Free porn workshop in Glasgow’s CCA hosted by ‘ethical’ adult entertainer Vex Ashley and funded by taxpayer sparks outrage
Campaigners slam Creative Scotland for funding event which they say promotes violence against women
A FREE porn workshop at an arts festival in Scotland has sparked outrage after it emerged it was being funded by the British taxpayer.
‘Ethical’ adult star Vex Ashley will lead the session, using her experience in editing and videography to teach people about making porn films.
Ashley, 26, from Leeds – who previously caused controversy when she said there was little difference between porn stars and ballet dancers – uses crowdfunding to bankroll her films, which she produces and stars in.
But the workshop at the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow on September 30 has not gone down well.
Campaigners reacted angrily to the decision – particularly as the event is funded to the tune of £31,512 by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland Open Project Funding.
Rhoda Grant MSP, who has backed calls for tighter controls on porn, told the : “There are very clear lines about what is pornography and what can be artistic.
“I’m a little puzzled as to why Creative Scotland are funding this.
“If the Government are clear that sexual exploitation and pornography are linked to violence against women, why is the public purse funding it?
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“People are really concerned about pornography. We need to create an equal society where people learn about maintaining normal relationships respectfully.
“If this was something being done commercially there would still be something wrong about it.
“But there is something very wrong about the public purse funding something like this.”
The Scottish Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation also slammed the venture.
A spokeswoman said: "There is also a need to look at discussing the boundaries between erotica which is acceptable and pornography which is not.
"The main concern from the coalition is making sure that young people or vulnerable people are properly informed about the nature of pornography and that it's not seen as something that is harmless, because in our experience it's not.
"It's a form of violence against women and contributes to it."
Creative Scotland said they were not involved in choosing the programmes for the festival, despite funding the venture.
CCA director Francis McKee said: “This workshop shows an alternative feminist approach to mainstream porn, presenting a critique of the industry and looking at alternative views of sexuality on film.”
Many were outraged when the self-proclaimed “professional undresser” was allowed to appear on a panel, telling an audience about how X-rated movies “promote sexual freedom”.
A spokesman for that event said in March: “Vex Ashley is here to talk about the benefits porn can have – not just to the viewer but to the performer, too.
“As an independent porn producer, she will perhaps highlight a different side to the world of pornography from that which we are used to.”
They added: “We think it is valuable to give people the opportunity to think about controversial topics and hear about them from informed speakers."
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