By: Alyssa Morterud
If you read our recent article on Ethical pornography, “What is Ethical Porn and What Can We Learn from it?” you’re probably wondering where to find this type of pornography! I mentioned in the article that ethical pornography can be hard to spot, as “porn is vulnerable to being "harmful, exploitive and misused.” (Dr. David Ley) In this sense, it can be difficult to find pornography that adheres to ethical production protocols and advocates for ethical consumption methods. If you’re curious about where to find ethical porn, we at SHA are here to help. Below we’ve compiled a short guide to ethical pornography and will shine a spotlight on some great ethical porn creators!
Pink Label TV
The first spotlight is Pink Label TV. This platform “...is created and curated by Shine Louise Houston of Pink and White Productions… it’s an online platform where audiences around the world could experience...the types of bodies and desires that aren’t often depicted on conventional adult websites.” (pink label. tv) This platform is ethical in the sense that it produces pornography that exists outside of harmful stereotypes and ideologies regarding porn. Pink Label TV “has been described as a Netflix or a Criterion Collection specifically catered to independent adult films.”(pink label.tv) The platform credited with having a diverse selection of erotica to choose from- “genres include classic and vintage adult films, sex education, documentary, and collections of award-winning films selected at adult film festivals around the globe.” (pink label.tv) They have clear guidelines on their site regarding their adherence to ethical guidelines. Pink Label TV “...supplement[s] our service with filmmaker resources, including Crash Courses, Newsletters, an adult film events calendar, and articles on our blog...encouraging a sustainable #payforyourporn model where artists can continue expanding their craft.” (pink label.tv) If you want to know where to find ethical porn then this site is a great place to start!
Jennifer Lyonbell
Jennifer Lyonbell is a Harvard graduate and independent film creator. Lyonbell found herself “Forever wishing that all movies had longer and better sex scenes… [she then decided to take] matters into her own hands. With Blue Artichoke Films (Amsterdam), she mixes arthouse cinema with hot explicit sex to create erotic fiction films and documentaries that illuminate the riveting, intimate, and sometimes delightfully awkward side of sex.” (blueartichokefilms) Lyonbell’s films fall under the umbrella term of ethical porn because she intends to showcase authentic pornography through her creations and does not reproduce harmful stereotypes or ideologies in her pornography. More than this, her porn is educational. For example, “her love/porn collaboration “Skin. Like. Sun.” has been embraced by sexologists at home and abroad for its unusually realistic depiction of female pleasure.” (blueartichokefilms) To supplement her film creations, Lyonbell furthers individuals sexual education by teaching workshops, “...current workshops include alternative/feminist porn, historical stag films, cognitive film theory approaches to porn, and the self-empowering creative workshop “From Fantasy To Film: Design Your Own Erotic Film” which she has taught all over the world.” (blueartichokefilms)
Xconfessions
Xconfessions was created by Erika Lust. Erika Lust is an acclaimed filmmaker who creates artistic, indie adult cinema that portrays sexually intelligent narratives, relatable characters, and realistic hot sex.” (xconfessions) Lust creates ethical porn because she produces films where “sex can be shot in a way in which women and all genders are treated as equal sexual collaborators.” (erikalust.com) More than this, she aims to show authentic pleasure and portrayals of sex and bodies. Xconfessions is a platform that features “...explicit short films based on the best anonymous confessions [they] receive. If your confession is chosen, you are rewarded with a one-year access pass to the site and you get to see your story on film.” (xconfessions) Lust promotes the following message on her website that I feel perfectly sums up Xconfessions:
“Together we are changing the rules of pornography. We don't just show what sex looks like, we tell stories about what sex and desire feel like, and how we communicate and interact intimately with each other. Each film is visually arresting and goes beyond traditional gender roles and tired stereotypes, pushing the boundaries of fetish, lust, desire, and intimacy. (xconfessions)
Lust has a multitude of other pornography platforms that adhere to the same ethical guidelines- you should check those out as well!
Four Chambers
Four Chambers is a more abstract take on pornography- as the platform produces content that transcends the idea of labels. The idea came “From a background in analog photography, art school bullshit, and digital sex online, Four Chambers is a project, an idea, and an ongoing collaboration with the intention to explore the aesthetic and conceptual potential of pornography as a medium for ideas.” (afourchamberedheart) The platform is lead by performer Vex Ashley. It is ethical partly because “...Four Chambers now exists alongside a new wave of creators making contemporary pornographic work from a new perspective.” (afourchamberedheart) It falls under the ethical category because it is a “part of the growing decentralization from traditional adult industry practices and studios…” and enforces positive ideologies regarding the art of erotic cinema. The following denotes the themes explored on the platform:
“...technology, symbolism, mythology and alchemy and their intrinsic intersection with sex, Four Chambers is independent, DIY, conceptual, pornography cinema.” (afourchamberedheart) Overall, for those interested in the art of pornography then this platform is a great choice!