YouTube bans sex video for the disabled

by Ivano Abbadessa - 2013.05.13

The founders of non-profit web site Come4, which promises 'a new way of seeing sex', have expressed great disappointment that their advert has been removed from YouTube. The global video-sharing site said that the short film violated their terms and conditions.



The video in question, which has been banned by the powers that be at YouTube, opens with the words of an invisible male narrator who, starting with the story of unrequited love from his youth, goes on to talk about his experiences with a prostitute. As the imagery becomes increasingly explicit, the mysterious voice describes his visits to various brothels with his father to choose the 'right one'.



The narrator says he loved his first time so much that he decided to return to the brothel with his friends. Asta Philpot, a rights activist for people with disabilities, is the voice narrating the video. The plot was inspired by a trip to a Spanish brothel with a group of virgins with disabilities. This was also the subject of a BBC documentary broadcast in 2007.



Philpot, who has used a wheelchair since childhood, argues that people with disabilities have a right to a sex life just like anyone else. He is in favour of using prostitutes if necessary. The American-born activist described YouTube's stance as "pretty disgusting", saying that the site should have looked "beyond the bare breasts" at the film's underlying message.



It is important to get people to talk more openly about sex and disabled people. YouTube's ban could focus attention on the debate. A spokesperson for YouTube, which is owned by Google, said that the company has guidelines on what is and isn't suitable for publication. When users see content that they deem inappropriate, they can report it. The website's staff then review the reported videos and, based on the guidelines, decide whether to take it off the site or not.



The opening of "closed houses" for people with disabilities is already a reality in some European countries. Of course there is criticism, especially from feminists. Asta Philpot says he has no illusions about the problems connected with human trafficking and crime that plague the sex industry. But he believes that the answer lies in having more openness and legalization of prostitution.



