Normalizing women’s sexuality and sexual freedom is still a work in progress. While the conversation has started, in many ways it’s only just begun. Women’s sexual liberation is about more than women having sex. It’s about how women are represented in the media, the role they play, and whether or not they are being objectified. It’s how women show up in porn, who is directing that porn, and how women are portrayed. Are they always submissive, are they consenting and are diverse groups of women shown? It’s about women’s rights to their own bodies and sexual freedom. This Women’s History (or as we like to call it, Herstory) month we are sharing some of the women in the sexual wellness industry who are paving the way toward a more liberated, safe, and sex-positive future for women.
ERIKA LUST
Erika Lust is the founder of Lust Cinema, one of the first women-owned, inclusive, feminist, and ethical porn productions in the world. She is an award-winning filmmaker who specifically makes porn from a woman’s perspective that is inclusive, diverse, and feminist. Erika has written various books including “Good Porn: A Woman’s Guide,” as well as being featured in the Netflix docu-series “Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On” (Women on Top). She believes in inclusive and informative sex education and has a Non-profit called, The Porn Conversation that provides resources and tools for families and educators to give “The Talk” in an inclusive and informative way to the younger generation. Talk about inspiring!
SCOTTY UNFAMOUS
Scotty Unfamous is a sex-positive influencer and educator who educates about sexual well-being, relationships, and pleasure. She discusses subjects that are rarely spoken about like sex toys, STIs, orgasms, sex tips, and more. Scotty Unfamous also makes a point of liberating women’s sexuality and is working to de-stigmatize the idea of being slutty. Her Instagram account has many tips, educational tools, interviews, and resources that are helping women feel free to be whomever they want on their sexual wellness journey. For more, check out her website here.
LAURA BORICHEVSKY
Laura Borichevsky is an “outdoorsy sex educator.” With an emphasis on connecting sex and nature, she was naturally the perfect person to work with when we created our Après Delight Good Lovin’ Field Guide. She has authored this guide all about sex and the outdoors. She also hosts her own podcast Sex Outside, where they discuss sex, gender, and love by looking at its connection with nature.
MICHELLE SHNAIDMAN
Michelle Shnaidman is the CEO and founder of Bellesa — the free, ethical porn site that many of us now know and love. She initially created Bellesa out of frustration, she’s explained in interviews that when she was to find ethical, feminist porn herself she was often bombarded with misogynistic ads and porn that are offensive and often times depict violence or false orgasms. Bellesa is a safe space for everyone to find porn without worrying about finding unethical, off-putting porn. Michelle created this space for all of us, and it’s making space for a new, feminist perspective on porn.
YASMIN BENOIT
Yasmin Benoit is a sex-positive influencer, model, and activist. As an open and proud asexual woman, she often talks about her sexuality and helps normalize the conversation around sex for asexual people. She started the UK’s first asexual rights initiative and educates about the asexual experience and discusses many questions people may ask about her sexuality and affirmed its existence. She is breaking ground by de-stigmatizing asexuality. Yasmin is also making waves as a lingerie and alternative model, as she is one of the only Black alternative models in the UK and she is working to create the path for other women, gender non-conforming, LGBTQIA+ people of color. For more, check out her website here.
Make sure you follow and support these leaders in the industry who are pushing the movement for women’s sexual liberation to continue and grow. For more on sex-positive people in the industry check out our blog on Sex-Positive Influencers. To start on your own sex-positive journey be sure to check out our blog on sex-positive products and how to watch ethical porn. Happy Women’s Herstory Month!