Back in the summer of 2013, Routledge — an academic publisher with a focus on academic texts and scholarly journals — announced it was putting together a scholarly journal that would take a closer look at pornography and sexual representations. That journal, Porn Studies, has finally arrived.
Porn Studies hones in on the porn industry by combining a mix of academic voices, in-depth research, and forum discussion, avoiding controversy and titillation in favor of more serious academic discourse. Chauntelle Anne Tibbals, who wrote "Gonzo, tranny, and teens..." for the debut issue, told VICE News, "My goal is not to get all people to like porn, but to understand that it is worthy of discussion. Porn is a part of society and involves social actors. These social actors work, have families, and myriad interests. Porn is just one part of their lives."
The journal as a whole seeks to challenge the societal norm of porn-shame while also addressing the serious impacts and tactics of an industry that has grown all-pervasive.
You can read more about the journal's arrival here. You can view the first issue of the journal for free right here until May 31. Following that, you can purchase online articles individually, or order a complete hard copy for $104.
