#title Think For Yourselves!
#subtitle Does porn exploit or *empower* sexual minorities?
#author The Lesbian & Gay Freedom Movement
#date Spring 1995
#source Green Anarchist issue 37, page 6. <[[https://www.thesparrowsnest.org.uk/collections/public_archive/9171.pdf][www.thesparrowsnest.org.uk/collections/public_archive/9171.pdf]]>
#lang en
#pubdate 2026-08-23T06:39:00.870Z
#topics porn wars, feminism, sexuality,
#notes A short pro-porn piece opposing the orthodox Dworkin-McKinnon position.
The Lesbian & Gay Freedom Movement is campaigning for a world without male power, sexism and sexual violence, but unlike many groups who advocate the banning of pornography, LGFM totally oppose the elimination of pornography as a way forward. We believe that no pornography is sexist and some can be liberating. It has in no way been established that there is a link between pornography and sexual violence.
It is so easy to blame pornography for what’s wrong with this society, because that is exactly what the State wants — more laws to censor and oppress us. We are living in right-wing anti-sex times, with the Government attacking anyone whose sex or sexuality challenges the nuclear family (eg. section 28. attacks on abortion rights and artificial insemination. Operation Spanner). They would certainly support a move against pornography so whose side are these groups such as Campaign Against Pornography, Cambridge Anarchists and so on exactly on?
Pornography is a complete distraction from the *real* causes of sexism and sexual violence. Sexism is mirrored in images, and *not* created by images. We want people to talk about and challenge institutionalised male power and sexism in the real world; not attack our fantasies which are completely different from what we do in our everyday lives. We want people, and especially men. to challenge sexism and male power In the workplace, the pub. In the nuclear family. In schools and io advertising. TV. magazines, which constantly show women *in* the role of servicing men, rather than as people.
We believe that a more radical approach Is needed to challenge male power and sexism and sexual violence io our society. We need to attack the patriarchal Institutions that will always keep men in power and oppress women and children; we need to campaign against all *governments* and the Institutions they set up to enforce their oppressive laws like the police and the courts, and most importantly we need to challenge the nuclear family which is where most sexual violence against women and children occurs.
It is sexual oppression and lack of understanding about sex and sexuality that leads to sexual violence. We need a less sexually oppressive society where we can discuss everything and sex is no longer seen as ‘naughty’ nor driven underground. A society where the State no longer makes us wear clothes, nor certain types of clothes depending on or gender. We need more information about sex and sexuality around for all of u& Including pictures of naked bodies and people having sex. There Is nothing wrong with sexual excitement and masturbation, in itself.
For people from sexual minorities such as lesbians, gays, bisexuals, S+Mers etc. It can be very liberating to see their sexualities portrayed in pornography, as there’s so little information about for them. Lesbian pornography, done by and for lesbians, is difficult to get because of censorship. Any censorship laws, or future legislation, will always be used against pornography and not the sexist images on advertising. Pornography is especially important for people who don’t want or don’t have the ability for partner sex such as the isolated, disabled, elderly, people with HIV/AIDS, the young and so on.
LGFM believes pornography does have a positive role to play in sexual liberation by increasing the availability of sexual images to minority, isolated groups and those unable to have partner sex and by bringing sex and sexuality issues into the agenda. We oppose all censorship of pornography and any elimination of pornography as a way forward.
**READ**
Avedoo Carol and Alison Asslter’s *Bad Girls And Dirty Pictures* (Pluto);
Avedon Carol’s *Nudes, Prudes And Attitudes* (New Clarion Press).
**CONTACT**
Feminists Against Censorship, BM Box 207, London WC1N 3XX — a feminist group opposed to all forms of censorship.