The past couple of years since I’ve rebranded as Blogger On Pole have become a whirlwind of chats, meet-ups and binge-reading (or listening) to articles, talks and podcasts by the incredible members of the social media sex-positive communities who are pushing boundaries with their no-stigma, no-bullshit activism in the shape of brilliant content. This community has made me feel welcome and given me a space to be myself, to chat about issues that matter to me and that have made me grow as an individual while understanding my own traumas and limits. To me, this is what activism looks like. Precisely because they’ve given me this space, I wanted to give something back and introduce them to my readers who may not have come across them before – especially in the days of Instagram censorship. So without further ado, get your index fingers ready and click the “Follow” button on these activists and artists if you haven’t already.

What Is Asses And Activism

In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve added a brand new category to Blogger On Pole called precisely “Asses and Activism”. This happened after a silly Instagram post and story of mine where I mentioned that I can’t always talk about “Asses and Activism” received a lot of good feedback, with people telling me they’d like me to develop this into a concept.

Turns out I’d like to develop this into a concept too. I love the idea of naked activism, because women and LGBTQIA+ folx’s bodies are the ultimate battleground. We are STILL being told what’s appropriate for us to wear and do with our bodies, by powerful men, laws and even by the social networks we once used to raise your voice.

So, adapting RuPaul’s “Every time I bat my eyelashes, it’s a political act,” quote (and acknowledging that Drag Race and RuPaul have a lot of work to do in terms of activism), this category is about believing that every time you shake your ass in public, every time you don’t conform to what’s appropriate, every time you are proud of your body – that’s activism. It’s a political act.

For now, Asses and Activism will be the section of this blog where I interview or showcase inspiring activists, or where I discuss crucial issues to our community. Hopefully, in time, it can become something bigger – if you’re interested in this paypal.me/bloggeronpole is where it’s at (wink wink).

Sex Educators & Sex-Positive Accounts – ‘Cause Knowledge Is Activism

When disinformation is a tool the powerful use to brainwash the public into voting for homophobic, racist and misogynist leaders, knowledge is activism. Here are some of my fave sex educators.

Alix Fox

A script consultant on Netflix’s hit show Sex Education, a sex educator and presenter of BBC podcast Unexpected Fluids, Alix Fox is one of the funniest activists out there. I saw her talk at Stylist Live last year, when she covered the difference in sexual satisfaction between men and women amongst other things, and I’ve been stalking her profile ever since. So should you.

ComeCurious

Florence and Reed are a sex-ed duo fighting sexual stigma by inviting activists and other personalities to share their sex stories through their F**ks Given podcast – yours truly was one of their guests. They also shoot super-informative vlogs via ComeCurious, where they help you have better sex by discussing everything from oral to foreplay. Oh, and they campaign against unsolicited dick picks and self-love amongst other things. Make sure you hit follow on both their accounts – their ComeCurious vlog recently hit 100,000 subscribers on YouTube so you know they’re great!

Oloni

A sexual and wellbeing content creator, Oloni is behind the Laid Bare podcast as well as a serious of sex-positive events and a hilarious Twitter account. Follow her both there and on Insta! Somehow it will not let me embed her pics…

Project Pleasure

The brainchild of audio producer Anouszka Tate and freelancer Frankie Cookney, Project Pleasure is another must on your podcast list. The duo are putting the pleasure back in to safe sex and healthy relationships with guests, tips and more.

Rukiat

Can you be sex-positive and celibate? Hell yeah. Rukiat’s is a must-follow account because 1) her visuals are STUNNING 2) she tells it like it is, both on STIs and on celibacy.

Self & More.

I love following sexy brands that are also informative and brand-new body-safe online sex toy boutique Self & More., based in London, is exactly that. Poppy launched Self & More. because she was frustrated by the way that many sex toy shops view female pleasure through the male gaze. No thanks. She figured that if she was left wanting more from sex toy shops, the chances are that other people are too. And so, Self & More. was born. What’s not to like?

Stripper Activists A.K.A. Superwomen

Some of my best activism inspiration comes from strippers. Strippers are strong, clever, political womxn who are doing more for feminism than certain “feminists” who don’t believe they should fight for sex workers’ rights. Here are some of the coolest stripper activists out there.

