Getting scientific about sex
The Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus), in collaboration with ABC TV’s Catalyst program, will host a special event examining the ins and outs of the modern human’s sexuality.
This live event will commence with an advanced screening of a new Catalyst special about sex, which examines two rare sexual conditions – persistent genital arousal disorder and post orgasmic illness syndrome.
“This event is shaping up to be one of our most interesting, it’s clear that a lot of people out there have a lot to say about sex, and a lot to ask,” said RiAus programs coordinator Deb Shaw.
“Dr Maryanne Demasi from Catalyst will be discussing her experience in making the TV program and the guests will carry out a general discussion of some of the more well-known and common sexual dysfunctions – libido, inability to achieve orgasm, erectile problems, unmatched desire etc – and why talking about them appears to be so taboo.”
Shaw said their ‘sexperts’ will be called upon to discuss their experiences as counsellors and medical practitioners and why people find talking about sex and sexual problems so difficult.
“Physical and virtual audience members will also be able to post their own questions during the event for discussion,” she said.
“We’ve already had people posting questions on our event website and people can keep doing this ahead of the event, it’s totally anonymous and is already throwing up a huge number of really interesting questions and comments.
“Most people are doing it but a lot of people find it incredibly difficult to talk about, that’s why we thought this was such an important event. Sex ultimately sits at the centre of our society and is fundamental for us as a species.”
Panellists for the event include Catalyst‘s Dr Maryanne Demasi, Sexologist Dr Patricia Weerakoon, and clinical psychologist Alan Jenkins.
It’s on Thursday April 12 from 7.30-9pm at The Science Exchange, Exchange Place, Adelaide.
The event will be livestreamed via www.riaus.org.au/livestreaming
Disquieting whenever Medicos get together to decide what is disordered, an illness a disease rather than a normal part of life we all have to cope with at one time or another.
Bear in mind this is the crowd who gave us gay as disease in need of a cure , trans as disorder of gender identity and Intersex as a thing to cure.
The continual pathologising of everything from being sad for too long to …being over excited has given the ICD10 ( the diagnostic manual put out by the world health organisation ) another ten thousand or so diagnosis in their most recent revision .
If the issue is we are reluctant to speak about sex and how we go about it that’s one thing but seeking out differences in our sexual behaviour and function as disease to make us squirm is simply sensationalist tabloid rubbish.
Is the problem still; repression from a society obsessed with sex but stuck with a morality that is revolted by it ??? lets get back into the sexual liberation dialogue More