• Industry spotlight

    Shine Louise Houston’s newest porn adventure

    Between the adult industry and the queer community, Shine Louise Houston is household name. She has been creating erotic queer cinema for almost a decade with Pink & White Productions, and is known as the mastermind behind The Crash Pad, a long running porn series about a secretive San Francisco apartment where queer…

  • Industry spotlight

    Industry Spotlight: Candida Royalle

    Candida Royalle

    While I never knew Ms. Royalle personally, in many ways, I owe my career to her. I got my start in the adult industry by making films that asked for an approachable, authentic, pornographic performance that would appeal to women and couples โ€” a niche that may have never existed had it not…

  • Industry spotlight,  Musings

    When dildos came out of the closet

    In the 1970s, dildos were a point of contention in the feminist movement. A 1974 issue of Lesbian Tide warned: “anyone admitting to using a dildo today would probably be verbally castigated for enjoying ‘phallic’ pleasure.” Some activists thought dildos were too reminiscent of the patriarchy. Others felt that since dildos specifically didn’t require men, using them…

  • Industry spotlight,  Musings

    Thrills and mundanities on a queer porn set

    What goes on behind the scenes of a queer feminist porn shoot? According to Anna Pulley, writing for Alternet, performers ogle cat photos, knit scarves in the colors of the bisexual flag, and shoot the breeze about fisting censorship and breast milk pumping. The kitchen is well-stocked with coffee, fruit, and chips, and Feminist Porn…

  • Industry spotlight,  Musings

    A peek inside Crave’s vibrator factory

    Crave Duets in the factory

    Have you ever wondered what goes on in a vibrator factory? A writer from Gizmodo recently visited the factory of Crave, a small luxury sex toy company based in San Francisco. They are perhaps most known for the Duet and Solo, swanky USB-rechargeable clitoral vibes, but they also make high-end accessories such as nipple…

  • Industry spotlight,  Musings

    Erika Lust turns anonymous fantasies into reality

    We are longtime fans of erotic film director Erika Lust, and her latest endeavor, XConfessions, is just the cherry on top of why we love her. Originally launched three years ago as a place for users to share their anonymous sex fantasies and stories, XConfessions is getting even steamier. Now, Erika Lust is handpicking…

  • Industry spotlight

    Industry Spotlight: Carlos Batts

    Carlos Batts (photo by Coagula Art Journal)

    Is 20-odd years enough to make a lasting impact with art? In the case of Carlos Batts, the answer is absolutely yes. Since he was 16, he had the name of his company all mapped out: C. Batts FLY. At Franklin High School in Reisterstown, Maryland, he ran with the goth kids, devoured…

  • Industry spotlight

    Industry Spotlight: Joanna Angel

    Joanna Angel, photo by Brad Dececco

    Raised an Orthodox Jew in northern New Jersey, Joanna Angel was a shy wallflower with a rebellious streak. In ninth grade, she pierced her bellybutton and started attending punk shows and political protests. She dyed her hair pink. She got her first tattoo on her 18th birthday — a theater mask with the…