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.

The 9th Annual Feminist Porn Awards

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.

The 9th Annual Feminist Porn Awards

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.

The 9th Annual Feminist Porn Awards
“… 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

The Temptation Of Eve

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

Xconfessions

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

Trans Grrls

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.

The 9th Annual Feminist Porn Awards

*Next Saturday we have an exclusive interview with the honorably-mentioned Lucie Blush, so be sure to drop in.

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