Newsflash: maybe instead of demonizing sexuality, we should be worrying about other things right now.
The GOP platform is declaring porn a “public health crisis,” and while that’s not even the most problematic thing on there, it’s the one I want to briefly talk about today.
See also: There Is No Such Thing As Backward Porn Addiction
Here, I turn to Dr. Justin Lehmiller’s blog post, Five Scientific Facts You Should Know About Porn. Basically, as the peer-reviewed studies are beginning to roll in, we’re finding that porn use is unrelated to risky sex practices, to misogyny, to supposed “porn addiction,” and to erectile dysfunction.
My sex positivity is also science-aware. I may not be that into porn myself, but I defend its existence, especially since the studies coming out thus far seem to be pointing toward it being basically as harmless as other parts of visual culture. Yes, we should talk about fair labor practices in the adult film industry, and yes, there are probably still some misogynist, racist, homophobic, and transphobic depictions happening… but public health crisis? Give me a break. This is as ridiculous as politicians and religious leaders taking a stand against dildos.