Girls RULE! And to be more specific, Girl Gamers RULE! I love to see smart women (in any industry) succeed. And it looks like Porn Stars Alana Evans and Misti Dawn are poised to do just that with their new and awesome (in my opinion) concept, PwnedbyGirls.com. It’s not the first time that the Gaming and Porn worlds have joined forces, but it does take it to the next level.

Their concept is for Gamers, who also happen to like Porn Stars. It’s the opportunity to be able to play your XBOX Live against a Porn Star! Perhaps you think this is hokie? Only if you are stuck on the stereotype of what a Porn Star is. These girls are multi-talented. And don’t be expecting porn all over the place. This is a true Gamer environment – you just happen to be gaming with a Porn Star – how cool is that?! Alana and Misti were smart enough to keep it all PG-13. And let’s face it – there are probably a lot of teens out there that would LOVE just the idea that they are gaming with a super hot porno chick (even if they are technically not supposed to know what that is yet!)

 But there’s more to the story. Many ground-breaking concepts attract controversy, and PwnedbyGirls is no exception. Apparently the (non-Porn) Girl Gamer population is hating on PwnedbyGirls right now. They say that Alana and Misti are fakes, and just trying to pose as true Girl Gamers, using Porn to get attention in a “legitimate” community. Now, I’m not a Gamer, but why don’t we give them a chance before totally flaming them? I mean, isn’t this an environment where the gaming can speak for itself? If they totally suck, then call them fakes. Even still, I just don’t understand the hating. Who f’ing CARES if they are Porn Stars?! What does that have to do with whether or not they are good gamers or whether they have the right to come up with a great business concept or not? These are two women who have managed to garner success in not one but TWO industries that are run by and for men. And for that they should be commended. Why are women always cutting other women down? I will never understand that. In Misti’s latest blog post, she responds to the Girl Gamer Haters and makes some great points. I give her credit for addressing these haters head-on. Go, Misti!

I sincerely hope that the Girl Gamers GET OVER IT, and decide to make a positive impact rather than a negative one. PwnedbyGirls will even provide them the opportunity, because they are opening up their doors to ALL Girl Gamers, not just ones that happen to be in porn. So Girl Gamers everywhere, lay down your swords, pick up your gaming equipment, and show the world that Girl Gamers KICK ASS!

For the story on the launch of PwnedbyGirls, here’s an article over at XBIZ: 

I have found that the folks in adult entertainment are some of the most generous and kind people around. Contrary to stereotype, they do have a conscience, and they try to use their “star power” for good. Here’s an excellent example. This brand new organization allows porn stars (and others in adult entertainment), to inspire their fans to donate to their favorite charity. The ACA’s goal is to raise a total of $40,000 by July 4th, and they are already 25% there! I strongly encourage you to visit the Adult Cares Alliance website, and see what you can do to help a charity, and people in need. Unless, of course, YOU don’t have a conscience!

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”  – Eleanor Roosevelt

I think most women out there believe that being a stripper, porn star or prostitute is degrading to women. And they may be right, but I have a different viewpoint.  As with all things in this world, nothing is black and white, and I believe that to understand anything you have to understand the context and personal motivation involved. In other words, you need to understand things like why the person is doing what they’re doing, and also what is that person’s own perception of it? If the person involved doesn’t consider it degrading, is it still degrading? Should the definition and standards of what is termed degrading be determined by others, or by each individual as it applies to themself? 

In my opinion if you say that all sex workers are degraded it’s like saying that all sexuality and sex involving women is degrading. If a woman has sex with a man in privacy, vs. the same woman doing the same thing but in front of a camera, what all of a sudden made it degrading?  The camera? Other people watching? Why is that degrading? Now, if you say – it is the way the woman is being depicted – then perhaps you have an argument. If the woman is being treated in a way that makes her feel inferior or worthless – and that is not what she wants - then I will agree it is degrading.  But that doesn’t mean every single adult movie out there is degrading to women.  Why do feel the need to throw all pornography into one bucket and call that whole bucket “wrong”?

 I’ll use another analogy.  Saying all sex workers are degraded is like saying all waitresses are degraded. I should know, I used to be a waitress and I can recall many times where I was treated in a degrading manner. In fact, I think anyone who has worked in the service industry can relate.  Anyone who is part of a minority can relate. Probably all of us have been treated with degredation at some point (or several points) in our lives. Does that mean that we should always blame the person who tried to degrade us?  Should we blame ourselves for being in that situation? What made it degrading? How did you react? These are all important questions, and until those are answered, we can not draw any real conclusions.

I have done some research (I’ll give you some links at the end of this) regarding female porn stars and their opinions about their industry.  Most of them not only disagree that what they do is degrading to women, they actually consider it empowering. It is one of the few (if not only) careers where women get paid way more than men, they determine when they work, who they work with, what they will and will not do, and for how much. And they are doing something they enjoy.  How many women (or men, for that matter!) can say those things about their current job/career? The other interesting trend that I have learned about is that there are more and more women on the other side of the camera in the adult industry. They are starting their own businesses, directing the scenes, creating a different view (a woman’s view) of sex and pornography.  And I for one say – it’s about time!

Well, I have more to say, but I’ll save if for another post….lol.  Here are some links to studies about women and pornography:

A Feminist Defense of Pornography
Research on Pornography
Pornography – Safe or Sexual?