About the Adult Industry
The adult industry is large, diverse, incredibly varied and has played an important role in the development of our understanding of sexuality and our rights.
The “adult industry” is an umbrella term for a diverse group of workers, entrepreneurs, and businesses that includes content creators, production crew, pleasure products manufacturers, content platforms, webcam performers, brick-and-mortar retailers, website developers, wholesale distributors, cable providers, sex educators, talent agents, lawyers, artists, payment service providers, journalists, video game developers and many others.
Our industry is home to some of the world’s greatest innovators and thought leaders–much of the technology currently used to experience the Internet via streaming video content, subscription pay sites, and on demand downloads were pioneered by the adult industry years before Netflix and Hulu.
Because the industry is so varied, it is difficult to measure accurately. Estimates vary wildly as to the annual revenue of the adult industry, and we’re suspect of those who claim a firm number. However, it’s safe to say the industry generates billions of dollars in income each year in the United States.
Small Businesses
While big brands may get a lot of the press attention, most producers of adult content are in fact small, performer-owned operations. In today’s industry, performers control the means of production, and share in the profits of their films.
Inclusivity
The adult industry and its performers are among the most diverse in the world, representing every race, gender, age and body type. We are one of the few industries where women consistently out-earn their male counterparts, and we have been at the forefront of battles for LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, and sex worker rights.
Active Self-Regulation
Performers in the adult industry are regulated by a system called PASS (Performer Availability Screening Services) which tests adult performers for STIs, including HIV, every fourteen days.
