OG Happy Women’s History Month! Here at ForPlay Films – and ForPlay Toys! – we’re taking the opportunity to do a month of Women’s History of Sexuality and Pleasure. Feminism, erotica, and empowerment, what’s not to love?
So let’s begin with our own historical trailblazers. Ready to learn about the historical beginnings of ethical and feminist porn?
Here’s a whirlwind modern history of ethical porn – strap yourself in with a strap-on, and let’s go for a ride!
Way Back When: The Seed is Planted
Back in the day, when patriarchal polyester-suited dinosaurs roamed the earth (EG the ’70s), the idea of ethical and feminist porn seemed almost impossible. The mainstream porn industry was made by men, for men, and collateral damage to the female performers involved was often just part of the deal. No-one was even thinking of making porn for a female audience.
Enter our heroines, with a radical new mission. The notion was simple: let’s make adult content that doesn’t leave a bad taste in your mouth, and that makes both performers and those watching them actually feel good! But even though the idea was simple, it was also totally at odds with the male-dominated, often-sleazy porn world of the time.
70s-80s: OG Revolutionaries
Pioneers like Candida Royalle and Annie Sprinkle were were two of our OG ethical-porn revolutionaries. Candida Royalle was a performer in the porn industry, who increasingly chafed against the male-centric gaze of the porn movies that she was asked to be in. She took exception to the fact that almost no attention was paid to female pleasure, or to female orgasm, in mainstream movies. She was determined to make a change, and started her own studio, where she could call the shots. “Femme Productions” was one of the first feminist and ethical porn studios, that also catered to couples in need of therapy or counseling. The studio emphasized realistic sexuality, genuine pleasure, and contextualized sex within women’s emotional and social lives. Talk about the beginnings of holistic porn!
Annie Sprinkle was a sex-positive sex worker who believed that porn could be a force of empowerment – IF the right people were involved. Sprinkle outright refused to play any stereotypically submissive roles in mainstream porn, and engaged in gonzo performance-art erotica. Her work destigmatized the female body and celebrated the female orgasm. And she’s still at it today!
Both trailblazers created their own work and their own pornographic art to showcase their own pro-feminist, sex-positive viewpoints. They laid the foundations for those who came afterwards… including us. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves…
The ’90s: Ethical Revolution
Fast forward to the ’90s— and boom! A whole wave of ethical porn pioneers burst onto the scene. Candida Royalle and Annie Sprinkle continued to create space for the female gaze, female pleasure, and sex-positive porn under their own studios and their own names. Emerging stars like Nina Hartley joined them, creating content that was all about consensual, respectful, and downright sexy vibes. Nina Hartley started creating her own educational content too – most notably a series named Nina Hartley’s Guide. It was like a breath of fresh air in a room that had been filled with, let’s be honest, a fair bit of sleaze.
2000s: The Internet Changes Everything
Enter the internet age, and porn was EVERYWHERE. The web created all sorts of specialized corners, and ways to find a niche audience. There was plenty of exploitative, sleazy, and downright abusive stuff that hid in plain sight – But ethical porn and accessibility also got a turbo boost. Independent filmmakers and performers embraced the DIY spirit, making content that didn’t just talk the talk but walked the walk. The web became the ultimate playground, with platforms like the Good For Her Feminist Porn Awards championing the cause. But the age of connectivity, downloads, and search engines also made profitability harder for the little guys, as videos were easily pirated and shared without consent. The internet given, and the internet taketh away…
2010s: Ethics Go Mainstream
As we hit the 2010s, ethical porn wasn’t just an underground movement—it was hitting the big leagues. Some ethical works even snagged mainstream awards, proving that you can be both ethically conscious and widely popular. People like Tristan Taormino and Shine Louise Houston were leading the charge, exploring diverse themes and relationships. Queer, subversive, boundary-expanding sensibilities revolutionized the ethical porn movement, creating a consciousness of mindful inclusivity and representation.
2020s: Still Going Strong
Today, ethical porn is alive and kicking. It’s all about representation, consent, respect, and sustainability. Indie outfits (like ForPlay Films!) carry the torch lit by Candida Royalle back in the day. Platforms like OnlyFans and even social media allow direct access – and support – for the individual erotic artists we love. Some creators are even pushing boundaries with new tech like virtual reality to bring you into the action. No matter the platform, ethical porn continues to break down barriers and redefine what sexy looks like… whilst honoring and supporting the awesome sex workers who make it all possible.
So Now What?
So, there you have it— a very quick ride through the history of ethical porn, from its humble beginnings to a movement that’s continues to shake up the adult industry today. It’s an ongoing process, but one well worth participating in. Check out our own ethical and feminist porn offerings, and consider supporting some of your fave ethical porn studios – think about it. You’ll be part of history! What better way to celebrate Women’s History Month than leaning back and enjoying the hard-won liberties and pleasures that our historical icons won. Check out our films, and our toy store, and keep staying sex-positive!