Fred Hosts Andelloux, Dominatrix and Foot Fetish Model

"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Orgasms" was the theme of the Erotic Justice event held at The Fred Pfelil Community Project last Wednesday, April 2 , featuring special guest speaker Megan Andelloux. The event was organized by Amanda Persad '10 for her "Sexual Labors in the United States" course, with Stephanie Gilmore, Visiting Assistant Professor of History and American Studies.

Persad summarized it best, saying, "[Andelloux] is helping to strengthen the sexual movement. What she does stands for all of that."

Part of the course involves conducting an interview with a sex worker, to be included as part of a bigger work, "an audio tribute," as Persad put it, called "Voices of Sexual Labor," put together by Gilmore. This is where Andelloux came in for Persad. Andelloux works as a dominatrix and foot fetish model, as well as a gynecological teaching associate. She also works at a feminist-run sex shop.

"I feel my mission in life is to bridge the gap between the medical and the pleasure centric models of sexuality and I aim to do this in a sex-positive and sassy, yet professional manner," she says on her Web site, www.OhMegan.com.

"She is more than just what she does for a living," Persad said. "She is an educator and very well-informed. People here have very narrow views, and they should hear the stuff she has to say."

Andelloux echoed the statement: "We need to get people talking about sexuality. I provide a safe space, so people can do that. It causes a commotion, which is something a math class doesn't do, although sex is just as important as math."

For her presentation, Andelloux was wearing a little black dress and bright red heels, completing her signature look with square frame glasses. According to Persad, this was actually Andelloux's fourth visit to Trinity College. However, there was a sparser crowd than usual at Andelloux's appearances - only a few dozen people were in attendance.

To start off the night, Andelloux began by showing a YouTube video called "Dildo Diaries," a documentary-style clip about a woman who was unable to buy the sex toy in Texas, as sex toys were illegal. (Very recently, this law has changed; however, their sale is still illegal in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi South Carolina, and Tennessee.) After hearing the audience's bewilderment, Andelloux said, "We're not dealing with medical facts tonight; we're dealing with politics." She emphasized the fact that everyone's civil liberties were slowly being taken away, without anyone even realizing.

Andelloux made sure there was an ongoing discussion about all of the topics she broached. "I'll start breaking out into hives if I'm the only one talking," she warned.

After her introduction to the whole subject, Andelloux had all the attendees draw two pictures: one of something general that disgusted them, one of something sexual that disgusted them. She then asked for the pictures to be taped to the wall, and for everyone to gather around and discuss them. The pictures ranged from things like rotting garbage and unflushed toilets to bestiality and anal sex. Her point was that what some people find repulsive, others see as acceptable and even turn-ons. She said, "Some of you are probably going to go home tonight and think to yourself, 'Wow, I do that, and somebody thinks it's gross.' Mull it over. You shouldn't feel like a bad person, but you should think about it."

The interactiveness of Andelloux's presentation seemed very effective. Also, her forthright manner with it all made what could have been an uncomfortable, awkward conversation into something easy and informative to take in, without being clinical or lecture-like.

The discussion moved then to the religious right and their attempts at controlling and limiting what people can and cannot do in their personal lives. She used many good examples of current cases and trials that are going on in the courts today to illustrate what she was saying. Andelloux also brought up activist judges, as well as such organizations as the XXX Church, passing around a sample Bible that they hand out at porn star conventions. She showcased a video on their Web site called, "Save The Kittens," which declared that, "Every time you masturbate, God kills a kitten." The conversation about these topics was so captivating that it lasted for over two hours.

"I thought it was interesting," Daisy Ramos '10 said, "It was my first time attending one of [Andelloux's] talks and it wasn't at all what I thought it was going to be like. I was surprised at how open everyone was to talking about subjects that are sometimes a little uncomfortable to talk about. It was also another reminder of just how much politics affects our daily activities."

Betsy Perez '10 agreed, "Events such as these are crucial to dispel ignorance about sexual health. Furthermore, the information that [Andelloux] provides dissolves the stigmas surrounding active sex lives that should not at all be stigmatized."

This was Andelloux's second event at Trinity this year. She also spoke during the Fall semester at a Fred event on the art of the female orgasm.