Erika Lust Advocates for Ethical Porn: A Second Wave of Improved XXX-Videos is Possible by Lisa
The issues surrounding pornography – such as exploitation of performers and the promotion of violent, misogynistic, and racist content – are well-known. Despite this, many people continue to consume it, often feeling a sense of guilt akin to indulging in a long-haul flight or a large steak. While not all porn is harmful, free content on tube sites, which is often stolen from original creators, is particularly problematic.
However, the concept of ethical porn is gaining traction. This term may seem contradictory, but there is a growing conversation within the adult industry about the possibility of creating and consuming porn ethically.
Erika Lust, a feminist adult cinema director and producer, is a strong advocate for this movement. She envisions a world where tube sites are obsolete and users can enjoy porn that is both stimulating and sexually nourishing. Through her production company, Erika Lust Films, she creates narrative pornographic films that celebrate sexuality, diversity, and self-expression. Importantly, these films are not free – users must pay for them, which contributes to their guilt-free enjoyment.
Finding ethical porn on platforms like PornHub can be challenging, according to Lust. It’s difficult to verify that all performers in the videos have given their consent. Lust’s films, however, prioritize consent and agency, featuring performers of diverse skin tones and body shapes without reducing them to these characteristics. Her work also includes viewers’ real fantasies through her series “XConfessions” and involves an intimacy coach in all her productions. The paid subscriptions from users support all these aspects of her work.
Lust criticizes the industry’s established racism and sexism, as well as the derogatory language often used to describe women and sex. She aims to challenge these norms through her work.
The ethical porn movement has also seen the emergence of audio erotica companies like Quinn. These platforms are gaining popularity and shifting the conversation around ethical porn. Since they are audio-only, no one is paid for sex. Quinn employs people to write and perform stories under pseudonyms and strictly prohibits content featuring rape, minors, incest, or bestiality. Like other ethical porn sites, Quinn operates on a subscription model, offering unlimited access to its clips for a small monthly fee. Other similar companies include Dipsea and Emjoy, both of which provide scripted scenarios performed by hired voice actors.