So last month’s event was a little, um…spicy…to say the least.
 
In case you missed it, Café Sci Twin Ports partnered with Nerd Nite on July 12th to host our very first “Science After Dark” event. The research presentation featured a discussion by PhD student Elizabete Romanovska from the University of Wisconsin, Madison on the effects of porn on society, how it can cross over into our everyday lives, and its evolution over recent years. 
 
…alongside some comic-related trivia, burlesque performances from members of the Duluth Dolls, and a sex-ed Q&A, of course. 

(and yes, you really did miss out) 
 
Wait…are you telling me that I should give up porn??
 
Not at all, but according to Elizabete, it’s important to be cognizant of the types of porn you watch. Due to the precarious nature of the porn industry and the vulnerability of its subjects, racist and sexist subliminal messaging can be widespread amongst sexual scripts. The intersectionality of the two – the focus of Elizabete’s work – leads black women, for example, to be portrayed as animalistic and aggressive, which can encourage harmful societal stereotypes of marginalized groups. 
 
Besides, many of these situations that you watch in porn can be alarming and not something you would want to experience at all. Research has shown that viewing porn scripts with adverse messaging, especially amongst the younger crowd, has been linked to a lower likelihood of asking for consent and practicing safe sex. To subvert this issue, look for sexual material that coincides with your values. 
 
Now let’s move on to some of the positives. 
 
There are plenty of ways that porn has been shown to benefit the average viewer, including sexual empowerment and education (especially when your high school sex-ed was a disappointment. We’ve all been there). 
 
Finally, remember that porn is a fantasy! It’s meant to look good, not be realistic. Don’t compare your sex life or your body to those of porn actors, and also maybe don’t sleep with your stepson? If you’re looking for representation of realistic sex, Elizabete recommends checking out the website MakeLoveNotPorn.

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Ask the expert! Here’s some helpful advice from our speaker in response to real audience questions: 
 
How do you ask for consent in a sexy way? 
 
The consent talk doesn’t have to be an awkward conversation! Try first telling your partner what feels good and is enjoyable, then follow with what you aren’t interested in doing. 
 
My partner did something I didn’t feel comfortable with during sex…when do I bring it up?
 
Consent is an ongoing process – if an issue arises, you should communicate it in the moment. Not doing so could result in harmful effects on your sexual experience and sexuality in the long term, so it’s important to have open communication with your partner. This conversation can be sweet and respectful, especially if you’re worried about a tense situation.
 
I don’t enjoy using condoms during sex – is that okay? 

Even if you don’t like using condoms, they are recommended for safe sex. Ultimately, this is a conversation you should be having with your partner and the decision needs to be based on their comfort level. 

written by Grace Casciano

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