Feminism has always been, in part, a potentially divisive buzzword, but those who encourage and take part in the cultural dialogue on women and pornography, whether it is through art or academia, love to use the word. In Girls, Lena Dunham uses the word ‘feminist’ about 12 times an episode, albeit with a wink and a nod. But it’s as it should be because we’re in a place now where men call themselves feminists and hot radical porn, thankfully, has a solid foothold in the industry. Sex-positive women have paved the way for more progressive, finer smut based on equal pleasure for equal people.
For nine years in a row The Feminist Porn Awards and Gala has swung into action at the Capitol Event Theatre in Toronto. The FPAs is the beloved brainchild of Good for Her sex toy store managers Chanelle Gallant and Alison Lee. The ceremony awards excellence in the hottest blue films focused on women and marginalized communities with queer, transgender, bisexual, underemployed (Good for Her offers sliding scale tickets to the show), and non-white people, among their members. For handpicking nominees, the FPA dictates a three-pronged criteria. The film must depict authentic female pleasure, a woman must be involved in the making of the film, and the material must push the envelope when it comes to non self-representation and stereotypes commonly found in mainstream flicks.
Fans, friends, babes and ballers at the steamy soiree got to hobnob with some of their favorite cutting-edge actors, directors, producers and writers in the alternative industry. They were treated to both heartfelt and dirty acceptance speeches to stellar and sometimes breathtaking entertainment in the form of film clips and live pole dancing, and burlesque that brought porn lovers, purveyors, and creators to their feet.
This year’s gala was hosted by two larger-than-life figures in the queer community. The exuberant MCs were Lex Vaughn, the comedic multi-disciplinary artist, performer and intellectual; and Ryan G. Hinds, the intrepid, award-winning writer, activist, dancer and entertainer. Partiers who made sexy, sparkling appearances included Miss Kitty Stryker, Courtney Trouble, Liam Cutler, Skye Chevolleau, Wolf Hudson, April Flores, Kenickie Street, Chris Murphy, Emma Claire, and Se Ye. Before getting sweaty on the dance floor into the wee hours after the ceremony, courtesy of DJ Sigourney Beaver, a bunch of raucous dynamos huddled together for a selfie that rivaled Ellen Degeneres’ infamous iPhone photo at this year’s Oscars.
2014 FPA winners include Zahra Stardust as Heartthrob of the Year. Hottest Dyke Film went to Lesbian Curves 2: Hard Femme and Carlos Batts was named Indie Porn Icon. All-around sex-ed fave and progressive porn pioneer Tristan Taormino took home an FPA for Smutty School Teacher. Taormino is also the creator and producer of The Feminist Porn Conference, which works in conjunction with the FPAs. (Doesn’t seem to be a conflict of interest there or, if there is, neither outfit is copping to it.) The Steamiest Straight Movie award went to The Temptation of Eve with Jacky St. James and Hottest Straight Vignette went to Xconfessions with Erika Lust, while the tantalizing website of the prolific Lucie Blush*, welovegoodsex.com, was named one of porn’s most salaciously honorable websites. Despite the name of the awards ceremony, the indie films honored here are made to engage men, not just women. Pleasure is pleasure, after all. The vibe is Equal Opportunity Enjoyers.
Here’s the complete list of FPA winners, the best of the most delicious best:
Sexiest Short
Trains
Paul Deeb
Sexiest Short
No Artificial Sweeteners
The Madame
Steamiest Straight Movie
Jacky St. James
Golden Beaver Award For Canadian Content
Power at Play
Carey Gray
Best Direction
Liberte Sexuelle/Sexual Freedom: Sex Stories 3
Ovidie
Smutty School Teacher Award For Sex Education
Tristan Taormino’s Guide to Bondage for Couples
Tristan Taormino
Hottest Dyke Film
Lesbian Curves 2: Hard Femme
Courtney Trouble
Indie Porn Icon
Carlos Batts
Hottest Straight Vignette
Erika Lust
Hottest Lesbian Vignette
Women Reclaiming Sex On Film
Madison Young
Hottest Kink Movie
Rubber Bordello
Soma Snakeoil
Steamiest Romantic Movie
The Submission of Emma Marx
Jacky St. James and Eddie Powell
Best Boygasm
Bed Party
Shine Louise Houston
Most Tantalizing Trans Film
Courtney Trouble
Hearthrob of the Year
Zahra Stardust
Slixa Movie of the Year
Silver Shoes
Jennifer Lyon Bell
Honored Websites
www.wendywilliamsxxx.com
www.juicypinkbox.com
www.naughtynatural.com
www.welovegoodsex.com
Honorable Mentions
Something Better: Performers Talk About Feminism and Porn
Ms. Naughty
Doing It Again: Playful Awakenings
Tobi Hill-Myer
Best Slumber Party Ever
Samuel Shanahoy
Additional sponsors were Fcking Sculptures, Aslan Leather, Njoy, The Everything to Do With Sex Show, QueerPorn.TV, IndiePornRevolution.com, Happy Valley / Fuze, PinkandWhite.com, Now, Tenga, Uberlube, Fun Factory.
Follow the FPA on their Facebook page.
