The term “ethical porn” has been a hot button topic within the adult entertainment industry for years. But, what exactly does it mean? How can porn be ethical?
As an ethical porn company, we’ve laid out our guidelines for what makes our porn ethical.
1. Highlights the pleasure of all participants
If you’ve ever watched porn and thought, “There is no way she is that satisfied!”, then you may be watching content that disproportionately emphasizes pleasure. Too often in porn, the pleasure of non-male actors are either completely disregarded or clownishly exaggerated for those watching.
At afterglow, however, we focus on authenticity. The aim here isn’t just about sexual arousal, but more so about presenting real experiences that resonate with viewers. This includes showcasing genuine pleasure from all participants involved in their films – a refreshing departure from typical adult content.
2. No common porn tropes or fetishization
Inclusion sits at the heart of afterglow’s mission statement. But it doesn’t stop there. We’ve taken significant steps to banish any form of discrimination or fetishization within our site’s content – making sure everyone feels represented fairly.
No room exists for offensive tropes such as stepsiblings or MILFs; instead, focus lies firmly upon creating narratives that celebrate diversity without promoting hate speech based on race or sexual orientation.
This inclusive approach extends further than simply banning discriminatory depictions; it encapsulates every facet –from scriptwriting right down to casting decisions– ensuring comprehensive representation across board.
3. Ethical production
In line with its transparency principle, afterglow takes several proactive steps even before filming begins. It all starts by providing performers with scripts and detailed information about expected acts in advance. This process lets everyone involved know what they’re getting into beforehand. By setting clear expectations, we eliminate any potential for misunderstandings once on set.
Moving onto the actual production phase, autonomy becomes key. Performers at afterglow aren’t merely actors following directives; they have control over their actions and can stop filming anytime if something doesn’t feel right. Actors also must have 2257 documentation for all films, an adequate wage, and consent to their work being licensed.
4. Worker comfortability
In every production, performers create their own yes/no/maybe lists. This is a document where they specify which acts they are comfortable performing (the ‘yes’ list), which ones they absolutely won’t do (the ‘no’ list), and those that fall somewhere in between – the maybes.
Once these lists are completed by each performer separately, both parties then review them together before production starts. They discuss their boundaries openly—ensuring mutual understanding and respect for each other’s comfort zones.
This transparent communication sets an empowering tone from the very start—fostering trust among performers while also reinforcing ethical standards within our industry.
During production, if an act from a performer’s ‘maybe’ list is suggested, we can stop everything. We don’t proceed until there’s explicit agreement and comfort in moving forward with that particular activity. We firmly believe that everyone has the right to explore their boundaries at their own pace without feeling pressured or rushed.
Exploring ethical porn standards isn’t just a passing trend, it’s about reshaping an industry. afterglow was founded on the belief that a lot of porn is harmful, but doesn’t have to be. Rather than completely disregarding the power of porn, we believe it has the potential to prioritize your pleasure, fulfill your fantasies, and make you feel seen. (and, orgasms of course).
Interested in seeing what ethical porn looks like? Check out our films below!
60% of women are dissatisfied with their sex lives. We’re on a mission to change that.
What if you didn’t have to search to find a body that looks like yours, a sex act that turns you on, or a guided exercise that helps you tell your partner exactly what you’ve been craving?
What if YOUR pleasure came first?