NEWS: Gay Couple In Channel 4’s Sex Box Programme

<p>A gay couple is to take part in a sex experiment in front of a live studio audience for a Channel 4 progamme that aims to look at the sex lives of 'normal Britons'. Airs tonight at 10:00PM</p> <p>by Newsdesk | 7th October 2013</p><p></p><p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4599057160.jpg" width="460" height="259" alt="Sex Box" title="Sex Box"/></p> <p></p><p>Three couples, which includes a straight engaged couple who were childhood sweethearts, a gay couple who have been together for 3 years and couple in their 20s are to have sex on Channel 4 tonight.</p><p></p><p>A spokesperson for Channel 4 said that the gay couple had wanted to take part in the show because it was a brilliant opportunity to show how 'normal' gay sex could be.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2013/oct/06/sex-box-participants-reveal-channel-4">Speaking to theGuardian</a> the gay couple Matt and John said that they had been approached by the makers of the programme whilst they were on holiday in Manchester to coincide with Manchester Pride. </p><p></p><p>'Our private life isn't exactly private. You can't really do anything. You can't have anything delivered without them knowing – oh, another parcel for the gay couple upstairs. </p><p></p><p>'We were hoping to put a few facts right, that not all gay men wear dresses.</p><p></p><p>'We're both gay but we're not really in a gay community as such. We don't have loads of gay friends. We thought just by being part of the conversation , we're doing our bit to show what it's like.'</p><p></p><p>Mariella Frostrup hosts the new show for Channel 4, which aims to reclaim sex from porn by ‘exploring how the ever-increasing consumption of pornography is distorting people’s expectations of sex and ultimately damaging the sex lives of Britons.’</p><p></p><p>The show was recorded in front of a live studio audience, who like TV audiences did not see any sex or nudity. </p><p></p><p>After each couples’ time in the box, they talk with Frostrup and a panel of sexperts, which includes psychotherapist, broadcaster and author Phillip Hodson, sex, body language and relationship expert Tracey Cox and internationally syndicated sex columnist Dan Savage</p><p></p><p>Sex Box presenter Mariella Frostrup said: “Ten years as the Observer’s Agony Aunt has given me plenty of insight into what an important role sex plays in our lives but also how difficult we find to talk openly about it to each other. The sex we see on screen, in magazines and increasingly online bears little relation to the real experiences of real people. I'm delighted to take part in this attempt to have a frank conversation about an essential element of all our lives. "</p><p></p><p>The actual Sex Box is a completely sound proofed box – however the walls are opaque, so audiences or the production crew will see little.</p><p></p><p>Dan Savage said: "Many people have an easier time speaking honestly about sex with their friends - or with anonymous strangers online - than they do with their partners. But honest, fearless communication with the person (or persons!) with whom you actually have sex is central to creating successful long-term relationships. Sex is that important."</p><p> </p>