Sunday, Jun 13, 2004    Text size: 

Founded two years ago by Holly Moss of HMoss Consulting, the not-for-profit organization has been swift in its goal to create a first-ever infrastructure for women representing all aspects of the adult entertainment industry.

The board, which includes Moss; Lori of XBiz; Brittany Andrews of Britco Pictures; Joan Irvine of Adult Sites Against Child Pornography; marketing guru Rainey Stricklin; and many more accomplished women in the adult industry, spent an hour with Cybernet attendees reviewing WIA’s goals, its mission, and how it hopes to empower women professionals.

“Women are the core of this industry,” said XBizLori, who also served as moderator. “They represent both the content as well as the other side of this business, the sales and marketing, the distribution. They work for the men in this industry to help build their businesses successfully. It is time for women in adult to have a presence, to have a voice.”

Still in its infancy, according to XBizLori and other board members, WIA is on the cusp of building a substantial organization that can help provide networking and support services for women in adult. WIA also seeks to build strong alliances through numerous services and professional opportunities, including an online member directory, industry discounts and incentives, and special events for the adult community.

“When I started in this business seven years ago there were hardly any other professional women,” said Moss. “I felt a void of support for women in this industry.”

Irvine added that historically the adult industry has been male-oriented and that women were merely considered “talent.”

“It is very important that these women are supported,” said Irvine. “We need a venue where women can connect and share information, similar to the way in which men tend to network and share trade secrets.”

“We’re here to help pass information on to one another in a safe environment,” Irvine said. “A lot of times you can’t do that sort of thing at work, and that’s what WIA is here to provide. It’s political, it’s learning how to move forward and realize your professional goals.”

“Everybody knows that a huge part of this business is about building relationships,” said Stricklin. “You can have all the great content in the world, but without contacts, it’s really hard to get anywhere.”

Andrews, who brings her years as an adult film star and now a producer and director to the WIA table, feels that there is a need to raise awareness regarding talent, what their needs are, and the issue of treatment and respectability on film sets.

XBizLori added that one of WIA’s purposes is also to face some of the looming issues currently facing this industry, like HIV, free speech, and infusing some of the classically male-oriented aspects of the adult world with a female perspective. WIA is also working to build alliances with the Free Speech Coalition and the Adult Industry Medical Health Care Foundation.

WIA board members put out an official call to the audience to support WIA, both to men and women of the industry, and for companies with female employees to encourage them to become members.

“We’re all related to each other either on-camera or off,” added Moss.

Moss and XBizLori concluded the panel by thanking all of the sponsors who have made generous donations to WIA and who have enabled the newfound organization to print their signature hot-pink brochures, put on cocktail parties at webmaster events, and afford booth space.

WIA sponsors include Netbilling, VS Media, ePassporte, XBiz, TopBucks, XXXCash, and Mansion.