chunks of flommus
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james deen, 7 instead of 40

In the last week, 7 women have come forward to say they were assaulted by porn star James Deen. As his career rapidly ends – with all kinds of major adult film production companies cutting ties with him – in spite of his fame, in spite of the absence of police reports and trials, the industry is being applauded for its progressive stance on victim solidarity.

Now, I do not deny that in comparison to the rest of U.S. culture, yes, this is incredibly progressive. And considering that many anti-sex work leftists wish to constantly dismiss the world of sex work as inherently and continually violent, acknowledging that progressiveness is important.

Remember, it took Bill Cosby decades and forty accusers to see any consequence. In this case, though, it still took James Deen about five years and seven accusers.

But that, right there, is the problem. Two of the women who have come forward – Stoya, Joanna Angel – are not just actors; they are producers, creators, and activists. The majority of the other accusers have been in the industry for years and have solid reputations.

Why did it take Deen this long to be called out? Why are we pretending the agents that said “it’s a good sign for your career that such a famous man wanted you this badly” don’t exist, and furthermore are not equally culpable?

Why are our standards so low for the cultural responsibility to prevent sexual assault that he’s been allowed to have this much success, WHILE championing as a Kink feminist dreamboat, and we just keep stating that his eventual rejection is progressive without more nuanced consideration?

—melony ppenosyne

Flommist Melony Ppenosyne is a writer and weird artist type. In the last year alone, she’s traveled to Virginia as a competing poet, co-written a play on mental illness that is presently being produced, and crafted a published essay checking the privilege and scope of art galleries. Copyright © 2015 Melony Ppenosyne.