I was asked off-list to clarify what I found offensive about the Fiona Giles
article.  This is what I responded privately, and was urged to share with
the list:

Well, for one, the dismissal of my careful cross-cultural research by simply
saying "gee, sex = wet, breast milk = wet, breasts = sex" and it's all
wonderful and we should embrace the pornographic aspects of breasts and
lactation.  I have long been aware of the perversion of breast
milk/lactation by a fringe group within pornography.  I don't think it
serves anyone's purpose to advertise about it to the general public.  I
think it is dangerous as hell to equate the physical feelings mothers have
for their children -- wanting to hug and kiss them, and nurse them -- with
sex.  It isn't sex.  And if we try to "stretch and redefine" what sex is,
well you may convince some people, but most people are just going to say "Oh
my god, these women are having sex with their children by breastfeeding
them, even as newborns, and that's immoral and disgusting."

Kathy Dettwyler


P.S.  To which I would add that pornography harms women and children.  Pure
and simple.  There is ample research about this topic.
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