Feature Articles

Hong Kong Sex Cultural Festival 2013

Ref Number: ESEAOR201311

  • Date1 Nov 2013
  • Category FPA Message
  • Targets Public
  • AuthorFPAHK
  • Topic Sex Culture

The 6th Hong Kong Sex Cultural Festival 2013, jointly organized by the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong (FPAHK) and the Hong Kong Sex Education Association, took place at the JCCAC Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre on 26th October to 2nd November 2013.

With “Sex in the City” as its theme, this year’s Festival aimed to provide space for all, including sexual minorities, to voice their opinions and needs, and to encourage society to embrace sexual diversity by minimizing all forms of sexual discrimination.

As a pre-event promotion, the organizing committee conducted a “Survey on Sexual Activities and City Space” from March to August to find out how Hong Kong people’s sexual activities were related to the city space. 559 respondents were polled; the results were announced at the press briefing held on 21 October 2013. Moreover, a “Hong Kong Sexy City Photography Contest” which encouraged the public to capture a glimpse of the sexy and romantic side of Hong Kong took place from July to September and 90 entries were received.

On the first two days of the Festival, seven discussion forums were held on a range of interesting topics including: sex-themed secret tours and the challenges of finding suitable locations for body arts activities in the city; how the over-crowded living environment affected people’s sex life; online sexual space for youth; space for sex talk and sexual activities on campus; obstacles facing adult toys, adult expo and sauna businesses; the relationship between sex-related industries and economy; self-management of body and sexual identity through cosmetic treatments and surgeries.

The Festival also featured an indoor exhibition that ran for eight days. Apart from showcasing photos from the photography contest, seven exhibitors presented their creative artworks and explorations on how Hong Kong lacks space for masturbation, let alone sexual activities; the lives and stories of sex workers; gay cultures; installation arts constructed from condoms symbolizing “sex is everywhere”; the relationship between architecture and sex; and body aesthetics.

Officiating at the Festival Ceremony on Saturday 26th October was Dr York Chow, Chairman of the Equal Opportunities Commission. He sang a rousing duet with Prof Ng Man-lun, founder of the Sex Cultural Festival. The audience were also treated to a dance performance by Elements, a gay volunteer group of the Boys’ and Girls’ Club Association of Hong Kong.

The Festival received favourable response from public and local media. 1080 visitors attended the opening ceremony and forums; 4705 attendances were recorded for the indoor exhibition. It indeed provided an open platform for public to acquire insights about sex culture in a relaxed atmosphere, and brought together diverse groups to jointly advocate for SRH and rights.