Scotland’s national arts agency is ‘withdrawing support’ from a pornographic film following widespread criticism for its use of public funds.
The 45-minute project “Rein”, by self-described “queer artist” Leonie Rae Gasson, follows in the “long tradition of pornography” by filming actors performing “hardcore acts” in the Scottish Highlands.
Creative Scotland had awarded the project almost £110,000 in public funding, but after public outcry it will now attempt to recover the grants, claiming the project had ‘significantly changed’ and was now focusing on real “sex acts”.
‘Appalled’
According to The Times, a senior Scottish Government source was “appalled” at the initial funding of the project.
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson agreed, informing Holyrood that he saw “no way in which what has been described should be in receipt of public funding”.
A Scottish Government spokesman stated: “Ministers welcome Creative Scotland’s decision to withdraw and recover any funding for this project.”
Creative Scotland donated £23,219 to the project through the National Lottery Open Fund in August, before granting it another £84,555 in this year.
Lockdown
Earlier this year, it was revealed that the number of heavy users of pornography seeking help at a specialist hospital in Scotland rocketed over 600 per cent during 2022.
José Lopes Pereira, who operates Castle Craig’s outpatient hub, reported that porn use surged during lockdown.
He said some users can watch pornography for hours each day, even being hospitalised with skin infections from neglecting themselves.
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