Whether ‘feminist porn’ can exist has been a question that has gained massive traction over the past few years.
A common complaint from a lot of women is that porn is blatantly misogynistic and glorifies the overt sexualisation of the female body. While this aspect of pornography has been a disturbing for several women and men alike, for survivors of sexual violence, the implications are far more dangerous.
Which is why London-based 28-year-old, Pavan Amara created The Clit List– an online database of feminist-friendly porn, erotic literature and information about masturbation. Amara is also the founder of My Body Back project, an organization that runs specialist health services including workshops for women who have experienced sexual violence, she tells The Quint.
Some of the women who came for our workshops wanted to watch porn, but they couldn’t, because it was so violent and misogynistic and often featured rape scenes. For women who had been raped, this was particularly damaging.Pavan Amara tells The Quint
Helping Women Regain Sexual Autonomy
Mainstream porn which reiterate tired tropes of a dominating man and a submissive woman can be sexually limiting, especially for females who have experienced sexual assault, in one way or another.
Narratives which normalise rape or assault under the garb of ‘sexy’ pornography can both, remind survivors of assault of their own experiences, and can trigger PTSD attacks.
The Clit List exists not only to help these women find sexually comforting porn, but also to initiate a conversation around physical autonomy.
By including porn that shows women as ‘active’ participants, receiving pleasure, instead of being reduced to the role of a ‘passive’ giver, or objectified creatures, the project is changing the idea of mainstream porn.
The Clit List isn’t just about porn though, it’s about women being able to have sex on your own terms, in every way. That’s especially important after experiencing sexual assault.
Although the database is currently limited, it’s a start towards giving women the visual pleasure they seek and the confidence to reclaim a sexual control over their bodies. “The idea is to help them explore sex and sexuality in a safe way,” she says.
She also adds that the response has been encouraging till now. “I hear from our team that we’ve been receiving lots of thank you emails,” she adds.
Why ‘Feminist’ Porn?
In an interview with The Huffington Post, manager of The Clit List, Ella Eora says that the project wants to destroy the perception that porn is a ‘man’s game’, which doesn’t cater to women’s pleasure. Amara adds that the website only includes things that have a “feminist ethos”.
The website, Amara says, includes “stuff that women can watch which are not misogynistic or violent.” But it has detailed reviews so women know in advance which sex acts are involved, and can accordingly make informed decisions.
It also contains sex toy reviews, tips, tutorials on masturbation, anything people tell us they wanted –but most of the media we’ve had has focused on the porn aspect. But that’s only one aspect. A lot of women don’t like porn. Therefore, what we intend to do, is give women resources for sex, especially women who have experienced violence.
The website operates on the concept of choice and consent. Apart from excluding anything that can be sexist or degrading, they also feature power dynamics like BDSM.
‘Not Challenging Global Attitudes on Women’s Sexuality’
Women’s vaginas have a clitoris. The clitoris has no other function than to provide sexual pleasure, so it’s natural that women should feel good. The Clit List is here to help them do that in whatever way they think is suitable for them.
Amara makes it clear that it’s not under their remit to challenge worldwide standards or attitudes on women’s sexuality.
Taking cognizance of the fact that everybody is different, as are their choices, their core aim is to “allow women to access materials for better masturbation, make informed sexual choices, and make their own judgement on what works for them and their vagina or not.”
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