry alive. Eric
enjoyed doing business. He had a keen
In one celebrated case they even had a was a quiet achiever and loved his red
mind for figures and was diplomatic in
judge sit through a show to adjudicate wine and was always a great host at
his dealings although not known to suffer
the alleged obscenity involved. The lunch or occasionally a dinner. He will be
fools gladly. He was an excellent listener
most popular show was where a naked missed but always remembered and may
who held off on running to judgements
woman would swing wildly across the he rest in peace.’
too quickly. He could spit the dummy
heads of the patrons in a swing that was
when really pushed but most people
attached to the roof of the theatre! After
In the mid 1990s HGC launched Sexpo, knew him as a moderate and considered
40 years of continuous operation, the
which was to become Australia’s largest person. His passions outside of work and
nation’s oldest adult cinema, the Shaft
adult expo, attracting football stadium family were red wine and classic cars.
Cinema in the Melbourne CBD, closed its
crowds and helping to build a more
doors in 2009.
professional image for adult traders.

12 the new eros journal

 Condolences to Gwen and family from all of us.

Hui Newnham, who ran Calvista for Eric Industry lobbyist, Robbie Swan, said left he typed ‘Rolls Royce’, ‘politician’
and Ken in the 1990s and now works for he was unique. ‘Eric was the original and ‘restaurant’ into his wine cellar
The Screaming O in the US, remembered bodgie-gentleman’, he said. ‘I never software management system and it told
Eric as a teacher and a friend. ‘My most knew anyone who so embodied these him to go to a particular row and number
salient observation about Eric was that seemingly paradoxical qualities like he in the cellar. He eventually pulled out a
he was able to develop and maintain did. On the one hand he could wear a bottle of Dom Perignon and a fine red
long and enduring friendships over many Zegna suit to dinner and offer detailed and we all piled into the roller and set off
years. It’s close on two decades since I dissertations about the limestone soils for lunch. The MP was flabbergasted’.
worked for him but he has always been of Coonawarra. And then the next day
a good friend, mentor and all round nice he would run Brylcream through his
Current Eros President and Windsor
guy to be with. I saw Susan Colvin just ample head of dark wavy hair and take
Wholesale co-founder, David Watt,
yesterday and she fondly recollected his ’65 Caddy for a hoon in the country.
also paid tribute. ‘I had the pleasure of
one our early meetings at Jimmy King’s He was a highly original man who
knowing Eric Hill all my adult life and I
Fortuna Village Chinese restaurant. It was brought genuine style and grace to the
recall with gratitude the time he and his
fun to recall how quaint the occasion was adult industry’.
brother Ken used their voting power to
but it was telling how she noted that this
include me onto the very first Eros board
was the start of a long relationship driven
George Sobota who with his brother, Jo, exactly 25 years ago. Everyone loved
more by friendship than business. Eric
also ran Calvista in its early days as part catching up with Eric, and Eric loved a
was widely known and respected. He will
of the HGC empire, remembered Eric as red. The last time we were together we
be sorely missed. Vale old friend.’
a generous and genteel man. ‘A couple reminisced and dissected the great days
of years ago he took me out to a little of the adult magazine wars in Australia,
Michael Macgregor from Metro echoed café at Warrandyte somewhere, where a passion of his and mine. Fittingly our
these thoughts. ‘Eric was a friend of 30 he ordered hamburgers but then pulled last laugh was shared with a lovely glass
years. I teared up when I heard the news out a bottle of Grange to drink with them. of Grange. Today I’ll raise my glass to
of his passing and I don’t do that often. I He was that sort of guy.’ a true industry pioneer, a modern day
will miss sharing a bottle of red with him entrepreneur and a man of real class. RIP
and the many wine stories we shared. mate’.
Former Eros CEO, Fiona Patten, told a
He had an app on his phone where he
similar story. ‘I had arranged lunch with
recorded every wine he had consumed.
Eric and a member of parliament and we And finally from the elder statesman
It was a great reference base. A huge
all met at Eric’s house first. Eric insisted of the industry - John Conroy at
loss of a kind and wise man. I will miss
that we all go in his Roller but before we Claredale…..
him.’

‘My first contact with Eric and his brother

Ken goes back to the early 1980’s when
they commenced the retail business of
Club X. In a short space of time under
the watchful eyes of both Eric and Ken
the business they established grew
to become a national chain of retail
stores and the largest industry specific
retailers in the country. During this
period of expansion they established the
wholesale division which became known
as Calvista. My dealings with Eric over
many years were both personal and
business in nature. They were always
very pleasurable even though we were
competitors in a very competitive market.
My fondest memory of Eric was the time
Jan and I spent with Eric and Gwen
in India a few years ago which greatly
added to the excitement of the trip.
I appreciate the opportunity to be able
to acknowledge a true gentleman, friend
and business associate. Condolences to
Gwen and family from all of us.’

13
14 the new eros journal
15
 No Education Harms Kids –
Sex Education and Porn
With pornography of almost everything thing to remember when discussing this
imaginable available freely on the topic but the one the anti porn crew
internet, and with the internet being a always seem to forget) porn isn’t made
pocket reach away from anyone with for kids.
a smartphone, it’s understandable that
I know, right? Revelation!
parents are concerned about what their
kids are seeing and how it affects them.
Pornography and all its offshoots is made
for adults. Adults enjoy it! Adults make it.
The general consensus with the Porn
Adults purchase it. It actually has nothing
Harms Kids gang is that all porn is
whatsoever to do with children, and yet
terrible and violent and harmful to women
we let that be the basis of the argument
and, because of its existence, our kids
against it.
are all creeping off to dark corners to
Eva Sless is an Australian writer who watch “anal gaping” and “rape” and
specialises in sex with a focus on learning how to hate women (or be Let me put it another way. Alcohol harms
education and pleasure. Her latest hated) and therefore it must be banned kids. It can cause so many problems to
release ‘A Teen Girl’s Guide To Getting from our shelves and internet and the growing brains and immature mindsets
Off’ is a guidebook for teens and entire industry shut down. and future prospects, and underage
parents alike drinking is (and has been since I was
As someone who has worked in the underage) a real issue in Australia and
industry for over 20 years, I’ve seen yet I cannot fathom there ever being a
my fair share of porn. I’ve seen the debate about banning it.
Porn Harms Kids is a porn trends, frequency, and intensity
change as the internet became more We make sure it’s only available in places
war cry (are hashtags the popular and I’ve seen some pretty full adults can go, and that only adults
on and confronting stuff as well as some can purchase it. We have changed
new war cry?) gaining beautifully erotic and sensual stuff, advertising laws so there are certain
strength and volume among and every single boob, bum, and bit places it can’t be marketed. We set
in between. Porn has changed as the up school programs and government
the anti sex league and it’s world changes, and therefore so must initiatives to educate, inform and explain
our attitudes towards education and the to children (and adults) the dangers
easy to see why. I mean, on information we give to young people. and risks involved, and we talk to them
openly about it. We understand that not
the surface, it’s a sentiment only would banning it be a ridiculous
Yes, some porn can be pretty messed
idea (prohibition never works), but that
I, and probably all members up for a young kid to watch, no-one has
banning it because kids can’t have it is
ever disagreed with that, but the thing
of society whether they work is (and it’s actually THE most important
just laughably stupid.

in the industry or not, agree

with: Pornography, to an
immature mind without the
skills, tools, and information
needed to process it, can
definitely lead to some mixed
up ideas about what sex is,
and what is expected of them
during sex.

16 the new eros journal

However, when it comes to pornography,
because of the ingrained shame, fear
X X X
can play sport. Where every little thing
is advertised using sexual innuendo.
sex education, and you never have to
watch an anal gaping scene to do it. You
and overall ickiness so many adults Where the leader of the free world can don’t even need to watch or show any
have towards sex in general (I mean, we joke about “grabbing the pussies” of pornography in a sex education class
struggle to teach our kids how to use women who don’t want him to. We to be able to teach about it, discuss it,
condoms, let alone how to explain to live in a world where sex takes over explain what it is, what it isn’t and how to
them the very real differences between almost every aspect of it, except our deal with what you see.
porn and sex) we fail our kids in one of education system. We ignore abuse, we
the most important educational topics shame young women, we celebrate sex When I was a kid and went to the Life
they need - Sex Education. offenders, we stick boobs on everything Education Van and learnt about alcohol
we want to sell, and we give off the and drugs and peer pressure, they didn’t
It’s not porn that’s the problem. It’s not impression that sex is cool and “for pour me shots or pass me a doobie to
“anal gaping”. It’s not that so much porn the beautiful”… But we don’t tell these make their points. They didn’t need to.
is an unrealistic representation of actual young, maturing brains much else other Yet I learnt quite a bit about moderation,
sex. It’s that we give our kids such shitty, than “don’t do it.” and then blame porn and social expectations and all those
ineffective, glossed over sex education when our kids go exploring to find out all things a pre-teenager should know
that they have absolutely no idea what about this secret that is everywhere and before heading off into the world of
is real, what is not, what is expected of nowhere at the same time. “wanna be in my gang?” peer pressure.
them, and how to even have sex!
It’s utterly ridiculous and a real modern Porn can harm kids, yes. But not
We still live in an age where young take on shutting the gate after the because it’s porn. Porn harms kids (and
women are sent home from school for horse has bolted. Pornography and the some adults too) because there is no
having a bra strap showing, and young conversations around it are absolutely education about it. Change the way we
men are forgiven sexual assault if they necessary to a modern and inclusive teach, and we’ll change the world.

17
 Book Review: A Teen Girl’s GUIDE To Getting Off
“ I’ve shared the book with fellow to understand more about young women
teachers at my workplace, and the too, especially the section on consent!”
response has been overwhelmingly
positive, with those who’ve read it talking
“ I must admit I was a bit sceptical, but
positively about how they wish it had
this has really opened up communication
been available when they first became
with my daughter and how things are in
sexually aware. Plus the librarians have
the world. Full of useful tips for young
expressed an interest in securing the
girls, especially in regards to being
book for the school library.”
pressured by others.”

“ This book will revolutionize the way

Available from Amazon.com, Google
teen girls look at and discuss sex and
Books and leading bookstores.
desire within their friendship groups and
family. Its a wealth of information and
would be suitable for teen boys to read Book illustrations: Cathy Larsen

A Teen Girls Guide To

Getting Off is a ground
breaking new sex education
book aimed at young
women and their parents.

