November 26, 2008 "I'M GOING to Sexpo this weekend. Sexpo is the third biggest annual Victorian show behind the Royal Show and the Home Show. Sexpo, (or as my mate Dan calls it, Christmas For Perverts) originated in Melbourne 12 years ago. Our licence plates should say Victoria: Home of Sexpo. Advertisement: Story continues below Despite Sexpo's popularity, the Victorian Government and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre are moving to evict it. According to Sexpo general manager Rob Godwin, the centre wants to generate more revenue and is concerned the presence of Sexpo may offend a handful of Asian and Middle Eastern delegates at other events. Sexpo raises $7 million a year in revenue for the City Of Melbourne. According to the Sex in Australia survey, 4 million Australian adults regularly buy X-rated films, vibrators, adult books and lingerie. The sex industry is not some niche market, and we all know that. People hate to think their kid's teacher, their doctor, their parents or their neighbours are actively looking for ways to augment their sexual pleasure. And people into sexual pursuits such as S&M, swinging or role-play get off on the feeling they're sexual mavericks. And we like it like that despite not being the architects of our own sexual desires or fantasies. We can't choose what turns us on, what we hunger for or what floats our little man in the boat. But, like food, willpower needs to be applied at times. Sex sells by making us feel there is some sexual nirvana available that we could experience if only we had the right outfit, toy, partner or lube. It was no more arousing than a massive book clearance or top-name Manchester warehouse sell-out. Most of the stalls sold adult DVDs, magazines, toys, love potions, lube, lingerie, gear, get-ups and stuff like Sex Swings and bondage beds. There were also stalls for remote control helicopters, hair extensions and paintballing. I met a 19-year-old Porn Star who had recently come back from Los Angeles where she had made 32 films in 90 days. As we spoke a laptop next to her ran a slide show of her best work. There was a nude swimming club, a guy collecting signatures for a petition for sexual rights for the disabled and a tantric sex bloke who had eyes that burned into my soul. There was a promotion for a Melbourne lingerie restaurant, a $2 peep show and blokes who sold attachments to convert power tools, electric toothbrushes and vacuums into sex toys. Entertainment on the main stage included amateur strippers, pole dancing tuition, Girls Gone Wild, the Sexpo Showgirls and a hypnotist. During some audience participation involving a butcher from Cranbourne called Kylie I asked my male companion if "it moved". There was a stall for The Australian Sex Party as well. So serious there was giant picture of Fiona Patten from Eros with the slogan "Elect a MILF to the Senate". As I drove home sex was the furthest thing from my mind. I wanted to hop into bed with a hot chocolate and raisin toast and read a book. Making sex mainstream, accessible and legitimate takes a bit out of what makes sex work. It manages to remove the taboo, turning sex into a cross between a sideshow and an extreme sport. Which bypasses or excludes the idea of sex as something healthy and normal. The only other expo I've been to this year was The Bridal Expo. Both struck me as advertisements for some ultimate experience that didn't exist. Which won't stop us searching, feeling dissatisfied or wondering if we're getting enough. Catherine Deveny Comedy writer, stand-up comedian and columnist at The Age More Catherine Deveny articles Join the conversation You're the only person reading this now. It shows us that others are acting to stop climate change, and that political rivals can work together to create big reforms. If JS is enabled it removes the 'accessibleTab' class. If JS is disabled style in an accessible way using that class. Raye Colbey A mile in the shoes of refugees A journey following in the footsteps of asylum seekers has allowed their plight to be assessed with fresh eyes. Shaun Carney Reborn leader unworkable Julia Gillard may be floundering, but Kevin Rudd cannot replace her - his shortcomings run too deep. Brigid Delaney It's hell out there, but I chose to fly Flying has never been cheaper but we pay for it with our sanity. Clem Bastow Why having a baby is not the pinnacle of a woman's life Choosing to remain childless gets far too much bad PR. Prev Next Real Estate Australian dream now means flat or townhouse Domain. Great deal for price conscious shoppers Compare Mobile Phones 3 Months FREE Deal End of financial year deals Compare Mobile Phones Readers' most viewed Most viewed articles on Brisbane Times Top 5 National Times articles The Greens are about to control the Senate. Sex Swings