TALKSHOW

Let’s Talk about Porn

TUE 10 FEBRUARY, 19:30
Auditorium, Minderbroedersberg 4-6

Pornography is everywhere, yet conversations about it often remain uncomfortable, polarized, or oversimplified. This event rethinks porn through the perspectives of researchers, feminist and freelance filmmakers, and actors. Rather than offering one “right” answer, the event creates space for dialogue, reflection, and open discussion about how porn shapes society, sexuality, relationships, and stereotypes. 

The evening will be structured around three complementary formats, each offering a different lens on pornography. First, Samira van Bohemen and Marieke Dewitte will discuss the effects of porn on society, investigating social stereotypes and porn's impact on sexual relationships. Then, Jenniffer Lyon Bell, Nat Portnoy, and Pixie Pink present a dialogue on rethinking porn with insights of feminist activism and industry professionals. Finally, all speakers come together in a panel discussion to address questions from the audience.

By bringing research, activism, and lived experience into conversation, the event encourages participants to question assumptions and engage openly with a topic that affects many aspects of everyday life.
 

In cooperation with Amnesty International Maastricht Students (AIMS).
 

The speakers and panellists: 

Marieke Dewitte is a clinical psychologist and sexologist. She is an assistant professor at the Department of Clinical Psychological Science of Maastricht University. She teaches several courses and workshops on sexual responding. Her research involves psychophysiological studies on basic mechanisms of sexual functioning, gender differences, interpersonal dynamics, dyadic interactions between partners, and attachment in relation to sexual responding. The main focus of her research is on the sexual interaction between partners.

Samira van Bohemen is an associate professor at the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences and a cultural sociologist specialising in identity, sexuality, and social inequality. Her research is unique for its emphasis on pleasure - examining how different social groups perceive and experience pleasurable activities and how this relates to questions of identity, inequality and power.

Jennifer Lyon Bell is the founder and creative director of the independent production company Blue Artichoke Films in Amsterdam. She aims to create positive social change with her erotic films by portraying sexuality in an emotionally realistic way. Through her diversification of gender portrayals, and casting, she has become seen as one of the early members of the feminist pornography movement and ethical porn movement. 

Nat Portnoy is a multidisciplinary artist, activist, performer, and filmmaker whose work focuses on intimacy, sexuality and ethical representation in media. She is a self-motivated content creator and consultant with extensive experience across various creative and production disciplines, including writing, directing, performing and photography. Nat has been involved in sex-positive and non-exploitative adult cinema, emphasising healthy and joyful expressions of sensuality. In addition to artistic work, Nat offers coaching, consulting and creative services that support individuals and organisations in exploring and communicating themes of pleasure, consent and boundaries in visual media.

Pixie Pink is an internationally recognized adult performer based right here in the Netherlands. Four years ago she quit her job as a manager at IKEA to start doing full-time what she loves most: having sex. Today, she is one of the only Dutch girls working globally with major studios. She is joined by Jake, who is not only her partner, but also her cameraman. Together they run the independent studio Pixie’s Paradise and travel across Europe to produce hardcore content that has already been viewed by over 50 million people.