Covering topics that are rarely spoken

about in school sex ed classes, Eva is
determined to create a generation of
strong, healthy, sex positive women.
From peer pressure and consent to rape
culture and slut shaming, Eva tackles all
the big questions and offers solid advice
and guidance to help both teenagers and
their parents navigate the journey into
their sexual futures.
With a focus on pleasure and consent,
the Teen Girls Guide is a unique
and sorely needed addition to the
conversations we should all be having
about sex.
Social Tonics Section

What the public is saying:

“Not only does it reaffirm things I already
have in my own mind but it clarifies
and explains in easy to relate and
understandable terms. It’s real, broken
down and wonderfully instructive. This
book has helped me have real, honest
conversations with people in a way I
didn’t think possible.”

18 the new eros journal

19
20 the new eros journal
21
 WELCOME TO
THE
PLEASURE ZONE
SEX TOYS IN AUSTRALIA
From counter-cultural sexual
revolution to sextech revolution
It seems clear that we have become
increasingly sexually curious, liberated
and experimental. The counter-cultural
sexual revolution of the late 1960s
which many see as the last great
sexual revolution has arguably been
overtaken by the sextech revolution of
the noughties – or should that be the
naughties?
Assoc. Prof. Paul J. Maginn is Casual dating or hook-ups apps
Programme Co-ordinator of the Masters such as Tinder, Blendr, and Tingle,
of Urban and Regional Planning at the websites such as Ashley Madison and
University of Western Australia. His SeekingArrangement and online BDSM,
co-edited book, (Sub)Urban Sexscapes fetish and kinkster communities such
(Routledge), won the Planning Institute as Fetlife allow people to explore their
sexuality and pursue risqué sexual
of Australia (National) Cutting Edge
behaviours.
Research and Teaching Award in 2016.
Pornography is now much more easily
@planographer accessible thanks to the internet. Millions
of people from all around the globe are
The ongoing growth and viewing mainstream heteronormative a key factor in the surge of demand for
porn from so-called tube sites. Pornhub, sex toys and fetish-related products
diversification of sex shops for example, had 23 billion visits to their since 2011/12 when the books were
sites in 2016 – Australia ranked 8th in published.
- bricks and mortar and terms of ‘top 20’ traffic countries. And as Celebritization of sex toys
with the growth of the craft beer industry
online - is a clear sign of In terms of the wider cultural and
there are burgeoning indie-, alt- and
a strong market demand feminist adult entertainment industries. commercial mainstreaming of sex
toys, women’s magazines such as
for adult products such as The ‘50 Shades’ effect
Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health and
Marie Claire play a regular role in
vibrators, dildos, cock-rings, In terms of the mass consumption of “educating” their readers about sex
adult products it is impossible to overlook toys. And, then there has been the
butt-plugs, lingerie, lubricants the impact of E.L James’ 50 Shades of celebritization of sex toys. This process
arguably commenced with the now
and BDSM/fetish-related Grey trilogy. Whilst 50 Shades has been
criticised for offering a naïve and vanilla infamous 1998 episode – the Turtle and
products such as ball-gags, portrayal of BDSM practices and the the Hare – in the US show Sex and the
importance of consent, there can be no City where the eponymous rabbit vibrator
floggers, collars and rubber/ denying that it has been a phenomenal had its “going in-coming out-going in-
cultural and commercial success story. coming out party” so to speak.
leather clothing.
The 50 Shades books have sold over Since then a gaggle of female Hollywood
100 million copies worldwide! And, the celebrities have come out proclaiming
Sex toys and adult retailing are BIG their favourite sex toys. Pop star Rhianna
first two movies, 50 Shades of Grey
business! has extolled the joys of BDSM in her
(2015) and Fifty Shades Darker (2017)
It is estimated that the global adult retail have grossed US$571m and $US379m song ‘S&M’ proclaiming that ‘whips
market is worth about $US15 billion and respectively. Invariably, the 50 Shades and chains excite [her]’ and been
by the end of this decade it will have franchise has spawned a range of photographed by the papparazzi coming
more than tripled to $US50 billion. BDSM-related sex toys and has been out of sex shops in Sydney and Paris.

22 the new eros journal

Rapper Missy Elliot penned a whole The sales dataset covered a total 66,500 being based in Melbourne, Victoria
song, Toyz, about pleasure products orders over a 38 month period from only ranked as the third largest market
asserting that “I gotta bag full of toys and March 2012 through to May 2015. The although the volume and value of sales
I don’t need none of your boys”. Oprah dataset provided basic information on were significantly less than in NSW and
Winfrey and Gywneth Paltrow have volume, value and type of products Queensland.
reviewed or endorsed high-end sex toys ordered as well as the date of purchase
Western Australia and the Northern
on their websites. and destination of orders.
Territory were the biggest spenders,
Most recently, rock ‘n’ roll bands It is important to note that no spending an average of $83.80
Motorhead and Motley Crue have information whatsoever about the and $83.43 per order respectively.
recently launched their own brand of specific identity or addresses of Consumers in Western Australia also
pleasure tools. It’s arguably a matter of individual consumers was provided. purchased more items per order with an
time before other bands follow suit. Sex average of 2.9 items. This was followed
So where are Australia’s pleasure
Pistols? Coldplay? I wonder who might by 2.7 items per order in Queensland and
zones? What types of adult products
be next – suggestions on a postcard the Northern Territory and 2.6 items per
are Australians into? And, what
please! order in NSW and the ACT.
are the hottest seasons for sex toy
Despite the apparent social, cultural and consumption? Drilling deeper into the sales data reveals
economic mainstreaming of adult retailing that regional Australians are far from
and sex toys, there is little hard and fast sexually uptight and repressed with six
data on trends – temporal, geographical Australia’s Pleasure Zones of the ‘top 10’ pleasure zones located
and preferences - in the consumption of within regional Queensland: Mackay
The data shows that online retailers
sex toys. (1st); Toowoomba (2nd); Gladstone (3rd);
SexToys247 and Frisky have a large
Cairns (4th); Ipswich (9th); and Townsville
As a ‘sexademic’ and part of my ongoing market reach in that their customer base
(10th).
research into the geographies of the is spread across all states and territories,
sex industry I was granted access to an the inner and outer suburbs and regional Other areas within the ‘top 10’ included:
anonymised sales dataset from two co- towns. The two biggest markets in terms Sydney (5th); Mandurah, WA (6th);
owned online adult retailers - SexToys247 of volume and value of sales were NSW Gosford, NSW (7th); and Melbourne
and Frisky - based in Melbourne. and Queensland. Interestingly, despite (8th).

Number of orders Darwin

for postal areas
0 400

Total number of orders, March 2012 to May 2015

Brisbane

Sydney

Perth Adelaide Melbourne Hobart Canberra

Map created
by
Alistair Sisson

Source:
sextoys247.net.au
frisky.com.au

23
 Tis the Season to be Pleasured and co-located with other so-called
vice land uses such as tattoo studios,
The data shows that there was significant
TABs and fast food outlets...at least in
month-on-month growth in the number
Melbourne!
of orders for sex toys and adult products
between March 2012 and January 2013. It is implicit in the political rhetoric and
This upward trend happened to coincide policy regulation towards adult retailing
with the release of the 50 Shades of that those who purchase sex toys are
Grey books! It would be fascinating to also deemed immoral and abnormal.
see if the release of the movies provided
The geography of sex toys sales are
another shot in the arm for sales!
not merely an indication of the level of
One might also expect that sex toys our sexual consumership. Rather, the
would make for “exciting” Christmas consumption of adult products may
presents or “romantic” Valentine’s Day also be seen as a bell-weather of our
gifts. In overall terms, sales of adult exploration of sexuality and, ultimately,
products were high during December, an assertion of sexual citizenship.
especially in 2012; and during January
According to the second Australian
Photo credit: Paul J. Maginn and February 2013. So there would seem
Sexual Health Survey, conducted in
to be some kind of correlation between
2012, 15% of men and 21% of women
Simultaneously, that other space of sales and key gift giving seasons.
had used a sex toy in the previous year.
stereotypical sexual conformity, the Ultimately, however, August and May I suspect these figures have grown since
outer suburbs, were also found to be proved to be the two most popular then and we might be looking at well
hotspots for sex toy consumption at months to buy sex toys. Why might this over 25% for men and women.
the metropolitan level. In Adelaide, for be? Well, these months coincide with the
example, the biggest consumers were winter and autumn seasons – at least
located in outer suburban areas such as here in Australia. So, it might just be that Sexonomics 101
Salisbury, Smithfield and the rather aptly Australians are snuggling under their
named, Happy Valley. It is important to recognise that in
blankets – alone, with a partner...or two
addition to bringing pleasure to millions
or more partners – or getting tied to the
of Australian every year, the adult
bed posts and blind-folded and getting it
Pulling a rabbit out of your sleeve retail sector (including distributors
on with their favourite sex toys.
and wholesalers) makes a significant
Nationally, the most popular sex toy contribution to the Australian economy.
was a male masturbator or sleeve – the The multitude of adult stores across
Tenga deep throat cup to be exact. This From sexual consumership to sexual
metropolitan and regional Australia
was the number one seller in NSW and citizenship
employ hundreds, if not thousands,
Victoria. In fact, half of the ‘top 10’ best When it comes to adult retailing in of people on a part-time and full-time
selling products were male masturbators/ countries such as Australia, the UK and basis. Hence, these stores add millions
sleeves with adult performer endorsed the USA, policymakers – planners and of dollars to local, state and federal
masturbators by Fleshlight also proving elected officials – often adopt a negative government coffers through GST
popular. or cautionary stance towards this type receipts, rates, corporation tax, payroll
The we-vibe 2 and we-vibe 3, a sex of retailing. Sex shops, particularly those taxes and income tax paid by their
toy specifically designed for coupled that sell pornographic materials, tend to employees.
pleasure, ranked 2nd and 4th nationally. be branded as immoral, polluting and
It is arguably time to accept the simple
The we-vibe 2 was the most popular toy even criminogenic spaces.
fact that sex shops and sex toys are a
in WA whereas the we-vibe 3 was the As such, policymakers have sought to normal part of the retail landscape and
number 1 toy in the NT. prohibit their establishment or render our shopping baskets in the 21st century.
Despite having been around the block them hidden or invisible via regulations The pursuit of sexual pleasure should
for quite some time, the eponymous governing signage, window displays, not be seen as a sinful activity. Rather, it
rabbit- styled vibrator is still going strong, opening hours and zoning. This is why, should be seen as a contributor to the
“cumming” in as the third most popular until fairly recently, many established sexual health, happiness and well-being
item. The rabbit vibrator was the No.1 toy adult stores are to be found in marginal of society and the economy.
of choice in South Australia. or transitional locations within the city

24 the new eros journal

 Flirt
Wireless remote egg
10x Functions
High grade silicone

Galaxy
9x Functions
3 Rotation Speeds
Waterproof

Cherry Poppers
8x FUNCTION USB RECHARGEABLE MALE MASTURBATORS
Twisted Angel Pty Ltd I Wangara, Western Australia I (08) 93034898
I
25
www.twistedangel.com.au [email protected]
26 the new eros journal
27
28 the new eros journal
29
 Vantablack is the New
Black Market
Editorial

However not everyone agrees on this.

