Words by: Joseph Lew Art by: Gabrielle Poh
The first time I touched another person I was 16. His parents were out of town for the weekend — in Spain or Morocco or something of the sort — and in the one hour in between the end of the school day and when he was meant to go pick his brother up from tutoring, we dug ourselves underneath his messy floral bedspread, whispering hushed secrets and tracing love letters across one another’s spines.
… The Transformative Power of Casual Intimacy
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 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: Sarah Hillman Art by: Marissa Hor
“Nah, I’m not racist! I love Asian girls!” Sure about that, pal? Sounds to me like you’ve got a case a yellow fever (and sadly not the haemorrhagic disease you get from mozzies).
Words by Caitlin Johnston
Art by Mariah Jade Lantouris
In a seemingly progressive society that is championing sexual freedom more, how do those who are asexual or celibate feel? I asked fellow students with different sexualities and backgrounds what they have to say about not having sex.
Words by Charmaine Kong Art by Bridget Melville
Okay, quick English lesson/hybrid disclaimer if you will. Graffiti is defined by the Oxford dictionary as “writing or drawings scribbled, scratched or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surface in a public space.”
Words by Kalida Edwards Art by Rochelle Oh
I realised at a very early age, that I best expressed myself by putting pen to paper.
Words by HARRISON JOHNSTONE Art by CASSIE STEVENS
When lame was cool, punks played trumpets and edgy teens expressed themselves through a dance called skanking – third wave ska headlined a decade, checkered suspenders and all.
Words by MONISHA ISWARAN Art by ELAINE LI
Being the object of an artist’s attention. To anyone who’s interested in creative industries – actors, writers, visual artists – it’s a romantic, idealized notion.
With 50 degree days apparently coming up this summer in Victoria, it’s safe to say cool places are going to be flocked.
Words and photography by Maggie Zhou. … Style Edit: Monash University
Esperanto Magazine 