Sexually Explicit

Honestly, I guess I wonder why the same big deal is never made of explicit violence?

I guess slasher movies, books with gory violence, etc are okay, but having sex is something that should be banned from view...

This is SUCH a hot button issue, but I couldn't help wading in to agree with Sam on this one.

Jayne

I only saw one letter to the editor in the Feb RWR and one response letter in the Mar RWR dealing with this issue. Was there some firestorm before this that I missed?

I came across a blog where epubbed authors were going crazy over RWA supposedly turning against erotica and sexually explicit books. (Again, did I miss something?) I hope everyone doesn't blow this out of proportion.

In regards to Indiana- what are the problems with being registered with the state? Does it cost a lot, a pain or just demoralizing to be grouped with sex shops? Is there a bill number we can read to see the specifics? Maybe all bookshops wouldn't fall under the state guidelines.

I am just trying to see this from another side and stress that before everyone gets up in arms know the exact wording of the law and it's ramifications.

Angel

the mother of two little boys who are currently fascinated with
their equipment and all their bodily functions I have the usual
parent's dilemma of trying to stop them flashing in public at all and
sundry while not wanting them to think sex and sexuality are either
taboo or wrong.

I can only agree that I wish the powers that be had the same
reticence about violence that they have about sex. I mean, none of us
would be here if there were no sex, violence is a lot less desirable. I
also have to agree about the things that get swept under the carpet,
with young (especially) girls being reprimanded if they want to explore
their sexuality but disbelieved or made to feel guilty if they are
victims of sexual abuse. Unfortunately there is a major double standard
which exists and while I appreciate having a publisher like eharlequin
clearly label its imprints so, like MaryJane, I can choose what suits
the mood of the moment, laws which encourage labels make me nervous
when labels are defined by people who "mean well"

We ended up
with a very dangerous anti-abortion law in Ireland because of people
who "meant well", by dangerous I mean that it gives equal rights to
life to the foetus and the mother, which is theoretically great news,
but unfortunately it can mean that if the mother's health is threatened
by the foetus, and the only solution is life-threatening for the foetus
then using that solution is illegal. Of course when this was pointed
out to people prior to the Referendum, all those well-meaning people
said it would never happen, blah blah blah, but once a law exists, it's
supposed to be enforced. The best protection against it is to object
BEFORE it gets ratified.

On the face of it, this seems like a
very mild inoffensive law, just for improving people's access to
information. And maybe it is, but maybe it's going to limit people's
freedom in the long term, and that's never a good thing

I suppose the first main question I would pose would be "define 'sexually explicit'?" 

Hugs

Sadhbh

I'd appreciate it  .... the Indystar.com site is eating up my computer resources and I'm having a hard time searching it 

thanks

The only thing I found on IndyStar was the vote in Carmel that didn't get passed. Was there another article about the law that was passed?

The link on IndyStar http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080326/LOCAL18/803260446/1001/NEWS

Thanks so much for posting about this! I'm supposed to be blogging for my Intellectual Freedom class, and this provided one entry.

the next thing you know, anyone who buys a "sexually explicit" item, will have to register.  Every time you buy a video, a romance novel, a playboy or lingere, you will have to leave a thumb print, have your picture taken or something...like when you buy a gun.

cause, once they know who is selling this stuff, they are going to want to know who is buying it.

I think the law is just not specific enough.  Or maybe the article is not specific enough.  If they are going after pornography, it should say so. There should  already be laws about that.  Sexually Exlicit means something different to different people.

This law could lump in books about sex education, encyclopedias,  and books, novels or literature that are not romance novels.  I want them to define explicit. What are the rules? what are the perameters?

and I'm certainly not one to wade through all that legalese   .... its the "purpose" of the registration that needs to be determined .....

if it's the fact that "adult" business are opening willy nilly, then the state needs to go after the local gov't who regulates what types of business can open and open where  ... big gov't (state and fed) shouldn't have their fingers into that 

if it's to "police" the establishments that sell the "adult" products and they are having trouble identifying who to "police" than that's another issue  .... it depends on what the rules are for those "adult" businesses ... do they have regulations that they must follow like the tobacco and alcohol businesses 

and then there's always the big bonus of getting businesses to register ... once they know how many businesses sell these products (they get that $250 fee first) then they can rub their hands together and say "golly gee, what kind of tax can we put on these folks so we can all get big raises"  ..... and then there is the bonus to the groups that want to "censor" , they know what's best ... they'll have a list of the businesses to target and control .... power

no .... not fond of laws that are so vague .... and it's usally the one who likes to play "all powerful" that interprets the law and gets away with it because the law is so vague

doesnt the local government allready know what kind of bussiness are in their area? When someone applies for a business license, dont they have have to put the type of business they intend to open on the application?