Quit Victoria and the Cancer Council
Victoria drew up a report on the use of
illegal tobacco back in 2011 which they
say supports the notion that only 2-3
% of the tobacco smoked in Australia
is black market. British American
Tobacco commissioned Delloite’s to
do their own survey in 2011 and they
came up with a figure of 15.9%. The
Cancer Council strongly disputes this
figure and puts forward figures from
the Australian Government’s National
Drug Strategy Household Survey from
2001 to 2010 to back them up. They
claim these figures show that only .3%
of tobacco smokers use black market
products – notwithstanding the fact that
the cost of tobacco skyrocketed in 2010,
following large increases in excise and
customs duty. Even more ridiculous is
Vantablack is the blackest People in the adult industry are very the Council’s claim that, ‘The National
aware of how ‘grey’ and ‘black’ Drug Strategy Household Survey
thing or colour you can get. markets operate. But how about a shows definitively that the vast majority
‘Vantablack market’? A market so of smokers who have ever used illicit
It’s a substance made of black that everything goes into it and tobacco no longer use it, and—of those
nothing comes out. Sounds scary
vertically aligned carbon but this is exactly what the Australian
who do still use it—most used it only
occasionally’.
nanotubes and it absorbs government authorities and a few of
So why would tobacco users who have
their health agencies risk creating if the
up to 99.965% of radiation war on tobacco doesn’t get a little more been used to paying around $15 for
enlightened soon. 100g of illegal tobacco, suddenly ditch it
in the visible spectrum. So and start paying the recommended retail
The recent discovery of a $12 million price for the equivalent legal product,
if you’re wearing a dress crop of illegal tobacco in bushland just of about $38? Are they saying that the
south of Canberra, has law enforcement chop chop dealers just packed up their
made of this substance, all extremely worried. And so it should. bags and went home? Or are they saying
you’d see is your arms and Anyone who knows anything about black that suddenly all the people buying illegal
markets knows that where there’s smoke smokes decided that they better do the
legs protruding from a black there’s generally a raging bushfire not far right thing by the government and pay all
away. If they found one of these crops, the taxes and levies on legal smokes? It
space. It’s the black hole into then there are likely dozens more out just doesn’t make sense and the Cancer
there that the cops didn’t find. Do the Council doesn’t offer any explanations
which all light disappears and either. They just stick to that as their
math. Australia now has a multi million
nothing comes back to you. dollar illegal industry in ‘chop chop’ or official line and deride anyone who
illegal tobacco. dares to suggest that the illegal market
in tobacco is the elephant in the room

30 the new eros journal

whenever taxation, packaging or other spent $8.5 billion on cigarettes and rolling the cost of legal tobacco and other
regulation of the market is discussed. tobacco with the major supermarkets. regulatory measures which push smokers
Commenting on the data, Kos Sclavos, out of the legal market ? They don’t want
The reason is that the Cancer Council,
former Pharmacy Guild of Australia to hear this question and brush it off
along with the hordes of academics who
national president, said “no wonder the with yet more statistics from the Cancer
trade off the anti-smoking movement,
IRI-Aztec data on Australian grocery Council’s website.
want governments to believe that all the
sales is kept under wraps. It shows
work they are funded to do on anti- Australia’s most believable drug
cash register data from every Coles,
smoking, is bringing down smoking rates statistician, Dr John Jiggens, estimates
Woolworths, IGA and FoodWorks
just nicely thanks with no unintended that the Australian illicit drug trade in
supermarket in the country and their
consequences. The huge price rises 2010 consisted of a market of about
approach to health is clear. They have
in tobacco over the past decade and three million Australians. This is about
no interest in health and indeed the
the amount of public education about the same number of Australians who
increased health costs in Australia.”
smoking have caused a lot of people smoke tobacco. In total he estimated its
Professor Heather Yeatman, president of
to stop. There is no doubt about that. worth to be about $17 billion; composed
the Public Health Association of Australia
And that is a good thing. Smoking of a cannabis market, worth about $6
described the data as “very depressing”.
commercial tobacco, which is so laden billion, a heroin market of $2 billion, a
with chemicals, preservatives, flavour So why is the Cancer Council taking cocaine market of $2.5 billion, 40 million
enhancers and other substances that millions of dollars from sponsors who ecstasy tablets worth about $1.4 billion,
keep you coming back for more, is about ‘have no interest in health or health and 6.8 tonnes of methamphetamine,
the worst thing you can do for your costs’? worth about $5 billion. Illicit tobacco is
health. However when it comes to the not included in this figure. The cost of
The Cancer Council relies on a report for
health of society, things get a little more drug law enforcement he estimated at
the Department of Health and Ageing, by
complicated. Despite what the Cancer $1.5 billion. That’s a total of $18.5 billion
two researchers (Collins and Lapsley) to
Council says, increasing government in what the Cancer Council would say
gauge the total cost to the community
regulation on tobacco is causing us to are the tangible costs of a black market.
from smoking.
draw near to a tipping point where we That’s $6.5 billion more than the tangible
are about to send potentially millions They estimated that the social cost of costs of smoking. The intangibles, like
of smokers into the abyss of the black tobacco abuse in 2004–05 was $31 the number of lives lost through black
market just so they can afford to feed billion. Twelve billion dollars (38%) in market structures, is anybody’s guess.
their habits. tangible costs and about $19.5 billion So is the cost to the community that is
(62%) in intangible costs. incurred in the way in which crime gangs
There’s good reason to question the
who trade in illicit drugs spend their
Cancer Council’s views on lots of things They defined tangible costs as, ‘lost
money. Weapons, more drugs, terrorism
to do with tobacco because they live in productive capacity due to premature
etc etc. In many ways it is this spend
an academic world where the realities death or smoking-associated illness
that probably wreaks the most havoc on
of the market place do not affect them. (labour costs), health care for smoking-
society but it is impossible to quantify.
They are ideologues who cannot see associated illness, fires attributable to
past research and regulation to the real smoking, and abusive consumption The real point that these figures make
world. Coles is their largest sponsor, (i.e. the cost of purchasing tobacco, is that it is not out of the question that
having raised in excess of $10 million for estimated at market prices, less taxes)’. a developing black market in tobacco
the Council through their Daffodil Day They defined the intangible costs, ‘as could soon join up with the black market
appeal. But Coles is also arguably the the sum of the psychological costs of in illicit drugs to form a super black or
nation’s largest retailer of legal tobacco. premature death (incurred by family ‘Vantablack’ market of up to six million
No one is impugning anything illegal or and friends) and the loss of enjoyment Australians and worth many billions of
underhanded in this relationship but the of life (incurred by the smoker) as a dollars. If only a small portion of this
Cancer Council never declares this part consequence of smoking-associated goes to terrorist organisations, or to
of their relationship with the big retailer. illness’. Further, they defined the cost strengthening already existing crime
Many people see a huge conflict of of a life using a Bureau of Transport gangs the nation is in serious trouble.
interest here and yet the Cancer Council Economics’ estimate of ‘$2 million as a Australian governments and their
with its head up its arse doesn’t get this. reasonable valuation of a lost life’. health agencies need to allow tobacco
addicts to buy their products at high
In January this year, an IRI MarketEdge Leaving aside the very vexed issue of
but affordable prices, get tobacco out
Grocery survey published in the Fairfax valuing a life like this anyway (we can only
of supermarkets and into age-restricted
press showed that cigarette sales in the be thankful they didn’t ask the Catholic
premises where children cannot see
last financial year were the top growth Church for a valuation) let’s assume for
tobacco transactions being made and
category of all products sold in the major the moment that that figure is reasonable.
to come up with ever more creative
supermarket chains. IRI-Aztec data on The next question is what is the cost to
educational campaigns about the
Australian grocery sales for the 2013-14 the community of a developing black
dangers of smoking.
financial year showed that Australians market in tobacco caused by inflating

31
32 the new eros journal
 Pleasure Zone

1 2 Pick your intensity 3

33
 3.3% WAGE INCREASE
ANNOUNCED ALONG WITH
NEW PENALTY RATES

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) Employer Assist is proud Enterprise Agreements
has announced a 3.3% increase to
If a registered agreement applies to
minimum wages. The increase will to partner with the Eros the workplace, employers will need
apply from the first full pay period
starting on or after 1 July 2017. Association to provide all to ensure the minimum base rates in
the agreement remain at least equal
The 3.3% increase is the highest Eros members with to the modern award rates. If not,
increase since 2011 and a significant the agreement rates will need to be
jump compared to last year’s 2.4% workplace relations advice increased to match the new modern
increase. award rates.
and services via the
What do I need to do?
FREE Eros Employer Assist General Retail Industry Award New
Employer Assist is in the process
Penalty Rates
of preparing updated pay scale hotline. 1300 054 542 or
summaries for EROS members. Sunday Penalty Rates
Once prepared, we will email [email protected]
Full-time and part-time employees
members a copy of the new rates.
1 July 2017 - 195%
In the meantime, employers should
start reviewing their employee’s 1 July 2018 - 180%
current pay rates and preparing
1 July 2019 - 165%
for the increase. Now is a perfect Award Covered Employees
time for employers to roll out new 1 July 2020 - 150%
Most employees are covered by a
employment contracts or review modern award. Modern award rates
and update existing employment will increase by 3.3%. As mentioned,
contracts. Casual employees (inclusive of
Employer Assist is preparing
casual loading)
Who does the increase apply to? updated pay scale summaries which
will be emailed to members once 1 July 2017 - 195%
The increase only applies to completed.
employees that get their pay rates 1 July 2018 - 185%
from the national minimum wage, a If an employee is already paid above
1 July 2019 - 175%
modern award or in some cases a the modern award, employers may
registered agreement. be able to absorb the increase.
However, employers will need to
Award Free Employees Public Holiday Penalty Rates
ensure that the employee’s wage
The new national minimum wage is at least equal to or better off Full-time and part-time employees -
will be $694.90 per week or $18.29 overall compared to the employee’s 225%
per hour. The national minimum minimum entitlements under the Casual employees - 250%
wage applies to employees who modern award. Contact Employer
aren’t covered by a modern award or Assist for assistance with these
registered agreement. calculations.

