An April 1999 convention titled " Erotica USA," to be held at a state-run convention center in New York City, is stirring criticism from conservative groups and getting a whirlwind of media attention ranging from CBS News to Howard Stern.
" This is one big orgy bash, the bill of which is being footed in part by the public,'' said William Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.
The four-day event will include experts and exhibits on relationships, human sexuality, and self-improvement. The show has successfully run for three years in the United Kingdom and it hopes to draw 45,000 retailers and curious customers to its North American debut.
The Erotica USA convention site, The Jacob K. Javits Center does not receive direct state subsidies, but it does have tax-exempt status. Center spokesman Mike Eisgrau said there would be no nudity and that no one under 21 would be allowed in. He said the expo would comply with rules set out by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's recent crackdown on sex-related shops.
But Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long questioned holding the event at the state-run convention center. " It's not something that any government should be sponsoring or promoting,'' he said.
Event organizers don't relish the negative attention. "We certainly don't want to do anything that's against the law and we don't want to ruffle anyone's feathers," said Stephanie P. Woods, one of the convention's organizers. "Unfortunately, some people have a lot of feathers."
Erotica USA maintains that their convention is about promoting romance, fashion, health, beauty, and anything that makes you look and feel good. "We're not a bunch of dirty perverts," said Woods.
Dr. Patty Britton, board-certified sexologist who will speak at the expo, feels Erotica USA will be beneficial to American society. "We have a national obsession with sex," she said. "A major dilemma in this culture is that less than half of all women and only one-third of men will admit to having sexual problems. There is a private hunger for information and stimulation. This is why an expo such as Erotica USA is so important."
Event information can be found at www.erotica-newyork.com
