Words by: Zayan Ismail Art by: Brooke Stevens
CW: May contain reference to sexual acts and descriptions of rape and/or sexual violence.
Sex is an age old concept that has been constrained, regulated and tabooed. But what remains consistent — whether you’re engaging in cunnilingus, anal or a hand job — is that consentis absolutely necessary and without it, sex is actually assault or rape making it completely punishable by law.
… Consent: The First Step
Words by: Simone Kealy Art by: Callum Johnson
With all the stigma and judgement that surrounds the sex industry, sex workers around the globe are fighting to dispel those myths and stereotypes. Ilina Joy, a 27-year-old escort and nutrition student is one of them. Ilina is a proud sex worker, and doesn’t think that her line of work, or any other job for that matter, defines her worth. Read more for an insight into the sex industry and one woman’s experience as a sex worker.
… Ilina: A Modern Day Look at the World’s Oldest Profession
Words by: Thiamando Pavlidis Art by: Monica Ouk
Your van backs into the driveway of a stunning four-bedroom federation mansion in Malvern East. As the van beeps in reverse, you wonder to yourself who could possibly be moving out of this beautiful home in the midst of a pandemic?
… Andrew Bolt and Y/N
Words by: Alice Wright Art by: Lillian Busby
Dear society,
I believe there’s a change waiting to be made in the sex positivity movement.
… Is Blind Sex Positivity Feminist?
Words and photography by: Naiyanat Sornratanachai
Shibari(縛り), or Kinbaku(緊縛) is the art of Japanese bondage, appreciated through its aesthetics and sexual appeal.
… Subjugation
Words by: Veronica John Art by: Gabrielle Poh
In society, men are told to be masculine and to ‘toughen up.’ The longer the beard, the taller the male or the more muscles they have, the more women flock to their side. This phenomenon is baffling to me. It is an unspoken fantasy society placed on males. Why should men be told to toughen up, when it’s okay to be tender?
… Tough and Tender
Words by: Kiera Eardley Art by: Madison Marshall
He’s hunched over a poker table, cigarette dangling from his lips, green eyes smouldering under a sweep of blond hair. He wears a heavy coat, a loose shirt and suspenders. He wins the hand — he’s going home on the Ship of Dreams. He’s the king of the world. He’s Jack Dawson. Jack. Dawson.
… Depravity, Dawson and DiCaprio
Words by: Juliette Capomolla Art by: Charlotte Elwell
It seems to be only fitting that, in a year as lonely as ever, we all turned to our sex toys for solace. Sales soared once we were all forced to stay at home last year, ironically allowing us to find company in ourselves. But it’s not like this hasn’t happened before. I mean, in the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) sex toy sales boomed, while people saved their pennies by staying inside. And what better way to waste time than with a dildo bed-side?
… Sex Toys, You Rock My World
Words by: Dina Ivkovich Art by: Emma Lucas
An old proverb comes to mind: “No pain, no gain”, whereby in order to realise progress or success, one must suffer some deal.
… H(b)y(e)men
Words by: MD Art by: Gabrielle Poh… Snapshot Erotica
Words by: Tiffany Forbes Art by: Brooke Stevens
You know those moments? The ones where you look back and think ‘what the actual fuck was I thinking?’ I guess you could call it a kind of post-nut clarity, or some sort of clarif-dick-ation (thanks, TikTok), where without warning, that love bubble — fitted exclusively with a rose-tinted haze and the ‘they-can-do-no-wrong’ mindset — is popped, and you realise your partner isn’t actually all that? Yeah, well same.
Words by: Dilshi Perera Art by: Stephanie Wong
Oh, first times… I’ve come to notice that all memories of my first time have been gently placed in a tightly sealed box in my mind, suppressed and neatly tucked away alongside all my other embarrassing moments.
… First Times
Words by: Simone Kealy Art by: Sarah Annett
We all have things that really get on our nerves or prevent us from taking it one step further in a relationship. Whether it be smoking, snoring, or just being plain annoying, deal-breakers can influence both platonic and romantic relationships. Here’s a list of trivial deal-breakers that I can’t stand.
… Deal-Breakers
Words & Art by: Caitlin Johnston
Some would say since I’m a Sagittarius I easily connect with people. This is mostly true. However, growing up bi-racial confused things when anxieties surrounding my identity tested how I connected to my family and my cultures.
… Connecting The Cultures
Words by: Georgia Erin Cameron Art by: Lisa Vuillings
Manifestation, Mind over Matter, The Law of Attraction… These are all buzzwords currently floating around. But what do they mean? Is it true that if you can think it you can do it?
… Law of Attraction
Words by: Thiamando Pavlidis Art by: Sally Ann Gething
The year is 2004. The month is March. It’s my sixth birthday, and you better believe I want to have a party, and invite all the new friends I’d made in my first ever term at primary school. Here’s how it might’ve gone down.
… Six Again
Words by: Natasha Schapova Art by: Gabrielle Poh
In an increasingly connected world, it’s ironic that so many of us find ourselves feeling lonely and misunderstood.
… Reading Between The StarsWords by: Victoria Baikie
“I thought that I’d been hurt before but no one’s ever left me quite this sore. Your words cut deeper than a knife” — ‘Stitches,’ Shawn Mendes
… Why Does Heartbreak Hurt
Collage by: Ying Xuan… Hold Me Closer
Esperanto Magazine 