Questions?

EROS members can contact Employer Assist on

1300 054 542 or [email protected]
for information and advice on the wage increase.

34 the new eros journal

 VIBRATION
PLEASURE
MOTION

TOUCH
THRUST SMOOTH
TOUCH SENSITIVE TECHNOLOGY

VIBRATION
ENSE

LUST
WER RUB
PENETRATION

DEEP
VIBRATION
TOUCH

PULSATING
EXPLORE

STROKE INTENSE

THRUST
INTENSE POWER
POWER
SENSUAL
WHISPER QUIE
_ WATERPROOF _ INCREASES AND
DECREASES SPEED
_ SILKY SMOOTH SILICONE DEPENDING ON
TOUCH
_ WHISPER QUIET
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_ USB RECHARGEABLE CONTROLLING SPEED

_ 10 FUNCTIONS

_ ONE YEAR WARRANTY

AVAILABLE IN 3 DISTINCT STYLES

VIBRATOR WAND RABBIT

Jackie White • [email protected] • 909-465-4949
calexotics.com
35
© 2017 Calexotics is a registered trademark of California Exotic Novelties, LLC.
 CalExotics opened its doors As an innovator, CalExotics has an
extensive list of famous first, many of
in 1994. The company’s which can be seen on the market today.
CalExotics was the first to…
founder, Susan Colvin,
• Introduce feminine colours to intimate
envisioned helping people massagers

find pleasure through creating • Release a waterproof line of toys

• Introduce remote-control egg-style
a female-friendly intimate intimate massager
product, in an industry largely • Offer manufacturer warranties for
intimate products
dominated by men. Susan
• Have an all-women product
saw so much potential in development team

the market and knew she • Create 100% premium silicone

intimate products
Founder: Susan Colvin
could do things differently. “I • Introduce rechargeable rabbit-style
wanted to make packaging vibrators Today…
• Create pulsating intimate massager
with personality. I wanted made in the USA
Today, CalExotics produces a wide variety
of the best quality products in every
to create toys that were • Bring an eco-friendly, solar-powered price range. Each product is designed,
intimate toy to market tested and manufactured to provide an
reliable, quiet and more exceptional experience each and every
• Design butterfly-style intimate time. CalExotics is a world of pleasure,
powerful. I knew the market massagers with products that embrace the spirit of
was ripe for something And much more… self-fulfillment and help people find more

better, and I wanted to make

that happen,” says Colvin.
This was the inspiration for
CalExotics and is still a core
value for the company today.

As the first major novelty company to

be owned by a woman, CalExotics put
a feminine touch on every aspect of
the business. CalExotics made women
its target market, creating products
specifically designed for the female body.
Susan and her team introduced reliable
products with powerful motors backed by
an industry-leading warranty. The packing
was also upscale, with features and colors
that appealed to women.

36 the new eros journal

joy in their lives. “I believe the sexual The first trip was a complete success, and that would normally cause embarrassment.
health products we create can help soon after Colvin was traveling to Australia I put their ease of mind down to the matter-
cultivate a happier you,” adds Colvin. several times a year. The company of-fact way Susan presented the products
With CalExotics, users can expect more was helping build the foundation for the and the non-threatening atmosphere the
passion, expect more romance and novelty industry we see today. “Australia restaurant provided. Directly after this day,
expect more fun. was booming, and I wanted to ensure I reasoned that it would be better to take
CalExotics was there to help it grow,” says the product out of the shops and into an
As we look to the future, CalExotics’ goal
Colvin. area that people were already comfortable
is simple, to continue to be the leading
with.” And this is where Sexpo was born.
manufacturer in the industry. This means CalExotics quickly became a major
The event “has grown into one of the
staying at the forefront of research and supplier in Australia and needed a
largest consumer events in the world,
development and creating better intimate dedicated employee to focus on the
with over 30,000 people attending every
products. The company will continue to region. The company appointed Lupe
event,” according to Sexpo Australia Event
service the needs of intimate product Martinez, its senior sales consultant for the
Director Bentleigh Gibson.
users, as well as retailers worldwide. job. Her goal was to continue to service
the CalExotics existing partners and With so much history in Australia,
establish new ways to grow the market. CalExotics works diligently to stay on top.
The Australian Market
Martinez quickly became CalExotics The company does its best to provide
CalExotics was the first major novelty resident Australian, servicing the entire innovative products, new and inventive
company to make the Australian market country and calling it her home for several sales techniques and the highest level
a priority. Susan Colvin personally flew to weeks out of the year. “Australia is my of service and support. The company
the country in hopes of familiarizing herself second home. I love the country and all continues to make the Australian market
with the marketplace and building new of my customers. They are truly the best, a priority. “We’ve been servicing our
relationships. On her first trip, she met with and I am so happy to be their partner and Australian partners for over 23 years, and
key distributors and retailers; introducing friend,” says Martinez. I am hopeful for our continued success
CalExotics and also learning how the together in the future,” says Colvin.
CalExotics is also a big supporter of
company could help shape the market.
events, playing a significant role in the For more information on CalExotics,
“Susan was the first person who had
creation of one of the country’s largest visit www.calexoitcs.com.
vision about a market, and although small
consumer events, Sexpo. David Ross,
compared to the US, was just waiting to
from HGC Administrative Services, credits
be awaken. Exposing Australian retailers to
the idea of Sexpo to Colvin. Ross states,
products that were unseen and so popular
“In early 1996 I went to a Trade Lunch,
created a demand exceeding expectations
held at a Chinatown restaurant, by Susan
and adult shops flourished into a golden
Colvin of CalExotics. At this lunch meeting
era,” adds Con Ange from Everything
I noticed the ease in which those in
Adult.
attendance were dealing with the product

Lupe Martinez, Robin Stewart >>

37
38 the new eros journal
39
 Industry Profile: -

Realities of Sex Work

Sex Workers Comment on their Industry and Workplace
Interviews by Nick Wallis.

When it comes to people using their I was honestly considering suicide when
genitals and sexual prowess for work, I was working six days a week for 8-10
the discussion turns a bit strange. The hours a day for shit money. I started doing
regulation of the adult industry has sex work on the weekends and eventually
been marred by various prohibitions, quit my straight job in 2012. The second I
aggressive agendas and a lack of mature quit, it felt like a weight had been lifted off my
discourse. shoulders. I had more time and freedom to
look after myself and do things I enjoy.”
There is a growing movement of
grassroots organisations from within LUCY
feminist and religious backgrounds
“The hours and the money. It’s also just
claiming to speak on behalf of all sex
something I wanted to do. It’s a complete
workers while also suggesting that sex
myth that someone could never want to be
work is inherently a bad thing. This has
a sex worker when they grow up.”
lead to many voices being silenced.
Women and men across the adult
industry who are intelligent, hard working KATIE
and enjoy what they do, are silenced
“Intrigue, leading to deep emotional
and spoken on behalf of by people who
satisfaction. I have always been a very sexual
fundamentally misrepresent them and
person, and my specific area of the sex
what they do.
industry is very conducive to playful, intimate,
and sometimes quite moving experiences. It
When people use their brain To this end I thought it might be a is an area where all of my natural talents are
refreshing change to actually hear from utilised - and my bills paid.”
or brawn for paid work, some of the people doing this work.
My work at radio station 3CR recently
nobody bats an eyelid. If SILVIA
brought me into contact with a range
of sex workers who agreed to a series “I’ve actually always wanted to be a sex
someone uses their hands of short interviews. I have changed worker, since I was a teenager. It took me
their names for the sake of anonymity until I was 25 to figure out exactly which area
and muscles to cut down
because most sex workers will tell you of sex work I wanted to get into. Luckily for
a tree, it is a positive, that the job is not hard but telling people me, I had (and still have) the full support of
about it can be. my friends, my partner and my family. When
productive contribution to the everything fell into the right place at the
•••
right time, I was finally ready to pluck up the
economy. This is the way we courage and give it a go. I’m so incredibly
understand work. Someone Why did you choose to become a sex glad I did, because I have now been a sex
worker? worker for over three years and I have never
has a skill and they exchange loved a job more! It gives me so much
flexibility, freedom, satisfaction and fun.”
JANE
the use of their skill, using
“I had choices. One of them was a $16 per
their body, to produce a hour job. The other was a $400 per hour
Conclusion
Job satisfaction, flexibility of working hours
job. One entailed paper work and the other,
good or service for orgasms. For me, it was a no brainer.”
and the money were top of the list for nearly
everyone I spoke to. Almost every person
someone else. I spoke to entered sex work positively, with
MARY just one person mentioning abandonment
by an ex-partner and ensuing financial
“Because I have depression and anxiety
pressures being key motivators.
I become very, VERY easily stressed and
depressed when working a straight job. •••

40 the new eros journal

 What do you think of the claim that way of being, and it is the pressure to be
culture has been ‘pornified’, presenting PERPETUALLY pornified (or ‘pure’!) that
distorted and dishonest ideas about is the real issue here.”
women and girls, sexuality and
relationships?
DELILAH
“To be honest I think that women have
JANE
been more ‘pornified’ by general media
“I don’t think it’s porn that causes and patriarchal society than by actual
distortions. Women have always been porn. I feel like I’m treated more like a
told to look as skinny as possible, do sexual object walking down the street
certain things and be a certain way. minding my own business sometimes
There’s all kinds of porn out there and than at my job as a sex worker. In my
certainly all body types represented. opinion, it isn’t any form of sex work,
Relationships in the media could use including porn, that has created or
some work but again, not related to increased this, and it is more wrapped
porn.” up in how we behave as a society as a
whole. Issues of consent, entitlement
and respect need to be more openly
MARY
discussed and understood.”
“Well misogyny and rape culture have
existed LONG before porn did, so it
Conclusion:
doesn’t really make sense. Women and
This question sparked a range of
girls sexuality and relationships have
responses. Most people said that they
always been objectified.”
felt there had been some sexualisation
within our culture, especially of girls and
LUCY women but they also said they felt this
is something that has happened for a
“Women are frequently portrayed as a
long time. Several respondents said that
prize that is won by the leading men in
they felt they were more sexualised and
movies and television. Female characters
objectified in everyday life than they feel
are rarely fleshed out and human in
working in the sex industry, reflecting a
the way male characters are. They are
problem not inherent or borne out of the
required to be beautiful or comedic relief,
adult industry.
and often both. This has been going on
for decades. Women, girls, romance and •••
sex have been portrayed in distorted,
dishonest and damaging ways on film for
decades. Porn merely follows this trend Collective Shout is one organisation claiming
and is hardly the main issue.” feminist values, which aims to, “Challenge
all forms of sexual trade and commerce in
women’s bodies, including pornography,
KATIE
prostitution and trafficking.” What are your
“Our culture is very diverse and I couldn’t thoughts?
say all the messages out there are
overwhelmingly negative or positive.
JANE
Porn has had a range of effects on our
culture, some good and some bad. It’s “Men tell me all the time they would do this
not possible to make this issue black and job if they could. And if that was possible
white.” society would be more likely to accept and
not judge men choosing to sell sex. I should
be allowed to do what I want with my own
SILVIA
body. Is this not true equality? Are gay men
“Pornified and puritanical are two sides who sell sex stigmatised at the level women
of the same coin that is ‘performance’. are? No.”
We all have ‘porn’ within us, and in
some instances it is a very honest way
of being - however it is not the ONLY

