Pleasure and Display
Bitch|Lab pointed to this article at Rollertrain:
Top 10 Reasons Why I Hate Fake Lesbian Porno
Many of the problems Rollertrain has with mainstream lesbian porn are also present in mainstream pornography in general - the emphasis on display for the camera over good sex, the uncomfortable positions, the affected moaning.
It led to an interesting conversation wherein we wondered why, in mainstream pornography, the performance of pleasure from the women involved is so important (moaning obligatory) while pleasure itself is shunted to the sidelines. The traditional feminist explanation might chalk it up to power, saying that we demand the porn actress make a show of enjoying herself in the same way we expect the waitress to smile at us and act cheery even when we know very well that she is probably counting the minutes until the end of her shift.
It’s also possible that the display for the camera is simply more important to the average viewer than the experience it depicts. What other explanation exists for the dearth of breast-fondling and head-burying?
Also, pornography where the actresses are clearly bored is very boring to watch.
Toronto Star on Tuesday
The other day I gave an interview to the Toronto Star, and they tell me the piece will appear on Tuesday January 16th. I talk a little about what life is like as a “computer programmer by day, erotica writer by night” sort of person. Watch for it! I will certainly be watching with trepidation, wondering how I will come across in print.