cover image Sex Exposed: Sexuality and the Pornography Debate

Sex Exposed: Sexuality and the Pornography Debate

. Rutgers University Press, $40 (344pp) ISBN 978-0-8135-1937-1

These scintillating essays by British and American feminists deal not only with pornography itself, but with related issues as well. Kobena Mercer, for instance, examines Robert Mapplethorpe's photographs and finds that they reinforce stereotypes about black male sexuality. When the contributors face head-on the problems inherent in stopping harmful representations while maintaining free expression, they encourage erring on the side of liberty. Carol S. Vance in particular illustrates how in her view American anti-pornography feminists have been used by the conservative establishment. Much of the material is witty and informative as well as thought-provoking: Anne McClintock's study of the different views regarding pornography created for men and that created for women includes a brief history of the female orgasm, and Loretta Loach's study of female pornography consumers includes one monogamous woman's assertion that ``It's like going to a restaurant . . . You want something a little bit more unusual than you'd cook yourself.'' Segal is the author of Slow Motion: Changing Masculinities, Changing Men ; McIntosh is a British sociologist. (Feb.)