Johannesburg - The queue to get into Sexpo 2015 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand is long.
Once you’re in, there’s no doubt you’re in the right place as “mood mechanics” dressed in… not much, greet you at the entrance. Wearing tiny loin cloths, they grunt, gyrate and rub up against you.
The pumping music and the flashing lights of the main stage draw a huge crowd like magnets. Jack from Teaze-Hers, wearing more than one would expect, shows off his impressive pole-dancing skills. But soon his coat, hat and trousers come off leaving only a skimpy red G-string. He jumps off the stage and after smearing cream over his naked torso, he rubs up against members of the audience, eliciting hysterical giggles and uncontrollable blushing.
Then, international drag group “The Dreemz” shake their tail feathers as the first drag queen group to ever perform at Sexpo. Later, a group of exquisite dancers wearing skimpy-sequinned outfits, with massive green and yellow feathered head pieces, shake their tushies to Latin-dance music as part of the exhibition’s Rio Carnival theme.
There’s no place for the shy as comedian Tony de King shouts: “There’s nothing wrong with touching yourself!”
WARNING: This video contains some graphic content.
undefinedThere’s something for everyone: naughty cupcakes complete with icing genitals or boob toppings, sensual candles, sex toys to satisfy every fantasy, BDSM (bondage, dominance and submission, masochism) implements and sexy lingerie.
At the Different Strokes stall, people swarm in to take a look at BDSM products. There are whips, sjamboks, nipple clamps, fetish wear and even bondage teddy bears.
Mistress Paige, the owner and professional dominatrix, says she’s been exhibiting at Sexpo for five years and uses the opportunity to debunk myths about BDSM. “People are curious and I educate my staff on how to speak to the curious public, so they don’t chase them away,” she says.
It’s important to remember the difference between BDSM and abuse, she adds.
“BDSM is a voluntary consensual agreement or power exchange between two people. With abuse, someone just takes control and dishes it out whether you like it or not.”
Some of the stalls have a more serious message, with one campaigning against child pornography. Another one sells completely organic feminine hygiene products and educates woman on natural methods of contraception.
Those looking for more specific types of sexual experiences could pay extra to enter one of the many lounges, be it LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex), swingers or bondage.
Arthur Calamaras, the Sexpo franchise owner, said 8 000 people attended in the first three hours of day one on Thursday.
The Star