CYBERSPACE—Prominent members of the adult entertainment industry are calling B.S. on Tuesday’s anti-porn resolution signed by Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert. The resolution states porn creates “a sexually toxic environment,” and labels it as “a public health hazard leading to a broad spectrum of individual and public health impacts and societal harms.” Countering the claims, many in the adult industry are pointing the finger at Utah’s poor sex education as the real culprit for the state’s top ranking in 2015 regarding incidences of sexual violence.
“Just when you think it’s 2016, and we are progressing as a society, Utah goes and does something like this,” stated Jessica Drake, a popular sex educator and contract performer/director for adult studio Wicked Pictures. “Once again, the Utah government is rejecting all attempts for the state to move beyond an archaic abstinence-only sex education, when it’s continually proven there is a direct link between abstinence-only programs and increased sexual violence.”
Part of the resolution recognizes “the need for education,” yet in February, a Utah House panel blocked a bill to reform the state’s sex education policies. Time and again, sexual violence is reported to have the highest rates in states offering abstinence-only sex education as the state standard. The programs contribute primarily by ignoring sexual violence, rather than clearly defining sexuality and consent.
Alaska, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, and South Dakota were all ranked as five of the top six states in 2012 for reported rapes per 100,000 people. (Note: The study does not account for all forms of sexual assault and violence.) All five states have abstinence-only state standards for sex education. The Senate in Alaska, which has reported the highest number of rape, passed a bill in February banning Planned Parenthood. California, which houses the porn industry, and was one of the first states to adopt an affirmative consent sex education curriculum, has one of the lowest reports of rape.
There is no statistical correlation between high porn consumption and an increase in sexual violence or rape. In fact, an article in Scientific American Mind even details how porn viewing may deter sexual violence.
The Utah resolution also claims that porn as “addictive” and treats women as “objects and commodities for the viewer’s use.”
“Anti-porn groups continually denounce porn as addictive, yet the majority of their research is backed by the Mormon Church,” said Jeff Dillon, vice president of business development for eLine.com and its adult e-tail site, GameLink.com. “Their data is extremely selective and is contrary to what scientists and behaviorists around the world are reporting. Utah is ignoring the real issue with their attack against adult entertainment.”
Last year, GameLink.com launched a campaign called Porn Sparks Lovewww.PornSparksLove.com, which counters anti-porn rhetoric with real accounts of porn viewers.
“Hearing about pointless policies and biased agendas get me really riled up,” stated Brooke, an adult industry veteran who is making a return to performing after time off to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree and start a family. “My marriage is stronger than ever because of my previous time performing and exploring my sexuality, as well as my decision to return to the industry. Porn didn’t kill our love, and I don’t believe it kills any love. Lack of communication and secrets kill love and ruin lives."
“Porn isn’t addictive,” reported clinical psychologist David Rey in a recent interview with Rewire News. “It isn’t even harmful for the overwhelming majority of users. Fewer than one percent of porn users experience negative effects from their porn use, but ten percent of people are afraid of their porn use. The message here is that porn isn’t addictive—but fear might be.”
Regarding the allegations of porn’s objectification of women, Angie Rowntree, female adult entertainment director and creator of Sssh.com, explained, “The adult entertainment industry is a reflection of society. Sure you can make a case for misogynistic films, but look at the decade they were produced and what the prevalent ideology was. The last twenty years has really been a shift in the industry. There are so many great films starring or directed by empowered, intelligent women, and there is nothing objectifying about it.”
Angie’s husband, Colin Rowntree, founded BDSM site Wasteland.com.
“The irony about Utah’s resolution citing societal damage leading to ‘difficulty in forming or maintaining intimate relationships’ is that the practice of BDSM in porn movies or real life is built entirely on trust, honesty, and real communication in couples," he said. "That’s a foundation any relationship should strive to have.”
“I want people to see my movies and realize that a woman is in control of her own sexual destiny,” said adult filmmaker Jacky St. James. “There is a freedom and empowerment derived from exploring your sexuality, and denying that we are sexual beings is a really backwards notion.”
Signed in conjunction with Utah’s proposal is a bill introducing new laws about reporting child pornography. “It’s important to distinguish the difference between legal, consensual porn movies made by adults, for adults, from disgusting, illegal acts of sex trafficking and child pornography,” said Dillon. “I support any law that helps put an end to child porn, but it is upsetting when lawmakers try to bundle our industry in with criminals.”
“Porn is about promoting healthy sexuality,” added Drake. “Repression and lack of education are what actually create a toxic sexual environment.”
For more information about Jessica Drake and Wicked Pictures, visit GuideToWickedSex.com or Wicked.com.
For more information about Jeff Dillon and GameLink, visit GameLink.com.
For more information about Angie Rowntree and Sssh.com, visit Sssh.com/press.
For more information about Colin Rowntree and WasteLand.com, visit Wasteland.com/Responsive/press.html.
For more information about Jacky St. James, visit JackyStJames.com.
For more information about Brooke, visit NewBrookeBrand.com.
