NSW government calls for Festival of Dangerous Ideas bestiality talk to be cancelled

A state government is “deeply concerned” about a controversial festival talk on an “abhorrent” subject and wants it to be called off.

The NSW government is demanding a polarising talk on bestiality at a Sydney festival be cancelled, while organisers are arguing the session does not endorse the X-rated practice.

The talk, “The Last Taboo”, is scheduled to take place at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas (FODI) at the Carriageworks in Redfern next month and will explore “what does ‘loving animals’ mean?”

The session is being given by Professor Joanna Bourke, a historian and academic who has written a book called “Loving Animals: On Bestiality, Zoophilia and Post-Human Love”.

The talk is being promoted as an exploration of the “modern history of sex between humans and animals”.

The NSW government has called for 'The Last Taboo' to be cancelled. Picture: Supplied

“Sex with animals is one of the last taboos but, for a practice that is generally regarded as abhorrent, it is remarkable how many books, films, plays, paintings, and photographs depict the subject. So, what does loving animals mean,” a description of the session on FODI’s website reads.

“Bourke looks at the changing meanings of ‘bestiality’ and ‘zoophilia’ and explores their psychiatric and sexual aspects as well as the ethics of animal loving.”

A quote from Ms Bourke on the program page reads, “It is only in very recent years that some people have begun to undermine the absolute prohibition on zoosexuality. Are their arguments dangerous, perverted or simply wrongheaded?”

The session is recommended for those over the age of 16 as it may explore adult themes.

But NSW Arts Minister Ben Franklin has slammed the talk and called for it to be cancelled.

“Minister Franklin is deeply concerned by the contents of The Last Taboo and is demanding festival organisers remove it from their program,” he said in a statement.

“Minister Franklin supports independent artistic expression; however, creative works need to be in line with community expectations and clearly The Last Taboo does not come close to meeting those expectations.

NSW Arts Minister Ben Franklin wants The Last Taboo to be cancelled. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

“The Festival of Dangerous Ideas was funded through the Festival Relaunch Package under the previous arts minister last year.

“Minister Franklin was unaware of the funding of The Last Taboo. His office has had no contact with the Festival of Dangerous Ideas or been updated by them regarding their program.

“Minister Franklin has also instructed Create NSW to immediately investigate the matter.”

FODI director Simon Longstaff defended the session, saying Ms Bourke was not endorsing bestiality but rather looking at its history as a practice.

“The FODI website program page for The Last Taboo includes an unmissable quote from Prof Joanna Bourke setting out her position on the topic,” he said in a statement.

“She offers just three possible ways of thinking about zoophilia – as dangerous, perverted, or wrongheaded. That is, in all cases, it is a matter for disapproval.

“This is not (and has not been presented as) a session to promote or endorse sex with animals – it is simply an examination of the history of a practice that Bourke (an eminent historian) clearly condemns.

Festival of Dangerous Idea Simon Longstaff said the talk did not endorse bestiality. Picture: James Croucher

“FODI acknowledges that this presentation involves the examination of a sensitive topic. It is, after all, a festival of dangerous ideas.

“As a topic, it is neither more nor less troubling than running a session, for example, on the history of cannibalism or slavery. To suggest that a historian discussing the history of cannibalism or slavery is promoting cannibalism or slavery is absurd.

“FODI does not endorse criminal acts, nor does the festival support any act of harm towards any person or animal.”

2GB radio host Ben Fordham, who first broached the topic with Mr Franklin, argued the speech would provide comfort or cover to “weirdos”.

“Now the professor may not condone such behaviour, and I take it on face value from the festival organiser Dr Longstaff that she does not, but don‘t tell me there won’t be weirdos out there who wouldn’t receive some degree of comfort or cover by this kind of speech,” he said on Friday.

2GB radio host Ben Fordham said the talk could provide comfort for ‘weirdos’. Picture: AAP Image / Joel Carrett

“I’m not suggesting that’s her intention, but it’s more than likely that that would be one of the unfortunate results.”

“The Last Taboo” is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 17.