East London Strippers Collective

Stacey Clare from the East London Strippers Collective is pretty much a superhero. She created a union for strippers, throwing brilliant parties in East London and educating the world to the fact that sex work is work, period. She now has a book in the works and recently took Edinburgh Fringe by storm with her Ask A Stripper cabaret show. If you don’t follow her, what are you doing?

United Strippers of the World

United Strippers of The World is an account organising meet-ups, informative chats and sharing relevant stripper news. The picture below is one of my faves, showing sex workers’ protest outside Instagram’s London HQ fighting censorship.

Journalists

Activism needs a platform, and these journalists are allies helping activists to speak out. Here are some editors and freelancers to follow.

Paisley Gilmour

Cosmopolitan UK’s sex and relationship section is now a must-read, mostly thanks to editor Paisley Gilmour and the stories she writes and commissions. From abusive relationships to sex toys, from coming out to sex tips, millennial Cosmo is where it’s at. Last year, Paisley also organised a meet-up to help London’s sex and relationship writers to mingle. It was really fab to meet so many fantastic writers IRL, and I got some lovely spanking gear out of it too. Give Paisley a follow for all the above.

Writer pals, a reminder: I commission features, opinion and interviews on sex, relationships, LGBT (across all Cosmo verticals, not just love/sex) and astrology. I am always looking to spaff my budget so email any pitches to paisley.gilmour@hearst.co.uk — Paisley Gilmour (@paisleyrgilmour) April 29, 2019

Jake Hall

I’ve been working with Jake for a while now and I’m so glad I’ve started following them. Jake write stories about social media censorship for sex workers and sexy brands, together with articles on the environment, queer culture and more. Plus, their tweets are often heart-warming, moving and hilarious, so if you don’t follow them you’ve lost everything. They’re essentially the activism bulletin 101.

wrote a piece for @ozm about the impact of @cindygallop and @makelovenotporn the rising popularity of sites like onlyfans, the dissolving lines between porn and social media, online censorship and so, so much more. thanks to @linabembe & @bloggeronpole!https://t.co/Z62APubANq — Jake Hall (@jake2103) August 8, 2019

Beth Ashley

I met Beth at Cosmo’s sex and relationship writers event and I’m so glad I’ve started following her. She’s a fantastic and versatile writer, but my personal favourite topic she has covered is returning to intimacy after sexual assault, an issue that’s close to my heart as a survivor. She has worked with Rape Crisis for a donation campaign, and her feed is also LIT AF to tell you the truth. Follow her ASAP.

Salty

Salty is a newsletter for (& by) badass women, trans & non-binary peeps. Its articles, covering everything from celibacy to sex work, are informative and incredibly no-bullshit and exactly what activism looks like. You’ll never want anything else in your inbox.

Body-Positive Activism

Up until a while back, the beauty of Instagram was that I was as likely to see a picture of food as I was to see all forms of activism: body-positivity, period activism, naked activism, you name it. Now it’s not like that anymore unfortunately – even if it denies it, the platform is censoring women’s bodies. So it’s up to us to find, follow and support people who still put their bodies out there to help others love themselves. These are some of the coolest body-positive activists out there.

Enam Asiama

Enam Asiama is a model and plus size advocate with an account that sparks pure joy. And I mean, when you read: #FatQueerFemme and #BigFatDykeEnergy on your feed, and see her rocking outfits like this, what else could you want?

Ruby Rare

Ruby is a sex-positive by activist who shares inspiring posts about loving your body, about embracing your bisexuality and teaches a variety of workshops across London. In the past she’s talked about being a proud slut, masturbation and surviving trauma. Her feed is colourful and upbeat, and she’s a must-follow if you’re into sex-posi good vibes.

Bodyposipanda

With an account bio that claims to talk about “body positivity, feminism, and how dogs are better than humans,” you know you’ll want to follow Megan Jayne Crabbe. She has a book out and she’s currently touring the UK with her live shows. Book them here.

Parties & Events

If you like your activism with a side of partying, these accounts are for you.

PD Filthy Friday

I’m a proud member of the Haus of Filth so I might be a little biased on this one, but it’s partly thanks to PD Filthy Friday that I’ve become so outspoken, so confident and… well, so filthy. PDFF is a sex-positive, body-positive Instagram account educating the world to different types of filth – a.k.a. my favourite type of activism. Created by absolute queen Beanie The Jet, their showcases and parties are unmissable, featuring both beginner and professional performers in the most welcoming environment ever. They’ve gone private because Insta censorship sucks, but follow them here.

