What is ETHICAL PORN ?
The definition of ETHICAL is : "relating to moral principles or the branch of knowledge dealing with these."
Which means it can mean many things as "ethics" are subjective. Moral codes and ethics can drastically vary between each individual, among different cultures and also person to person within the same culture.
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When it comes to porn (and sex work), currently there doesn’t seem to be a consensus on the definition of ethical porn. But the concept is used to indicate that the people working on porn films it are following some rules and perhaps an easier way to approach defining what ethical porn means would be to explore some of the elements that are commonly cited as criteria for ethical porn.
Actors are consensual participants:
- They are at least 18 years old,
- Their judgment is not impaired by drugs or alcohol,
- They are Not forced directly (e.g., physical threats of abuse, sex trafficking) or indirectly (e.g., mental health, substance addiction or financial distress), and
- They use prophylactics (because STI status can’t be guaranteed to be 100% accurate at the time of filming due to challenges with testing windows and results, informed consent about STI risk is compromised unless prophylactics are used).
- Actors are treated with respect:
- They are fairly compensated,
- They perform under reasonable work conditions (e.g., no 10-hour-a-day, 5-day shoots),
- Productions adhere to medical safety standards (e.g., STI testing, bondage best practices), and
- Sexual boundaries are protected (e.g., actors are not pressured to do anal or other acts if they don’t want to).
In 2021 an ethical chart became mandatory for porn productions in France. The rules are different in each countries. Even though it is mandatory there are still a lot of porn that is not respectful of consent, finding other ways to ego around these said rules.
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Other less common (but equally important) factors to consider when evaluating the ethicalness of porn include whether there is a good representation of diverse body types, race, gender and story plots. For some, porn is not ethical unless the erotic material attempts to highlight positive sexual images rather than reinforce negative stereotypes, such as an over reliance on altered bodies through surgeries (e.g., breast implants, labia reduction) or procedures (e.g., anal bleaching) or dehumanizing storylines (e.g., hostile sexism, racism). On the other hand, some advocates suggest that fantasy content should be disregarded when deciding if porn is ethical. They assert that pornography provides a non-threating sexual outlet and people should be free to explore “taboo” topics (e.g., rape, incest, gang bangs). They argue you can have ethical, kinky porn and, conversely, unethical, vanilla porn; therefore, content shouldn’t be the focus of evaluation. Taking this content-neutral argument further, some people suggest that ethical porn should focus on the actors’ pleasure and preferences, whatever the context, to provide a more realistic representation of sexual interactions.
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NOTE: part of this text is quoting the article here below:
What is Ethical Porn and Where Can I Find It?
Tonya McDaniel , MSW, LCSW, MED, ABD — Therapist, director of program development
Clitopatra's ethical porn
As a woman, lover of humans, I have a very strict concept of ethics, which I will not go away from as I don't see the point of creating porn if it is not fully healthy for the people involved, from conception to the result.
So here is the way I proceed. It will probably evolve with the growth of my work, but never at the detriment of anyone involved.
From Casting
It all start at the moment of choosing who to work with, so my process is very long and careful. - First I check if their ethical image seems to aline with mine. ​ - Then I take time to exchange (that can take weeks or months, as projects can take a while to see the light). ​ - During this exchange I explain how I work, what are the conditions of the potential project I have for them. I am transparent and want no surprise for them. - If these conditions fit I then take time to understand them: who they are, how they like to be portrayed. What are their tastes and personality traits. And of course what they like in performative sex. What they would like to do. What are their limits. What they struggle with. ​ - Based on this I will adjust the project to them, to be able to create something in which they can feel themselves, in full or in part. This is the only way to also hope to catch authenticity. ​ - When working with more than 1 performer, I have the same process for anyone else. And then check with each of them if the other's profile could be good for them. ​ - If there is an ok from all sides, then I organise for them to get to know each other (via messages and ideally meeting in person) to confirm that the feeling is good and mutual. That they are at ease with each other and that there is attraction. ​ - In parallel I ask for updates on what they agree (and don't agree) with together. And also check individually that they really feel ok. ​ You can see that this process is VERY LONG.
Result
When mounting the videos or films: I am mindful of what the performers have told me, if there are things they were worried about. ​ When finished I will show it to them first to have their approval. With the exception of the "avant première" projection nights, where I had the agreement from the performer for them to discover their film during projection. ​ Until now I have worked only on collaboration (shared content agreement). With how the videos or films will be used greed from the start. I don't have budgets for production yet nor am I making money from my work as Clitopatra. ​ In any case, to me it makes sens to check that the performers are ok with the result, as it is their image. So I will always find a way to check on it and adapt. ​ When I will finally be able to produce, my business plan is making sure that everyone is paid well, and my way of working will have to evolve. But I will always make the extra efforts (even if it requires a lot of extra work) to reach levels of ethics that I dream to see in the industry. ​
On set
Prior to the day of shooting we all make sure that exhaustive STD (sexually transmitted diseases) tests are done, and shared with everyone involved. ​​ My way of working, is the same way I am in life: CONSENT IS NOT NEGOCIABLE. A consent has an enormous range of subtlety. It is at the heart of my approach: ​ All involved are reminded that the project always includes free styling, which allows them to be comfortable at letting me know if there is a last minute problem, or change in what they can or want to do or not. I will always adjust to make sure the performer only do things they want/can to do and safely. I do all I can to make sure they feel free to tell me, safely. This will be greatly helped when I can afford a team in my projects, that will include an intimacy coordinator. ​ I prefer representing protected sexe, but if it is a real couple, or professionals that tells me they prefer to do it without protection (and I have the STD test results that shows it is safe), I will follow their decision. Including a disclaimer in my films. ​ I regularly check throughout the filming that they feel ok. ​ Then I try to become as invisible as possible, in order to leave them the space to try and forget my presence, in the hope of catching moments that are as authentic as possible. This varies as it also depends on the place we are in, and many other factors. ​ There is never an obligation to have an orgasm, nor fake pleasure. I invite them to communicate out loud, as it is a healthy way of having sexe in general and make sure we are understood. ​ I don't want anyone to feel the need to use anything to help them perform. If they can not perform, it is ok. Either I change the script, or we simply stop. ​ And there is always aftercare: checking after the shoot that they are ok. If there was problems that were not mentioned on the day, I will do all I can to make it right. And also will take it into account when mounting the film.
To the viewer
How am I mindful of the viewer: ​ - Doing everything I can to protect minors from viewing explicit content. Which also means not posting explicit content as marketing on social medias. Making sure all my communicative tools are set for adults only. And never play on bait marketing that could attract young people. No free porn. No presence on the free porn tubes. ​​ - My projects are about representing healthy human connections, authenticity, communication and careful consent. Sex that could be closer to reality. Not cutting parts that used to feel strange but that are the reality for all. ​ - In the long term (as every project takes time) I would like to represent all kind of sexuality: all kind of orientation, of practices (from soft, vanilla to BDSM), of ethnies, body types and ages, all kind of kinks. Always with the artistic vision I have, that will show that everyone is worthy of a great and beautiful pleasure life. ​