Can you be a feminist and enjoy porn?

09-20-2025👤 ThePornator🕒 14 min

The debate surrounding the compatibility of feminism and pornography consumption is as old as it is complex. On one hand, porn is often criticized for its exploitation of women, its gender stereotypes, and its contribution to a rape culture. On the other hand, some feminists claim their right to consume it, arguing that pleasure, sexual exploration, and even empowerment can be part of it. Between moral censorship and sexual freedom, where is the line? Can feminist commitment and an appetite for an industry often accused of misogyny be reconciled? This article explores the arguments of both sides, questions the nuances of the debate, and offers avenues for more ethical consumption.

1. Pornography, a Tool of Patriarchal Oppression?

Since the 1970s, the debate over pornography has divided feminist movements. For some theorists, like Andrea Dworkin or Catharine MacKinnon, porn is a pillar of women's oppression, an industry that reduces their bodies to objects of consumption and reinforces the most toxic gender stereotypes. Their central argument: mainstream pornography, by staging scenarios of male domination, female submission, and sometimes explicit violence, participates in the normalization of a culture where consent is often vague, if not absent.

The Objectification and Commodification of Bodies

In the majority of mainstream pornographic productions, women are represented as passive objects, whose role is limited to satisfying male desire. The repetitive scenes of aggressive penetration, forced fellatio, or "facials" (ejaculation on the face) — often without visible prior negotiation — send a clear message: female pleasure is secondary, if not non-existent. This dynamic reflects and fuels an unequal vision of sexual relations, where performance and submission take precedence over mutuality.

Studies by researchers like Gail Dines (author of Pornland) also highlight the link between the massive consumption of violent porn and the trivialization of coercive behaviors. For example, a meta-analysis published in Aggression and Violent Behavior (2015) showed that men regularly exposed to aggressive pornographic content were more likely to adopt misogynistic attitudes or downplay the importance of consent in their own sexual relationships.

Structural Exploitation in the Industry

Beyond the representations, the very functioning of the pornography industry is also a problem. Actresses — a majority of whom are women — are often subject to precarious working conditions:

• Unequal pay: Men (actors or directors) generally earn much more than women, even for similar roles.
• Pressure to accept extreme scenes: Some performers report vague contracts or pressure to shoot unprotected, painful, or degrading scenes (as in the case of "gonzo," a subgenre known for its lack of staging and its raw side).
• Stigmatization and precarity: Many actresses struggle to leave the industry due to social stigma, and some find themselves without support after their careers.

Cases like that of James Deen (accused of violence by several on-screen partners) or the revelations about filming conditions in studios like Brazzers have highlighted these abuses. In 2020, the documentary Money Shot: The Pornhub Story (Netflix) also revealed the extent of non-consensual content (revenge porn, rape videos) hosted on major platforms, despite their official policies.

Pornography and Rape Culture

Another major point of criticism concerns porn's influence on social norms. Surveys, such as one conducted by The Sun in 2019, revealed that 60% of young Britons aged 16 to 21 believe that porn has shaped their sexual expectations — with worrying consequences:

• Trivialization of violence: Practices like choking or degrading insults ("slut-shaming") are increasingly demanded by partners influenced by porn, sometimes without prior negotiation.
• Desensitization: The repetition of scenes where women seem to "like" being humiliated can create confusion between fiction and reality, especially among young viewers.

For abolitionist feminists, these elements prove that porn is not a simple "adult entertainment," but a tool of patriarchal socialization, which shapes desires and behaviors according to an unequal model.

 

2. Pornography as a Space of Freedom and Empowerment?

Faced with the radical critiques of abolitionist feminism, another voice rises: that of pro-sex and queer feminists, who refuse to see porn as a simple machine to oppress women. For them, pornography can also be a tool of emancipation, of reappropriation of desire, and even of subversion of patriarchal norms. This perspective, carried by authors like Gayle Rubin or Ellen Willis, considers that sexual pleasure — including through explicit content — is a fundamental right, and that moralistic censorship can itself become a form of oppression.

Pro-Sex Feminism: The Right to Pleasure Without Guilt

Since the 1980s, the pro-sex movement has emerged in reaction to puritanical discourse, including within feminism. Its proponents, like Betty Dodson or Susie Bright, defend the idea that female sexuality should not be framed by shame or fear. For them, consuming or producing porn can be an act of resistance:

• Destigmatization of female desire: For a long time, women's sexuality was denied or confined to reproduction. Porn, even if imperfect, allows for the exploration of fantasies and breaks the taboo of solitary or lesbian pleasure.
• Bodily autonomy: Choosing to show one's body or to look at erotic images is a matter of individual freedom, provided that this choice is consensual and informed.

Directors like Erika Lust (founder of Lust Cinema) or Petra Joy have built their careers on productions where female pleasure is central, far from the clichés of submission. Their films stage diversified scenarios (non-normative bodies, queer relationships, disabilities, etc.) and insist on enthusiastic consent.

Feminist and Ethical Pornography: A Possible Alternative?

