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 Last Saturday, 7 June 2003, in London, The British Sexual Freedom Coalition held their Annual Conference. This year the topic was (fittingly enough) "Let's Start the Real Sexual Revolution." Twenty speakers, young and old, spoke for four minutes each, with one minute for questions. The speakers included Dominatrix Leader of the Corrective Party; Lindi St Clair; Cliterati; Nicholas Bornoff, author of The Pink Samuri; Liberal Democrats anti-censorship policy representative Julia Gash; 60s sex revolutionary and author of The Warp, Neil Ophram; and sexual catalyst Dr Tuppy Owens. In addition to this star-studded bunch were more politicians, historians, social anthropologists, writers, erotic performers, and sexual adventurers.  It may seem like a diverse line-up, but each speaker had one thing in common: each one shared his or her ideas for a sexually free society.To help us rest our ears and delight our eyes were the pervy performances. There was an erotic rendering of The Internationale by Ernesto, a shake and shimmy by burlesque beauty Immodesty Blaze, and The Ceremonial Seduction of Mickey by Mouse. But the Sexual Freedom Coalition is not just a group of smart, talented, sexually active Brits. Far from it. The Sexual Freedom Coalition began in 1996 when the members started to notice a repressive atmosphere surrounding sex, toys, and erotic fun. Bad enough that the atmosphere concerning sex itself was becoming despotic, but when the annual Sex Maniac's Ball was almost cancelled because someone didn't like the wording on the invite, the budding SFC organization was handed a battle that had to be won. Making the statement that it was up to the individual to decide when enough was enough, a group of like-minded libertines gathered together and staged a protest march all the way to 10 Downing Street where they delivered a petition to the Prime Minister. Since then, they've become more formalized and have been actively involved in numerous issues promoting the sexual rights of the UK public.  The four stated aims of the Sexual Freedom Coalition are clear: to reform the sex laws which inhibit the sexual freedom of all consenting adults; to promote pansexual freedom, mutual tolerance and safer sex; to encourage mutual support with other adult sexual freedom campaigns, sex clubs and groups; to teach individuals, the media and authorities to revere sexual pleasure.Using the uniquely tongue-in-cheek cause phrase "Sex Please We're British" the SFC was vocal and proud when they presented their National Petition to the Home Office. The petition, which wants to bring the UK forward in sexual freedoms and more in line with the rest of the European Union, makes some clear and decisive statements on what the group believes should be the level of tolerance all consenting adults should enjoy. In a country so progressively avant-garde in the areas of music, fashion, and art, it's surprising to learn that private, intimate communication by letter and phone is currently against the law. The National Petition the SFC is circulating and collecting signatures for highlights a few more fornicating faux-pas: illegal, too, are certain books, videos and magazines, as many have learned to their dismay at customs. Who would have guessed that porn movies are forbidden in the British Isles? The SFC is currently going to the mat to allow everyone whatever visual stimulation he or she needs to get his or her juices flowing. In addition, if the SFC has its way, the laws regarding homosexuals will be relaxed to give gays the same freedoms and ages of consent currently enjoyed by heteros.  The coalition's war cries forget no one - especially not the practitioners of BDSM. They are fighting for a specific tenet stating that adults will be allowed to enjoy consensual S/M relationships in the privacy of their own bedrooms. This was specifically in reaction to the infamous Spanner Case of 1990, where sixteen men were convicted for causing marks, bruises, cuts and other non-serious injuries in the course of sexual activity with other consenting adults. Some of the indicted were even sent to prison. The case has become the watchword and the sore spot - and not the desired kind - of BDSM advocates throughout Europe and the SFC have been vocal supporters of those involved in the BDSM lifestyle.The SFC's statements seem to be the result of common sense. The practice of live and let live where one's bedroom is concerned would seem de rigueur. But as discussion on the new Sexual Offenses Bill, currently gone to report in Parliament, indicates - dealing with sex can be a tricky, troublesome thing, and clarity and definitions almost as elusive as the proverbial G-spot. (See the Parliamentary transcripts on the latest discussions of the Sexual Offenses bill for an example of what we mean.) It's clear the organization has a real bailiwick on their hands. Not to mention the SFC operates as a not-for-profit organization: they're completely funded by donations and proceeds from events they sponsor.  Gratifyingly, they seem to be gaining some ground. They've become recognized as authorities on sexual freedoms and the desires of erotic lovers to such a degree that the LibDems party recently sought their advice regarding censorship of pornography. (Their website www.sfc.org.uk offers a white paper with their response.) This is an important step when one remembers that the Sexual Offenses Bill is currently in the House under debate. You definitely don't want just politicians carefully nitpicking over words which could mean the difference between nights of passion and nights watching the wallpaper curl.LibDems? Sexual Offenses Bill? Don't worry, the SFC have a deep understanding of the saying "all work and no play makes Nigel a dull boy." Sure, they might be involved with heavy politics, but the SFC are also proud supporters of pansexual events and educational forums. Last year, they sponsored the SFC's Annual Conference: Reclaiming Sex, which won the Event of the Year for the 2002 Erotic Awards. Their continued participation with the Sex Maniac's Ball and other libidinous events throughout the UK ensures they stay on top of what's really happening in the sexually oriented world around them. For more information on how the Sexual Freedom Coalition is trying to "promote reform of Britain's silly old sex laws," check out their website at www.sfc.org.uk.
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