What is feminist porn?

Feminism and porn make interesting bedfellows, so to speak. There are as many different opinions on feminist porn as there are on feminism and porn combined! Some find the term an oxymoron: there cannot possibly a feminist answer to porn. What could possibly make porn feminist?

Here is our interpretation of the term “feminist porn”. Since this is a growing field with increasing interest and controversy, the following are elements of this complex and diverse film genre:

  • Actors are treated with respect, paid fairly, given choice and ethical working conditions, empowered in their work
  • Directors collaborate with and incorporate the actor’s own sexual desires and fantasies (makes for better scenes too!)
  • It expands the boundaries of sexual representation on film and challenges stereotypes especially of women and marginalized communities
  • Realistic pleasure is depicted

Feminist porn can be:

  • Edgy or soft
  • High production or low
  • Storyline or none
  • Straight, queer, cis, trans, bi or a combination thereof
  • Made by, for and includes people of any gender/ sex, size, age, race and ethnicity, ability, orientation, and desires (including men)
  • And of course it is hot!

We recognize that there are many varied perspectives on feminism and porn in our audience. We believe that everyone deserves a sexy movie regardless of their feminist interpretation or ideology.

Some common misconceptions about feminist porn:
– Only lesbian: Feminist Porn celebrates the diversity of sexuality, including straight films too!
– Man-hating: Everyone deserves pleasure the way they like it, men included.
– Hugging and kissing: Styles of all kinds of porn -including the feminist variety- range from mild to wild
– Only appeals to women: People of all genders, sexes and orientations enjoy feminist porn!
– Tattoos and hairy armpits: Performers reflect the diversity of people in the world: some do, many don’t!

Another Definition
Tristan Taormino is a sex educator, feminist pornographer, and co-editor of The Feminist Porn Book. She defines feminist pornography as “dedicated to gender equality and social justice. Feminist pornography is porn that is generated in a fair manner, signifying that performers are paid a reasonable salary and most importantly treated with care and esteem; their approval, security, and well-being are vital, and what they bring to the production is appreciated. Feminist porn searches to expand the ideas about desire, beauty, gratification, and power through unconventional representations, aesthetics, and film making styles. The overall aim of feminist porn is to empower the performers who produce it and the people who view it.”