“Boys just ruin it”: Exploring the popularity of lesbian pornography among straight women

While scholars have examined female viewership of pornography, the phenomenon of heterosexual women watching lesbian pornography has received little attention. Drawing on statistical data from pornographic websites, articles of straight women who watch lesbian porn, and analysis of ten pornographic videos in the Lesbian category, this paper identifies five key themes behind the phenomenon: Focusing on women’s pleasure; relatability; lack of degradation; authenticity; fantasy and experimentation. I maintain that the consumption of lesbian pornography allows straight women to explore and articulate their desires, constructing their sexual subjectivity and expanding the possibilities for female pleasure and agency. I show how pornography consumption can challenge cultural narratives about female sexuality and pleasure, contributing to a more fluid understanding of sexual identities and desires.