Should a sex exhibit be pulled from Ottawa's science museum?

An award-winning museum exhibit that has been viewed by audiences of all ages in Montreal and Regina will be restricted for many teenagers when it opens in Ottawa.

The sex exhibit is aimed at teens, but many in Ottawa will be prevented from going. (Luc Robitaille/Montreal Science Centre)The Canada Science and Technology Museum is scheduled to open the exhibit Sex: A Tell-All Exhibition on Friday. After complaints from the public exceeded the museum's expectations, it raised the age limit for children unaccompanied by an adult from 12 to 16.

An animated video informing teens about masturbation has also been removed from the exhibit.

The Montreal Science Centre designed the exhibit for children 12 and up to compliment the sex education curriculum.

The exhibit been shown in Montreal and at the Saskatchewan Science Centre in Regina and has won prizes from the Canadian Association for Science Centres and the Société des musées québécois.

Julie Mailhot of the Montreal Science Centre said there was "absolutely no controversy" over the exhibit there.

An open letter to Heritage Minister James Moore from the Institute for Marriage and Family Canada says the exhibit promotes and approves of "anal sex, multiple sexual partners and sex without emotional/marital commitment."

"This exhibit includes what can only be described as soft pornography, expressly designed for youth in the context of a museum," the open letter from institute executive director Dave Quist reads.

Quist called for the exhibition to be cancelled.

Moore's office appeared to agree with Quist's view of the exhibit. Ministry spokesperson James Maunder said it does not fit within the museum's mandate to foster scientific literacy throughout Canada. "This content cannot be defended, and is insulting to taxpayers," he said.

Should the Canada Science and Technology Museum cancel Sex: A Tell-All Exhibition? Do you agree that children younger than 16 should be accompanied by an adult? Let us know what you think.



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