Summary
- Sexologist Dr Raj says T&T’s attitudes towards sex are becoming more open and liberal.
- He was responding to TRIBE’s inclusion of the female sex toy ‘The Rose’ in some costume goodie bags.
- Dr Raj applauded the move as a marketing strategy and as a sign of shifting views on sexuality.
- He said the cultural shift makes adult sexual education more necessary, as the country is ‘lacking in education.’
- Ramnanan said he understood Archbishop Jason Gordon’s concerns but opposed calls for government intervention unless laws are being broken.
By Alicia Chamely
GREATER emphasis needs to be placed on sexual education as Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural attitude towards sex evolves, says sexologist Dr Giriraj “Raj” Ramnanan.
Ramnanan, who hosted a popular sexual education talk show and successfully challenged the ban on the importation of sex toys, spoke to AZP News on Tuesday about the inclusion of a female sex toy in carnival band TRIBE’s goodie bag.
Over the past week, social media has been abuzz with local content creators unboxing their TRIBE costumes and reacting to the inclusion of the popular female sex toy “The Rose” in their goodie bags.
According to the product’s website, The Rose was developed in 2019 and gained popularity through social media, especially TikTok, where it was widely praised by users.
The website says the Rose Toy was designed to provide users with “a personal experience that feels intentional, indulgent, and entirely your own” and is marketed to both couples and singles.
TRIBE’s decision to include a sex toy in its goodie bag sparked a national dialogue on the evolution of Trinidad and Tobago’s attitudes towards sex and sexual expression.
Ramnanan applauded TRIBE not only from a marketing standpoint, but also for acknowledging shifting attitudes around sex and sexuality.
Asked whether he thought Trinidad and Tobago’s perceptions of sex and sexuality were evolving from shame and taboo to openness and acceptance, Ramnanan said, “Very simply, yes. We have transformed from a society that has been very conservative into a more liberal society, and it’s going to blossom. I did a sex programme on radio for 24 years, and I saw the transformation taking place.”
He said, however, with this shift and greater exposure to sexual content, more emphasis was needed on adult sexual education that caters to the evolving needs and habits of individuals and their partners.
“I’ll tell you something: we are lacking in education,” Ramnanan said. “And we need to educate.”
“Talk to individuals. Have individuals interact and ask questions. And of course, some of the answers may be controversial, but at the same time, the education will reach individuals,” he said.
Asked about Archbishop Jason Gordon’s statement on Monday that TRIBE had gone too far, Ramnanan said Trinidad and Tobago has always been controversial, but he understood Gordon’s point of view as a religious leader.
“But what the Archbishop is saying, he’s right in a certain way. Where do we stop? What’s the end game? And I understand he’s speaking from a religious perspective. He has his congregation to think about, and he has to make a stand one way or the other, or remain neutral. I think the better thing is to remain neutral and don’t say anything, but that’s as far as a person is concerned. When you are the head of a church, you’re expected to do that,” Ramnanan said.
He disagreed with Gordon’s call for government intervention, saying, “Well, you don’t ban things in Carnival, and they don’t ask the government to get involved in Carnival.”
Ramnanan added: “Government hands off. Yes, government runs a country and there are things that they should do, but concerning what you can put in a goodie bag, I don’t think you have the authority to do that, or anyone should have the authority to do that, unless it’s something that is against the law.”
Discussing Carnival more broadly, Ramnanan said he has witnessed the evolution of costumes from “breast plates” to “bikini and beads,” noting people feel liberated in different ways and should not be judged.
“There are persons out there who feel empowered being nude or half-nude or whatever. That’s their prerogative, and that’s their choice. I think we as the public should just look on. Don’t make a comment. Leave them alone. Don’t try to touch anyone and those things,” he said.
He added that while people “tend to become a bit more promiscuous” during the season, they should be mindful of their choices and protect themselves.
Commenting again on TRIBE, Ramnanan said his biggest disappointment was that the band did not include a sex toy in men’s goodie bags, adding that sex toys are for both genders.
Part Two Coming: Using your Rose and Valentine’s Day gifts.
