The 28th Sexual Freedom Awards – honouring practitioners, performers and activists who promote sexually positive attitudes – will be held in London, UK on Thursday 2nd May, 2024. These are uniquely independent and inclusive international Awards – with their famous, hand-carved, ' golden flying cock' trophy. Performer and Stripper finlaists showcase their live acts during the Awards ceremony. One further award to those shown below, is for Lifetime Achievement. This is discretionary, decided by the judges and recognises the Awardee’s contribution to society over many years.

A long-list for each Award category is compiled from nominations from the public and a short-list, usually of 3 Finalists per category, is selected by a panel of expert judges who announce winners on the night. We salute all nominees & Finalists!

See below for those selected for 2024. The Finalists remain featured here as a tribute their outstanding contributions to the myriad worlds of sexual freedom and expression.

Raffle with thanks to:

Activist of the Year

Jessica Hyer-Griffin

Jessica Hyer-Griffin is a sex workers’ rights activist, SV trauma specialist and the founder of Support for Student Sex Workers (SfSSW). After being discharged from a rape recovery centre for disclosing her involvement in the sex work industry, she founded SfSSW, using her experiences as a bisexual, disabled sex worker and survivor coming from extreme poverty to evidence the importance of lived experience in recovery.

Her work has seen the implementation of the UK’s first sex work policies and she has since worked to reform access to justice for sex workers on a multinational scale and ensure sex workers in the prison system are supported through a harm reduction framework.

She operates a helpline which has seen many reports of SV with no access to justice and people stating they had “nowhere else to go”. In response, she trained to be an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor to ensure sex workers could be supported through court and police processes. She now runs an ISVA service which works to improve on the unlikeliness of sex workers reporting to the police and ensuring that professionals who support sex workers are aware of how to make support accessible to sex workers and their diverse needs. https://sfssw.co.uk : : @jessicahyergriffin : : @supportforstudentsexworkers

Kaytlin Bailey

Sex worker rights advocate, comedian, and writer, Kaytlin Bailey is the Founder & Executive Director of Old Pros, a non-profit media organization creating conditions to change the status of sex workers in society. Host of The Oldest Profession Podcast, she is also the creator of Whore’s Eye View, a mad dash through 10,000 years of sex worker history.

A globally recognized leader in the sex worker rights movement, Kaytlin Bailey has been quoted in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, New York Post, The Village Voice, The Nation, Reason, and on NBC. She has written op-eds for The Daily Beast, Vice, and recently for 11 syndicated newspapers on California Senate Bill 357. Kaytlin Bailey has been invited to speak on Fox Business, Sirius XM, at Yale Law School, Penn University, and UCLA.

Kaytlin Bailey’s views are backed by Amnesty International, The World Health Organization, Human Rights Watch, and UNAids who all agree that the decriminalization of sex work is the only policy that reduces violence.

oldprosonline.org : : whoreseyeview.com : : kaytlinbailey.com : : @oldprosonline : : @kaytlinbailey : : X @oldprosonline | @kaytlinbailey

Leila Davis AKA Cutie Whippingham

Leila AKA Cutie Whippingham is a Queer Pole Artist from SE London. Leila started stripping and entered QTIBIPOC nightlife in 2015. Since then she has spent years creating resources and carving out spaces to protect her community. Leila is passionate about spotlighting pole dancers of colour who are also Queer, Trans, Intersex, Sex workers, disabled or low-income. She has made numerous videos on whorephobia and the appropriation of sex work culture by the pole industry. She has been in several publications such as Metro, Vogue and Dazed discussing the fact the pole industry was built off of the backs of strippers of colour. Leila has been on numerous panels and has been invited on to several talk shows and podcasts including BBC London and BBC Radio 1Xtra talking about paying homage and centring strippers as the founders of pole. Additionally, she produces a yearly professional pole show centring pole dancers of colour who are sex workers, LGBTQIA+, plus-sized, disabled or on a low income. Her show pays performers £1,000, covers travel expenses, and provides food, gifting and the means to build a professional portfolio to catapult the career of the artists in the show. A lot of what we see in the pole industry is taken directly from Black stripper culture and Leila is here to ensure that marginalised groups are in the spotlight within this already systematically excluded art founded by Strippers. @cutiewhippingham : : @blxckstage : : www.blackstagepole.com : : www.leiladavispole.com

Ally of the Year

Evan Sweeney

Evan Sweeney, a 40-year-old disabled male who identifies as genderqueer, works primarily as a freelance writer and sex educator. His topics include disabilities, sex, gender, and queer culture. He has been running sex and disability workshops for more than 15 years, and he got started with it after realizing how little good, sex-positive information there was for those with disabilities.

