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Porn: the topic everyone has an opinion about. Whether you are an avid-watcher, dabbler, or hater, pornography has a major economic influence and is going nowhere any time soon. According to a variety of financial publications, porn is a multi-billion-dollar industry, with, arguably, a greater influence on the economy than Netflix and other popular streaming networks. Why is this important to know? Because how you consume your porn determines what piece of the economic pie you are contributing to, and who is being impacted by that contribution. Listen, I am not here to steer people away from their sexy habits, rather, I’m here to provide some healthy, impactful ways one can participate in their viewership. And, if you happen to fall into the “hater” category on the topic, perhaps this will offer some solace…
The Problems of Porn…
If you aren’t new to this conversation, you’re probably familiar with the arguments that cast porn under a very ominous, if not, criminal light. Feminists have been fighting against the porn industry since their time under the sun. This occurred as a result of augmented and exaggerated body parts, sexual responses and the normalization of violence against women. Taking into consideration that children as young as nine years of age have had some sort of introduction to pornography – be it through accidental pop-ups or active searches – porn has become a forum for self-study amongst young people.
Why is this problematic? The majority of porn is designed around a misogynistic male gaze. It focuses on the fulfillment of men’s desires, while ignoring female pleasure and the anatomical design of the female pleasure organs. This causes unrealistic sexual expectations in boys and men, and major body-image issues in girls and women – specifically the feeling of being “broken” as a result of their bodies not responding/appearing similarly to that of on-screen stars. Additionally, mainstream porn very much focuses on heterosexual, cis-gendered, able-bodied individuals, disregarding sexuality, gender identity, and pleasure as a spectrum.
The Good News
The dangers of porn are serious. It is a discourse about masculinity and femininity. It has the power to shape generations and perpetuate the objectification of women and the exclusion of groups that don’t fit into the hetero-normative narrative. Porn has the power to reinforce misogyny, which gives way to homophobia, and transphobia. Porn has the power to set misguided notions surrounding female pleasure. The dangers of porn are serious, and yet, freedom through porn is possible.
I am here to provide some psychological relief when I say: not all porn is bad; however, like most other things, a proper education surrounding the light and dark of this industry’s content should be a mandatory stage in the development of human sexuality. In today’s world, everything is at our fingertips and technological advances are happening in every industry. Now, maybe more than ever, parents need to adopt sex-positive language to address concerns surrounding their children and their exposure to porn, pornographic images and sexual education. For my fellow adults, continuous education and mindfulness over your own content consumption and sexuality remains critical, especially if you wish to contribute to an ethical, sex-positive society. One healthy and humane step forward begins with porn – ethical porn.
What is Ethical Porn?
Also known as fair-trade porn, indie porn and feminist porn, ethical porn contrasts greatly with “traditional” or mainstream porn in the way that it is inclusive and is conscious of the rights and health of performers. Let’s break this down further:
Inclusivity
Unlike mainstream porn, ethical porn shows real people having real sex. What that means is, ethical porn holds space for underrepresented groups: people of colour and varying ethnicities; young and old people; diverse body types, (specifically disabled bodies, trans bodies, pregnant bodies, bodies of varying sizes, as well as bodies with pubic hair, scars, and cellulite); diverse relationship structures; sexual orientations, and gender identity. While representing all groups, ethical porn commits to body and sex-positivity, creating scenes based on realistic scenarios or fantasies, with no imbalanced expectations or assigned gender roles. In other words, ethical porn blows social conditioning and conformity out of the water, and replaces it with real-world people, with real-world desires, connections, and interactions, in a safe and consenting space.
Performers’ Health
Unfortunately, abuse occurs in every industry. Pornography is no exception to this, and that is why ethical porn filmmakers create an environment and working conditions that ensure their performers are being well taken care of. This includes respect for performers and receiving consent at every point of production.
The sexual and mental health of performers is pro-actively monitored and maintained. This is done, at a minimum, through open communication on and off set, checking in with team and performers, and providing access to sexual health information and products.
Another element that is often overlooked by consumers is the financial health of performers. Paying for your porn is but one indicator that what you are consuming is ethical/fair trade. It isn’t the tell-all, but as Lynn Comella, Associate Professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies at UNLV, states in one interview with GQ, “Good consumers pay for their porn.” Period.
Ethical Porn Giants
I’ve been fairly reserved in my writing up to this point, but now it’s time to ask the critical question: Do you watch porn? Are you a good human? Do you value the health and wellbeing of other people? I’m hoping that you will say yes to at least two of these questions.
Whether this article plays as a gateway into your new ethical porn consumership, or you’re a veteran in this area, below are some of the internet’s most respected ethical porn giants. I have no doubt that with a little research and a few clicks of your mouse, you will find exactly what you’re looking for. Enjoy responsibly and guilt-free 😉
Note: these links are NSFW
Erika Lust
Swedish erotic film director, screenwriter and producer has been a critical voice and creator in the feminist pornography movement. Her projects include: XConfessions Vol 1 and Vol 2, Lust Cinema, The Porn Conversation (teaching parents how to speak to their children about porn).
Bright Desire
Bright Desire has award-winning erotic short films that have been screened at over 100 film festivals. Their site is committed to offering ethical porn with a focus on consent, ethical production values and respecting the work and identities of their performers.
CrashPad Series by Pink and White Productions
CrashPad Series continues the story of a secret apartment in San Fransisco dedicated to hot, queer sex. Pink and White Productions creates adult entertainment that exposes the complexities of queer sexual desire. They are dedicated to producing content that reflects today’s blurred gender lines and fluid sexualities. They collaborate with performers to shoot based on how they like to be presented.
Toronto International Porn Festival
This site is dedicated to the annual pornography festival in Toronto, celebrating and recognizing films that are inclusive, positive, representing diversity of bodies, desires, genders and sexualities. Although the site itself does not publish pornographic content, it plays as a great library for award winning erotic films and filmmakers.
Until next time,
Fuck well friends!
Quean Mo
