If you’re wondering what ethical porn is and where to watch it, you’re not alone. Conversations sparked by the existence of platforms like OnlyFans and Bellesa.co are changing the way people think about and consume porn.

What is Ethical Porn?

Not all porn that is legally produced is considered ethical porn. Ethical pornography implies that the production, distribution and consumption of the porn in question is imbued with an ethical code of conduct at all three stages. Here’s a handy checklist that defines ethical porn:

✓ Made safely and with the consent of all involved parties (both behind and in front of the camera)

✓ Respects the rights, autonomy, and comfort of the performers + filmmakers with fair working conditions and adequate compensation

✓ Celebrates sexual diversity and doesn’t enforce harmful stereotypes about varied gender and racial identities

✓ Is sourced and created without the involvement of piracy

✓ Is consumed in a manner which helps fairly compensate the producers of this content

Wait, consumption of porn needs to be ethical too?
Yes! Choosing to seek out ethical porn is a better choice you can make in an industry that is rife with exploitation. We pay for the labour that people do at their jobs: we can hold sex workers to the same standards. Not only does ethical porn ensure that the people behind the content are treated fairly, it also helps you practise and respect consent: you are what you consume, and choosing to consume ethical porn can positively impact your own relationship with sex.

How do I know if the porn I’m watching is ethical?
It can be pretty hard to 100% know that the porn you are consuming is unproblematic, but there’s a few green flags you can look out for.

✓ If there’s a paywall, that’s usually a good sign. That means that the platform is only allowing access to their content once it is paid for fairly, so that they can compensate their employees.

✓ If it has clearly been made in a safe environment that treats performers with respect. Does it have multiple takes, with a full cast and crew? Does everyone on screen look like they have consented to be filmed?
✓ Less drama, more reality. Ethical porn often showcases more realisitc depictions of sex: there’s a lot less fake orgasms, and if there’s people with vaginas involved, the trajectory of the video actually caters to how their body works, as opposed to being manufactured for the male gaze.