In a UK attraction first, the London Dungeon has released a ‘Sex-entials Kit’ designed to ensure information on STIs and a reminder to wear a condom are always at hand when the moment strikes.
The special kit, created in partnership with sexual health charity Brook for Sexual Health Week (10th to 16th October), combines products commonly used when spending ‘quality time’ with a sexual partner, or alone, with useful information about sexual health – with the aim to help destigmatise talking about (and practicing) safer sex.
The times when people were embarrassed by searching for “Lady Gaga nude” or hooking up with strangers to satisfy their sexual desires are long gone. Now, people are less intimidated by talking about their sexuality and safe sex.
This is the second year that Brook and London Dungeon have collaborated to use humour and history to encourage people to learn from the mistakes and misinformation of the past, break down barriers when it comes to talking about sexual health and get tested and practice safe sex.
Stuffed to the brim with sexual aids, the ‘Sex-entials Kit’ contains:
Wankerchiefs – a box of handy tissues to keep by your bedside for any post sex clean up needed from ‘alone time’ or play with a partner, handily covered in educational information such as how to spot an STI and where to find the answers to any burning questions about your body or burning sensations under your underwear. All while dispelling the Victorian myth that too much self-pleasure may make you go blind!
Victorian Knob Butter – a thoroughly modern lube, no lard (commonly used by the Victorians) in sight here, that reminds you to strap up your sword before going into battle to avoid STIs.
A cautionary condom – branded with the London Dungeon and Brook logos and reminding you to make use of our modern conveniences, a vast improvement on the pig guts of old, to protect you from STIs and pregnancy – warning you ‘Don’t go back to the Dark Ages with your sexual health’.
Those keen to get their hands on the kit for knocking boots can win their very own via a competition on the London Dungeon’s socials or by visiting the London Dungeon during Sexual Health Awareness Week – on a first “come” first served basis.
Dougie Boyd, Director of Education and Wellbeing at Brook, said: “While we have thankfully all moved on from outdated Victorian contraception methods, outdated attitudes towards sexual health can still be all too common. Shame and stigma are major barriers that prevent people from taking control of their sexual health. When people are too embarrassed to talk about their own bodies, they are less likely to seek support when they have concerns.
“The aim of this year’s Sexual Health Week is to break these barriers. Alongside the London Dungeon we are using humour to destigmatise conversations about pleasure and safer sex and empower people to confidently manage their sexual health.”
A London Dungeon spokesperson said: “When it comes to safe sex, there is a lot we can learn from the Victorians. Namely – what not to do! Frankly, they were riddled with STIs and saw it as a punishment from God for giving into their desires – but we have the power to stop history repeating itself!
“With access to comfortable, safe and sometimes surprisingly flavoured condoms, as well as simple and free testing, there is no reason for us to be ashamed or concerned. That’s why we’ve created this educational and informative sex kit – to ensure that people can have all the sex they want (the Victorians sure did) but that they are reminded in the throes of passion to do it safely. Don’t go back to the dark ages when it comes to your sexual health!”
For those looking to visit and claim their free kit this Sexual Health Week, with 17 shows and thrilling rides, the London Dungeon promises to do more than improve their sex life – it will bring the city’s dark history to life delivering ample scream-drenched stories and fear-inducing shocks for an experience that guests will never forget.
