Museum of Sex
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| Established | October 5, 2002 |
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| Location | 233 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States |
| Website | http://museumofsex |
The Museum of Sex is a sex museum located at 233 Fifth Avenue near 27th Street in Manhattan in New York City, USA. It opened on October 5, 2002. Founder Daniel Gluck wanted to found an organization dedicated to "the history, evolution and cultural significance of human sexuality."[1] The museum focuses on a variety of sexual preferences and subcultures, including lesbian and gay history and erotica, BDSM, pornography, and sex work. Although the museum's exhibits are presented in an educational format, they feature explicit content. Because of this, visitors must be 18 years old or older.
The official mission of the Museum of Sex is "to preserve and present the history, evolution, and cultural significance of human sexuality. In its exhibitions, programs and publications, The Museum of Sex is committed to open discourse and exchange, and to bringing to the public the best in current scholarship."[2]
While Gluck was planning MoSex, the New York State Board of Regents rejected its application for non-profit status, objecting that the idea of a "museum of sex" made "a mockery" of the concept of museums.[citation needed] Because of this, and because Gluck opted not to accept funding from the porn industry, the admission fee was initially $17.[3] It is currently $14.50.[4]
Unlike restrictions placed on adult entertainment venues, New York City authorities have allowed the museum to locate itself within 500 feet of a church or school. William Donohue of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights called it a "museum of smut," writing "If the museum's officials were honest, they would include a death chamber that would acknowledge all the wretched diseases that promiscuity has caused. And they would give due recognition to the role that promiscuity has played in creating poverty. But instead we can look for the museum to celebrate public sex."[5]
The inaugural exhibit, NYC Sex: How New York City Transformed Sex in America, focused on the museum's home city, but later exhibits focused on sexuality in other cultures and time periods. Other exhibitions have included Sex Among the Lotus: 2500 Years of Chinese Erotic Obsession,, GET OFF: Exploring the Pleasure Principles, Vamps & Virgins: The Evolution of American Pinup Photography 1860-1960, and Men Without Suits: Objectifying the American Male Body.[citation needed]
The museum is currently hosting two online exhibitions: Mapping Sex in America[6] and US Patent Office Sex Inventions[7], both of which were designed by the creators of the Museum's corporate site, Auriea Harvey and Michael Samyn.
References
Sources
- New York Times: Sex Museum Says It Is Here to Educate
- New York's Thoughtful Museum of Sex
- Guardian Unlimited: The opposite of sex