sex politics and culture

Sex books that explore sexual ideas, culture, politics and theory.

Fast Feminism
Fast Feminism combines the velocity of speed theory and beat poets with a perversion of post-structural thought to create a theory-in-action that takes no prisoners from the old guard of male stream philosophy and sexology. Triumphing the female phallus and tracing it's concealed and broken path throughout medical, philosophical and pornographic history, Shannon Bell reclaims the power of the female body that has been lost in the muck of patriarchal knowledge. Bell's life-long work around the female phallus shows the political and personal importance of embracing and taking pride in the magnificent feats of female ejaculation. This face paced and chaotic living theoretical work is speckled with recounted scenes of racy sexual encounters, fusing sex theory and practice whilst giving it to the dead old white men of the academic past. For gender theory lovers who are tired of the droll of academic work, Fast Feminism's erotic, taboo-breaking and mind-shaking prose will have you on the edge of your seat, or maybe under your sheets. | Learn more about Fast Feminism.

| $16.00

Sovereign Erotics
A Collection of Two-Spirited Literature
This book is a collection of poems, essays, fiction and non-fiction alike that, not unlike it's authors, cannot fit neatly into any defined box. One of the first to give voice to the highly misunderstood lives of the two-spirited person, this book truly represents the humour, thoughtfulness and complexities of the two-spirites community. With contributors ranging from Western Canada to Eastern Samoa, spanning such topics as friendship, love, sexuality, memory and loss, this queer indigeounous collection is a mile-stone voicing indigenous resilience. | Learn more about Sovereign Erotics.

| $26.95

25,000 Years of Erotic Freedom
Today porn is everywhere. But where is it as art? 25,000 Years of Erotic Freedom surveys the history of pornography and argues that the success and vibrancy of a society is intimately linked to its sexual permissiveness. Alan Moore (the creator of Lost Girls, Watchmen and V for Vendetta, to name a few) takes us on a tour of erotic art from prehistory to modern times. Accompanying his thoughtful and engaging essay is a collection of some of the most provocative illustrations ever published. This is an exceptional coffee table book for people with exceptional taste. This item is currently out of stock | Learn more about 25,000 Years of Erotic Freedom.

| $29.50

Hung
A Meditation On The Measure Of Black Men In America
By Scott Poulson Bryant
Does size matter? Are all black men hung like a horse? In this book, Scott Poulson Bryant speaks openly and truthfully about the many trials and tribulations surrounding the size of the black man's phallus. Startling, complex, smart and sometimes disturbing, Bryant takes you into society's obsession with the sexual image of the black male. Putting his own size on the line, Bryant shares his tales of sexual encounters with both sexes. Shockingly revealing, Hung is a great read for those of us who are tired of the assumptions and perceptions that have shaped our popular culture. 212pp. | Learn more about Hung.

| $18.95

Naked Ambition
Edited by Carly Milne
Toronto’s own Carly Milne has compiled a fascinating collection of writings by women who are changing pornography as we know it. These are eye opening contributions by the likes of Nina Hartley, Tristan Taormino, Violet Blue, Joanna Angel, Tera Patrick and many, many more. These women profoundly share their wisdom and thoughts on the porn industry and the influence it as had in liberating a new generation of women. These are the women behind the scenes; writers, directors, producers, web mistresses, and businesswomen, and this is a must read book for anyone interested in the changing face of pornography. 352 pp. | Learn more about Naked Ambition.

| $21.50

Sexing the Body
In Sexing the Body, Anne Fausto-Sterling applies her varied academic background (she teaches both Biology and Women’s Studies at Brock University) to create an interdisciplinary approach to understanding gender and sexuality. In this compelling work she examines how both biological and social factors may interact and influence each other in the construction of sexuality. Though academically focussed Fausto-Sterling uses fairly accessible language (though rather small print) as she focusses on the complex and individual nature of each person’s body and experience, leading us towards the adoption of a more delineated and fluid view of gender and sexuality. A must-read for those interested in gender politics and breaking away from the normalization of a two-sex system! | Learn more about Sexing the Body.

| $25.50

Working Sex
Sex Workers Write About a Changing Industry
Working Sex is a compelling look into the taboo and often sneered upon community of sex workers. Our societies fascination with demonizing pornography, fantasy, and all things "taboo" has put us in an awkward position when it comes to understanding our sexuality. Written by women in the industry willing to bare their souls in such a way that will hopefully help diminish the ignorance surrounding "sex for money", this collection of stories will not only educate, but entertain with witty and often radical views on sex, politics, gender and class. A definite book to add to the collection. | Learn more about Working Sex.

| $20.50

Burlesque West
Showgirls, Sex and Sin in Postwar Vancouver
Burlesque West, the book that spurred a national controversy over public funding of academic work on sex history, is the first to take a critical look at western Canada's history of burlesque, peeler bars and the lives of strip-tease workers. Becki L. Ross's extensive research, with first-hand accounts from exotic dancers, club owners and bookers, delves into the exciting world of the entertainment industry that held Vancouver as one of the most notorious and saught-after night-scenes of the burlesque circit era. Ross's recognition of the complexe and mutlifacited lives of exotic-dancers, from work-related issues such as fighting for unionization, to their efforts for entreprenural self-promotion really strips bares superficial stereotypes of the sex club industry. Taking into account the class and racial geographical divide of west versus east Vancouver, Rossi's historical work operates with an anti-racist and cross-sectional framework, looking at the influences of different communities on the exotic entertainment industry that helped fuel the economy of one of Canada's largest city. | Learn more about Burlesque West.

| $29.95

Brazen Femme
Femmes frustrated with their relational identity to Butches and pissed-off over stereotypes that they are simply to amazing to fit spill their guts on these pages in the form of poetry, comics, prose and essays on the fabulous and tremulous world of Femmes. Professors, sex workers, journalists and the unemployed articulate their relationship to femme(inity) and their re-making of gendered femininity through their hardbreaks, invisibility in queer communities and daily embodied living. Broaching such topics as dealing with ageing, racism and gender, mothering and fat phobia, these Brazen Femmes break through the rigid Butch/Femme barrier with their fierce and bold articulation of their gender(s) | Learn more about Brazen Femme.

| $21.95

From the Inside Out
From the Inside Out (edited by Morty Diamond, director of Trans Entities DVD) is a great collection of essays, stories, and poems describing personal challenges, triumphs, and experiences from folks that were born female but don't necessarily identify as such. Many stories speak to the fact that the choice to be of fluid gender (or trans, or transitioning) can be tough, others embrace all of our differences, yet all are very personal and at times touching. A great book to get a glipmse at the way others may choose to express themselves as their own gender - on a much more intimate level than many other books available. | Learn more about From the Inside Out.

| $18.00

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Vibratex	Fun Factory	Tenga
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