Hardly anyone (excluding prudish types) bats an eye at the idea of women purchasing vibrators or consuming pornography anymore, but this wasn’t always the case. The sex industry was largely male-dominated for decades after its emergence, and female sexuality was even once looked at as a medical problem (fuck off, “hysteria”).
We’ve come a long way since then, much thanks to the work of women who’ve told the patriarchy to go fuck itself while we fuck ourselves. From breaking barriers to celebrating those who break them, these ladies made the world of sex a safer, more enjoyable space for women from all walks of life.
When it comes to careers in sexuality, it’s hard to find one Joani Blank didn’t touch on. In 1977 she founded America’s first female-focused sex shop, Good Vibrations. Her decision to open up the woman-centric sex boutique stemmed from her time as a therapist (alongside renowned sex therapist Lonnie Barbach) counseling women who had difficulty reaching orgasm. She discovered that many patients were hesitant to purchase sex toys because of the typically seedy, sketchy vibe of most sex shops. Blank made erotic toys and accessories more accessible to these women by creating a more comfortable environment and using discreet packaging for products.
Blank made a bevy of contributions to female sexuality and sex-positivity both before and after launching Good Vibrations. In 1975 she established a sex-positive publishing company, Down There Press, where several of her own books were published, such as “The Playbook for Kids about Sex.” Blank also invented the very first hands-free vibrator, the Butterfly. A true sexual pioneer, Blank was also the proud owner of a vintage vibrator collection, which can now be found at San Francisco’s Antique Vibrator Museum.
Jeannie Pepper joined the adult industry in 1982 when Black erotic actors were few and far between. It was more than her innate star power that prompted her career in porn, though. On entering the field, Pepper said, “We are always seeing white people have sex. We wanted to see some Black people having sex . . . I wanted to be part of history.” And part of history she is; in 1997, Pepper became the first Black pornstar inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame. That’s not the only barrier Pepper broke, either; in 2002, she was recognized in a private event for reaching 20 years in the porn industry, which at the time was the longest spanning career of any Black pornstar.
Pepper lent her acting talents to industries outside of pornography with brief appearances in a few pieces of non-erotic media such as Tupac Shakur’s “How Do You Want It?” music video in 1996 and the Jon Lovitz film, “High School High” that same year. With over 200 adult film credits to her name, mentions in academic essays and books regarding Black women and sexuality, and a few mainstream appearances under her belt, Jeannie Pepper made a mark in more than just the world of porn.
Once erotic actress Candida Royalle went from pornstar to pornographer when she opened up her own company, Femme Productions, in 1984. In addition to being the founder, Royalle acted as a director and producer for Femme Productions to create female-centric erotic films that arouse without objectifying.
Femme Productions expanded its positive impact on pornography with the introduction of “Femme Chocolat” in 2007, a line of high-quality porn films directed by women of color that featured far more ethnic diversity in the cast than most pornos did at the time. The reason behind Femme Chocolat’s conception was to produce erotic films featuring and for people of color that didn’t rely on fetishization or stereotypes.
Many people consider Royalle the pioneer of feminist porn. Royalle didn’t just make waves in the sex industry, though; she was widely respected in sexology and psychology communities, too, being asked to speak at highly regarded events and institutions like the American Psychiatric Association’s national conference and Princeton University. She also had the honor of being the first pornographic filmmaker invited to join Counselors and Therapists and the American Association of Sex Educators.
Chanelle Gallant concocted the idea for the Feminist Porn Awards in 2006 when she was acting manager of a feminist sex shop, Good For Her. Inspired by (or uninspired by) the lack of diversity she found when purchasing porn for her store, Gallant decided that the erotic artists who were doing it right should get the appropriate recognition, and thus the Feminist Porn Awards were born.
The Feminist Porn Awards (eventually called the Toronto International Porn Festival) rewarded inclusivity and ethical standards in the industry, with the organization describing feminist porn as “[including] the ethics of fair [labor] practices and working conditions, respect for performers, and offering choices of kinds of sex that they wish to have. It strives to appeal to women and trans folk of all varieties as well as men, who also often appreciate the alternative option.”
The awards themselves were extremely feminist (and clever!) in nature. Called “The Emmas,” a take on the Emmys meant to honor sex-positive feminist Emma Goldman, Gallant chose an anal toy as the award because it’s a sexual pleasure item that doesn’t discriminate based on gender identity, sexual orientation, or sex — ass toys are an equal opportunity orgasm aid if you will.
No longer do men rule the world of sex. Both in consumption and production, ladies are doing it for themselves these days. Though there’s still work to be done, women owning their sexuality has never been more widely accepted, a societal change made possible by the gumption and hard work of trailblazers like the ones listed above. To all the women of the past, present, and future furthering equality in sex and beyond: we salute you!