RNA Uncensored 2023
Blowing the lid off all things sex
Partners: UTS Respect.Now.Always (RNA)
Good Point Design was engaged by the UTS Respect.Now.Always (RNA) team to visualise a series of four panel discussions that explored sex and consent through different lenses. The talks were held in high traffic and open areas of UTS and were aimed primarily at students (but also for staff and other curious people) who might be want to know more about these topics but not know where to start. The series involved panels of experts with extensive lived and professional experience, ensuring each talk were informative, engaging and - crucially - shame and judgement free.
The discussions were not recorded, to ensure that the environment felt safe enough to encourage the audience to participate and ask questions. Good Point Design’s role was to listen to, live scribe, and absorb the talks and then create a visual summary of each one. The visual summaries are shared below with a short description of each one. They are also available on the RNA website for people who either weren’t at the discussions, or who want to refer back to the conversations later.
Talk 1: Get into Gear – an introduction to fetish and consent
“If I don’t feel safe, I don’t feel sexy”
This conversation demystified topics that are often misunderstood and lazily turned into clickbait, shedding light on kink, fetish and BDSM, and how integral consent is within these practices (“we are like consent base jumpers”). The panellists talked about their experiences, being part of the communities that surround these practices, and about how to find your own community for those interested in learning more.
This conversation was facilitated by: Michael Gonzalez (he/him), University Librarian at UTS
Panellists:
Mistress Tokyo (she/her), experienced dominatrix, educator and creator of the Mindful Consent Model.
Zain Warsi (he/him), Sydney Mr Leather competitor and fetish community activist
Thomas Seggie (he/him), former Pride of the Hide winner and host of the Kink Kloset podcast
Talk 2: Like a (Queer) Virgin
“There is nothing shameful about sex”
Panellists:
Miranda Aguilar (they/them), a Filipinx writer, community arts worker and creative producer
Laneikka Denne (she/they), a queer writer and actor, making film & theatre for young queer folk
Erin Spencer (they/them), co-founder and director of Sock Drawer Heroes
Aligning with WorldPride, this discussion centred around the panellists’ personal stories about formative experiences exploring sex, sexuality and gender. Warmhearted, funny and unapologetically honest, the discussion celebrated fluidity and experimentation, encouraging other young people in the LGBTQIA+ community to feel confident and proud in defining (and redefining) their identities.
This event was facilitated by guest curator Felicity Nicol (she/her). Felicity is a queer and disabled writer, director and performance maker, is a keen advocate for LGBTQIA+ youth and a Curatorial Associate for Sydney WorldPride.
Talk 3: Taking charge of your sexual health
To take away the fear and uncertainty surrounding STIs, STDs, screening and testing, this panel of health professionals shared information and advice to help people take steps to proactively look after their sexual health. The panellists answered questions that young people may not know where or how to ask (e.g. “What’s the difference between a ‘screen’ and a ‘test’?” “How do you talk about sexual health with partners?”). They talked about the multitude of services that are available – and mostly free – to young people to access.
This conversation was facilitated by: Michael Gonzalez (he/him), University Librarian at UTS
“There are no dumb questions”
Panellists:
Linda Garton, Sexual Health Nurse with the RPA Sexual Health Service
Grace Robin, Health Promotion Officer with Sydney Local Health District (SLHD)
Michelle Burt, Senior Registered Nurse with the UTS Health Service
Tanya Montoya, Senior Health Promotion Officer with Family Planning NSW
Talk 4: Prioritising pleasure
This talk emphasised the importance of pleasure and agency in relation to sex, consent, and your body, and the value of communication in this context. Drawing on professional and personal experience, the panellists talked about the multiple ways that people can explore and claim their sexual pleasure. Pleasure is not something that has traditionally been a feature of sex education - conversations like this one draw it out of the cloud of shame and stigma and shine a light on what’s possible, once we fully step into our bodies and learn how to communicate openly about what we do and don’t want.
This conversation was facilitated by: Michael Gonzalez (he/him), University Librarian at UTS
“We all have a right to experience pleasure”
Panellists:
Melissa Kang (she/her), Associate Professor in the Specialty of General Practice at Sydney Medical School and (formerly) writer of “Dolly Doctor” column for Dolly magazine
Alice Child (she/her), a Somatic Sexologist, Sex Counsellor and Sex Coach, founder of Vulva Dialogues
Harrison Sarasola (he/him), Community Health Promotion Officer and project management specialist, ACON