When an establishment intends to sell alcohol, they have to tell the whole community what they plan to do.  that way the community can decide if they want that in their neighborhood. Maybe they can do that with the "adult" industry.

Years ago,  I worked near a Catholic Church that had a school attached.  And across the street there was a new 7-11 opening up, and they had their little sign in the window that said they intended to sell beer. ....the school officals protested that they didnt want booze sold so close to kids in grades K-9. the store almost didnt open  untill the store owners agreed not to sell beer.

I don't know how it works in the US, but in Canada you do have to disclose what you are planning to sell when you apply for a business licence ....  I suspect that what is happening here, is that small businesses like perhaps truck stops or corner convenience stores may have started to sell small amounts of "adult" videos and "magazines"  .... are there special regulations involved when you sell that stuff?  .... perhaps, the local gov't that approve the business licences don't have the man power to go around and see what the businesses are actually doing .. and as a result rules are not being followed

on that matter of books .... I think that is where the out cry started ... is that the new Bill hasn't defined "sexually explicit" and because of that book sellers are now falling into a grey area ... I don't think this started as an issue specifically for books in the regular bookstores .... it's that poorly defined term that has raised this issue

Booksellers can't know the level of sexuality in every book -- I've read very hot books that had very neutral covers/titles, and so books with sexy covers would be targeted more likely. Where do they draw lines? What counts?

For me, there are no stickers, no ratings, no middle ground. It's censorship, or some kind of "literary profiling" that allows some politicians to gather conservative votes, and it's wrong. In fact, according to this article, it's in violation of First Amendment: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080326/LOCAL18/8032...

Sam

I agree. totally.....its censorship pure and simple.  

I want to know who decides what is Explicit, indecent, pronographic, or what ever you call it? Who makes the rules?  Some religious fanatic? some narrow minded bigott? Who will they go after next?

Beonlyone, that's the point exactly!  While I was speaking of virtues,I should have mentioned, tolerance, respect, and dignity for others different than yourselves also!  For example, I really don't "get" why a couple blokes want to wed each other, but I would rather they wed who they're attracted to and love (another of the same gender) instead of being out at the club picking up who-knows-what-sexually-transmitted-diseases? The example is simplistic, but I hope you get the point.  Those same two guys have NEVER told me who it was "correct" or "incorrect" to date, and had NOT ONE WORD to say about the gal I went on to marry <that was of a different race!>!  Can I offer anything less?

The governor is a different political party than the majority of the legislature and the legislature formed the bill. (Maybe both sides want to look tough on pornography and this bill was the result.) Also, from what I have read about the bill it is strengthening legislation that is already in place.

Maybe the bookstores could call officials in to check every shipment they get in? Everyone's time would be wasted and then maybe the bill would be revised.

Honestly, I guess I wonder why the same big deal is never made of explicit violence?

I guess slasher movies, books with gory violence, etc are okay, but having sex is something that should be banned from view...

I'd have to agree with you Sam! 

That said, I think society had gotten fairly crude in the last 20 years. I think I preferred it when we didn't burp and fart at the table, so to speak. 

LOL  Well said FF!

I could totally be wrong on this and if I am, forgive me.  I recall a few years ago, Walmart had decided to stop stocking any reading material that was sexually explicit.  For a while, I couldn't find a Blaze to save my life at a Walmart.  I don't think this is happening anymore b/c I can now find them there again.  They do not sell items like Playboy, etc.  I remember the frustration of the act though and couldn't figure out why the chain would restrict reading material.  Who makes those decisions about what is right and wrong for us to read and WHY???  Like all of you I ask, "What is the definition?"

My family would shout for joy about this piece of news, which is why I've decided to publish under a pseudonym. It's sad but true.

 If I have to contend with these issues from family (not my husband who supports me 100%), I sure as %#&! don't want to have to worry about everyone else!

It's my right to write it, and other people's right to read it.  I happen to enjoy what I read and write.  I love romance of nearly every kind.  My taste is very eclectic.

 Life is a personal choice.  Live and let live, I say.

Betty, I totally agree!  If erotica were picture books... h'mmm....  Interesting concept.  Now, that would make the world of difference.  As it is, most children, while they can easily turn on the TV to disturbing images, cannot read an adult novel.  Boy, could this open up a hornet's nest or what?

I was wondering the same thing.  Love your black heart, by the way.

OMG, I can't believe I've never heard of that!  Comic book format.  Wow.  You're right, a Blaze would have to be interesting like that!  And how about a Spice!  Literal graphic graphics!  Would definitely make the grown-up kid in me sit up and take notice. 

are adult comic books (like the story of O) that have been published, not to mention original French works in comic book format in France. There are also adult comic books that aren't erotica, fantasy and SF and the like

I've always thought pictures were a waste of good typescript space

Hugs

Sadhbh