Evan is the author of the book "Queers on Wheels" and has lectured across the USA, discussing sex and disability. Through "Cripping Up Sex with Evan," he continues to conduct live and online workshops. He is also available for individual consultations. crippingupsexwitheva.com : : @CrippingUpSex : : FB @CrippingUpSexWithEva : : X @CrippingUpSex

Helena Kate Whittingham

Helena Kate Whittingham is a frankly lusty woman with criminal sartorial taste. She has a deep and multifaceted experience of working with The Erotic, and due to her innate ability to connect people has honed a speciality of talent management within the sex realm.

Helena heads up Lover Management Ltd, a flexible management company and creative agency specialising in intimacy and the erotic. Founded in 2019, we are currently working predominantly with sex workers, sex educators, sex and relationship influencers, dating apps, sexual wellness brands, porn, erotic cinema, and more. Lover Management centres sex workers in everything they do, and alongside understanding the extra care that comes with working with incredible people in this realm, goes the extra mile with initiatives such as raising money with events and merchandise to charities such as SWARM, and created the #stopdeletingus campaign against Meta to help SWers and adjacent Sex-related accounts being wrongfully deleted. lovermanagement.com : : @lovermanagement

Jennie Williams

Jennie Williams is the founder and CEO of Enhance the UK (ETUK), a user-led charity which helps people with physical and sensory disabilities to live a full life. She set it up after working in the care sector and becoming frustrated with the lack of practical information and support available for people who wanted to know more about communicating with disabled people both professionally and personally.

Jennie, who has degenerative hearing loss, an auto-immune condition and is neuro diverse, also wanted to encourage open conversation and education around sex and disability. The charity’s Undressing Disability campaign focuses on the sexual rights and responsibilities of disabled people. It includes the ‘Love Lounge’, podcasts, videos and books alongside an online forum for advice and answers regarding sex, dating and relationships for those with impairments. Jennie speaks freely around her experiences and identifies as Bisexual. Enhancetheuk.org : : @undressingdisability : : X @ETUKUndressing

Alex Vasquez

Alex Vasquez (he/they) is a queer disabled content creator who runs their online blog on TikTok and Instagram, @TheWheelsBlog, where they talk about human rights internationality, especially on topics of disabilities and sexualities.

Alex moved to the UK from Costa Rica to further their education with a Masters in Digital Cultures at King's College London and later on working as a digital journalist for the BBC World Services. Today, they continue working on digital content for young audiences through their online content as well as digital engagement for the Human Rights organisation, Amnesty International.

thewheelsblog.com : : @thewheelsblog : : X @thewheelsblog

Dee Whitnell

Dee Whitnell (they/them) is a qualified sex educator who focuses on LGBTQIA+ sex ed, a trans activist, the founder of UK solidarity campaign #TransKidsDeserveToGrowUp, Queer journalist and soon-to-be author ... in summary.

Dee has worked tirelessly to provide Trans and Queer inclusive sex education to their following, as well as various universities, colleagues and businesses such as Urban Outfitters and others. They have been featured in PinkNews, Gay Times, Diva, The Guardian, Channel 4, BBC Radio, and ITV, discussing a range of topics from access to inclusive sex education to their own experiences as a Trans and Nonbinary individual to activism for the Trans community.

@S3xtheorywithdee : : Tiktok @S3xtheorywithdee : : X @S3xtheorydee

Giulia Viaggi

Giulia (she/her) is an enthusiastic SEN Specialist Teacher and Sex Educator. Born in Italy, she now works in the UK education sector with secondary school students. It was here she realised the importance of high quality relationship and sex education (RSE). Giulia wanted to provide a platform for the spread of this knowledge to an Italian audience. This is how the Instagram profile Sessolosapeste, a play on Italian words of “sex” and “knowledge”, was created. The main focus of the profile is on inclusivity and topics range from sexual health, mental health, queerness, to disability, and transfeminist issues.

