Statement on Inclusivity, Diversity & Representation 

The Sydney Tantra Festival is a co-creation of a diverse & inclusive community that supports sex & body-positivity for all people. It is available to people of all races, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, ages (18 and above) and sizes. We strive to ensure that all participants, educators, performers, & facilitators and their ideas and efforts are being valued, honored and listened to.

Respect for all Relationship Styles and Choices  

The festival will offer spaces to support all the relationship styles and choices you make. Workshops will allow couples to pair up for more intimate exercises and the choice to stay with their own partner if that is their choice – teachers will announce this to the group so they are aware when to make this choice. It will also be possible for individuals (and couples) to experience many different partners in exercises – seeing how it is to practice with a variety of people. Most importantly there will be no emphasis or pressure that one relating style is better than another and we encourage everyone to be really aware in their choices and to communicate as much as possible.

Creating a safe space 

It’s important for us that you feel safe, as this helps us all to open up and deepen. As well as all the above, we will be encouraging you to be aware of your boundaries, and give specific tools for this. There will be no pressure to do anything that doesn’t feel right for you. The best tantric practice is being able to honor your truth. We aim to remind us all of that throughout the festival.

Presenting a variety of workshop types 

Tantra has become such a diverse field with so many different paths. We intend to present a variety of these and also to have variety in the workshops offered. You will always have a choice of different workshops throughout the day so you can find something that is resonating with you.

Student/Staff Interactions

At Taste of Love Sydney Tantra Festival, facilitators and staff leads agree not to have sexual interactions with students during the events. They are encouraged to enjoy hugs, cuddle puddles, sexy dancing and light interaction in temple spaces (massage), but they will not form relationships, or engage in sexual interactions (including kissing, genital touch, intercourse) outside of any previous existing relationships, during the festival. 

This has been a controversial topic of late and it is important to state why we hold this position. The first reason is that facilitators and staff leads are paid to be present with and support the whole group – not to be distracted by a few select individuals – this is very important in terms of the group dynamics created.

The second reason concerns power dynamics – It doesn’t work to deny the power relationship between teacher and student, particularly in a space where participants are encouraged to vulnerable states and to begin working with energies and tools which are often very or completely new. Our presenters will be holding the space to support participants to learn these new tools and move through processes which may involve sexual energy, heightened emotional states and the vulnerability that comes with opening to new experiences without needing to navigate inter-personal power dynamics in the realm of intimacy at the same time.