It maybe 2020 in a so-calles enlightened age but somethings here in the US are still deliberately stuck in the dark ages less we offend the holier-than-thou evangelists. Like those who control the moral high ground here such as Jerry Falwell JR.
In this particular instance we are talking about American TV which is still so heavily censored. Not about the quality of content as there are no depths that the cable channels will not sink to in pumping out countless hours of so called ‘reality tv’ (sic). No it’s that old three letter word that still freaks out the powers that be who control what we can see on our screens at home, and what gets the likes of Falwell Jr so very excited.
Back in the middle of the AIDS pandemic the word ‘condom’ was completely banned from US TV : censors still insist on a 5 second delay on live broadcast such as the Oscars and Grammy’s in case anything (sexual) slips out. And God forbid if you want to see a naked body on the screen then you still have to make tracks to your local Multi-plex.
This puritanical censorship is so out of step with the realities of the practices of American society. Although saying that when it comes to the question of sex, our right-wing leadership of devoted family men positively love the hypocrisy of having it on the downlow anywhere and everywhere except at home,
This outdated practice means that the US public will be never be able to feast their eyes on excellent new programs like the UK Channel 4’s “Me and My Penis’ that launches this week. It’s a revealing new documentary which tackles many of the taboos surrounding masculinity, from infertility to homophobia and abuse.
It is centered around queer British artist and activist Ajamu X whose intimate photographs get his subjects to rethink the way they see their bodies and themselves. ((God forbid we Americans should ever be allowed to be so exposed on TV like this)
According to TVF the program producers The men talk candidly about the pleasures and physical realities of the penis from sex and masturbation to erections. They also share experiences of infertility, violence, sexual abuse, homophobia and mental health. Each questions the narrow definitions of masculinity they’ve experienced and call for change: to let men be whoever they want to be.
You can see a NSFW trailer HERE and if you are fortunate enough to live in a region where you can access UK Channel 4 or you have a VPN , then the program airs on August 31st.
If you live in the US, then you are probably going to have to wait until the Puritans leave before it ever airs over here !
