WTF Is Ethical Porn? A New Wave of Spicy Content Auteurs

Porn is an entirely natural way to explore your sexuality and your body. You can watch it with a partner, enjoy it solo, or accidentally open the NSFW tab in your browser while trying to show your best friend pictures from your most recent trip to Provincetown.

Too specific? Let's move on…

Despite all the pleasure it brings, the ethics of porn and the porn industry are, for lack of a better word, sketchy. That won't stop people from consuming porn; go to any porn site and see how many views the videos rack up. There's absolutely no way those numbers are slowing down any time soon.

Ethical porn asks: What if we didn't look to lower those numbers but instead divert them to productions that don’t take advantage of the actors?

If you’re anything like us, you can’t get it up unless you’re sure everyone involved is receiving fair pay and safe working conditions. That means ethical porn isn't just necessary — it's inevitable (kinda like your orgasm whenever you see that guy do that one thing). 

What is ethical porn?

Ethical porn is consensually made pornography where everyone involved is paid fairly for their work. Performers and filmmakers alike are treated with respect, and it's a much more comfortable work environment for all.

Ethical porn is also usually more realistic or possibly even artistic. It tends to serve those interested in watching real people experience genuine pleasure. It's a revolutionary approach to an age-old art form that promotes sex positivity, one explosive orgasm at a time.

Not that the people in traditional porn aren't real, but there's an artifice to it that doesn't exist within ethical porn. There's a noticeable difference between the two, with ethical porn being more creative and unique. It avoids reducing people to poles and holes (unless that's the vibe, in which case they'll still do it ethically).

Independent porn production companies are the catalyst behind this movement. In contrast, some traditional porn companies are well behind the curve and produce porn that doesn't fit any of the ethical porn criteria.

These adult films aren't just for the male gaze, either. Ethical creators produce content for all kinds of viewers across sexualities and gender identities. It's a refreshing change of pace from the norm, especially if you're someone with a vagina who's tired of sifting through videos of women squirting impossible volumes of liquid.

Work before you jerk: Do your research

We should take a sec to mention that ethical porn isn't precisely defined the same by everyone in the industry. A platform can say it’s on the up-and-up, but slapping the word “ethical” in front of porn and calling it a day doesn't necessarily mean they're inclusive or paying everyone on set a fair wage.

You can ensure the porn you consume is actually ethical by reviewing the website. A company that genuinely cares about ethics will be forthcoming with its business practices. You can also do your research online; Google is a fantastic tool to see what people are saying about these websites and if they're really serving what they say they are.

Clean conscience, dirty mind: How to find ethical porn

So, what does porn need to include to be considered ethical? Let's look at some of the hallmarks of fair trade smut:

1. It costs money

First, the bad news: Nothing in the world is free. Platforms that produce ethical porn will generally charge a regular or per-video fee. They need to pay their adult film stars and filmmakers a fair wage, after all.

Unfortunately, porn isn’t guaranteed to be ethical just because you’re paying to access content. Many subscription-based porn studios pay their performers the bare minimum and pocket the rest. But if it’s free, that’s rarely a good sign.

Clips of traditional porn spread like wildfire through a multitude of websites. And although it could theoretically expose viewers to porn actors they wouldn't otherwise know about, at no point do these actors see returns from these views. This alone makes it pretty unethical.

2. Performers give enthusiastic consent

Ethical porn is created and shared consensually. That rules out revenge porn, which is a sex crime, not an entertainment medium. But consent is also a tricky topic in traditional porn.

Performers often face pressure to perform certain acts or enter risky situations. And even when they agree and deliver an Oscar-worthy performance, you can usually tell when their heart isn’t in it. In ethical porn, performers are treated with respect. Their comfort and pleasure are of the utmost importance.

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3. Diversity is emphasized

Ethical porn is also beautifully diverse. It doesn't discriminate based on race, age, sexuality, ability, or body size.

Ethical porn producers understand that inclusivity is sexy, and it's vital to see people who look like you having sex. It can jumpstart those good feelings, reminding you you're a sexual, sensual human being who deserves to explore your erotic side, no matter what walk of life you come from.

4. It’s feminist

This might not seem relevant to Grindr’s target demo, but it’s important nonetheless. Ethical porn's origin story springs from the desire to fill a niche for people with vaginas.

Not to overgeneralize, but a lot of the hetero male-dominated porn doesn't consider the woman’s pleasure. Sex is treated as an act that men do to women instead of with them. Foreplay (and lube) are often forgotten. Fortunately, the shift toward female-friendly porn benefits everyone since scenes (even gay ones) are shot with realism and mutual pleasure in mind.

Ethical porn promises to deliver sex: the unabridged version. It shows you what sex is actually like: messy, silly, awkward at times, but also passionate and beautiful. And what could possibly be hotter than realism?

Ethical porn websites

Now that you're starting to get really excited (and because you want to make a difference, of course), it's time for us to reveal the websites that pay your faves a fair, honest wage to show hole. Don't forget to bookmark these steamy sites (and our list while you're at it).

PinkLabel

If there was one ethical porn site worth visiting for the queer folks out there, it's PinkLabel. These films combine inclusivity with perversion in an effortless way that will make you rock hard.

Whether you like polyamorous play sessions or creative sex toy applications, there's something for everyone on PinkLabel. You might want to start with their “boygasms” category. These are all about masculine sex appeal and run the gamut from romantic, intimate porn to the ball-slapping ethical gay porn goodness that'll get you there every time.

Dipsea

Let's take a hard left and go from oral to aural. As an ethical porn website dedicated to audio porn fantasies, Dipsea is all about finding ways to get all hot and bothered during your morning commute. Plus, roughly a quarter of the content is geared toward queer audiences.

All voice actors and writers are well-paid, and the monthly subscription doesn't cost much more than the bottle of lube you'll desperately need once you start listening.

Kink.com

Sometimes, things need no explanation — like Kink.com. This ethical porn platform is for those who are dying for a place that highlights fetishes and BDSM without any shame. Frankly, it's a full-blown kink celebration — especially if you're a person of color, since their catalog focuses on inclusivity within the scene. Head on over there and get yourself some sexy new punishment ideas for the submissive top you've been hooking up with. 

Make Love Not Porn

Some people — like 50 Cent, perhaps — are into having sex. They're not into making love. But many of us sexual creatures find that porn doesn't have enough romance or intimacy.

This website features real sex with real couples and individuals. You get to see people in their most intimate moments, worshiping and enjoying each other's bodies in a way you oddly never get to see on the Bait Bus. 

Bright Desire

Bright Desire hones in on a particular element of sex: the emotions we associate with it. Desire is one of them, but what about joy? Excitement? Nervousness? That feeling like maybe, just maybe, this is the one?

Okay, even we're getting a little hot just thinking about how that scene would look.

All the videos on this site are about sexual exploration; there's no script, virtually no direction, and nothing but total freedom for people to go at it in ways that make them feel sexy and empowered. 

Guilt-free gooning is just a dick…er, click away

With the surge of ethical porn sweeping our computer and phone screens, it's never been a better time to get behind (or on top of) a good cause. So do your part and fap to the content that pays performers their due. 

Porn is great and all, but sometimes it just doesn't scratch that erotic itch, no matter how ethical it is. In these instances, it's time to get on Grindr and see if you can recreate your favorite scenes with a cute guy down the street.

Download the Grindr app today. Or, since you're likely already on your laptop with at least one hand free, use Grindr Web to find your next horny hottie.