As a blogger, pervert and a keen admirer of the liberty of tastes and pursuits, it saddens me to note that as of today "possession of extreme pornographic images" is illegal in the United Kingdom.
This is worrying news for those of us who think that government does not have any business snooping around the bedrooms and hard drives of consenting adults.
Even more worrying is the fact, already reported back in April 2008, that this law has raised relatively little interest in mainstream media, and critical coverage has been scant. That's not encouraging, given most professional journalists' sensitivities about any attempts to nibble away at our freedoms of expression. But this one is difficult to mobilize public opinion against. After all, which politician is brave enough to argue against a law that will (at first) only affect a sexual minority? Taking a stand with the perverts is not the way to scoop up the votes in most constituencies, so kudos to Baroness Miller for trying her best to scupper the law from the undemocratic safety of the House of Lords.
Backlash and CAAN are mobilizing kinksters and right-thinking people in general against this law. Check out their sites, and link to them if you can.
The Register has just published a sensible overview of the law, implications and how to avoid getting one's face splashed across the Daily Mail's front page. And if you want a chuckle along with your indignation, try Luka's take on the extreme porn law. Just hang on to the indignation - we're in for a long ride on this one, I fear.
Update: Here's another good piece on the debate and the problems of this law, from politics.co.uk: "Extreme porn becomes illegal" - thanks to JD for the link.
Monday, January 26, 2009
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17 comments:
Thanks for this info. Being from the US and not paying attention to media that would have reported this, I was not aware. I'm disturbed.
*Sigh*
I think the biggest challenge will be stirring people out of apathy. I am not sure that people truly grasp that this law, as broad and subjective as it is, could effect almost everybody. With handcuffs, whips, paddles and bondage starter kits on sale now in every high street Ann Summers, "extreme" has become mainstream.
Luka, here's an idea - why don't you send me some of those potentially compromising images of yourself with whips, paddles and bondage starter kits, and I'll see if they fit the government checklist for extreme porn:)
See, no apathy here!
Ah, Mon, what a true friend you are! I appreciate your non-apathetic perkiness and selfless willingness to assist in this important issue :)
This is insane. I've been lulled into an Obama-fueled haze of hope and optimism and in need of something to keep me angry. So who gets to decided what's extreme?
This law has got me a little worried!
Why try and criminalise people who are doing no harm? Just because people like looking at kinky porn doesn't mean we're going to become violent sexual killers!
And you're right, MP's aren't going to be queueing up shouting "I love bondage porn, its harmless!" (even though we know that they're all a bunch perves like the rest of us!)
It's madness!!
It beggars belief that we are no longer able to indulge in BDSM or get off on seeing BDSM images. There are laws aplenty to protect against the real crimes, rape, child abuse etc, there is no reason for this ridiculous ruling.
Mandy, I'm pleased to say that Fleshbot agrees - they file this under Hysteria in their tag list.
I remember fantasising about being in My Little Pony or other cartoon adventures as a small child (6ish?) - specifically, about being captured by the 'enemy' in them and tied up and lightly tortured.
Perhaps next they should be criminalised - clearly they helped mould me into a filthy, depraved perv from a very young age!
Alex, I'd go even further and say that My Little Pony caused you to become the perverted perpetrator of pervy stuff.
I have proof. Take this quiz, and consider the dreadful implications.
Please accept my sincere condolences for your damaged childhood and sexually impoverished adult life.
When I begin my campaign for anti-Pony legislation, would you consider taking on the role of spokesperson?
Only if I can be spanked while wearing a floor-length green and purple mane and tail...
You're right though, the world clearly needs to know about this. I daren't ask how you came across such valuable evidence - but 'Ruby Lips'?! No wonder they corrupted me so.
Alex, those are eminently reasonable demands.
A custom-made mane will be my first fundraising challenge, but providing you with a tail is no problem.
As for your key requirement, rest assured that any political campaign run by me will of necessity include a lot of spanking.
I think its frightful... what if the stuff on MY hard drive is illegal now?
Ah well. I guess they won't come knocking on my door and actually take a look will they??
This is so depressing, but like Tilda said, it's almost comforting to find something new to be outraged about. So much for consenting adults being allowed to do as they please.
Does that mean that stag parties with their inflatable sheep will be outlawed as well?
Cos.. you know.. that could be a plus. ;-)
I agree, Isabella. And I'm hoping they'll come down hard on TV real estate porn too.
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