Johannesburg council bans advertising for Sex Expo

The Sex Expo’s return to Johannesburg has sparked controversy once more, with the city council reportedly banning certain advertisements considered too provocative.

The Sex Expo’s latest advertising campaign has ruffled some feathers, causing the local city council to ban the billboard and poster campaign.

TAKING IT A STEP TOO FAR

Organisers thought they were bringing a little love, light and levity to the streets of Johannesburg while the council allegedly believes they have taken the advertising a step too far.

Though the Sex Expo organisers believe their advertising campaign to be “fun, sexy and harmless”, it is considered by some to be unfit for public eyes.

The posters deemed unacceptable were those of a female strapping a push-up bra bearing the words love and sex.

BACKLASH TO SEX EXPO ADVERTISING

It appears that Johannesburg is not the only place experiencing a backlash to the Sex Expo advertising.  

Cape Town, which hosted its edition of the Sex Expo in June, also saw some backlash to the posters advertising the event.

PUSHING BOUNDARIES

Some Capetonians felt the provocative nature of the posters pushed the boundaries of decency and complained to the authorities.

The city’s outdoor advertising and signage by-law regulates the application process and criteria for posters.

IOL reports that a complaint was brought forward over concerns about the advertising’s impact on children.

Ward 59 Councillor Mikhail Manuel said a resident in Rondebosch complained about the provocative nature of the posters.

“It is important that we protect children from exposure to adult content. We must find the right balance between being cognisant of the negative impact of certain adverts on our communities while allowing the opportunity to advertise events to be executed,” said Manuel.

As in Johannesburg, this resulted in the Sex Expo posters being removed from certain spaces in Cape Town.

SEX EXPO JOHANNESBURG

The Sex Expo is about empowerment and connection, as well as a celebration of human expression.

Its ads were created to reflect these values but with a touch of humour and flair.

“However, the council disagrees, and they’re taking their prudish stance to the streets — or rather, trying to keep us off them. We can only encourage everyone to ask: Are we really still this conservative?” Expo organisers said.

Event organisers say they are undeterred by this.

They say they will indeed move ahead with the event scheduled for this weekend.

The Johannesburg edition of the Sex Expo takes place from 29 November to 1 December at Gallagher Convention Centre.

In fact, the Johannesburg event also places an emphasis on the creative and artistic side of life.

The expo is, however, designed for individuals aged 18 and over.