The Candid Collective

The Candid Collective run workshops about sex, bodies and relationships – they were the ones behind the Genital Model Making Workshop last month and have a lot more imaginative events coming up. Give them a follow to learn more.

Skirt Club

Founded by Genevieve LeJeune, Skirt Club is both a network and a members’ club for women only, encouraging self-discovery both sexually and intellectually through events and meet-ups. Its founder has been very vocal about the censorship and barriers sexy brands face while launching and I’m all here for it.

Killing Kittens

Killing Kittens was founded in 2005 by Emma Sayle, in response to demand from young, independent single girls and couples wanting to explore their sexuality. KK now organise exclusive, decadent and hedonistic parties where women have to make the first move. Since then, they have evolved and expanded beyond parties, creating an online community of over 120,000 women, gentlemen and couples and leading a variety of workshops. I’ve written about how to give the best lap dance for them and will start teaching lap dance workshops with them this September!

The Cocoa Butter Club

The Cocoa Butter Club is a London-based cabaret showcasing and celebrating performers of colour. It has everything from burlesque to pole dancing, from drag queens to cabaret. Book your tickets here and stay up to date with their gigs through their feed.

LGBTQIA+ Activist

LGBTQIA+ accounts are some of the most affected by Instagram censorship and online hate speech. Make sure you follow them and give them your love.

Munroe Bergdorf

Munroe is THE activist you should follow to learn about transgender rights – and because she’s awesome altogether. The founder of Goddess, a platform to amplify the voices of womxn, non-binary, intersex and transgender folks all over the world, Murnoe is also the LGBT+ beauty editor at Dazed. Make sure she’s on your feed NOW.

Jamie Windust

Writer, speaker and editor of Fruitcake Magazine, a biannual LGBTQIA+ print magazine allowing queer people to authentically tell their own stories, Jamie Windust are non-binary activists with on-point fashion and one of the most colourful feeds out there. They are calling for gender law reform in the UK and often call out what is quite frankly the most appalling UK government ever. Win win.

Susannah Temko

Susannah Temko is an intersex writer and activist working hard to increase the positive visibility of the intersex community and to fight the stigma against it. Her TEDxTalk is a must-watch and her suits are on point.

Artists

These artists make activism look pretty and shareable – make sure you support them, credit their work and, when you can, pay for it.

Florence Given

If you haven’t heard of Florence Given’s colourful, very Swinging London feminist art, well… what’s wrong with you? Have you been living under a rock? Her creation are Insta quotes goals, and her activism is about reminding you it’s good to be single, loving yourself, stop being his mother, and to dump him. Activism sometimes comes in very pretty fonts.

Erika Lust

Porn is here to stay, so how about we make it more inclusive and positive? Erika Lust, an indie film-maker, is doing just that. Follow her below and watch her films here.

Welcome to the queer sex party of your dreams ~ brought to life by guest director @UncleMaxSkaff ⛓ with performers and real-life couple @MSTRVKTR & @thegraciejane 💜“SWITCH” is out now on @xconfessions – Are you joining the party? pic.twitter.com/HuCGQGVDXd — Erika Lust (@erikalust) August 14, 2019

Hazel Mead

Hazel Mead is a feminist illustrator and activist focusing on mental health, body and period positivity. One of my fave illustrations she’s ever made is the one you can see below, but her style is versatile and her feed is a joy to follow.

jacqthestripper

All hail the mother of Insta stripper artists. If you are a pole dancer or a feminist, you should follow Jacqthestripper because she will teach you 1) not to be a pole fitness wanker 2) that if your feminist doesn’t include sex workers’ rights you got it all wrong. Her posts are fun, informative and fucking I C O N I C. Buy her art and her books here.

Exotic Cancer

Why are stripper artists so fucking iconic? Exotic Cancer should already be among the accounts you follow if you read my blog, but if she isn’t now it’s your chance to hit “follow” and not be an idiot. Her sarcastic depictions of strippers’ life and her work against Instagram censorship, together with her pastel coloured vixens, make her a non-negotiable member of the Insta must-follow list thanks to her stripper activism. Buy her art here.

TL; DR

In a world that wants to censor women and LGBTQIA+ folx’s bodies, being naked and proud = activism

Knowledge is activism: educate yourself

Activism needs to be inclusive – learn from people who are different from you

Activism looks better when it’s naked. Support your sexy activists, because social media is censoring them.

Like this: Like Loading...