Editor's Note: About ten days ago, I received an invitation from the Museum of Sex in New York City to attend their celebration of chemical attraction entitled "Food, Fashion & Pheromones." A pheromone is a chemical secreted by insects or animals that, according to the American Heritage Dictionary, "influences the behavior or development of others of the same species." 

 

The benefit scheduled for Nov. 12 on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan would have as special guests designer Todd Oldham, whose ultra-sensory work is currently in vogue, "Too Hot Tamales (featuring hip chefs), and Neurobiologist Dr. David Moran, author of "Love Scents." Featured guests were to have included Marilyn Jaye Lewis, an author of erotica and head of the Web site, Marilyn's Room.  

 

I met Marilyn via the Web some months ago. It turns out that she's an ex-Ohioan (I have lived in Ohio since the mid-'60s). Her first collection of short stories will be published next month by Masquerade Books and she asked me to contribute a blurb for the cover. Her writing is not only sensuous, but shows evidence of talent combined with hard work. 

 

Marilyn's Room, the Web site, is artistic and in no way could it be described as pornographic. The fact that the honchos of the Museum of Sex feel the work is "inappropriate" is a stunning commentary on censorship. The staff at G21 stands united in the feeling that Puritanism must be combatted whenever and wherever it occurs. 

 

I will allow Marilyn to continue the story, as outlined in a message she sent the other day to friends and members of the press. 

 

Marilyn's Room, Inc.
777 West End Avenue
New York, NY 10025
ph.& fax: 212-864-3523

November 4, 1998

Dear Authors, Artists, Publishers, Filmmakers & Photographers,

The owners of Marilyn's Room, Inc. join me in deep regret as we make the
following announcement.

As many of you already know, Marilyn's Room, Inc. has been working
closely with the new Museum of Sex project for over 6 months. We have
all been very excited about the potential of this project--myself, in
particular. The idea of an American Museum dedicated to the study of sex
in America; its history, its cultural aspects, scientific discoveries,
sex in relation to health and medicine, and of course, the works of
erotic art and literature-- all these complex aspects of human sexuality
coming together under one roof, and online as a virtual museum, is
something America could really benefit from right now, to perhaps help
us ease out of this Puritanism as we approach a new millenium.

However, as we get down to the wire and the date of the Museum's first
NYC-based fundraiser approaches, we have been informed that none of our
artwork, videos, or book covers can be displayed. They have been deemed
"inappropriate" for the theme of this event, which is "Food Fashion &
Pheromones" (whereas, we feel that 'pheromones' and the concept of
animal-attraction is quite appropriate to what all of our artists and
authors represent).

We have been given permission to bring in a computer, at our own
expense, and allow people to get online and view the artists and authors
and filmmakers of Marilyn's Room on the computer, but the curators are
not comfortable with us actually displaying the art or handing out
literature. We find this label of "inappropriate" to be nothing but
blatant censorship. The curators, of course, do not agree.

Because Marilyn's Room, Inc. is founded on the premise of "Freedom of
Expression" we feel we have no choice but to withdraw entirely from this
event. We stand behind every one of our authors, filmmakers,
photographers and artists. We have done everything we could to work
within the curators' parameters, but we refuse to allow them to pick and
choose which of our authors or artists or filmmakers are "appropriate"
enough to be on display to the public.

The fact that we are a community of such diverse talents is what makes
us unique and important. While we understand and respect that the
Museum's purpose is to encompass more than simply the erotic aspects of
human sexuality, we also feel the erotic aspects are extremely
important. To ignore these aspects, to hide them, to remove them, makes
us question what this Museum is really about. With our withdrawal, the
Museum of Sex event will have little if any actual art!

We want to thank all of you for being so generous with your work--for
taking the time to assemble it and ship it to us. It has been very
gratifying to have had such a supportive response. Many of you have
offered to let us keep your books, pamphletts, brochures and artwork for
future exhibits (there will be future exhibits, but not in relation to
the museum). However, we feel more comfortable returning all paintings,
photographs and drawings. We feel this is safer for the art. We regret
the inconvenience of having to re-ship it for the next event, but we
sincerely hope this will not deter you from participating in the future.

If you would like your books, magazines or brochures returned, please
notify me and I will do it. Otherwise, I will store it safely for future
events.

The owners of Marilyn's Room, Inc. have worked hard to develop a
favorable reputation with the Press--we are not perceived to be
radicals, or careless purveyors of porn. We are viewed by such notable
institutions as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, as being
a unique corporation which deals with the erotic arts in a sophisticated
and compassionate manner. We fully intend to keep pushing ahead,
gradually increasing exposure for all of us. While the Museum benefit
would have helped us further our cause, withdrawing from it will not
hinder us. Please get in touch with me if you have any questions or
concerns. Thanks again for all your help and support.

Sincerely,
Marilyn Jaye Lewis, President
Marilyn's Room, Inc.
http://www.marilynsroom.com