opinion

Adult Industry Critics & Myths

In one of my previous blog posts, I suggested that those who focus their efforts around casting the adult industry in a negative light need to instead put their efforts towards real issues and problems in society today. I stand by that post, but with the recent false accusations made by Morality in Media about our industry, I was reminded that the adult industry needs to play an active role in dispelling the misconceptions spread by such critics as much as possible.

There are a number of respected voices from within the industry who do get out there and speak positively about the adult industry, and who try to counter the myths, misconceptions and outright lies that get spread around by our industry’s harshest critics. A few recent great examples:

John Stagliano - Response to “Pornography Harms”

Anna Span, Johnny Anlais, Jessi Fischer - Winning the porn debate at Cambridge

Mark Kernes – Morality in Media’s Latest Lies on Porn and Sex Trafficking

Joan Irvine- They’re Back, But they Never Went Away

Ron Jeremy- Representing the industry in Porn Debate at church

When it comes to this sort of ‘push-back’ against the unfair and untrue claims leveled at our industry, it’s a case of the “more the merrier;” the more each of us individually speaks out, whether casually or in an official capacity while representing our respective companies, the better it is for our industry as a whole. When we don’t, and the claims made by our critics go unchallenged, the impact of their false claims might not be immediately obvious, but it is there.

Just this week, two non-adult business acquaintances of mine inquired about some things they had read (and must have believed, at least to some extent) about our industry, including Morality in Media’s statement that 90% of sex workers are have been forced into sex work against their will.

In response to their questions, I told these acquaintances the real (and real mundane) details of how adult content production takes place, from dealing with modeling agencies, to AIM testing, model releases, 2257 documentation, legal review by our attorneys, and so on. I emphasized that adult production companies are law-abiding entities, who not only adhere to industry-specific regulations like 2257, but also comply with all the same requirements that any other manner of business must follow, like paying taxes, abiding by employment laws, and other general business regulations. The criminals who engage in things like human trafficking, on the other hand, generally do not do things like set up corporate entities, rent out office space, maintain large staffs, provide benefits to employees, or store things like model releases and identification documents.

The bottom line? The people who engage in the sort of activities described by Morality in Media are just criminals, not part of ANY legitimate industry, much less part of the adult entertainment industry.

I also pointed out to my mainstream acquaintances just how absurd it would be for an adult company to engage in horrible behavior along the lines of that alleged by Morality in Media, and then subsequently seek publicity through mass advertising and media exposure not only of the company, but also of the performers who that company has supposedly forced into indentured servitude. That would be like if the executives at Enron had held a press conference in the late 90s for the express purpose of bragging about their amazing accounting skills!

I find that simple statements and analogies like this can quickly put atrocious accusations to rest, just as quickly and easily as those accusations came to be believed.

All of us involved with producing adult content know that most studios and producers handle the process professionally, and the actual goal of our effort is fulfill our customers’ perfectly natural desire to enjoy adult entertainment. We know that our industry isn’t about human trafficking, or prostitution, or any number of illicit activities that some of our critics allege – but those outside the industry, including the mainstream media and consumers, don’t have the benefit of our “insider perspective,” so it’s important that we get out there and actively counter the false accusations that are directed at us.

In 2011, I’ve resolved to speak out more openly and more frequently against the myths, rumors and stereotypes that cast our industry in a negative light, and I appreciate the great example others have set. I hope many more in our industry will join in the campaign… the more the merrier.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

What France's New Law Means for Age Verification Worldwide

When France implemented its Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law on April 11, it marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing global debate surrounding online safety and access to adult content.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

How Adult Retailers Can Enhance Sales With Supplements

The supplement industry is big business. In 2024, Future Market Insights estimated it to be valued at $74.3 billion, and other market research firms anticipate that number will grow to upwards of $170 billion in just 10 years.

Rick Magana ·
opinion

From Tariffs to Trends: Staying Resilient in a Shaky Online Adult Market

Whenever I check in with clients these days, I encounter the same concerns. For many, business never quite bounced back after the typical post-holiday-season slowdown. Instead, consumers have been holding back due to the economic uncertainty around the Trump administration’s new tariffs and their impact on prices.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Why It's Time the Pleasure Industry Got Serious About IPX Waterproof Ratings

As someone who regularly communicates with manufacturers, retailers and consumers, I’ve seen how this ambiguity can do a disservice to both the customers who use these products and the businesses that sell them.

Alicia Sinclair Rosen ·
opinion

Optimizing Payment Strategies for High Ticket Sales

Payment processing for more expensive items, such as those exceeding $1,000 per order, can create unique challenges. For adult businesses, those challenges are magnified. Increased fraud risk, elevated chargeback ratios and heavier scrutiny from banks and processors are only the beginning.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

Tips for Sexual Wellness Brands to Win Over Gen Z This Summer

As summer rolls around, the excitement in the air is palpable, especially for one particular demographic: Gen Z. College and university classes are over, vacations are booked and it’s time to let loose.

Naima Karp ·
opinion

The Barcelona Job: A Diamond Heist Drenched in Sweat and Seduction

In a city famed for its architecture and allure, something far more seductive is about to go down. The priceless NakedSword Diamond is nestled deep within a heavily fortified Barcelona museum, and master thief Sir Peter has his eye on the prize.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

Celebrating the LGBTQ+ Community With Inclusive Packaging Design

Pride Month is a time of visibility, joy and self-expression. In the pleasure industry, projecting that energy can start with something as simple as a box. Market research shows that 72% of U.S. consumers say product packaging influences their purchasing decisions.

Matthew Spindler ·
profile

Sara Loverays on Tapping Her Goddess Energy

When Sara Loverays first turned on her webcam, she didn’t know it would change her life — or unlock a side of herself she’d been waiting to set free. What began as a way to make extra cash between travel physical therapy contracts soon became her full-time passion, a platform for self-discovery, and a ticket to building her own brand based on sensuality, self-discovery and “goddess energy.”

Jackie Backman ·
profile

WIA Profile: Pettus Ashley

Pettus Ashley brings her A game to the world of authentic adult branding, flitting between airports as the American face of U.K. brand Bathmate. As a company brand ambassador, Ashley personifies Bathmate’s dedication to the retail world, showering staff with equal amounts of appreciation and sales education.

Women In Adult ·
Show More