SouthWood: FL's Steel Phallus Festival Coming Soon

Can you envision a 300-pound statue of a 6-foot-high pink penis on display in a public park at Fort Lauderdale’s famed corner at Las Olas and A1A?

Chaz Stevens can.

On April 2nd, artist and activist Chaz Stevens will introduce Florida to a one-of-a-kind holiday experience: Kanamara Matsuri. Traditionally celebrated in Kawasaki, Japan, the festival is based on an ancient Shinto ceremony that glorifies the "Steel Phallus" by featuring male genitalia effigies honoring love, fertility, and sex-positive attitudes.

The South Florida Steel Phallus Festival (aka SouthWood Festival) will surely spark controversy, as Chaz and his team embark on a mission to design and build larger-than-life, 6-foot-tall pink penis effigies, deploying these exhibits in various Florida public squares (picture your city's Christmas tree and Menorah, now imagine our exhibit -- now imagine your City spending tax dollars on those religious displays).

Incensed that Fort Lauderdale would lavishly use taxpayer money to fund a religious ceremony, Chaz decided it was time for an all-or-nothing approach. So taking a cue from Larry Flynt, Chaz's team once again pushes the envelope and tests the legal line between religious freedom and free speech – both protected by the First Amendment – and obscenity, which is not.

6-Foot-Tall Pink Orōkina Penisu (大きなペニス) Effigy Details

Penis Effigies All Across Florida (and Baltimore)

To financially empower this endeavor, Chaz's team seeks individual and corporate sponsors to help defray significant costs, including:

To ensure our civil liberties are fully protected, we’re delighted to enlist the expertise of in-house attorney Thomas Wright. Battling against strong winds surely to come our way from likely governmental opposition arguing “prurient interests” and traffic safety concerns, securing additional legal help will be essential for a successful campaign.

Each "Steel Phallus" display will be enclosed inside 8-foot tall event fencing with appropriate signage alerting curious visitors to the "rated R" exhibit.

The project has currently sought exhibit permission with the following cities:

Many more cities and locations to, er, come.

Proceeds to Support AIDS Research

A generous portion of our proceeds are being donated towards AIDS research as well as LGBTQ+ awareness - elevating both artistry and philanthropic causes in tandem!

Protecting Democracy Thru Art

As CEO of ESADoggy and an internationally recognized political activist, Chaz Stevens is known far and wide for his spirited entrepeneurship and provocative projects. For decades, Chaz and his team have been producing art and events that highlight the importance of separating church and state, and the need for full and equal civil rights for all - regardless of who you are, who you love, or how you dress.

This isn't the team's first dive into using such an outrageous symbol to challenge societal norms (they once trolled Trump with a YUGE exhibit and routinely award The Buttman Trophy to "deserving" public figures).

Chaz & Co. also took the states of Florida and Texas by surprise last year, with their extraordinarily effective brand of activism.

A Message from Chaz Stevens

My team's efforts and those of my company can be a powerful lever of change, driving progressive social justice by advancing the strategies and tools that deal with issues such as protecting democracy, LGBTQ+ matters, and racial inequality. Nonviolent methods of conflict resolution have been shown time and again as the most efficient way to achieve peace and justice. Like Ben & Jerry's, I mix corporate duty with social responsibility.

Without ESADoggy, none of my work would be possible. Doggos and kitties rescue us all in more ways than I can count.

My thanks for your support, together we can protect Democracy.

Notes:

Contributions and donations are not tax deductible. They support the effective, citizen-based advocacy efforts of Chaz Stevens and his colleagues.

Out of respect for GoFundMe's platform, we've not included artwork images. Feel free to drop Chaz a note, and he'll send along a few pictures (rated G, though perhaps NSFW).