Why was CHEEX founded?
"Be honest, do you guys actually watch porn?" was one question that particularly often came up during conversations with my friends about sex. My female friends especially had concerns associated with this question. They agreed that the current and freely accessible offer is off-putting and there is a lack of a safe space for erotic inspiration.
These conversations stuck in my head and led to a vision for me and my co-founder Max to create something big: a safe, digital place where all people of any sexual orientation and gender identity can find porn in a pleasant and aesthetic setting. Furthermore, inspiring and explanatory content that helps on the individual path to sexual liberation. This is how CHEEX was born. We launched the Berlin-based company in early 2020 and the first version of the platform in June of the same year with the tagline "Pleasure for Everyone".
How would you define ethical porn?
Ethical porn in three words is fair, safe, and inclusive. Meaning produced under fair and safe conditions which is checked for compliance with the CHEEX production guidelines and all legal framework conditions. We only work with performers of legal age, who are paid fairly, and all actions are consensual. As with our slogan "Pleasure for everyone", it is our priority that the diverse consumers of porn feel seen and addressed. We aim to ensure an inclusive, varied, non-discriminatory representation of sexuality and intimacy: different bodies, different desires, different sexualities without replicating images of stereotypes and clichés.
How do you ensure that all the performers are participating consensually and are provided with a safe and respectful working environment?
This is, of course, one of our main priorities in our productions. In addition to the careful selection of all crew and cast members, an important part of our policy is the provision of an intimacy coordinator, who likely has experience in performing themselves. Intimacy Coordinators ensure that all previously discussed No-Go's and Go's are adhered to and that the cast feels safe and comfortable at all times.
Also in the licensing of content, we make sure that we only work with production companies that have as high standards in security and policy arrangements as we do. For this, personal contact with the performers is particularly important to us, in order to additionally learn directly from them whether the productions meet our standards or to directly buy from the performers themselves. CHEEX has developed a catalog of criteria that is shared and discussed with the performers before a purchase or production. We then have compliance confirmed contractually. On CHEEX, you will only find content that our team has checked, while other platforms also allow users to upload their own content, which can then contain all kinds of content, including abusive content.
When you think of porn today, what do you think of?
We need a different approach to pornographic content. Today, everything is treated in the same way which is the common understanding that porn equals bad. That shows especially in the rise of porn bans and restriction laws. But pornography can also do a lot of good. On CHEEX, we also offer a lot of explanatory content that explains and shows how to live out certain practices safely and responsibly. I would like to see society take a closer look and engage in open dialogue. We should look at porn as an opportunity of exploring our sexual desires and liberation from shame and taboo.
How do you come up with new concepts for a porn movie? Are customers able to send ideas to CHEEX?
The ideas and concepts for our films mostly come from the minds of our directors and are often based on their personal sexual fantasies or those of their environment. Our goal is to show people and situations that we ourselves have seen too little of or that are missing in the existing offerings. To give an example: We recently collaborated with sexual wellness brand nevernot to break down the stigma of period sex, producing the first porn featuring a soft tampon. So dear CHEEX users, we always appreciate your feedback to come up with new material for you!
Do you consider platforms such as ‘Onlyfans’ as ethical?
Yes, they are ethical, in the ways they provide a direct income avenue for plenty of performers and sex workers of all sorts. Platforms like OnlyFans have strict procedures for making sure that creators are of legal age. Providing a safer, diverse, and reliable platform for work is ethical, beyond whatever particular content people could find there.
What are the goals and aspirations for the future for Cheex, both in terms of content and impact on the adult entertainment industry as a whole?
At CHEEX we will continuously pursue our mission, sexual liberation for everyone! For this, our product is variable. So if we suddenly realize that the world needs something else to be more sexually liberated, we will offer that instead of porn.
My wish for the future of the adult industry in general is that safety, diversity, and sustainability become top priorities. I hope that consumers become more aware and responsible in the way they consume porn. In my vision, I want inclusive sex education to play a major role in the industry. The representation of diversity in sex, sexuality, and sexual orientations should be ensured and taught well. I strongly believe that this can break down the stigma of the industry and ensure that sex workers are valued instead of being stigmatized.
What is your favorite movie on the platform and why?
"Muse", our first CHEEX original directed by Sylvia Borges in collaboration with Charlotte Kuhrt. The film plays with the concept of a muse, which is historically highly misogynistic, and transforms this role into a symbol of female empowerment. It shows emancipated female desire, in which the naked body is celebrated as art and a vehicle of self-determination. One witnesses all three actresses freely acting out their sexual fantasies and desires in a very aesthetically pleasing setting, which is an added bonus point for me.
Are you interested in trying out Cheex?
We would like to invite you to explore sexual desire free from shame and taboo!
Therefore, we offer a 7 day free trial with our code AIA7.
