What is ethical porn and where can I find it?
It’s no secret that mainstream porn can often come with a lot of issues and complicated baggage. From quite often being centred around the straight ‘male gaze’ to non-consensual and damaging content being actively available (think back to PornHub’s liberal uploading system that allowed anyone to upload anything until its 2020 verification programme was put in place), there are some serious consequences that can come with it. Not to mention the perpetual degrading of female empowerment and the fetishisation of virginity.
And with the darker areas of mainstream porn constantly causing anxiety and turmoil, what happens when you’re turned on and you want to relax without compromising your personal values?
If you’ve never come across ethical porn, it might be your answer. Clear from the dark side, it’s safer for both content creators and viewers, and it’s paid for, which means there are no qualms about its legitimacy. But aside from that, what makes it different from mainstream porn, and more importantly - where can you find it?
What is Ethical Porn?
First things first, what actually is it? Unofficially wearing the ‘all of the pleasure, none of the guilt’ tagline, equality, sustainability, fair pay, and the welfare of the performers are at the heart of ethical porn. Essentially, think about how you would like to be treated in any aspect of your life.
When it comes to ethical porn (and in contrast to a lot of mainstream setups), there is a mutual understanding and agreement amongst the performers, filmmakers and everyone involved in the production: Everyone knows exactly what is going on, and the comfort of everyone is paramount.
Alongside the obvious ethics, this type of porn is also much more diverse. Celebrating every body type, race, age and ability, documenting actual femme pleasure and queer relationships and depicting sex from a realistic perspective, ethical porn focuses on inclusivity and creativity.
Where Can You Find It?
Ready to take your money and most importantly your pleasure elsewhere? You can find ethical porn in an array of different settings, including:
Individual Creators
Probably the number one alternative to mainstream porn and sites that don’t value their performers (and the ultimate snub) is to take your custom directly to a creator. For example, if there’s a sex worker you’ve seen before and you know you like, then chances are they’ve got a subscription-only account where they post their content as well.
By now, we all know about the major platforms like OnlyFans and Just For Fans, which allow performers to upload personal pictures and videos to paying subscribers. And we all know by now that it’s a great alternative for content creators who want to call their own shots and make substantial earnings independently.
And not only does this alternative allow you to directly support sex workers in a safe environment, but it also allows you to connect more personally with creators, too. Some sex workers who use these platforms even use paid messaging options, where you can request and pay for personalised content specifically for you. Respectful requests only - but that goes without saying.
With the expansion of the internet, the web is brimming with online sex workers who are independently creating quality content. So, there’s really no need to sell your soul to bigger, unethical companies when there’s bound to be a content creator of your liking on an independent platform.
Erotic Literature
Bookworms and short story lovers, this is your type of ethical porn. If watching sexy films doesn’t really float your boat, and you’d rather read some explicit content, erotic literature is calling your name!
There are literally thousands of authors out there who produce the most mind-blowing erotica, most of which will turn up the temperature and get you hot. From steamy non-fiction to fiction of all kinds, (we’re talking horror, romance, action, history - seriously - whatever floats your boat) erotic literature is a great way to ensure that your conscience is clean whilst you get off.
And just like the physical content creators, you’re also supporting the creatives of another kind.
Audio Porn
Audio porn can be easily produced ethically due to the absence of any visuals. This means a performer’s image doesn’t need to be shared, and they don’t actually have to engage in any physical sex acts to create content. It’s a great option for those who love to use their imagination, but want to listen rather than read!
This form of porn is also generally catered towards women and genders other than males, as there is a great focus on storytelling. So, whether you’re up for experimenting when it comes to porn and you want to interpret the audio in your own way, or delving into erotic scenes, scenarios and storylines turn you on in a big way, this could be the ethical alternative for you.
If so, you’ll want to hit up some platforms that cater to this kind of porn. For erotic stories and a whole range of audio goodness, Girl on the Net is a good place to start. One of the UK’s most popular sex blogs, you’ll find sex news, real-life sex stories, illustrations and a whole load of other explicit content - all of which do not feature any physical videos.
And there’s plenty more where that came from, so if audio porn is of interest, you won’t fail to find something that holds your attention.
Do Some Research
As well as the recommendations above, doing your own research is just as important. Perhaps there’s a porn production company that releases some of your favourite content but you’ve never thought about whether they’re an ethical practice. If so, before you next plan on having some ‘me time’, be sure to check out the standard and philosophy of the company, and find out what their stance is on ethical practices.
A green light would be a company releasing BTS interviews with their performers on their website, including the consent process from actors before filming. Or, a video post-filming that documents the reaction of the performer once a scene or film has been recorded.
You should also look out for companies who actively promote ethical porn as well as produce it, as this covers their attitude on all aspects of the issue.
And if you want to double up and make sure that you’re contributing to the right porn production companies, there are some helpful websites out there that can provide you with the peace of mind you need. Made up of groups and professionals that are passionate about the promotion of ethical porn, the following sites have created their own databases and lists of resources for your pleasure:
Get Your Ethical Porn On
ICYMI, the days of mainstream porn and unfair and unsafe environments are over. Now, it’s all about ethical porn, and if you’re not on the bandwagon just yet, you’ll most definitely want to make the transition ASAP.