UK Porn Laws

Before considering the latest governmental changes to porn laws, it is important to be aware of how the porn industry was already sexist, racist and degrading.  Yet new legislation in the UK makes these laws blatantly misogynistic, further devaluing women and their role within society.

Due to an amendment made this month on the 2003 Communications Act, a new list of sexual acts have been banned from being produced in British-made adult films.  On-demand adult films are now required to meet the same standards of production as those of films available on DVD in sex shops.  The list of banned acts consists of spanking, caning, female ejaculation and face-sitting, amongst others, due to being deemed life-threatening.  However, many of the acts that have been contributed to the list are those associated with female pleasure and sexual satisfaction. 

This new revision to the Act is irrational, judgemental and morally reprehensible.  Those who have been active on the board for altering the Act have taken a specific moral judgement on what is, and what is not, considered to be normal, healthy and safe sexual practices.  However this amendment has taken issue with many acts that women traditionally derive pleasure and satisfaction from.  The now-banned acts in these pornographic images carried explicit messages of female domination, agency and pleasure, and, in censoring their appearance in adult film, governmental measures are further perpetuating a normalised and outdated view of sex, based on male pleasure and the higher status placed on male sexual satisfaction, thus suppressing equality and the open expression of sexuality and women’s desire.

What about the hatred for women reflected in these laws?  What about misogyny?  Racism?  Homophobia?  There is explicit violence and rape in porn industries, and these larger issues are being further entrenched in our society through our government masquerading these laws of censorship under the title of safety.  The creation, marketing and consumption of pornography emphasises hatred for women.  Our government too is expressing its hatred for women by banning depictions of female ejaculation in British-made porn, whilst male ejaculation, unsurprisingly, remains uncensored, and available within the public domain.

Moreover, the changes in the Act have been presented as a manner in which children are to be safeguarded, yet the way this is being carried out is mistaken.  It teaches children, and people of all age groups, that certain sexual acts are acceptable and some are not.  That there is nice sex and not-so-nice sex.  This so-called safeguarding and controlled education is perpetuating a system of poor gender education regarding relationships and sexual consent.  Women’s sexual pleasure is not something that should be censored, ignored and hidden from the public domain, whilst male sexual pleasure is emphasised as key in sexual relations.  There is an importance in itself that female pleasure is presented, in order that previously conceived notions of male dominance and superiority can be challenged, allowing for further societal progression.  This is yet another example of the stifling cloak of political correctness that seeks to determine what can and cannot be viewed, as well as what can and cannot be challenged.

Therefore, it is necessary, instead, to think about what is truly offensive and life-threatening, and what human nature and needs are.  Therefore, education on these matters is more important than censorship and regulation.  Sex and pleasure are important for both consensual parties, yet this absurd change in the regulation diminishes the value of this view, whilst spreading a further sexist and misogynist view that what is acceptable for men, is unacceptable for women.