August 5, 2001

Dear Editor,

Regarding the censorship of the Trans Sexual Express show at the Centre D’Art Santa Monica, your article of August 1 fails to describe some of the censored works, or explain why they might invite censorship.

A Church of Euthanasia video by Lydia Eccles is no longer being shown. The video documents the Church’s activities in Boston, including a fetus barbeque at a pro-life rally. Five of the censored photographs were also taken at Church actions, and include such slogans as "Save The Planet, Kill Yourself," "Eat A Queer Fetus For Jesus," and "Pedophile Priests For Life." The sixth photograph shows a man with a pentagram tattoo around his anus.

While provocative, these works deal with issues that are currently being debated throughout modern society, particularly in the European community. The issues include overpopulation, women’s reproductive rights, gender and sexual identity, animal rights, ecology, and the right to choose a dignified death.

It is commendable that the Centre and the Catalan government were willing to exhibit works which explore these issues. However, the fact that the works were ultimately censored has serious consequences for freedom of speech, and freedom of the press, which should be explored more deeply by your newspaper.

It is also important to note that the Centre has removed any reference to the show from its web site. This effectively censors the entire show, not just individual artists. It is as if the show had never existed, and one is reminded of George Orwell’s infamous "memory hole," into which inconvenient facts disappeared.

To view the censored photographs, along with a copy of the Centre’s web site before they censored it, please go to:

www.churchofeuthanasia.org/press/tse.html

Regards,

Rev. Chris Korda
Church of Euthanasia
P.O.Box 261
Somerville, MA 02143 USA
www.churchofeuthanasia.org