9 Powerful Quotes About Sex From Porn Stars

I could probably talk all day about the sexist double standards women face, especially when it comes to expressing our sexuality. Every woman I know has, at some point and to varying degrees of severity, experienced some sort of judgment because of a choice she made in regards to her own body and sex life. Although it would be nice if everyone in the entire world was on board with the sex-positive, feminist movement, the sad truth is that there are still so many people out there who just aren't comfortable with women having total autonomy over their own bodies.

A huge example of these double standards? The porn industry. It's not a secret that there's an unfair stigma against sex workers (particularly women) in professions like prostitution and stripping — aka tangible, IRL sex work with clients. But actors in porn, something that men and women of all ages consume, are still faced with judgment, even by those who enjoy and benefit from their work. Don't get me wrong: there are plenty of people who take pleasure in porn without dehumanizing the actors. But there are also still those who masturbate regularly, yet balk at the thought of someone they know actually working in porn. There are those who have active sex lives, but denigrate women in the industry as "sluts" or "whores." The point is, public perception of sex workers, and porn stars in particular, is often riddled with judgment and slut-shaming, which is totally not OK.

Of course, there are plenty of problems within the porn industry, and sexism exists on the inside as well. Still, there are adult film stars who are outspoken about how porn has impacted them, and the value pornography has in all of our sex lives. Because they're literally professionals at sex (or at least at acting), the men and women in the porn industry have some unique perspectives, and a lot of wisdom about how we all express our sexuality and desires. Here are nine powerful quotes from porn stars about the birds and the bees to inspire you to get out there and explore yourself.

1. "Sex isn’t always pretty, it’s not always funny to hear about other people’s desires and interests. It can be strange and laughable." – Sasha Grey, in an interview with AskMen

2. “Something I find really amazing about porn is that the girls aren’t rail thin, they’re real women. Porn stars don’t starve themselves. Porn stars think, ‘Maybe if I eat this piece of cheesecake it will go straight to my ass, and then I’ll get hired for more butt movies.’" – Bobbi Starr, in an interview with Slutever

3. “I really enjoy the performance aspect of porn. Some of the best sex scenes to me can be poetry, and I think sexuality can be an art form.” – Kimberly Kane

4. "We do have a distorted view of our fantasies in society, but that's because we don't talk about them enough." – Sasha Grey, in a 2012 interview with Mail & Guardian

5. “I have found that when I know my own boundaries, when I have confidence in myself, other people do as well, and I’m also far better at blowing off any random a-hole that wants to pass judgment on me. Not in my life? Not one of my chosen people? I don’t care what you have to say about my choices.” – Dylan Ryan

6. “What one person sees as degrading and disgusting and bad for women might make some women feel empowered and beautiful and strong.” – Sasha Grey

7. “Making eye contact during rough sex is roughly the equivalent to trying to read Dostoyevsky on a rollercoaster.” – Jenna Jameson

8. “My goal is to be myself, and to challenge stereotypes, and to follow the rules, and break them, and make new rules. It’s not about doing something that’s already been done. That would be silly.” – Sasha Grey

9. “Exploration — it's one of the really cool things about sex and sexuality, and every new partner.” – Stoya, to Bustle in 2015

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