Same Same’s gAy to Z encyclopedia continues with P standing for Polyamory, Porn, Piercings, Pansexuality and the teaches of Peaches…

Piercings

Think sexy septums, extravagant eyebrow jewellery and naughty nipple rings…. piercings are rapidly taking over mainstream culture, and they’re coming to a body near you.

Looking at it from a 5,000 year perspective: body piercings have become a near artform, with people utilising their bodies (though some may call it ‘abusing’) as human canvasses to express their feelings and frustrations about the world. Though one must say, a line could be drawn at Elaine Davidson’s fetish-like obsession with covering her body head to toe for the sake of remaining the crown titleholder of ‘most pierced woman’ in the Guinness Book of Records.

Much like tattoos, the trend has been around since the beginnings of human evolution, with a large quantity of tribes around the world using the artform as a means of expression. Akin to those ancient tribes, large clusters of queens nationwide have remarkably taken to nipple piercings as if it were the queer catnip. And even more remarkably, it seems to work a charm with the twinks of the night… because we all know they enjoy a bit of pain.

There is a strange list of types that never really ends, beginning with the more traditional lobe young girls (and guys) might get as toddlers and delving into names that reflect on all long-haired maidens of mystical proportions- there’s Madonna and Medusa… and don’t forget a certain prince.

When it comes to the more awkward spots however, it’s a whole different story. Almost every section of skin can be covered… and one has to say that getting a Prince Albert would possibly be the most painful thing one can do to their tallywacker- Yes folks, that’s a piercing for your penis and getting one done is either a very courageous act or a sign of sheer stupidity. Perhaps it’d be best to leave it to someone else to test out that theory – some of us wish to save that body part for more useful purposes.

Polyamory

Polyamory is the practice, desire, or acceptance of having more than one intimate relationship at a time with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved.

The word is sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to both sexual and romantic relationships that are not sexually exclusive. People who identify as polyamorous typically reject the view that sexual and relational exclusivity are necessary for deep, committed, long term relationships.

Sex is not always the primary focus in polyamorous relationships, which commonly consist of people seeking to build long-term relationships with more then one person on mutually agreed grounds, with sex often being only one aspect of their relationships. For many, such polyamorous relationships are ideally built upon values of trust, loyalty, and the negotiation of boundaries.

Polyamory may require a more fluid and flexible approach to love relationship, and yet operate on a complex system of boundaries or rules, as well as overcoming jealousy, possessiveness, and the rejection of certain restrictive cultural standards such as monogamy.

While Polyamory might not be everyone’s cup of tea, there are those that feel better suited in participating in polyamorous relationships rather then monogamous ones. At the core of the relationship is trust and mutual understanding, so if you feel you have more love to give then just to one person, perhaps polyamory might be up your alley.

Read our interview with a woman in a polyamorous relationship here.

Porn

Now where would we all be without porn? Bored, very bored!

No matter whether they’re straight, gay or bi, it’s fair to say most men – and many women – enjoy the visual aspect of sexuality, taking a gawp at others enjoying their bodies.

Some couples enjoy watching porn together, but for others it’s strictly a solo activity. Porn helps scratch an itch on a quiet night at home, can liven up a dull work meeting or make waiting at the airport just a little more fun.

Brent Corrigan, Francois Sagat, Colton Ford and numerous others have made successful careers out of the gay porn industry and all have a very extensive repertoire (just don’t Google them from a work computer!).

Porn serves a purpose and can liven up what otherwise would be a very dull day. The only problem that can arise from watching too much porn apart from sore joints and appendages is that the expectations in bed can be blown out of proportion – and what looks quite erotic and fun in reality is unsatisfying and uncomfortable.

Remember that porn is a fantasy world – it can convey unreal, risky or just about impossible scenarios is if they’re all real and accessible. Don’t feel guilty about watching porn, but don’t expect what you’ve seen to mirror your real life encounters!

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

This 1994 film cemented Sydney – and Australia – as a centre of drag queen talent, and it’s legacy continues right up to today with the Priscilla stage show travelling across America as Ten’s talent quest I Will Survive searches for new frocked diva singers.

One of Australia’s biggest international film successes of all time, Priscilla stormed the box office and stole hearts around the world in a way that even surprised its cast and crew. Director Stephan Elliott told Same Same recently: “We weren’t trying to change the world, we were just having a good time. With a bunch of my mates, we all went out and had a huge laugh. We made this silly little movie, had fun with it, and off we went. Here we are twenty years later, and it just keeps going on and on.”

We hope the Priscilla bus never stops rolling around the world… hit it girls!

Pansexuality

Also referred to as omnisexuallity, pansexuality is the sexual attraction and desire, romantic love or emotional attraction to persons of all gender identities and biological sexes.

Generally speaking, pansexuals may consider pansexuality a sexual orientation and often refer to themselves as gender-blind, claiming that gender and sex are insignificant or irrelevant in determining who they are attracted to.

At the core, the concept of pansexuality deliberately rejects the gender binary with the notion of two genders and specific sexual orientations, as pansexuals are open to relationships with people who do not just identify as strictly as male or female. These include cisgender, transgender, intersex, and androgynous people. In short pansexuality is about people and connections.

In season 5 of Skins, Franky (Dakota Blue Richards – pictured below) was introduced to the series as both pansexual and androgynous, stating that she was “into people” when asked about her sexuality. In episode 7 of that season it is revealed that she is ‘pansexual’.

Another character in popular culture that has been referred to as pansexual/omnisexual is that of Captain Jack Harkness of Doctor Who and Torchwood fame. Actor John Barrowman explains: “He’s bisexual, but in the realm of the show, we call him omnisexual, because on the show, [the characters] also have sex with aliens who take human form, and sex with male-male, women-women, all sorts of combinations.”

Common abbreviations starting with P

P&P – Party (take drugs) and Play

PDA – Public Display of Affection

PEP – Post Exposure Prophylaxis. Medication given to someone who has been exposed to HIV to avoid contracting the virus. Generally, you can get PEP at a sexual health clinic or in the accident and emergency sections of most hospitals. Learn more about going on PEP here.

PLU – People Like Us

PMSL – Pissing My Self Laughing

Poppers – Amyl

POV – Point Of View

Poz – HIV Positive

PA, PP – Photo Appreciated, Photo Please

PM – Private Message

Pwned – You’ve been dominated/defeated

And not forgetting…

Peaches

The amazing Canadian electro rocker Peaches has visited Australia a few times now, and we’ve loved seeing her.

Her songs play with notions of sexuality and gender identity, often with explicit lyrics and cheeky visuals. Boys Wanna Be Here, Talk To Me and Fuck The Pain Away are among the bisexual singer’s most popular tracks, seducing a fanbase of lesbians and gay men alike with her raucous and provocative style.

Her latest endeavour is her very own feature-length film. Titled Peaches Does Herself, it premiered at the Toronto Film Festival last month – we can’t wait to see it.

Experience Peaches’ latest single Burst! below.

This page was co-written by Ryan Auberson-Walsh, Matt D’Silva, Chad St. James, Matt Akersten and the team at ACON.

Discover more letters of Same Same’s gAy to Z here.