17/04/2022
BBC News Channel reports that thousands of Bristol residents have signed a petition against a performance at the Tobacco Factory Theatre in the city called the “Family Sex Show”. But Bath based Egg Theatre Company have revealed that their provocatively titled performance piece which will include non sexual nudity has in fact been designed with the high level input of educationalists and child safeguarding experts. They say that, far from the petitioners’ charge that they are sexualising children, the theatre piece will empower youngsters to understand what is appropriate and inappropriate as they grow up and that the work is designed to help children avoid exploitation. Bristol therapist and sex education specialist Stephanie Healy said she can see how it could seem "scary" for some parents but urged them to "be brave". Furthermore, the originators of the show explain that the show will reassure gender non conformist and gay children. Some bloggers have suggested that the reason for the petition is thinly disguised homophobia and transphobia and one said “these thirty thousand Mary Whitehouse prudes cannot be allowed to censor the theatre. They’ll be burning books next, unless we prevent them and their crusade of bigotry”. Another gay man added “If you don’t wanna see this play, then don’t go. But trying to stop others from seeing it is naked fascism”.
