If you’ve seen any porn in the last 25 years, you’ve probably encountered adult legend Nina Hartley. Nina has starred in countless porn films and created her famous line of instructional videos.
She’s due to give a talk at SXSW on the 15th March about sex and social networking. The offficial blurb says she’ll be “discussing how the web has been both a blessing and a curse for industry players and how that’s now changing thanks to social networking technology.”
Nina is also about to launch her own social networking site called SexWise, an online space for discussions about all aspects of sex and sexuality (but one that won’t have porn on it).
Ahead of all this, Nina is giving interviews. And voila, I’m pleased to present a quick five minute encounter with La Nina just to whet your appetite.
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You’re part of a panel at SXSW talking about sex and social networking. Why has this topic got you excited?
Sex education and promoting adult conversations about sex and sexuality is what my whole career has been about. Social media is just the newest, and potentially the most effective, way to do this. Only those who want to participate are included and even if I don’t have an answer to a particular question, the odds are good that one of the other people in the conversation will.
What possibilities to do you see for the future of social networking and human relationships?
Social media is so new I don’t think we’ve started to scratch the surface of what’s possible. I can have a conversation with someone half way around the world, in real time, about anything at all. This is amazing on the face of it. We can grow our circle of friends, even those who live on other continents. It seems like old-fashioned pen pals on steroids, since we can communicate with so many more people at one time, so quickly. No more waiting for that letter from Peru or Scotland to arrive in the mailbox!
The downside, of course, is how easy it is to misrepresent oneself in an online forum, or to lie outright. This can lead to a lot of hurt feelings. If one is looking for romance, in the end we’ll still have to meet face to face and be able to navigate that platform.
You’re a legend in the porn industry and something of a fairy godmother to the new wave of alternative and feminist erotica. Did you ever expect to last so long in adult? What’s your secret?
Actually, I did. My secret is that I’m here for more than just the party. I got into adult entertainment for many reasons, not the least of which was to get my message about sex, sexuality and sexual expression out into the world. I’m a nurse, as well, so I’m here to set an example of healthy sexuality, as well as to help others find their best sexual place/expression. I act as an advocate to those who aren’t at liberty to be as out about their sexuality as I am. If I had been here only for the attention or the money I’d have burned out long ago. I’m also exceptionally well-suited psychologically for a career in sex work, as it happens. I’m bisexual, non-monogamous, kinky, exhibitionistic and enjoy sex without having to be in love. Adult entertainment is NOT for everyone, but it is for me.
What are your plans for the future?
To continue advocating for sexual literacy and sexual freedom for all adults. To take the conversation about sex, sexuality and sexual expression to a wider audience. To do stand up about sex, sexuality and sexual expression (believe me, sex is also funny as hell). I’d like to go on TV and talk to the likes of Joy Behar, Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, the women of The View. I want to continue speaking to colleges and universities about sex and sexuality and sexual expression. I want to engage as many people as are interested in the conversation to join it in my new community, SexWise, which is a safe place to discuss all aspects of consensual adult activity.
In short, I’ll be doing in the future what I’ve been doing for the past 26 years. I’ll just be taking it to a wider audience.
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Thanks to Nina for her time!
Pic is from Nina’s Facebook page.