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Frisky business
Sexologist Chantelle Otten [April 16] should be applauded for promoting a body of therapy long maligned and treated as a punchline and for promoting sexual pleasure for women above and beyond mere sexual health. However, I’m not certain Otten is the best candidate to represent the field. Admitting she cheated on exams in year 12, lied to early clients about the extent of her practice and adopted a “Fake it ’till you make it” attitude are concerning behaviours for a medical professional. Sex positivity isn’t exactly new and ground-breaking as a movement, while the article only gently skates over more relevant controversies: body alteration, the ubiquity of pornography and the commodification of sexual medication. I’d be interested to see more coverage of the leaders in the field who are providing answers to those questions.
Lucy Lester
Bronte, NSW
Karen Martini’s Yoghurt-crusted cauliflower.Credit: @bilgolabites
Charlotte Otten complains about the online censorship perpetuating the stigmas that sex and the LGBTQI community are not okay. Many churches have problems with the body and sexuality as shown by a diversity of teachings on marriage, celibacy, birth control, abortion, homosexuality and assisted dying. Varying beliefs about our bodies are reminders that Australia is a multicultural and multifaith society.
James Moore
Kogarah, NSW
Ode to joy
Björn Natthiko Lindeblad’s story [April 16] reminds all of us to be mindful in our daily lives so that we, too, can face our inevitable passing as a part of life, our life, lived truly, simply, without regret for actions or misdeeds. To be able to say, “I have lived a good life,” seems far more grounding and achievable than chasing elusive goals of riches and accolades that rest on dusty shelves and are swiftly donated to thrift stores by those charged with the responsibility of packing up the detritus of a life of acquisition.
Toni Balbata
Essendon, Vic
Two of us
The friendship between Greek Cypriot Stavros Tziortzis and Turkish Cypriot Yalcin Adal [April 16] is inspiring. Despite the deep scars of war and propaganda that have divided Cyprus and its people, they have found the courage to move forward together, walking for peace and healing. Their beautiful relationship, one built on trust, understanding and forgiveness, is a lesson for our troubled world and all nations now at war where peace is but a distant memory.
Judith Caine
Donvale, Vic
I read the story of Stavros Tziortzis and Yalcin Adal, who are working to heal so much conflict and hurt, and my heart sang. What wonderful, empathic, warm and gentle people.
Carole Meade
Kyneton, Vic
Spotlight
Thanks to Konrad Marshall for his uplifting piece “Trees for Life” [April 16]. The fact that – thanks to Rainforest Rescue’s plant nursery – Australia’s Daintree Rainforest will grow in size, unlike the Amazon, is wonderful news. While donating money is worthwhile and easy, volunteering with one of Australia’s tree-planting groups is good for the soul. A fine place to start is treesforlife.org.au/volunteer.
Ray Peck
Hawthorn, Vic
Dicey topics
Wendy McCarthy’s hopes for an election clean-out [April 9] will depend on a hung parliament with female independents holding the balance of power: neither of the major parties has the guts to institute real reform because their fear of upsetting some part of their power base is too strong. It’s the independents who’ll insist on getting what their constituents want because they represent them, not a party. We’re hopefully in for a glorious decade, indeed!
Lubosh Hanuska
Heidelberg Heights, Vic
Needle work
Tom Whipple’s article on Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla [April 9] reminded me of Donald Trump’s fatuous claim that Pfizer deliberately withheld its vaccine trial results until after the 2020 US presidential election. It was then that I realised that much of the anti-vax noise started with that spurious statement, led by anti-science Trump supporters. Thanks for an interesting article, one that acknowledges all the hard work done by other researchers before Pfizer developed the vaccine.
Angela McAdam
Bermagui, NSW
The writer of the best letter in April will win this Woll frypan set, made in Germany, with a five-layer non-stick surface. RRP$600; woll.com.au.
The Woll frypan set, made in Germany.
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