Her posts on Instagram explain a single RSE concept each time in simple terms, with a focus on openness and acceptance. This series provides a first exposure to RSE that can be accessed by a wide population, which they can use to springboard their own research. Alongside this, Sessolosapeste also provides workshops with experts on a range of topics, and guidance on access to sexual health services in Italy. Giulia hopes to expand this further by offering more workshops and reaching and ever expanding audience.

Giulia was shortlisted among the finalists for the Sexual Health Awards 2022 for the category micro-influencer of the year.

@sessolosapeste : : Tiktok @sessolosapeste : : YouTube: @sessolosapeste : : Linktree @sessolosapeste

Event of the Year

One Night

One Night was born out of a love for sexual spaces, but a disdain for entitled men. Mainstream clubs and bars have shown us how predatory and intrusive male-centric spaces can be, with even mixed-gender sex parties often feeling intimidating, cautionary or tailored to the desires of cisgender males.

One Night is an event series where femme-leaning people can meet other like-minded individuals, explore their sexuality or/and develop friendships without feeling any pressure to engage in sex or look a certain way. It is a space which welcomes women and femme-leaning non-binary people of all ethnic backgrounds, social backgrounds, body types, sexual preferences and ages (18+, unless the venue states otherwise).

One Night was established informally in 2016 but has been run from various equipped spaces since 2019. The event was originally a play party, but over the years it has become an event series which also includes socials and panels (alongside parties that are for play). We also enjoy collaborating with other events and organisations whose ethics and agendas align with ours.

This is a space for our pleasure, education, entertainment and liberation. It’s a space in which we encourage you to uplift and empower one another. We hope that when you leave, you leave as part of a community as well as a leaving from a night that will continue to play on your mind...

onenightparties.com : : @onenightparties

Ruby Slippers, Townhouse

Ruby Slippers was established in 2019 at Townhouse on Merseyside, with the intention of creating a safe, sexy, fun and friendly play space for anybody identifying and living as female, with invitations extended to bisexual, bicurious or lesbian ladies.

The event has gone from strength to strength with growing numbers and an unrivalled reputation for being the perfect mix of sexy, social and fun! With a new host at the helm, Ruby Slippers is fast becoming one of the venue's top events and this nomination couldn't come at a better time in the history of event. With exciting plans ahead and an enthusiastic team of people behind the event, 'Ruby' will exceed expectations and continue to draw women from all across the country, looking for a sexy, yet supportive and pressure free play space.

Ruby Slippers in a crucial to Townhouse, as it is often the first breakthrough event for bi/gay women to tentatively explore their sexuality and there are very few safe environments in which to do this. The ‘Ruby’ team are delighted that their dedication to the LGBTQAI+ community has been recognised and this nomination will propel the event into exciting new adventures for years to come.

townhouseswingers.com : : @Townhousewirral : : Facebook @townhouseswingersclub : : X @Townhouseswing : : Tiktok @townhouseclubuk

Sexquisite Events

Sexquisite Events are a performing arts company platforming sex worker artists across cabaret, theatre and nightlife. Creating sell out shows with 5 star reviews across London, Manchester and Bristol, they use art as activism and create fierce, feminist and multi-disciplinary work. Committed to offering sex workers paid creative work, they seek to destigmatise sex work through performance, and use it to impact meaningful change.

Best known for their contributions to queer nightlife with their signature cabaret x club night, they also make theatre, guest lecture on feminist performance, run community projects and host workshop courses for sex workers to process their experiences through art. Since founding they have worked with over 300 sex workers, delivered over 110 projects / events, and collaborated with a number of adjacent sex positive, queer and sex worker led organisations such as: Cybertease, Sex and Rage, Slut Social and Riot Party.

Sexquisite’s work has been featured by Bishopsgate Institute, VAULT Festival, Tate St Ives, Institute of Contemporary Arts, Central School of Speech and Drama, Ourgasm, Sounds of the Other City, Fat Out Fest, Tour De Moon,The Vagina Museum and Guildhall School of Music & Drama. They are due to be featured by Mighty Hoopla in the summer of 2024, and also go on tour across the UK in the autumn. sexquisiteevents.com : : @sexquisite.events : : X @sexquisitevents

Performer of the Year

Alénee Aisha

Alénee Aisha is a multi-talented performer who has captivated audiences with her stunning hair suspension, fire performances, snake charming, sideshow acts, and aerial feats. She has made a name for herself in the world of fetish and alternative performance arts, and has received widespread recognition for her daring and provocative performances.

