After a rebrand from the spicier Sexpo, LoveX remains saucy, seductive, inventive and inclusive.
From Friday evening to Sunday night on the fourth weekend in July, the staid and serious Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre got its kink on, and transformed into a celebration of love in all its forms.
LoveX Australia this year showcased sex and sexuality from the more expected – pole dancing and dildos galore – to body acceptance and disability. The festival opened on Friday evening with a shibari demonstration, a practice of decorative tying or restraint, featuring beautiful coloured rope. There was also a male revue, where a very nice-looking man got his junk out. It was very sexy, but also fun, light-hearted and never sleazy.
Other shows included the tantra tent, which was fantastic, and had both demonstrations and discussions on what tantra is, and importantly, what it isn’t. There was the pole dancing section too, where visitors could grab a drink and watch the performers. While it was a very welcoming space where men, women, non-binary folks and couples could watch the dancing as sexy art, the dancers looked rather bored.
The SexEd stage was a revelation and a real highlight. Talks included vaginas – naming them properly, where the clitoris actually is – and sex as a differently abled couple. This stage got a lot of attention, and for good reason. As a society, we’re becoming more open about everyone being sexual, and about everyone speaking up about what makes them feel good. There was even a PhD, dressed as a sexy bee, speaking about the sex lives of native bees and why they’re so important. She needs to be our new leader.
The stalls were also an education. One of the best was the penis and vulva-shaped waffles – complete with whipped cream. There were vibrators and butt plugs galore, all at rock bottom (!) prices if you were in the market. But chatting to the sex workers about their offerings was great. Want to be introduced to kink? There’s a worker for that. Want to 'stay and play'? There’s a worker with their own Airbnb for that too! The openness, genuine curiosity and the feeling that everything is okay added to a wonderful atmosphere. The gummies on sale probably helped with that too.
The absolute highlight, though, was just the other event goers. There were skinny ladies and plus-sized ladies, tattooed ladies and drag queens, hairy men in bum-less chaps, nipple pasties, g-strings, high-end lingerie and rubber. All bodies were out there for the appreciating, all sizes, colours, abilities and orientations. And they all looked great (if cold. . . It’s winter!).
Everyone needs a little LoveX in their lives.
