"Organisers must not promote objectionable sexual behaviours or lifestyle, such
as sado-masochism, bestiality, homosexuality, paedophilia and promiscuity,"
police spokesman Victor Keong said.
Titled Sexpo 2005, the three-day event will feature erotic dance competitions,
an array of sex toys and sex-friendly furniture, as well as a series of
seminars on sexual health.
Keong said police will visit the exhibition site to ensure that the rules are
not breached.
Under Singapore laws, it is an offence to "sell, distribute, exhibit, import or
export an obscene object". Those violating the law can be punished with a jail
term of up to six months, or a fine, or both. The law does not define obscene
objects.
Although a few sex shops have sprung up in Singapore in recent years, Sexpo
organisers said they would err on the side of caution and exhibitors have been
given a set of guidelines on the exhibit of adult material.
Sexpo director Kenny Goh said the display of obscene items, such as oversized
vibrators, an inflatable sex doll and penis rings, have been banned.
Goh said it took about two months to get police approval to stage the event.
Access to Singapore's Expo centre will be strictly monitored and only those
aged 21 or above will be allowed entry.
The wealthy Southeast Asian city-state, which has consistently ranked at the
bottom in a global survey of sexually active nations, is struggling to reverse
its falling birth rate, one of the world's lowest.
In an attempt to shake off its staid image and woo tourists, the authorities
are also gradually relaxing censorship laws that ban "Playboy" magazine and
clip racy scenes from movies.
Reuters
