Ideas on Sexual Politics
Some light reading for the weekend. This article by Anna Arrowsmith explains her approach to making pornography for women, and why she believes her work to be empowering and affirming for both participants and viewers.
Before adult imagery can be condemned as exploitative in totality, there are a few things to consider. What about those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender? Representation of their sexuality and experience of sex was, for a long time, wholly inaccessible and they felt they lacked a cinematic identity. Now we have a thriving and inclusive media sector where people no longer feel like outsiders or imperfect by default. From business to arts to health; we are better informed than ever before. Maybe those who believe porn is all about women being exploited by men should watch some of the excellent dyke porn currently being made in the US. This is a gender group that was wholly unrepresented in any medium until a small number of filmmakers started to make their own films. The directors, crew and performers all come from their own community and are politically driven. They are making films for a very limited demographic but their work is allowing women to access a completely new representation of gender and sexuality that is empowering.
If I was her constituent, she would have my vote. You can read the rest of her essay Ideas on Sexual Politics here.
That was a truly excellent article. Thanks for pointing it out!
ReplyDeleteI particularly liked the contrast she makes between the constant use of sex and ideal body images with which we are assaulted in the mainstream media with the more realistic portrayal that can be found in the porn industry-- if one looks carefully.
Glad you enjoyed it! I'm heartened that this is a UK politician as well as pornographer - if were more people like her in Parliament I'm pretty sure the extreme porn legislation wouldn't have been passed in its current form.
ReplyDeleteI think she's bang on about body size - as the spanking industry demonstrates. Body positive studios are still in a big minority, but it's a smaller minority in porn than in mainstream advertising.
I would say she'd have my vote as well. It's so refreshing to read and hear open-mindedness and reason, along with a fresh perspective.
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