41
 MARY SILVIA MARY
“Ah yes. Them. “It’s condescending and completely out of “Most people in the sex industry are the
touch with the reality of the lived experiences most useful, kind and pragmatic people
Save us from our saviours.
of sex workers. That they lump consensual I’ve ever met.”
Feminism is a movement with a focus sex work in with human trafficking speaks
on equality of the sexes/genders, to be volumes. The trading of physical and
LUCY
achieved by releasing women and men emotional labour for pay is the basis for the
from oppressive/patriarchal social structures. capitalist society in which we live. If they “Yes, I have many friends and a
The desire to fuck and be fucked is not an actually cared about helping the women they wonderful girlfriend.”
oppressive/patriarchal social structure, it is a claim to be trying to “save” then they’d listen
biological, natural and healthy human desire. to us, but they don’t listen, because they
KATIE
You cannot liberate people from nature. don’t actually care.”
“I’m a white, cis, middle class woman
To attempt to conflate consensual, enjoyable
who isn’t perceived to be an addict. I
expression of human sexuality (porn, sex DELILAH
have the great privilege of being able to
work which is consensual by nature) with
“Collective Shout is a faux-feminist work where and how I’d like to. So no, I
trafficking, is a waste of resources at best,
organisation working towards making sex don’t encounter many people like this.”
and an insult to genuine victims of crime at
work more dangerous. It makes no sense to
its worst.”
claim to be feminist while actively oppressing
SILVIA
women and making their lives more
LUCY dangerous.” “Nope. I’m invisible. All sex workers are.”

“To me, being a feminist means supporting

what each individual person chooses for ROSE DELILAH
themselves (as long as it isn’t harmful to
“Collective Idiots like to take away people’s “Yes, unfortunately because of the
others) - whether you personally like and
agency and proclaim it does them good. I’ll negative social stigma that can be
agree with what they are choosing or
throw my keyboard out the window if I have attached to sex work sometimes people
whether you don’t. One important definition
to talk about the harm they do.” (both individuals and organisations) will
to make when talking about these issues
try to ‘save’ me, which always seems
is the HUGE difference between sex work
extremely patronising, stigmatising,
and sex trafficking. Sex workers choose their Conclusion:
unhelpful and, in a twisted way, kind of
jobs, for many reasons, all of which are valid. The responses to this question were
hilarious to me.
Sex trafficking is slavery and exploitation. overwhelmingly negative. It seems pretty
clear that sex workers are not oppressed You wouldn’t walk into an office building
Someone who is trafficked for sex is
people who need moral crusaders speaking and try to ‘save’ the receptionist sitting
therefore not a sex worker since they have
on their behalf, often silencing them in the behind the desk; or into a coffee shop
not chosen for themselves and have instead
process. and try to ‘save’ the barista. Recently
been forced and/or coerced. Sex trafficking
Project Respect came into my workplace
and sex work are not the same thing, and •••
and offered ‘gifts’ for each of the
cannot be lumped in together.
workers.
Unfortunately, many people still do, and
Are there many individuals / groups who They were small bags containing
instead of supporting sex work and fighting
reach out to you, offering help, without personal hygiene products and one of
sex trafficking, they just fight all of it at once.
you ever asking for or needing it? their pamphlets containing information
This attitude is actually harmful, unhelpful,
about how they help support you as
dangerous and disrespectful. Sex work is
a worker (despite their policies and
a legitimate and valid job, and should be JANE
treatment of sex workers actually being
viewed as such.”
“Yeah so many! I have a great support very anti-sex work). This move seemed
of fellow sex workers, as well as my both deceptive and passive aggressive
KATIE state organisation (rHed) and national to me.”
organisations. I am lucky in that I am
“Telling women what they can and can’t
open with my friends about my work,
do with their bodies is abusive regardless Conclusion:
so I also have my immediate friends
of who is doing the telling. We don’t want Along the same lines as the previous
support if i need it. Many of my close
our bodies controlled by the left any more question, I was interested to hear about
friends are also sex workers so they have
than we do by the right. The idea that some the sort of organisations and individuals
a good insight into things I may be going
women need this done ‘for their own good’ that reach out to and speak to sex
through.”
robs them of their agency and self-respect.” workers. This time I heard a much more
positive response, with sex workers

42 the new eros journal

talking about their colleagues in the SILVIA the laws from state to state. The last
industry and some positive grassroots legislation was written in the 1980’s? Uh
“I work for myself Independently. I’m the best
organisations that have been helpful what? How is that still relevant in today’s
boss I’ve ever had! I love my work place
along the way. Although it seems that day and age? In Victoria, workers should
and my hours and my pay! I make $1.3
privileges have a strong role in how this be able to allow in-calls, that is, to allow
million a year! Working part time! Tell me
question turns out, and those who find clients to visit them at a location. This is
again how I’m oppressed? Marginalised and
it more difficult to talk about their work imperative for safety! It is ridiculous that
stigmatised yes. Oppressed? Never!”
often feel silenced or invisible. we are not able to offer these things,
or even face eviction from buildings
•••
DELILAH for working out of our residences (for
example, a two bedroom apartment).”
“I have never personally experienced
Do you experience a culture of oppression oppression and exploitation within my MARY
and exploitation within your workplace? workplace. Where I work I am 100% in
“Full decriminalisation. NOW.”
control of everything that happens, including
.
which clients I choose, which services I
JANE
provide and my rates for those services, my LUCY
“I’ve always found sex work in an hours and which days I work. I can pull the
“Decriminalisation. An effort to properly
establishment to be the same as, or less, plug on a booking at any time if there is any
train police officers to deal with crimes
exploitative than every other ‘normal’ job I’ve behaviour I’m not comfortable with (luckily this
against sex workers, or even threats
had.” is an extremely rare occurrence), and the
towards them. General retraining on how
management back me up 100% on all of my
to treat reports of sexual violence and
choices.”
MARY how not to be disgusting victims blaming
sexists in general would be a decent
“Within the workplace? No, because I
DIMITRI start.”
work independently thus have no boss or
manager. Within society? Yes. “In my experience, the culture of oppression
that many sex workers face is actually from KATIE
Working in brothels and strip clubs often
outside of the industry itself due to the
meant dealing with management who cared “That any decision relating to sex
harmful attitudes, opinions and negative
more about money than our safety and work or sex workers only be made BY
social stigma the general population views
wellbeing though.” sex workers. The condescension by
sex work with, rather than anything that
politicians, police and organisations
actually happens to them on the job. Plus
made up by non-sex workers making
LUCY many workers also feel that any negative
decisions for this industry is destructive.
experiences that might happen to them on
“Not at all. In fact, I have found that I am We are capable of voicing our own
the job are usually also caused by, or made
more empowered in my workplace to take a problems and needs”
worse by, this negative social stigma.”
stand for my right to expression than in my
everyday life.
SILVIA
Conclusion:
A significant portion of this support comes
None of the people I spoke with had “More peer-based programs and
from my clients and the owner of my
experienced this in any way that they would organisations run by sex workers.”
establishment.”
describe as worse than any other industry.
Complaints were the sort of thing that might
KATIE be said about any industry. Many of the Conclusion:
respondents work for themselves and only Finally, I wanted to know what sex
“NO! This is honestly I think the main reason
experience oppression from society more workers would do to improve their
that organisations want to ‘save us’ and it’s
broadly, which they say is disappointing and industry if they could. It had become
SO false. While there are humans that are
disheartening. quite clear by this point that stigma
trafficked and feel trapped by the industry, so
against sex workers and the attitudes
few of us in Australia experience this. •••
that come from broader society are
I think the only culture of oppression some two huge hurdles. Many respondents
of us experience is discrimination from other are concerned about discrimination for
If you could suggest some fixes for the
sex workers, and some support staff. For themselves and their colleagues working
industry, what would they be?
examples some parlours do not always in the industry, as well as inconsistent
have open minded receptionists/hostesses laws around Australia. Many of the sex
and that can really affect work conditions/ JANE workers wanted to make it quite clear
situations.” that they are not victims and instead,
“National laws! Rather than on a state
see themselves as warriors for a more
basis. or at least CONSISTENCY in
broadly sex-positive society.

43
 FEDERAL INCENTIVES TO CUT LOCAL RED TAPE:
WHERE TO START?

The Federal budget has specifically notes removal of unnecessary continued burden for many kinds of adult
land-use planning restrictions as one of businesses and it is hoped that Federal
included an incentive scheme its key policy goals. incentives will be utilised to loosen the
ties.
for States and Territories to It is unclear whether and to what
extent State and Territory governments In particular, Eros will be lobbying
cut red tape at a local level, are likely to sign up to the scheme. governments to consider whether
Eros encourages incentives to cut the ‘specialist regulation’ of adult goods
but will they consider adult regulatory burden on small businesses and services is required and, if it is, how
and has a list of ideas of where to start. current restrictions can become simplified
businesses? and more consistent.
Adult stores and entertainment venues
need to navigate stringent (and Moreover, we encourage the Federal
The National Partnership on Regulatory
inconsistent) local planning and signage government to consider some of its own
Reform provides $300 million to States
bylaws. SWA licensees pay exorbitant unnecessary red tape on business within
and Territory governments to remove
fees for licenses tied to stringent the context of classification laws as well
unnecessary regulatory barriers for
conditions. Unnecessary red tape is a as the import/export of adult goods.
small businesses. The Budget website

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AVAILABLE IN
BLACK AND FLESH

Twisted Angel Pty Ltd I Wangara, Western Australia I (08) 93034898

www.twistedangel.com.au I [email protected]
44 the new eros journal
 Available from

THE OFFICIAL PLEASURE COLLECTION

Approved by E L James
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® & © Fifty Shades Ltd 2017.

