What makes porn “feminist”? And isn’t that a contradiction in terms?
Actually, no! Although mainstream porn can often feel icky and exploitative, mindfully feminist porn is different. Feminist porn is guided by a set of principles that empower the women – and every individual – involved in production, by giving them agency and choice, and centering their needs first and foremost. Feminist porn challenges damaging stereotypes, promotes empowerment, prioritizes consent, and aims for authenticity. And although feminist porn proudly centers the female/femme experience, it can be great for anyone, of any identity.
So yes, porn can totally be feminist! And leading experts agree.
Basically, if you care about the people who are making your porn, and if you don’t want to be boxed in by assumptions of what you’re “supposed” to want or desire, you might find lots to love in feminist porn… no matter your gender identity.
Ready to learn more about what makes porn “feminist”? Here are key elements that often define feminist porn:
Consent and Communication:
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- Central to feminist porn is an emphasis on clear, enthusiastic consent and open communication. Scenes often portray explicit verbal or non-verbal agreements among all participants. Whether or not it’s included on-screen, feminist porn studios will always put their performers’ agency, comfort, safety and pleasure first and foremost.
Female Empowerment:
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- Feminist porn seeks to empower women (and femmes, and queer folx) both in front of and behind the camera. This includes women taking on key roles in production, such as directing, producing, and writing. You might find that this “female gaze” puts a greater emphasis on emotional connection, facial expressions, storyline, and female/femme pleasure (although everyone’s tastes are different, so feminist auteurs will naturally vary a lot!)
Authentic Depictions:
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- Instead of adhering to stereotypical and unrealistic portrayals of sex, feminist porn aims for authenticity. Scenes will tend to depict genuine pleasure, real orgasms, and a focus on the diverse experiences of people as individuals. There’s often more emphasis on foreplay and the clitoris, too – again reflecting how many (but not all) female and AFAB bodies respond in the real world.
Diverse Desires and Bodies:
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- Feminist porn challenges the one-size-fits-all approach by acknowledging and celebrating a variety of desires, fantasies, and body types. It strives to represent a broad spectrum of sexual identities, celebrating our infinite variety.
Ethical Production Practices:
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- Feminist porn producers prioritize ethical and fair labor practices. This includes ensuring that performers are treated with respect, receive fair compensation, and work in safe and comfortable conditions. It also always goes back to consent, and agency… performers can set their terms, choose their partners, and even sometimes co-own the finished product. So you can rest assured that the performers feel good not only during the shoot, but afterwards, too.
Positive Sexuality:
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- Feminist porn embraces a positive and affirming approach to sexuality. It seeks to counteract the negativity and stigma often associated with sex by affirming it as a natural, enjoyable, and joyful part of life. And as long as there’s enthusiastic, informed, adult consent, feminist porn will affirm sexuality of all kinds without stigma or shame.
Intersectionality:
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- Feminist porn recognizes the intersections of gender with other identities and experiences, such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disability. It aims to be inclusive and intersectional in its representation, and will avoid reducing individuals according to fetishized – and frequently dehumanizing – categories. We’re all complex, whole human beings, and we should be treated as such!
Narrative and Storytelling:
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- Some feminist porn incorporates storytelling elements, and higher production values, creating a more immersive experience for the viewer. Often feminist porn studios will actively collaborate with their performers to craft their stories according to their own fantasies, giving us a special glimpse into our favorite performers’ sexual psyches.
Education and Commentary:
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- Some feminist porn creators include educational content or commentary alongside their scenes. This can address topics like sexual health, communication, and consent, providing additional context for viewers. More and more feminist porn studios are even leaning into wellness, mindfulness and healing, taking an overall holistic approach to pornography. So you might find yourself expanding your sense of self and wellness, even as you enjoy the erotica on offer.
It’s important to note that feminist porn is a rapidly evolving movement, and different creators will have their own tastes, values, and priorities. The good news is there’s an increasing range of feminist porn out there, fulfilling all kinds of kinks and preferences. Whatever your tastes – whether romance, kink, sci-fi, or gangbangs – there’s probably something produced according to feminist principles out there for you. So explore, and enjoy yourself! And check out what ForPlay Films has on offer – we’d love to welcome you in.
Disclosure: Some blog articles on this site were written with the aid of generative tools. But we promise a few things – no human jobs were replaced in the making of any blog article, and no article is ever posted without editing and fact-checking by a real person. And most importantly – ALL our porn is real! So why not check out our films? We can’t wait to share!