The British-American actress Gillian Anderson, well known for her role in Sex Education as “the fabulously liberated and candid” Sex Therapist Jean Milburn, has disclosed her most recent endeavour: collecting sexual fantasies from women. Anderson has formed a collaboration with an organisation that does not want to make a profit to compile a collection of sexual fantasies authored by individuals of varying genders and sexual orientations.
She said that the idea for the project came from the book titled My Secret Garden: Women’s Sexual Fantasies, which was published in 1973 by feminist author Nancy Friday. My Secret Garden addressed women’s dreams and wants during a time when women’s sexuality was still only viewed in connection to men’s pleasure. The novel was published in the midst of the sexual revolution when women’s sexuality was still only considered in relation to men’s pleasure.
In an Interview, Gillian stated that “My Secret Garden was a testament to the fact that women enjoyed as rich and diverse an erotic inner life as men did. Finally, here was a book in which ordinary women and girls – “you, me and our next-door neighbour” – were talking honestly about arousal, masturbation, sexual dreams, and desires.”
The actress believes it is important to break down the barriers that prevent people from being open and honest about their sexuality. She agrees, adding that she’s thrilled to be a part of a show pushing the boundaries of what’s considered “normal” in the TV world. Gillian and Bloomsbury Publishing have created an email address that you may use to communicate to them any ideas or aspirations that are particularly private. All entries will be handled in a manner that maintains their anonymity, and everyone’s privacy will be respected.
“I want women across the world, and all of you who identify intrinsically as women now – queer, heterosexual and bisexual, non-binary, transgender, polyamorous – all of you, old and young, whatever your religion, and married, single or other, to write to me and tell me what you think about when you think about sex,” she continued. “Tell me. Fantasies, frustrations, explorations, the forbidden, childhood, sounds, fetishes, guilt, insatiability.”
I’m launching a major exploration of women and sex – and I want to hear from YOU. Help us to create a revolutionary book for now and for future generations by writing me a letter at https://t.co/4wvlRduWxe.@BloomsburyBooks pic.twitter.com/9VNGC2xsZC
— Gillian Anderson (@GillianA) February 1, 2023
Anderson said: “As women, we know that sex is about more than just sex, but so many of us don’t talk about it. Our deepest, most intimate fears and fantasies remain locked away inside of us until someone comes along with the key.
She also stated that “Here is the key. I want to hear from you. This will be an anonymous, revelatory book compiling your letters to me to explore how women think about sex.
She continued, “Because when we talk about sex, we talk about womanhood and motherhood, infidelity and exploitation, consent and respect, fairness and egalitarianism, love and hate, pleasure, and pain.” The initiative, which aims to promote healthy and various sexual expressions, will be published as a book, which can be purchased, with one hundred percent of the revenues going toward promoting sexual health and education.
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According to Anderson, the comedy-drama Sex Education has been “liberating” for the audience since the characters who “battle with their sexual interactions” are presented as being “brave enough to speak about it.” However, she said that ever since the program became a phenomenon, there has been an expectation that people would discuss their “sexual difficulties or dreams” with her. However, she has yet to experience this expectation being fulfilled.
In addition to her portrayal as Margaret Thatcher in Netflix’s The Crown (for which she won Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Television Awards in 2021), Anderson’s film and TV resume also includes 2000’s The House of Mirth. The book by Gillian Anderson is set to be released in the coming months, and Anderson is already receiving interest from publishers and bookstores worldwide. The actress is thrilled about the impact that the book could have and is eager to get it into the hands of as many people as possible.