45
 Lovehoney celebrates 15 years of
Sexual Happiness
Lovehoney are delighted to be celebrating their 15th anniversary this year
15 years of Sexual Happiness.

Set up in 2002 by Richard Longhurst Next they attended Erotica, consumer popular and ethically resourceful way for
and Neal Slateford, essentially using show in London for sex toys and erotica. customers to dispose of their vibrators. It
Richard’s bedroom as their warehouse, “Hello,” they thought. “This looks like a received a tonne of press coverage.
the first order was placed on the 21st good opportunity…”
April 2002 (for an Ecstasy Hi-Tech Rabbit
Vibrator, no less). Fast forward 15 years
With a little help from some friends - a 2011
programmer, a graphic designer and a
and Lovehoney have been awarded In 2011 Lovehoney was no longer just
photographer - they started to build a
the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in about sexy and secure adult shopping
website. And so in 2002, Lovehoney
International Trade, one of the highest but officially became ‘The Sexual
was born and a new era of sex toy
accolades of British Business, a multitude Happiness People’ – proud to make
shopping began
of Licensing and customer service a fun and fulfilling sex life available to
awards and have 8 websites serving everyone. This was also the year that
customers all over the world. 2005 Lovehoney first created a TV advert and
became the first sex toy company to
It has been an incredible journey for In 2005, Lovehoney struck a deal with
advertise on British TV.
Lovehoney Australia, too. July 2017 sees sex expert, writer and TV personality
the first year anniversary of the retail Tracey Cox to make sex toy products
fulfilment centre in Brisbane, as well as a carrying her name. Tracey helped to
push on mainstream TV for Lovehoney’s develop the products and the extremely
fun and cheeky award-winning TV successful partnership continues to this
advert. 2017 is also the year in which day. (In fact, Good Housekeeping UK
a designated Lovehoney Trade Team has just awarded her Supersex Rabbit
member, Jade Bawa, took her first trip Ears Clitoral Vibrator as the ‘best for
Down Under to spread the Lovehoney beginners’).
message.
Here we take a look back on some
pinnacle moments for the Lovehoney 2012
team. Lovehoney secured the exclusive rights
to manufacture Fifty Shades of Grey
2001 pleasure products. The range was a
worldwide success, with the sex toy
Neal Slateford and Richard Longhurst industry the world over noticing the
met in 2001 and become friends. One impact and the infiltration of the range
day at the pub while talking about the into the mainstream, especially amongst
internet, they decided to set up an first-time customers.
eCommerce business. But what would
they sell? Lovehoney has since become the world
leader in manufacturing licensed ranges
They decided to explore three different including Motörhead, Mötley Crüe and
areas. First they went to a cross-stitch tokidoki.
and needlecraft trade show, but that
didn’t really get them excited. Kids toys, 2007 2012 was also the year the first TV
perhaps? Hmmm, a company called programme was made about Lovehoney.
Rabbit Amnesty was born. This was
Amazon were already doing pretty well The behind-the-scenes documentary
the first time a sex toy recycling service
selling those. called More Sex Please, We’re British
was made available and is still very

46 the new eros journal

 Everyone at Lovehoney is proud of what they do.
The company mottos are:

• Be proud of what you do. • We don’t judge.

• Don’t be afraid to have a go. • It’s nice to be nice.
• Always go the extra inch. • You can’t know enough about sex.

was shown on Channel 4. Viewers got 2016 was also the year in which the Australia & New Zealand. A seasoned
an inside view on what it’s like to work iconic tokidoki X Lovehoney collaboration distribution professional, Bawa has
for a sex toy company, and the part that was announced. The lifestyle brand is rekindled Lovehoney’s excellent
caused by far the most interest was the based in Rome but find inspiration for partnerships with key distributors,
Returns Department…. their designs from Japanese ‘kawaii’ including Calvista and AAPD, while
culture and the result of the partnership Windsor & Sugar and Sas have come on
The documentary was such a hit that
was a unique range of collectible board more recently.
two years later a new six-part series
designer pleasure toys. The range has
was made called The Joy of Sex Toys. “The response has been incredible thus
proved extremely successful globally in
It aired on Lifetime TV in 2014 and gave far,” states Jade. “At Lovehoney we pride
reaching a mainstream audience, and
viewers the chance to get to know some ourselves on having created our own
was nominated for the reputable LIMA
of Lovehoney’s characterful employees, special brand of Sexual Happiness, and
award in the Health and Beauty Aids
and then in 2016 it was adapted for customers and retailers have embraced
category.
Australian TV. our ethos wholeheartedly. There’s so
And of course, the phenomenon that is many more great things to come.
The show was so successful that a
Fifty Shades Darker’s PR drive was in
second series was commissioned, which
full flow, with the new pleasure products
was also shown in Australia.
range being launched in advance of the
movie premiere. The second range did
2016 not disappoint both customers and the
world’s media alike.
This global success even got noticed by
the Queen! Last year Lovehoney received
the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2017
International Trade. Lovehoney founders
Lovehoney relaunch their Trade
Richard Longhurst and Neal Slateford
offering in Australia with the
attended a reception - held by the Queen
appointment of Jade Bawa as Sales
herself at Buckingham Palace - to receive
Executive and the main point of contact
the award. Official recognition from the
for Lovehoney Trade Customers in
Queen to win the ‘highest accolade for
business success’ was a huge privilege
for Lovehoney.

The Lovehoney Trade Team in Australia is headed up

by Jim Primrose and Jade Bawa.
To get in touch contact
[email protected]

Three months later, the Lord-Lieutenant

(the official representative for the Queen
when her Majesty is otherwise engaged)
for the county of Somerset, South
West England and home of Lovehoney,
officially presented Longhurst and
Slateford with a crystal chalice and scroll.

47
 It’s a very good question.

This resurgence in old physical ‘I’m a

human and prefer to touch’ items over
digital things that bad people can hack,
won’t change the World as we know it.

However, I’ve been thinking this is an

opportunity to go back in time and
create a couple of niche sections for
Eros members in their bricks and mortar
stores.

Call me old (fashioned), I must tell you

that I still buy physical books, and was
heartbroken when Borders (it was a book
shop) closed. I still give books to friends
for their birthdays, and I found that the
bookshops that still exist, are doing a
roaring business.

Anytime I visit my local bookshop, there

So Sony Music announced It was in 1989 that they stopped
are other similar book people of all ages
producing the big shiny disc with the odd
they are going to restart grooves. filtering through, some even buy a book.

pressing vinyl records for the Still, despite my love for books, I know
In a sign of people power, and counter-
first time in 30 years. intuitive behaviour we have been that it will only ever be a niche category,
spending more over the counter for these similar to the vinyl record, but if managed
once upon a time nostalgic relics of the well, it can be a very profitable section in
past. store.
We’ve all heard that ‘video
Global vinyl revenue is expected to hit $1 This brings me to the Eros equivalent to
killed the radio star’, but books, ‘The Adult Magazine’.
billion this year, and it’s been growing for
Sony, who helped play a the past decade.
Although the great golden days of the
major role in developing adult magazine are long gone, the profits
Sony are searching the world for older
are not. We have seen a mini resurgence
Compact Discs (CD’s for engineers who still know how to make
these old-fashioned black plastic album in this category for the last few years.
those young adults in the records.
Eros members AAPD and Claredale have
audience), thought they been doing an excellent job keeping
Sure this is good news for the handful
had all but killed off the vinyl of stores that still sell music, in Australia the mini profit fires burning with regular
JB Hi Fi comes to mind, but I hear you offerings of adult titles.
record. asking what the F… has this got to do
with Eros members? We at Windsor Wholesale continue to
grow our range of titles due to renewed
customer demand (This is a shameless
self-promotion, for those of you who
don’t know, I am co-founder of said
company above!).

I think it can be the classic ‘You don’t

know what you’ve got, until it’s gone’
cliché, but there was a drought of quality
magazines over the past half-decade in
Australia. Some great titles of the past

48 the new eros journal

 The key to this category is to have a
good range of titles, don’t just stock what
appeals to you, and re-stock regularly.
You’ll find once a magazine customer
discovers you are serious about his
section they will visit more often to search
for their next golden treasure.

In a maturing industry such as ours,

managing these niche categories with
excellent service can equal quality
have gone to that big printing press in the Most magazine buyers are collectors, relationships and profitable customers.
sky, and the ones that survived may be a once they like a title, they search high
little thinner these days, mainly because and low for past and future issues.
the advertising that once filled half their David Watt is co-founder of the multi-
pages have also gone digital. award winning distributor
And…if they like a girl, like our Eros and
Windsor Wholesale Australasia and has
Windsor favourite star Angela White (she
been Eros President since 2014.
However, the publishers that have was a former ‘Score’ girl), they will buy
Despite his youthful looks he has more
‘pressed on’ (sorry, again I couldn’t help everything Angela…her ever expanding
than 30 years industry experience
myself) are still producing surprising catalogue includes magazines, assorted
and holds an MEI (Masters of
quality print. DVDs and she is a famous Fleshlight
Entrepreneurship and Innovation)
model.
from Swinburne University which he
The Score Group, Paul Raymond and completed in 2011.
our old mate Larry Flynt Publishing are Potentially a customer could visit for the
still pumping out worthy product that still latest Score magazine and leave very
David can be contacted via email at:
entice that regular customer to visit the happy with hundreds of dollars of upsell.
[email protected]
brick and mortar store every month.

49
 Bodypolitics
with Fiona Patten
The pace of parliamentary life
has certainly not slowed over
the past year. Who would
have thought that in our first
term in parliament we would
introduce three bills and see
the results of our actions so
quickly.

