Tara Tainton

We've all heard the arguments against pornography and even that explicit material created to arouse deemed classier than porn: erotica. And those arguments, negative comments, and assumptions are not nearly as horrid as those directed at the people behind the porn itself.

That's right. That'd even be me, your beloved WebMistress by definition. That'd be the lovely models in all of the artistic nude photography we admire so much. And all that negativity would be directed at the talented photographers and videographers as well, the adult acting celebs, the magazine editors, the prostitutes, escorts, and exotic dancers, the erotica authors, the sex bloggers, the exhibitionists, the adult webmasters and site owners... pretty much all of us.

A certain sort of person, one who's booming voice seems to echo throughout this country with a reverberating boom that can't be avoided, would consider all of us connected to the porn industry as... less than model citizens.

Of course, those of us gathered right here at TaraTainton.com at this very moment probably don't hold that opinion. We know we're all human, we all have our faults and our good points, and most of us are pretty average citizens... contributing in a variety of small and larger ways to the good of the whole. We're trying to make the most of our lives, enjoy every moment, take care of our loved ones, and just be ourselves. Yes, that's pretty much true for us whether we're in "the industry" or not.

And that's why I love this refreshingly straightforward and honest opinion article written by Christopher Buttner and recently published by AVN Online. Christopher has his hands in a lot of dirty business (in that lovely and fun porn kinda way), most notably as a publicist for PRThatRoXXX.com that helps promote adult businesses. Recently, he's heard his own neighbors in greater San Fran complain about Kink.com (we know and love them for creating the original and very naughty Hogtied.com, FuckingMachines.com, SexandSubmission.com, BehindKink.com, and much more) moving into the area, and they're not too happy about it. He's hearing repeats of all the usual assumptions made about the folks in the adult industry. And Christopher has bravely, eloquently, and very correctly written a piece directed at those who are quick to assume that pornographers somehow directly hurt a community and undermine its positive growth and well being.

"Some of my adult industry clients are leading contributors to San Francisco's economy, such as The Exotic Erotic Ball—which has contributed millions of dollars to the San Francisco economy for more than 27 years—and the Erotic Service Providers Union. In addition, I have been retained to promote adult industry-driven charities, one of which contributed $1 million toward pediatric cancer, leukemia, and AIDS research in May 2006. I am in the early stages of planning another charity event wherein I hope to generate $150,000, after expenses, which will go toward cancer treatment for an afflicted adult industry associate. I love my career...

There have been six broad-stroke comments made about Kink.com's acquisition of the Armory that resonate with me.

For instance:

1. Porn offers 'dead end' jobs that no decent person would want.

2. They are all "drug-addicted sickos".

3. Porn degrades the neighborhood.

4. Porn degrades women.

5. "Porn addicts act out porn induced and fueled sexual fantasies—oftentimes in a criminal manner."—Pure Life Ministries

6. "As more persons are exposed to hardcore pornography, more are influenced to adopt its 'values' and lifestyles—which contributes to the breakdown of morality."—Pure Life Ministries...

In August 2006, a poll of 1,000 respondents in a non-scientific study conducted at ChristiaNet.com, which bills itself as "the world's most visited Christian website," delivered results showing 50 percent of all Christian men and 20 percent of all Christian women are addicted to pornography," said Clay Jones, founder and president of Second Glance Ministries...

Sex education in the United States is at an all-time low from what it was 10 years ago... In a lot of ways, with the mainstreaming of porn that has taken place during, especially, the past 10 years, it could be that adult movies have become the sex education the American public so desperately needs—whether or not the mainstream would like to admit it..."

Read the full article, or take a peek at Kink.com for yourself.

Comments

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Anonymous | 2009-12-24 15:28 Linda 04/04/2007 12:02 AM If there's EVER a Department of Sexual Education in America, I wnt to be Head of it! I see the deplorable state of sex education in America today.... and I see a world that needs to be educated on things like safe anal sex, ethical polyamory, non-violent communication, andHow to lMaintain an Intimate Relationship or Friendship 101. We need to see the connection between Sacred Sex, World Peace, the Arts, Goddess and God, and Community Ties. Tara, your Hopeful WebMistress 04/04/2007 08:21 PM Amen, Linda! There absolutely is a connection between and among all of our relationships and issues and selves worldwide. The benefits of realizing and improving upon those would be endless. Sarah 04/05/2007 02:43 PM As a writer of erotica, a young woman, mother, and practitioner of a religion that embraces sexuality and all it's varied forms throughout our lives as part of the human experience, I can't help but roll my eyes at such misinformed and unreliable statistics the Christian right likes to throw around. The money I make writing to fulfill myself and other people is just as valid as someone who has a 9-5 office job. My twins knew that they had either a penis or vagina at two years of age, and we celebrate our gender and feelings in my home. If my daughter wants to become an exotic dancer, she may as long as she respects herself and her art. I enjoy a good couch dance from time to time, and we look forward to taking a vacation someday where we explore the definition of marriage and what it means to just the two of us, since that's all that really matters in the end. I think if people can't see past their own prejudices and won't allow themselves to get to know the you beneath all the "smut and debauchery" they probably aren't worth knowing, and it's a few less people to provide for at a patio party anyway. Tara, your Admiring WebMistress 04/05/2007 03:00 PM Sarah... a perfect testament to the goodness of our debauched li...

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3.23 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."