Matua Kahurangi
Matua Kahurangi is unapologetically provocative and infamous for his incendiary writings that challenge societal taboos and stir relentless debate.
The Burnett Foundation, a so-called health advocacy group, appears to have an insatiable desire to push explicit homosexual sexual imagery into the public sphere under the guise of promoting sexual health. Their latest social media stunt, an image depicting a sexual act in a sauna, was so vulgar that even Health New Zealand had to issue an apology after sharing it. But why did they share it in the first place?
This is not the first time the Burnett Foundation has chosen to be deliberately provocative. They seem to have an unlimited advertising budget, ensuring their messaging is nearly inescapable. And what is that messaging? If there’s an opportunity to reference anal sex or rimjobs, they seize it with both hands. Their marketing department appears far more concerned with shock value than with actual public health outcomes. It’s less about education and more about making sure they stay in the headlines.
Imagine, for a moment, if the same imagery had been used to depict a heterosexual couple engaging in cunnilingus. The backlash would be swift and severe. The double standard here is glaring: why is it deemed acceptable for explicit homosexual imagery to be splashed across social media in the name of ‘awareness’, while equivalent heterosexual content would be universally condemned as inappropriate?
Public health campaigns should focus on clear, educational messaging rather than overtly sexualized shock tactics. Health NZ should feel embarrassed for aligning itself with such content, and the Burnett Foundation should be held to account for prioritizing controversy over meaningful discourse.
Advocacy groups have a responsibility to promote safe practices in a way that respects public decency. Pushing boundaries is one thing, but force-feeding explicit gay sexual content to the general public under the banner of ‘health awareness’ is quite another. Perhaps it’s time for the Burnett Foundation to reassess whether they are actually serving the community or just serving up scandal for clicks.
PS: Before anyone accuses me of being homophobic, let’s just say I showed my support for lesbian cinema last night before bed.
This article was originally published on the author’s Substack.