As a result of our efforts:

• The Parliament will vote on physician
assisted dying later this year
• There are now buffer zones around
abortion clinics so that women are not
harassed by anti-abortionists (mainly
called the HOGPIs (helpers of god’s
precious infants)
• Ridesharing (Uber) is being legalised
• There is an inquiry underway and a Bill
in the pipeline to have a pilot medically
supervised injecting centre in North
Richmond
• A committee of MPs from both houses
of parliament are heading on a drug law
reform international fact finding tour
• The Legislative Council entered
the 21st century and allowed online
e-petitions to be tabled in parliament.
• Schools in Docklands and Coburg will
be built or extended.
books. Once we have made sense of the Ms PATTEN— Not surprisingly, following
$64 billion dollar budget, the revenue, the on from a number of Ms Staley’s
expenditure, the performance measures questions, I take note that no CAV
I also take part in lots of Committee
and new government initiatives, then we money is spent on compliance regulation
work, ask lots of questions, speak on lots
work out questions to ask. of the illegal industry. It is only spent on
of Bills and sometimes run amok!
compliance of the legal and registered
Of course this all takes an incredible
My most recent appointment though, industry. I would just like to make a
amount of time and then there are the
has been to the Public Accounts and comment that if reducing social harm
hours on hours, days upon days of
Estimates Committee (PAEC). The main is part of the objective of the act, then
sitting in the committee room listening
show for this Committee is the state addressing the illegal industry, I would
to ministers and public servants NOT
budget. Every minister and department have thought, would have been within
answer questions while the ALP and
head appears before the committee to the remit of that. However, the Sex Work
Liberal Committee members scream
‘answer’ our questions. I was generally Regulation Fund raised about $1.9 million
insults at each other across the table. I
given slots of somewhere between 4-6 in 15–16 and 1.5 million of that was
did ask a few questions about sex work
minutes to ask questions. spent.
in this Committee and the answers show
To prepare, we must get our heads
how hard it is at times:
around the budget that is made up of five

50 the new eros journal

 be permitted to manage them, so relation to the remaking of the regulations
extensive background checks, extensive last year we undertook the RIS
criminal record checking and the like, requirements in relation to that and did
to make sure that those are appropriate the relevant policy work in relation to that.
people to be involved in that area. The
Ms PATTEN—Just turning to budget
third, then, is an inspection function that
paper 3, page 78, which looks at the $1
we have in relation to the licence sector,
million being put in per annum—so $4
and that inspection function focuses
million in this budget—for Pathways to
in particular on compliance with the
Exit. This is funding to support assertive
health and safety matters set out in the
outreach. This is money to be spent,
act and in the regulations. We often do
$1 million to be spent, on assertively—
those inspections in conjunction with
your word—assisting sex workers to
police, sometimes in conjunction with
stop working. I have to say that is fairly
The line items are, I would say, kind of immigration, sometimes in conjunction
loaded. I would be flummoxed to know
unclear. It says $166 000 was spent on with WorkSafe——
of any other business, any other industry
contractors, consultants and professional
Ms PATTEN—Thank you. I appreciate or worker, that gets that sort of assertive
services, and then there was $225 000
that information. When we talk about outreach attention. What I want to know
spent—although it was listed as $2.25
$225 000 being spent in other operating is: who is doing that assertive outreach
million I know it is $225 000— on other
costs or $166 992 spent on contractors program to exit these women out of sex
operating costs. I guess it would——
and consultants, is that people that work—you are spending $1 million a year
Ms KAIROUZ (Minister)—Ms Patten, you contract to do these inspections or on it— and is any of that money going to
can I just interrupt you for a second. people you—— Project Respect, which is a vehemently
Where are you getting those from? anti-sex worker organisation?
Mr COHEN—I must say, Ms Patten, I
Ms PATTEN—I am referring to the am not entirely familiar with the figures Ms KAIROUZ—Thank you for that
consumer affairs annual report that that you have got—— question, Ms Patten. The output
forms part of the budget. I suppose it initiatives relating to the project that
Ms PATTEN—Maybe I could take that
is a somewhat general question as to you just mentioned—the Department
on notice, then.
the money that you raise through the of Health and Human Services are
licensing of legal brothels and escort Mr COHEN—Perhaps I can take that on responsible for that project, so I do not
agencies. What do you spend that notice. have the details available to me.
money on? As I mentioned, there are line
Ms PATTEN—Thank you. Mr WILSON—I can chase that up, if you
items saying ‘contractors, consultants
like, through my colleague at DHHS and
and professional services’ and line items Mr COHEN—I would also note that we
come back to you with the details.
just saying ‘other operating costs’, which have an extensive monitoring function, so
is a quarter of a million dollars. we do look to see if we can identify that Ms PATTEN—Thank you. If we could
people who are advertising, for example, have that on notice, that would be
Ms KAIROUZ—I might get the Deputy
have the correct requirements in relation really appreciated. Going back to
Secretary to respond.
to—— some of the questions that Ms Staley
Mr COHEN—Thank you for the mentioned—that CAV does not do any
Ms PATTEN—And what do you do
question. When you think about compliance work apart from, as you say,
when they are not, because I can tell you
consumer affairs in the context of the Sex looking at advertising and reporting on
now I could find you 900 ads of people
Work Act, I think that there are probably advertising of illegal establishments—the
who are not complying, quite a few of
four main areas where we have a role. illegal operators far outweigh the legal
them in Bourke Street?
The first is we provide information to operators, and I am wondering if CAV
the community about the Sex Work Act Mr COHEN—We would work in has given any consideration to lost
through our website and through our conjunction with VicPol in those earnings from not licensing the illegal
contact centre. The second is that we matters—— operators.
support the Business Licensing Authority
Ms PATTEN—So you would have a Mr COHEN—We really do focus our
in undertaking the licensing of brothels
reporting to VicPol on that? activities in relation to the licensed
and managers and the recording of
sector. If we come across intelligence
exempt providers. In that respect, I think Mr COHEN—We have regular meetings
that indicates a premises may not
particularly for the licensed part of the with VicPol in relation to our shared and
be licensed, we would refer that to
sector, there is a great deal of rigour distinct responsibilities in relation to the
the appropriate regulatory authority,
that is applied in relation to making Sex Work Act. I suppose the other part
VicPol——
decisions about whether people should of our service is that we do provide policy
be permitted to own brothels or should advice to the minister. For example, in

51
 Honoured to attend a citizenship ceremony

Ms PATTEN—How often would you do

that?
Mr COHEN—I know that we meet
with—when I say ‘we’, I mean both
consumer affairs and the Business
Licensing Authority—the sex industry
part of VicPol—— Community Safety Committee) and its We average about 15 meetings with
upcoming international trip. I moved this constituents, industry lobby groups and
The CHAIR—Order! Ms Ward until 3.37
Committee in the first place and am on community organisations each week.
p.m.
the committee. I will be on the tour as
I get to attend all sorts of events each
Ms WARD—Sorry; if you wanted to well and I can tell you at great personal
week including officiating over citizenship
finish your sentence, please do so. expense. Don’t believe the hype that all
ceremonies to attending local football
parliamentary overseas trips are paid for
Mr COHEN—Thank you, MsWard. matches. We receive about 500 emails
by the taxpayer!
Often—and I can take perhaps on notice each week - that increases substantially
the precise number of meetings that we The committee has been hearing from when issues such as the CFA or
have had. a range of experts who are almost all in ridesharing are being debated. We
furious agreement that the prohibition prepare work for an average of five Bills
Ms PATTEN—Thank you very much.
on drug use does not work. It doesn’t each week. They will be as diverse as
stop people taking drugs, it doesn’t stop state taxation Bills to bail legislation.
All in all it was an interesting but not a crime and it makes no one safer.
And then there is reading and preparing
terribly satisfying experience.
Five of the seven members of the committee work for the White Ribbon
More satisfying was finally seeing committee are travelling to Europe taskforce, Electoral Matters, Legal and
law reform in regards to ridesharing. and North America to research other Social issues inquiries into Juvenile
I introduced my Ridesharing Bill last models for the regulation of drugs. Justice, Supervised injecting centre,
year and agreed to put it on hold if the This will include meeting with experts, PAEC budget report and of course drug
government committed to introducing international agencies such as the UN, law reform.
their own Bill early this year. Well it took politicians and police. As far as I am
I am very fortunate to have a great and
a while and that gave the taxi license aware this is the first time that a tour
dedicated team in the office.
owners plenty of time to write, ring, such as this has happened.
threaten, insult and campaign. We do long nights, long days and work
I don’t want to get too optimistic but
weekends. Some days parliament seems
After considerable behind the scenes I hope seeing how legalising and
like kindergarten and I yearn for the
negotiations I was successful in getting regulating drugs, especially cannabis,
company of adults, particularly those
support for my amendments to lower the can have positive outcomes, for
who work in the adult industry but I think
levy from $2 to $1 and an audit system communities, police and business alike.
we are making a difference and providing
to ensure that the levy is only used to pay
These next few months I will be busy a sensible voice. Please come visit me or
the compensation agreed upon to taxi
lobbying for dying with dignity and sign up to the newsletter.
licence owners. For the first time in my
the safe injecting centre trial in North
parliamentary career, I had unanimous
Richmond, where about 30 people die
support!
each year from overdoses.
What I am most happy about is the
A few facts and figures from my Fiona.
Drug Law Reform Committee (official
parliamentary office shows the spread of
name is Law Reform Road and
my workload.

52 the new eros journal

53
 Financial
Discrimination
Against the

Adult Industry
Jarryd Bartle is a former lawyer turned
adult industry consultant. He is assisting
Eros in its continued campaign against
adult industry discrimination.

The Eros Association review of the decision by contacting the Jarryd Bartle from Eros ([email protected].
relevant consumer complaints person au) as we are exploring our options under
continues to receive for your financial institution. Relevant anti-discrimination legislation in the ACT.
contacts can be found by searching your
complaints regarding bank within the ‘Members’ section of the
What is the Eros Association doing to
Financial Ombudsman website (https://
discrimination against the fos.org.au/members).
tackle financial discrimination?

adult industry. The refusal of Eros is currently undertaking the following

In your request, make it explicit that you
to tackle financial discrimination against
believe you were discriminated against
services by banks and other on the basis that you ‘belong to the adult
the adult industry:

financial service providers industry’. As with the first step, ensure • Speaking directly to financial institutions
you request the response in writing. to counter generalised assessments
is a common, completely If your review is again rejected, the next
that the adult industry is ‘high risk’ or
connected with illicit activity.
step is to make a formal complaint
unacceptable practice that
against the financial institution to the • Lobbying politicians to reform current
continues to impact adult Financial Services Ombudsman (FSO). anti-discrimination laws to protect against
The FSO’s Small Business Jurisdiction discrimination on the basis of industry-
businesses. can consider disputes between financial type.
institutions and:
• Assisting members to make formal
• Businesses with less than 20
What should I do if I’ve been refused complaints against financial institutions.
employees; or
financial services?
• Manufacturers with less than 100 • Raising awareness of financial
The first thing you should do if a financial employees. discrimination through engagement with
service provider has refused services on key stakeholders.
In your complaint you should note that
the basis of industry-type is to request
the financial institution has discriminated • Exploring options to file a formal
your rejection in writing. This ensures
against you on the basis that you belong complain to the ACT Human Rights
a clear paper trail of what has occurred,
to an adult industry and is ‘not following Commission that financial discrimination
and gives a clear impression of the
best practice’. against the adult industry constitutes
reasons why your service was rejected.
ill treatment on the basis of ‘trade,
If your business is based in the Australian
The next step is to formally request a occupation or calling’.
Capital Territory, please get in touch with

