Has sex positivity gone too far? Has the possibility of carefree sex become an obligation—shifting from the forbidden to the mandatory? What sets our queer-feminist spaces apart from the mainstream, and where do patriarchal logics sneak back in? What does sex stand for? What is it supposed to fulfill or prove? And might a defiant, pleasure-filled escape from the pressure to succeed sexually lie in bold boredom, in listlessness, in the “turn-off,” in dysfunction, in failure?
A supportive discussion group where we can talk about things that make us uncomfortable, ask difficult questions that seem almost off-limits, and breathe a sigh of relief because we’re not alone—and because we’re not just broken, uptight, or otherwise “wrong.” It’s going to go beautifully wrong.
Taking place as part of the PORNY DAYS
SCHEDULE
THU, Nov. 28, 2024
Starts at 6:00 p.m.
Ends at 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION
Gessnerallee – North Wing
LANGUAGES
German
PRICE
CHF 30
With
Beata
AboutNOT GIVING A FUCK:
Finally, no more sex!
The pressure to have great sex is everywhere these days. Beate Absalon invites us to shake it off and explore the possibilities of unconventional and inventive pleasure.
Sex can be a source of regret. It could be a refuge for mutual pleasure and pointless whims—but it has become a high-pressure endeavor that absolutely must succeed so that we, too, can be considered successful, even in areas where, as queer feminists, we’re already doing better.
In her search for relief from stress, Beate Absalon takes a culturally and historically grounded look at the secluded—though only seemingly so—opposite of sexuality: sexual aversion, asexuality, celibacy, and dysfunction, which delightfully refuse to submit to the obligation of sexual service and open up unprecedented scope for exploration.
Press Reviews:
"The book is inspiring because readers can’t help but reflect on their own patterns and beliefs—both in and out of bed."
– L-Mag - The Magazine for Lesbians
"'Not giving a fuck' can be a revelation, a catalyst for recognizing our compulsive-sexual society and questioning it for ourselves. It’s refreshing to read because the book isn’t just empathetic and free of prejudice—it also connects individual questions to the bigger picture.”
– queer.de
“The author invites us to let go of the idea that we have to experience mind-blowing sex. Instead, she encourages us to discover a personal, independent, and inventive form of pleasure.”
– (Freizeit) Kurier
“We take the topic of sex too seriously. True intimacy only arises when a lack of desire and sexual underperformance are accepted as completely normal, says cultural studies scholar Beate Absalon.”
– Stern online
About the Author:
As a cultural studies scholar, Beate Absalon focuses on contemporary sexual culture. Combining theory with practice, she offers workshops on forms of sexual play under the labelluhmen d’arc, in which she draws attention to ambiguities, sociopolitical contexts, and non-cathartic feelings (such as awkwardness, shyness, and laziness). >> More about Beata
For those who want to be prepared: order the book from your favorite bookstore
or>> from the publisher in Austriaor >> from Orell Füssli