Regarding this, here is what I sent to whoever receives the messages from Stop Porn Culture’s contact form:
Dear SPC,
As a feminist and social justice activist, I have serious concerns about your slideshow, “Who Wants To Be A Porn Star?”
I am sure you are familiar with 2257 regulations, the set of guidelines for enforcing record-keeping laws by primary and secondary producers of sexually explicit material. (Full regulations here.) The law specifies that producers must obtain and keep on file proof of age for every model appearing in their productions, to ensure that no minors appear in sexually explicit films or photographs. Web sites containing sexually explicit material include a statement of compliance with 2257 regulations, and who to contact for verification of their records.
I am deeply troubled by the fact that I find no such statement on the Stop Porn Culture! web site. Where is the assurance that the women in the slideshow are of age? And beyond the legal implications, there are also the larger ethical considerations. SPC claims to oppose the objectification and exploitation of women. Yet, were the performers in the slideshow contacted and asked whether they consent to have their images used in the slideshow? If not, then SPC is guilty of exploiting these women’s images for SPC’s own gain. It is dehumanizing to simply use an image of a woman in porn as a poster child for a cause. SPC, of all places, should understand that these are actual women who exist and have lives outside of the images on the screen. Does their voice not matter? Is it more important to make a point, even if it means denying the agency of the very women SPC dubiously claims to want to help?
I find this extremely problematic.
- Amber Rhea
I would have said more (I certainly wanted to!) but I felt I should keep it short so they’d be less likely to just pass over it completely.
I urge everyone to contact SPC and express your concerns about their flagrant hypocrisy.
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