Sexpo has announced a surprise rebrand after it was blocked by Instagram.
The annual adult exhibition, which was founded almost three decades ago in Melbourne, has changed its name to LoveX ahead of exhibitions in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane this year.
The newly relaunched LoveX website explains that the rebrand will open the exhibition up to a wider range of content while also sidestepping some of the challenges of the previous branding that was shadow banned by Instagram.
“The show you know and LOVE, without the Shadowban,” a banner on the LoveX site reads.
Shadow banning is defined by the OxfordLanguages as blocking (a user) from a social media site or online forum without their knowledge, typically by making their posts and comments no longer visible to other users.
It is a common experience for sex workers, sex experts and even influencers who post images of their semi-nude bodies online.
“S**po’s rebrand to LoveX marks a fundamental shift in addressing sexuality with a focus on enhancing awareness around intimacy, fostering diversity, and establishing a safe space for meaningful connections,” the LoveX website reads.
“This creates a seamless transition into a new era of inclusive and respectful discourse around human sexuality”.
The event regularly features adult entertainers, including Only Fans performers, as well as sexologists and celebrity guests.
Instagram comedians and LoveX ambassadors Luke and Sassy Scott will also host a stage show.
More than 60,000 people attended Sexpo last year and the brand is anticipating this year will be their biggest event yet.
The exhibition is running from July 21-23 in Brisbane and November 10-12 in Melbourne from $69 a ticket. The Sydney dates are yet to be confirmed.
Sexpo runs in New Zealand, the UK and South Africa, with the first US exhibition taking place later this year.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ7y6Kdnqukrrmme9Geo5qsmaS7tLTIqapoq5WtfLSx16mmZpuYlruosdJmpZqllWKup8DEq2SbnZmjtG6%2Fx5qbqK9dl66vusSdZKimXZ67tMDAoKmapV%2Bjsri%2FjKyrqKqpZLJ2fJSabZxrZWqDpYPDap1wbWhnfnqBk5trnWyRl65x