Unlike mainstream porn, some platforms and studios explicitly claim to be feminist, ethical, or queer. Their specificities:

• Scenarios focused on mutual pleasure: No systematic "money shot" (facial ejaculation), but female orgasms filmed without deceptive editing.
• Diversity of bodies and desires: Representation of racialized, fat-shaming, trans, or non-binary people, who are often absent from traditional porn.
• Transparent filming conditions: Clear contracts, fair wages, and the presence of intimacy coordinators (as in mainstream cinema) to ensure the well-being of the performers.

Sites like:

• Dipsea (feminist erotic audio),
• Make Love Not Porn (a collaborative platform where couples share their own consensual videos),
• PinkLabel.tv (queer and inclusive porn), show that another way is possible. These initiatives prove that porn can be a medium of liberation, provided its codes are rethought.

Testimonies of Women in the Industry: Between Choice and Constraints

Some actresses, like Stoya or Gigi Engle, have publicly defended their profession, emphasizing that they find financial autonomy and creative power in it. Stoya, for example, co-wrote Naked Ambition, a book in which she explains how porn allowed her to free herself from social norms while earning a good living. Others, like Lena Paul, insist on the importance of distinguishing exploitation from chosen sex work.

However, these voices must not mask the darker realities of the industry. Even in "ethical" porn, questions persist:

• Who really has the power? (Male directors still largely dominate.)
• Is consent always fully free in a capitalist system that pushes for performance?
• How to avoid feminism-washing? (Some studios use the "feminist" label as a marketing argument without changing their practices.)

Pornography as a Tool for Activism

Beyond pleasure, some productions use porn as a political medium. For example:

• Queer porn (like that of Shine Louise Houston) deconstructs genres and shows non-heterocentric sexualities.
• Post-porn (an artistic movement of the 2000s) plays with codes to reveal their absurdity, as in the films of Annie Sprinkle.
• Erotic documentaries (The Feminist Porn Book, 2013) question the boundaries between art, activism, and industry.

 

3. Towards a Feminist Consumption of Pornography?

If mainstream porn is a problem, a question arises: how to consume it ethically and femininely? Between total boycott and blind consumption, is there a third way? For feminists who refuse to give up pleasure while rejecting exploitation, the answer lies in a critical and selective approach, based on clear criteria and active support for alternatives.

The Criteria of "Feminist-Compatible" Pornography

For pornographic content to be aligned with feminist values, several elements must be taken into account:

• Explicit and visible consent: The scenes must show a clear negotiation of practices, without pressure or coercion. Platforms like Make Love Not Porn insist on the importance of filming the preliminary discussions between partners, which demystifies the idea that "spontaneous" sex does not require communication.

• Fair representation of pleasures: Feminist porn highlights the pleasure of women and marginalized people (queer, trans, racialized, fat-shaming). The scenes avoid clichés of systematic submission and explore varied dynamics (female dominance, mutuality, etc.). For example, the films of Erika Lust or Nica Noelle (for Adult Time) often integrate non-simulated female orgasms and scenarios focused on women's desire.

• Ethical production conditions: This means favoring studios that guarantee:

  • Transparent contracts and fair pay for all performers.
  • A safe filming environment, with the presence of intimacy coordinators (as in the traditional film industry) and respect for physical and psychological boundaries.
  • A diversity of bodies and identities, far from heteronormative and white standards.

• Absence of non-negotiated violence: BDSM or extreme practices may exist, but they must be consensual, framed, and explained (for example, through interviews with the performers before or after the scenes).

Where to Find Ethical Pornography?

Fortunately, alternatives exist for those who want to support a more just industry:

• Feminist and queer platforms:

  • Lust Cinema (Erika Lust): Realistic scenarios, diversity of bodies, and a clearly feminist editorial line.
  • Dipsea: Erotic audio content focused on female pleasure, with inclusive narratives.
  • PinkLabel.tv: Queer, trans, and non-binary porn, where the performers are also often the directors.
  • Four Chambers: A studio that mixes art and eroticism, with poetic and consensual scenes.

• Participatory and amateur pornography:

  • Make Love Not Porn: A platform where couples share their own videos, with an emphasis on authenticity and consent.
  • OnlyFans (some accounts): Some creators use this platform to produce ethical content, controlling their own image and income.

• Resources for information:

  • The book The Feminist Porn Book (2013) explores the political and aesthetic issues of feminist porn.
  • The documentary The Price of Pleasure (2008) questions the social impacts of mainstream porn, while presenting alternatives.

Self-reflection: How to Consume Critically?

Beyond the choice of platforms, a feminist consumption of porn involves a constant questioning of one's own habits:

• Analyzing your preferences:

  • Why do certain scenarios excite us? Do they reproduce unequal power dynamics?
  • How to distinguish a fantasy (which can be explored in a healthy way) from a normalization of violence?

• Financially supporting committed creators: Ethical porn is often paid, unlike free tubes (like Pornhub) which monetize exploitation. Paying for fair content is a political act.