With two "Best Stage Performer" awards under her belt, Alénee Aisha has established herself as one of the top performers in the UK Fetish scene. She has toured with some of the biggest names in the business, including the Circus of Horrors, Pyrohex, and The Cavalcade Club, and has been a standout performer at events like Torture Garden, club Ritual in Rome and Switzerland, Proud Cabaret, and The Box in Soho, not to mention many international tattoo conventions and much more.

Her unique style and fearless approach to performance have made her one of the most sought-after performers in the industry. Whether she is mesmerizing audiences with her snake charming, suspending herself by her hair, or performing death-defying stunts with live flaming piercings, Alénee Aisha never fails to leave a lasting impression.

For those who are looking for a truly unique and unforgettable experience, Alénee Aisha is the performer to watch. With her captivating presence, breathtaking skills, and unforgettable performances, she is sure to leave you in awe. @alenee_aisha : : X @alenee_aisha

John Celestus

A host, contortionist, boylesquer and the darkest darling of cabaret. John is an international headliner, and the first Greek Boylesque performer! He has a distinctive, dark androgynous aesthetic and his performances are intense and sensual, bringing out the darker side of your soul. Traits that took him on stages all over the world. John is inspired by circus, vaudeville and cinema, loving fetish, BDSM and underground experiences!

@J.celestus : : FB @john.celestus

Kitty Velour

Kitty Velour is a pole dance princess, booty-popping showgirl and dreamy aerial artist from Manchester! Kitty runs her own online school called Dance With Kitty @dance_with_kitty which specialises in $tripper Style movement, and celebrates the $ex worker origins of pole with tutorials & classes teaching pole, floowork, twerk, chair and more!

Kitty also hosts her own neo-$tripper style cabaret show called The Pxssy Parlour @thepxssyparlour, which showcases all things naughty & nasty, and to help inspire others to be unapologetically sexxy in a world that often squashes sexxual expression. Kitty is a dynamic force of pink, bouncy, sparkly energy and is known for her heel-clacking, and split-popping performances.

As a bisexual Filipina, she flips the script on narratives of queer/asian sexuality and advocates for these marginalised groups. Kitty has performed and taught workshops all over the world, having recently performed with Snoop Dog! Blackstage even described her as "an entire genre' - she is considered a household name and a pole dance icon! dancewithkitty.com : : @kitty_velour : : @dance_with_kitty

Podcast of the Year

The 6am Club podcast, Gemma Rose

The 6am Club is a podcast hosted by stripper of 6 years, Gemma Rose. Listeners can join Gemma on her drive home from work to debrief on her night at the club. Gemma talks about the good, the bad and everythung inbetween. She highlights important industry issues which strippers face and offers an insight into an otherwise shaded world. Listeners are able to educate themselves around the nuances of the life of a stripper. Gemma's goal is to destigmatise the work and amplify many shared experiences among co-workers. She jopes this will contribute to opening people's ideologies and lead to fight for changes in sex work law abd policy.

the6amclub : : Social Media: @the6amclub

Doing It podcast, Hannah Witton

Hannah Witton is a former sex ed Youtuber turned Creator Consultant. Throughout her career, Hannah has been hailed as one of the UK's foremost voices, covering an array of topics, including sex, relationships, feminism, body image, gender, sexuality, and parenting. Her journey with having an ostomy also became a source of inspiration and empowerment for many and has appeared on ITV and BBC Radio 1, sharing her story.

Her "Doing It Podcast" series was a resounding success, amassing over 2 million downloads, where she delved into a range of topics from dating, bodies, to taboo subjects while maintaining the same candid and open style for which she is known. Her debut internationally selling book, 'Doing It,' sold over 20,000 copies in its first year alone and her second book, 'The Hormone Diaries,' was a natural extension of her successful YouTube series of the same name.

