Minister for Youth and Sport
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Sexual Equity
From Openpedia, the free encyclopedia.
Sexual Equity is a philosophy that is the foundation of of government in the Pacific island nation nof
New Dorset
. Sexual Equity is based on the notion that while men and women have equal value and should be equally free, fundamental differences make complete sexual equality impossible, and that it is equity (fairness and justice) that should be sought between the sexes. The adherents of Sexual Equity note the differences in male and female sexual drives, as well as differences in the ways men and women typically view hierarchy, status, and a culture of honor.
Origins of Sexual Equity
Main article:
First Sexual Equity speech of Wanda Barnes
In a 1975 speech, Wanda Barnes, then the leader of the Women's Caucus in the New Dorset House of Representatives, laid out the principles of Sexual Equity. She noted that New Dorset had been a leader in sexual equality: the first country in the British Empire to grant equal suffrage to women and also to elect a female member of its legislature, and the only country in the world that established dual constituencies, with one male and one female legislator elected from every constituency, guaranteeing equal numbers of men and women to Parliament.
Despite this nominal equality in government, she noted that continuing control by men in the political party system and in spheres outside government had stymied attempts at substantial reform. Despite the recent session had been concerned mainly with issues around independence: whether to become a republic instead of sharing the British monarchy, and how to reform the Senate and the system of honors. She claimed that these were issues of honor and status, of interest primarily to men, without addressing the important issues affecting women's daily lives.
Hearkening back to difference between "dignified" and "efficient" parts of parliamentary government (see
The English Constitution
by
Walter Bagehot
), Barnes proposed a male monarchy and House of Lords, which would be symbolic and deal with issues such as honors and national symbols, and a female House of Representatives, which would form the executive and make the laws.
Adoption of Sexual Equity in New Dorset
Barnes' proposals caused an uproar; she was accused of being sexist against men, and several male-led political parties took the opportunity to propose eliminating dual candidacies and repealing some of the previously passed women's rights legislation.
The turning point was an overheard remark by the Minister for Home Affairs, Jason Campbell, saying that he would gladly give up the power to government in return for sexual favors. Although he quickly apologized, Wanda Barnes gave another speech (
Second Sexual Equity speech of Wanda Barnes
) pointing out the prevalance of female prostitution and the different sexual needs of men and women as exemplifying their differences and the need for equity rather than equality. Saying that she believed Campbell had nothing to apologize for, Barnes declared that she was proud of having been a prostitute in her youth (prostitution was particularly common in New Dorset: see
Prostitution in New Dorset
), that giving men pleasure was nothing to be ashamed of, and that sexual service is something women should be able to provide to men, if men can provide what women need as well.
After the speech, Barnes and some of her followers in the Women's Caucus had a series of one-on-one meetings with Campbell and several other members of parliament, about which much has been rumored but little is known for certain. After those meetings, a constitution for New Dorset was adopted incorporating Barnes's proposals, and also mandating that sexual service is mandatory for members of the House of Representatives and the various provincial legislatures (see
Sexual Service in New Dorset
). Campbell became New Dorset's first king, and other male MPs who voted for the new constitution became the first dukes of the provinces.
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Kyle McQuary, newest research fellow at the John Burfitt Institute, and the Very Honorable May H. Van, MLA, CSS, Minister for Youth and Sport for the Province of Deltaland, drink tea in a café across from the provincial capitol.
"So, Mr. McQuary, now you've seen the centers in person. What did you think?
"Minister, I was very impressed. Back in the capital, we weren't able to find funding to open youth centers more than three days a week. But here, you have care five days, plus classes and activities, even on weekends. The centers themselves are very nice, but it's the level of funding that I can hardly believe."
"Well, much as I'd like to, I can't take credit for that. The last government worked out a grand bargain between all the cities and the provincial youth and senior citizens ministries to share staff and resources: all the ancillary support staff like cleaning, procurement, and personnel, and even things like using the same music instructors for youth and senior programs. Reducing redundant functions allowed us to redirect what funding we had toward front-line staff. We disagreed in a lot of other ways, but the last senior and youth ministers made a great accomplishment here."
"It's laudable of you to give so much credit to people you opposed."
"Well, we're all here to serve the public good. We can't do our best for our constituents if we get caught up in squabbles."
"Still, I find it admirable."
"Well, thank you, Mr. McQuary." The minister takes a last sip of her tea. "Is that everything you need for your report?"
"Yes, but there is something else I wanted to ask, Minis— is it OK if I call you May?"
The minister tenses up. She wasn't expecting this. "Oh-kay," she pronounces slowly.
"May, I've really liked working with you over the past few days, and walking around seeing your centers today was just wonderful. I really enjoyed it, and I think you did too. I'd like to take you out and spend some time together, see if we can get to know each other. You saw they're doing 'Once' at the community theater here? I think you'd like it."
"You want to go on a date. With me."
Smiling, he says, "Yes, that's what it's called. Will you come?"
"Mr. McQuary—Kyle—you're a nice guy, but I'm in the Legislative Assembly and a minister in His Highness's government. You know what that means. I don't go on dates."