• Educating and discussing: Talking about porn with one's partners, friends, or in activist spaces allows for the deconstruction of stereotypes and the sharing of resources.

• Boycotting problematic platforms: Campaigns like #TraffickingHub have highlighted non-consensual content on sites like Pornhub. Prioritizing alternatives (like Erika’s Podcast or Femme Filth) is a way to put pressure on the industry.

The Limits and Challenges

Despite these advances, obstacles persist:

• Accessibility: Ethical porn often remains more expensive and less visible than the mainstream.
• The risk of feminism-washing: Some studios use the "feminist" label for marketing purposes, without changing their practices. It is therefore necessary to verify the sources (read the manifestos of the directors, watch the interviews of the performers).
• Social pressure: In a world where violent porn is the norm, choosing ethical content can seem "boring" or marginal. However, it is precisely by normalizing these alternatives that mindsets will evolve.

 

4. The Persistent Paradox: Pleasure vs. Ethics

The debate around feminist porn reveals a fundamental tension: how to reconcile immediate desire — often shaped by decades of mainstream porn — with a demanding ethic? Even with critical consumption and support for alternatives, this paradox remains. On the one hand, pleasure is a legitimate right, a form of resistance against sexual repression. On the other hand, the pornography industry, in its majority, perpetuates dynamics of exploitation and violence. How to navigate between these two poles without falling into hypocrisy or renunciation?

Pleasure in a World Shaped by Mainstream Porn

Most porn consumers have been socialized with images where male domination, symbolic violence, and the objectification of women are the norm. Detaching one's desire from these toxic representations is not immediate:

• The effect of habit: The brain, accustomed to specific stimuli (like scenes of submission or violence), can take time to find pleasure in slower, more egalitarian, or consent-focused content.
• Social pressure: In a world where violent porn is omnipresent (and often free), choosing ethical alternatives can seem "less exciting" or marginal. However, it is precisely by re-educating one's desire — just as one relearns to eat healthily after an industrial diet — that one can transform one's consumption.

Sexologists like Emily Nagoski (author of Come as You Are) emphasize that desire is malleable: by exposing oneself to more diversified and respectful representations, one can progressively redefine what excites them. This, however, requires a conscious effort, because mainstream porn, like junk food, is designed to be addictive.

Collective Responsibility: Beyond Individual Consumption

While ethical consumption is a first step, it is not enough to change an entire industry. Acting as a feminist in the field of porn also means engaging collectively:

• Supporting committed creators: Buying subscriptions on platforms like Lust Cinema or PinkLabel.tv, sharing their work on social media, or participating in crowdfunding campaigns (like those of The Crash Pad Series, a queer and inclusive porn series).
• Demanding industry regulation: Campaigning for laws protecting sex workers (like FOSTA-SESTA in the United States, although controversial, raised questions about online safety), or supporting organizations like The Adult Performer Advocacy Committee (APAC), which fights for the rights of actresses and actors.
• Educating and deconstructing: Talking about ethical porn in one's entourage, organizing workshops or discussions (like those offered by associations like Osez le Féminisme! or Le Planning Familial), or even writing articles — like yours! — to raise awareness.

The paradox is that ethical porn remains a niche market, often financially or geographically inaccessible. Yet, it is by normalizing these alternatives — by talking about them, consuming them, financing them — that we can hope to shift the lines.

Pornography as a Mirror of Our Contradictions

This debate reveals a broader truth: our relationship with porn is a reflection of our contradictions about desire, power, and freedom. We want pleasure without exploitation, transgression without violence, freedom without oppression. But in a society where capitalism and patriarchy structure our desires, these ideals are difficult to achieve.

Some feminists, like Audre Lorde, recalled that "the master's tools will never dismantle the master's house." Applied to porn, this means that reforming the industry from within is a long-term fight, which requires radically rethinking power relations, the ownership of the means of production, and even our relationship to pleasure.

Towards a Liberated... and Liberating Sexuality?

So, can one be a feminist and love porn? Yes, but on the condition of refusing passivity. This implies:

• A critical consumption: Choosing one's sources, questioning one's desires, and accepting that pleasure can evolve.
• An active commitment: Supporting alternatives, campaigning for rights, and refusing to finance exploitation.
• A constant questioning: Recognizing that even "ethical" content is not perfect, and remaining vigilant against feminism-washing.

Ultimately, the real challenge is not to choose between "for" or "against" porn, but to transform it into a space where desire rhymes with respect — for both performers and consumers. As the feminist Bell Hooks said: "Feminism is not about taking away our pleasure, but about allowing us to have a pleasure that is our own."

 

Loving porn while claiming to be a feminist is not a contradiction in itself, but a permanent tension between pleasure and responsibility. While the mainstream industry remains largely problematic, the emergence of ethical content and the diversification of voices (especially feminist and queer) open up possibilities for reappropriation. The key lies in a critical consumption: choosing one's sources, demanding ethical standards, and refusing to normalize exploitation. Ultimately, the real challenge is not to choose between "for" or "against," but to transform porn into a space where desire rhymes with respect — for both performers and consumers.