Hannah's contributions have led to her being shortlisted for Young Person of the Year at FPA's UK Sexual Health Awards. In recent times, she earned her place in The Sunday Times Top 100 Influencer List, a testament to her far-reaching impact. In addition, her achievements also include winning the 'Best Sex and Relationships Influencer' award at the Cosmopolitan Influencer Awards. doingitpodcast.co.uk : : @hannahwitton : : Youtube: @morehannah

Skin Out podcast, Toni Murphy

Skin Out is a show bringing visibility to POC kinksters, fetish fiends + pervs. These are the stories of people of colour taking up space in the kink and fetish scene. Hosted by Toni Murphy, the show features guests from all walks of the kink and fetish scene. From kinky baby to pervy veteran. They take listeners on a sexual journey, discussing what brings them pleasure, the complexities of their desires, wants and the feelings and emotions that tie into it.

The series dismantles the issues that POC kinksters and fetish fiends navigate daily in the scene. The role race and culture plays in their sexual identities and explorations. The intersectionality of being non-white AND being plus size or neurodiverse or queer or older. The show brings visibility to their lived experiences and empower more POC to live their best kinky lives. The first season is due to be digitally archived at the Bishopsgate Institute, the largest LGBTQ+ archive in the UK.

Toni Murphy is a multidisciplinary storyteller. Her work centres the experiences of Black, Indigenous and people of colour with a focus on alternative lifestyles and dispelling cultural taboos. tonimurphy.co.uk : : @tonivmurphy : : YouTube @tonivmurphy : : X skinoutpod

Product of the Year

Pulse Queen from Hot Octopus

Finding the Pleasure Frequency! The Pulse Queen from Hot Octopus offers a completely new kind of sensation. Their cutting edge PulsePlate Technology™ uses powerful oscillations completely new to the sex toy industry, based on studies which have revealed the precise frequency and amplitude of vibrations necessary to allow orgasm in people with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) when applied to the frenulum, the clitoris or penis.
This leads to a unique experience for people who want to take their orgasms to the next level. The PulsePlate oscillates at 33hz also known as the Pleasure Frequency and the products ergonomic design hugs the body so it is great to use hands-free and perfect for those who love to grind.
While most vibrations are only skin deep, Pulse Queen delivers deep, bassy, oscillations at a high amplitude that penetrate between 2.5-3mm deep into your body. With 9 speeds and 7 adjustable frequency vibration modes, another great thing is the range that can be achieved; from really gentle to an intense crescendo at the higher settings. Whether you’re a newbie or a power queen, the Pulse Queen will have you accessing a whole new orgasm pallet you never knew existed.

hotoctopuss.com : : @hotoctopuss : : Facebook @HotOctopuss : : X @HotOctopuss : : YouTube @HotOctopuss

Quest Discover by Enhance the UK & Rocks Off

The Quest range (the Adventure, Affinity, Discover, Elevate, and Odyssey) is a sex toy range with accessibility at its heart. Created by disability-awareness charity Enhance the UK and leading sex toy creators, Rocks Off, it is the first inclusive range to consider the entire user experience from shopping to shipping to opening and using. Quest’s accessible packaging utilises a highly contrasting colour palette, Braille, a QR code for product audio descriptions and pull-tabs for easy unpacking.

Discover's attachments for internal and external use (g-spot, prostate and penis) can be added and removed with ease. The ergonomic remote control and wrist strap are ideal for those who struggle with grip strength. Large embossed buttons with both visual and haptic feedback as settings change let you focus on the sensations, not the mechanics.

This multi-use toy is ideal for stimulating all body types, shapes, sizes and genders, whether you're exploring solo or with others. With 6 vibration settings, the wand is produced using soft -ouch silicone that is waterproof, body safe and Phthalate free, with magnetic snap contact USB recharging.

A share of all Quest product sales go to Enhance the UK’s “Undressing Disability” campaign, continuing collaboration with disabled people and their loved ones.

enhancetheuk.org : : rocks-off.com : : @undressingdisability : : X @Enhancetheuk & @ETUKUndressing

Überlube

Überlube was founded in 2002 with the goal of creating a premium, lightweight lubricant with long-lasting performance that doesn’t leave a sticky residue.

Now with over 20 years of industry experience, überlube, which was recently named as "Best Lubricant Brand of the Year”, continues to be loved by many for its multi-purposes and minimal ingredients. The silicone-based formula, which is compatible with latex, is also body-safe, cruelty free, medically approved and dissipates naturally from the skin.

