TD Mulherin to raise Spunout.ie 'threesomes' page with Health Minister Reilly; Spunout fights back
A Fine Gael TD has said she will speak to Health Minister James Reilly about a website which she says gives "very worrying" advice to teenagers about threesomes.
Michelle Mulherin said the tips on Spunout.ie - which receives more than €120,000 from the HSE every year - are "incredibly regressive" and "very worrying".
The website has defended the advice, saying it does not encourage teens to engage in threesomes, but informs them of reasons why they may or may not enjoy it.
The page includes a definition of what a threesome is - "getting sexually intimate with two people rather than just one person" involving "any combination of guys and gals" - and lists some pros and cons of the experience.
It also features a 12-point list of "top tips for keeping it safe and enjoyable".
The spokesperson for Spunout.ie Ian Power, said it was important for teenagers to be informed about sexual issues.
Spunout have released a statement defending the threesomes page, saying: "Young people are having sex whether the Sunday Independent or Deputy Michelle Mulherin like it or not."
The statement adds that Spunout receives €124,000 in state funding, and not the €250,000 mentioned in a Sunday Independent report, and goes on to say:
"We do not promote threesomes, we arm young people with the facts about them.
"Silence does not breed confidence, instead it creates fear and confusion. We should arm our young people with the facts and trust them to make responsible decisions.
"SpunOut.ie is proud to do just that."
