 Typical of their tongue-in-cheek attitude, Sh! was officially founded on April Fools' Day in 1992. The shop was a response to the prevailing representation of women's sexuality as a passive object of male fantasy. As Kathryn says: 'We promote women's sexuality over and above men's to even the balance out. There's no major message or mantra, it's just a bit of positive discrimination in favour of women's sexuality – something that, through the centuries, has not happened very often.'
 Men aren't banned from the shop. They can enter as the guests of women and this approach has proved successful. A good percentage of Sh!'s customers are men and they often find that the relaxed, non-judgemental environment is a pleasing contrast to the Soho sex shop stereotype of the UK sex industry that keeps male sexuality almost as rigidly categorised as women's.
 'For
me, that was one of the biggest revelations in all this. We were all aware of
how the representation of women's sexuality had little to do with women's real
desires, but after talking to the men that came in with their girlfriends/wives,
it became apparent just how short-changed men are by this false representation.
We've received a lot of letters from men telling us how refreshing it was not
to be made to feel like a dirty old man for asking questions.'
 The
British Board of Classification (BBFC)
have recently relaxed the laws governing film content, so porn videos by women
for women and genuinely erotic films will soon be a reality on our prudish shores.
Sh! are in a bit of a dilemma. Kathryn explains: 'If we get a licence then
we'll have to put a sign on the door, warning people that they might find some
things in the shop offensive. Well, we find signs like that offensive!'
The future for Sh! is bright (or is that loud?), with another shop being the ultimate goal. 'We get loads of letters from women all around the country begging us to set something up in there area, so the next shop will definitely be out of London, perhaps in Leeds. We don't know yet.'
Wherever it is, the women and men will be able to look forward to an exploration of their sexuality on their terms.
— Daniel Crimes 22.11.00 |