Überlube, which is a registered medical device, is recommended by over 7,000 medical professionals worldwide and as a brand it exists to not only empower individuals to prioritise their sexual well-being but also other areas of life. Add some shine to your hair, bring out the colours of your tattoos, use it for anti-chafe during your runs and workouts, and let überlube help heal your scars. All in one tiny bottle.

“Feeling is everything”. uberlube.com : : @uberlube

Sex Worker of the Year

Countess Diamond

Countess Diamond, an accomplished and professionally esteemed Dominatrix from Bristol, is a force to be reckoned with. She tirelessly champions advocacy efforts and supports Sex Worker Union initiatives, serving as a Committee representative. Her influence extends across both UK and EU political landscapes, highlighted by her pivotal role in convening a groundbreaking conference that united academics, sex workers, and government agencies to impact the visibility of sex workers in the Online Safety Act 2023.

Countess Diamond’s influence reaches across multiple platforms as she proudly represents the industry on television, radio, and in print. Her unwavering dedication to advancing sex worker rights and visibility ensures that diverse voices and experiences within the community are authentically portrayed in mainstream conversations.

Drawing from her extensive background in sex work and her adept brand management skills, Countess Diamond provides invaluable mentorship to her peers. Her guidance fosters a culture of safe kink practices and empowers fellow workers to cultivate thriving businesses, ensuring a resilient and vibrant community. countessdiamond.co.uk : : @thecountessdia2 : : TikTok @thecountessdiamond : : X @thecountessdia

Miss May

Miss May is a professional Dominatrix, educator and dungeon owner.

For the past four years, Miss May has built a big audience on her social media. She started her sex work journey in Germany, Berlin where she worked in various cities and spaces. In the last 2 years, she relocated to London where she opened her own dungeon space - E1DARKROOM. If she's not in her dungeon, she hosts workshops or fetish performances at various events all around London.

Prior to her domination journey Miss May has been involved in other types of sex work. She wants to continue to create a safer space and host workshops and events to educate others and free others of their shame.

missmayberlin.com : : @missmayberlin : : @e1darkroom

Rebecca Crow

Rebecca Crow, your friendly naked activist and a non-binary nightmare. Sex work has given Rebecca the opportunity to travel the world, meet incredibly powerful human beings and enabled them to create art and perform it as their full time job - a huge gift that Rebecca strives to payback their community for.

In 2018 and 2019 Rebecca organised the first SW protests outside of Instagrams HQ to fight back against the companies' consistent discrimination. This led them to meet the absolute powerhouses in the Sex Workers Union, allowing Rebecca to understand the industry even further through the varied experiences of workers from all different walks of life. This galvanised Rebecca's drive to share these experiences with the world through their podcast Crowversation and further dispel the stigma that plagues us all.

katsandcrows.co.uk : : @katsandcrows

Somatic Sexologist of the Year

Chloe de Sousa

Chloe de Sousa is not your average love, sex and relationship coach; she's a luminary with over two decades of experience in guiding individuals through the depths of intimacy and self-discovery. As a seasoned 5 rhythms dance teacher, dance movement psychotherapist and coach, she's not just about theory; she's all about embodiment and transformation.

With a passion for unlocking the boundless potential within each person, Chloe empowers her clients to embrace their ecstatic sexuality and step into their own unique leadership journey. Her approach is rooted in trauma-informed practices, blending the latest findings in modern science with the timeless wisdom of ancient tantra.

Known as a "legend of space holding" and hailed as the "queen" of 5 rhythms dance facilitation, Chloe's reputation precedes her. Her influence extends globally, offering 1-1 coaching, transformative courses, and captivating talks that bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern understanding.

Beyond her spoken words, Chloe is also a published author, sharing her profound insights with the world. In her eyes, pleasure is not a privilege but a birthright for everyone. feralgrace.net : : @feral.grace

Colin Richards

Colin has worked full time in the field of somatic sexology since 2005. In this time Colin has worked with over 8000 clients and has been featured extensively in the national media and TV

His approach is rooted in the belief that somatic experiences play a pivotal role in creating meaningful connections. Within his practice, Intimacy Matters based in Chelsea London, he provides individuals and couples, sensual treatments, workshops and educational initiatives guiding people on a journey of self-discovery, encouraging them to explore the nuances of their bodies and connect with their partners on a deeper, more intimate sexual level. His humanistic methodology and teachings provide a roadmap for individuals to navigate the intricate landscape of erotic intimacy with mindfulness and intention.

