If you have ever needed a reason to visit Asbury Park, New Jersey, well this is it. The Showroom Cinema and Parlor Gallery is hosting the first annual Asbury Park Erotic Film Festival, running from Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7, 2016.

This country of ours is growing in two completely opposite directions. One direction is increasingly open and tolerant. Who could have imagined, even just a few years ago, that there would be any kind of open discussion about lifestyles equity? Our culture is evolving at increasing speeds as to making sure that the civil rights this country is founded upon are extended to all consenting adults. Laws are being enforced to ensure marriage equity, LGBT school organizations, an understanding that we all have the right to explore our senses and our desires; these were unheard of even just a few years ago. People are also able to much more freely pursue adult careers without the issues faced in prior years, with camgirls average earnings going up and adult stars of either side able to control their presenting identity more easily online.

Conversely, there is a part of this country which still equates pleasure with sin. As much as it is becoming commonplace to see open acts of sexual identity, it is still unsafe in parts of the country to express one’s own sexuality, be it with cartoon videos from animehentaivideos or real life demonstrations. Sexuality is still being pushed into the dark corners of our collective psyche as the religious right maintains their stranglehold on parts of our government. Websites similar to Tubev (weblink) explore this. In many ways, this very election will be a national referendum of which America we want to be – One where we practice crushing puritanical rules, where the freedom of expression is truncated by the hysteria of bible-thumping ‘Merica? Or do we wish to live in a culture that is understanding of every person’s right to self-expression and self-realization.

Ok – serious stuff aside, the First Asbury Park Erotic Film Festival is a town-wide celebration with live events, discussion, art and of course, films presented throughout the weekend of August 5 – 7 If you can’t make it though, don’t fret. You can find plenty of erotic imagery and films online at sites like fulltube xxx. Additionally, as a downtown-wide event, many merchants will also be presenting special events around the theme: A CELEBRATION OF THE SENSES.

The epicenter of pleasure is found at The Showroom Cinema (http://theshowroomap.com) – Asbury Park’s premier art movie house, and The Parlor Gallery (http://www.parlor-gallery.com) an art gallery which features the works of unique New Jersey Artists.

Much more information can be found at: http://aperoticfilmfestival.com/

A Celebration of the Senses – August 5 through August 7.