56 the new eros journal

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 The State of Vape Across the World.
The War on Nicotine and Tobacco Harm Reduction.
Dr. Attila Danko

I just attended the Global triple the smoking rate. Unfortunately, replacing it by vaping. The US faces the
traditional tobacco control is not a results threat of outrageous regulations that
Forum on Nicotine in Warsaw driven enterprise; authoritarian control only tobacco companies have any hope
is much more important to them than of complying with, this will potentially
(GFN 17), the premier annual people’s lives. Sweden shows us that destroy 99% of the vaping industry if
tobacco harm reduction works, with they are not stopped. Over-regulation
conference for tobacco harm one of the highest rates of tobacco use via the TPD in Europe threatens to stall
reduction from 15 - 17 June, in Europe but also enjoying by far the falling smoking rates there. All these
lowest rates of tobacco related illness efforts by a powerful global anti-nicotine
bringing together all the top and death. This is because Swedish cabal ironically protect the most harmful
nicotine users have the option to nicotine delivery system, the traditional
scientists, doctors, public separate combustion from recreational combusted cigarette.
nicotine, through the widely used
health, policy wonks, industry smokeless tobacco product called snus.
We also heard from a proponent of the
only new idea in decades of standard
and citizen advocates from Many other countries have another tobacco control, the idea of mandating
option, vaping, otherwise known as extremely low levels of nicotine in
across the world. “E-cigarettes”. Likewise we heard at the cigarettes to eliminate addiction. It was
conference how countries such as the valuable to hear from the other side, and
UK and the US are now having significant the ideas were listened to and debated
Tobacco harm reduction is the exciting
disruption to their nicotine markets with respectfully. I hope there will be more of
idea that combustion, or smoking, is
smoking rates falling faster than ever this in future. I could not resist however
what kills people, not nicotine, and
before with the replacement of smoking politely pointing out that such a strategy,
if the combustion is taken out, novel
by vaping due to consumer choice. The which aims to keep all the harms of
recreational nicotine products could
tobacco control establishment tries to cigarettes, with none of the pleasure,
make smoking obsolete, potentially
ignore the fact that smoking rates in is akin to fighting STD’s and HIV by
saving a billion lives and possibly
their poster boy country Australia have mandating orgasm blocking technology,
being the greatest single public health
remained stagnant in recent times while so that people would have all the harms
innovation in history.
now the UK and the US have caught of sex, with little of the pleasure. It
The GFN 17 conference is an up, and threaten to overtake Australia, appears that the medieval tobacco
unashamedly nicotine positive space because harm reduction is allowed and control establishment is so morally
for those defending the human rights even encouraged in the case of the UK. outraged by people enjoying recreational
of safer nicotine consumers from the nicotine that they want to make sure that
New Zealand and Canada have accepted
powerful global forces of prohibition and if they sin, they will be punished by death
the growing evidence base on the
abstinence, fanatically wedded to the and disease.
benefits of the disruptive displacement
ideology of “Quit or Die”. We learned of
of smoking, and are in the process GFN 17 also saw the first general
new developments in the science, policy
of legalising vaping and other harm meeting of INNCO, the International
and advocacy movements and in the
reduction products. Unfortunately, many Network of Nicotine Consumer
technology itself.
other countries led by Australia and the Organisations, with advocates around
We heard of the increasing evidence World Health Organisation are bullied into the world connecting to create a body
base of our movement, with the proof adopting the “Quit or Die” war on drugs that can make the consumer’s voice
of concept country, Sweden, now with approach despite the moral bankruptcy heard at the international level, and
a smoking rate of just 5%, far lower of their ideology and it’s obvious failure. also to support new consumer groups
than the poster-boy of tobacco control In Australia and some other countries developing around the world. The voice
orthodoxy, Australia, which has almost it is still illegal to give up smoking by of the users whose very lives are at stake
will not be silenced!

58 the new eros journal

 power of a people’s movement against
entrenched vested interests. He taught
us lessons from decades of experience
in fighting the dinosaurs of ideology, and
the power of building coalitions with the
wider harm reduction community.
Over three days of exciting, provocative
speakers and networking, we go home
energised with new knowledge, hope,
passion and international allies. Tobacco
harm reduction is an idea whose time has
come; with new technology developing
alongside the increasing power of our
human rights movement. We know we
are on the right side of history, and this
disruptive technology cannot be stopped,
but how long will it take and how many
people have to die? We know that the
battle is urgent, because even one more
death is too many.

Finally I want to mention the keynote the war on nicotine with the wider war on
Dr Attila Danko
speech and speaker of the conference. drugs. He emphasised the importance
President, New Nicotine Alliance
We were privileged to hear from Ethan of the story of the ordinary person
Australia.
Nadelman, a giant in the drug harm to provide emotional impact of our
reduction space. He inspired and advocacy, anchoring it in the wider battle Consumer advocacy group for users of
educated us with the obvious parallels of for human rights. He inspired us with the low risk alternative nicotine products.

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www.twistedangel.com.au I [email protected] 59
60 the new eros journal
61
 THE LOVE BUS: 1994 - 2000
A Short History of the Eros Association | Part 4

Over the years, Eros has

not just been a lobby group
and an industry association
but also a think tank and
breeding ground for many
interesting and commercially
viable adult industry projects.
These include, Sexpo,
The Love Bus, the Adult
Industry Awards and of of the adult industry in Canberra and So they contacted the ACT MP
course, the Sex Party. All of dispelled many of the stereotypical Michael Moore who had tabled the ACT
images that many of them had formed Prostitution Bill and asked him if he could
these ventures started as about it. Some of them admitted that arrange it. Not knowing any of the brothel
they had husbands and sons that they owners and thinking that it might look a
ideas generated within the were sure had visited adult shops. After little odd for a politician to be organising
the meeting was over, many of the a tour of brothels for other MPs, he
Eros office and were later women approached Fiona about taking turned to Fiona who was on the ACT
developed by Eros members. them on a tour of a couple of adult shops Attorney General’s Prostitution Advisory
so they wouldn’t feel out of their depth. Board and who had worked with him in
She agreed and the following week the preparation of his Bill.
The Love Bus was Australia’s first about a dozen women from the meeting
attempt at a behind the scenes tour of piled into three cars and set off for a
the adult goods and services industry. It guided tour of the Club X shop and erotic Fiona called a few brothel owners and
ran for a decade and in that time gave theatre in the city and Hello Sexy out in organised an afternoon of information
over 6,000 people an insight into the day Fyshwick. It was a huge success. for them but with eight MPs on board
to day operation of brothels, strip clubs, she told Moore to hire them a mini bus
adult shops, wholesalers and duplicators as it would be much easier to keep
who were all trading in Canberra’s A few weeks later a group of Qld control over them all. The bus headed off
industrial ‘red light’ suburb of Fyshwick. politicians descended on Canberra for from the city and took in the Executive
a discreet tour of the national capital’s Studios, the Parlour-Ment House and
recently legalised brothels. At that time Fiona’s old haunt, Tiffany’s. Standing at
It kicked off in 1995 when former CEO Qld was wrestling with the issue of how the front of the bus, she gave the MPs
Fiona Patten was asked to be a guest to regulate prostitution and they wanted a running commentary on the details
speaker at a Fyshwick businesswomen’s to see how the newly regulated ACT of the ACT legislation as they plied the
luncheon. She talked about the nature model was working. well-worn route up Canberra Ave, left
into Ipswich st and then into the myriad
of smaller streets that housed the ACT’s
brothels.

They saw theme rooms and dungeons,

talked to brothel owners and sex workers
alike and she gave them an information
pack at the end of it. The tour lasted for
three hours and when the bus pulled up
outside the ACT Legislative Assembly to
let them off, many commented that they
‘didn’t think it would be like that’.. and …
‘wow that was very enlightening’..

62 the new eros journal

 Robbie Swan is a consultant to Eros and
is currently writing a book that looks at
the history of the Eros Association

Judith Lucy and Helen Razer up close with the Gerry Hercus’ old X rated video
duplication plant

Meanwhile, Fiona was still getting women News of the bus soon leaked out to However Eros still received calls from
who had heard of the businesswomen’s journalists and soon we were getting members of the public to go on the tour
lunch, asking her if she would take them requests from celebrities wanting to a decade after it had folded with many
on a similar tour. With the mini bus tour take the tour on a personal level. We international tourists having heard of it.
of MPs still in her mind she thought trialled this with well-known comedienne
that if she hired the same mini bus and Judith Lucy and the equally well-known
extended the tour to include brothels as writer and commentator, Helen Razer. There’s a lot of the old media (60
well as adult shops, she might be able to Fiona and Robbie packed them in the Mins, ACA, etc) archived at the Eros
charge a small fee to cover the costs. It back of Fiona’s old cream and red 1961 Association Collection at Flinders
worked. Within a week there were more Mercedes 220SE and headed off to University Central Library in Adelaide,
than 30 women who had registered for Gerry Hercus’ and Peter Chan’s new if ever Eros members want to find
the tour and it was time to get a bigger venue Champions and the Suckatorium. out more.
bus. A quick call to the local Action I think it was the first
government bus service secured a 45 and last time that
seater and they’d even light up Route 69 anyone would ever
on the destination window at the front. see Helen Razer
And lo! …the Love Bus was born. and Judith Lucy at
a loss for words, as
naked male dancers
The champagne flowed and the swooned around them
‘showbags’ were stuffed full of vibrators and got in their faces!
and condoms. It was run as a non-
profit venture with tickets selling at
about $40 for the four-hour tour. It was When the bus closed
an instant hit and the bus was booked six years after it had
out for weeks. Hen’s nights were by far started it was only
the major demographic but birthdays, because it destroyed
weddings and other milestones were Robbie’s and Fiona’s
also part of the clientele. The wildest one weekends for that
was when the bus was booked by the period of time. It was
local Rebels motorcycle club. Hearing taken over by a few
Fiona’s full-throated husky voice up the people after that but
front convinced a couple of the Rebels to without direct support
insist that she was in fact a transsexual. of Eros, traders also
Nothing could dissuade them of this grew tired of touring
notion. There was much loud heckling for people through their
her to prove that she wasn’t! Apart from private businesses
that they were surprisingly well behaved. after hours for no
public relations
benefit to the industry
as a whole.

Helen Razer ducks for cover while Judith Lucy attempts a brave
interview with Triple JJJ as the Champions’ dancer leaps into their laps

63
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68 the new eros journal