He also works with individuals who may carry emotional and psychological burdens related to their sexuality, and through a combination of counselling and somatic practices, he empowers them to address and overcome these challenges. His psychosensual treatments particularly create safe spaces for individuals to engage in healing through embodied experiences, fostering a sense of self-acceptance and liberation.

Colin advocates for the acceptance of diverse sexual experiences. His inclusive approach ensures that individuals from various backgrounds, identities, and orientations feel represented and validated. intimacymatters.co.uk : : intimatetutorials.com

Divine Theratrix

Lara, also known as Divine Theratrix, is a professional kinkster and integrative therapist empowering humans of all genders to explore, play and heal. ‘Theratrix’ is a blend of the words therapist and dominatrix.

In her work, Lara helps people to:
• Connect to their true desires
• Get out of their head and into their body
• Access their authentic, sometimes hidden selves
• Find their sense of playfulness again
• Gain a deeper sense of self-acceptance and freedom

As ‘Divine’ in the name suggests, Lara approaches her work in a soulful way, which means that Lara treats her clients as holistic human beings with physical, mental, emotional, sexual and energetic needs. Lara believes that it’s only by working with these different parts of ourselves that we can truly feel happy, healthy and whole. In her community activism, Lara’s focus is on freedoms: freedom to choose; freedom to feel; freedom from abuse; freedom from shame. It is her greatest wish that all human beings will be free. Whether against external bullies or the inner tyrants of the mind, Lara shows people how to be themselves, stand up for who they truly are and navigate situations that would otherwise feel daunting. divinetheratrix.com : : @DivineTheratrix : : X @DivineTheratrix

Michelle Donald

Michelle Donald (PG Dip PST) is an Accredited Psychosexual Therapist ; a senior member of the College Of Sex and Relationship Therapists (COSRT). Her expertise formed over the last 20 years is in the areas of sexual issues related to spinal cord injury.

Michelle believes it is necessary to address the issue of how important sexuality is after a spinal cord injury, knowing that this aspect is often neglected, with the focus being on physical issues.

Michelle currently provides education and therapy programmes to patients and staff at STEPS Neurological centre in Sheffield and The Sue Ryder Neurological Centre in Preston to enable staff to feel more comfortable in opening up these conversations and for patients, to help with feelings and experimentation to help enable them to embark on a different intimate life.

Michelle currently is working actively with The Contemporary Institute of Clinical Sexology as a Tutor, Cauda Equina Champions Charity, The Back Up Trust, Private Clients, Case Managers, Solicitors and SHADA (Sexual Health Disability Alliance). Previously Michelle has worked at Stoke Mandeville National Spinal Injuries Centre for 9 years (the trip from Lancashire became too much)! Stanmore, Southport, Belfast and Oswestry. theinstituteofsexology.org : : LinkedIn

Stripper of the Year

Ally Only

Ally Only is a stripper, sex worker and all-round spicy bitch. Known for high energy, high speed, and high-flying pole performances, they have graced clubs and stages across the country including London, Bristol and Manchester.

Ally is loudly and proudly black, queer, and neurodivergent. Sex work has been their catalyst for finding community, collaboration, and stacks of cash!

A unionist and founding member of CYBERTEASE sex worker co-operative, Ally has pioneered alternative strip club models, that use profit shares to give power to dancers, not bosses. The proudest achievement of their career has been creating inclusive work spaces where strippers can enjoy and embrace striptease, knowing their profits are guaranteed.

In addition to CT, Ally has performed with Queer House Party, Sexquisite, One Night and at festivals such as Boomtown, Latitude and Secret Garden Party.

cybertease.co.uk : : @cybertease_ : : X @cybertease_

Angel Bella

Angel Bella is a sex worker, performer and photographer based in Manchester and London. She is best known for her uniquely alternative look full of XXL accessories, her cake squashing performances and her infamous BBL.

During the past 3 years of being a full time stripper, Angel has documented the UK clubs through her camera lens, capturing the reality of the rapidly declining post-pandemic industry. Alongside her documentation, in true stripper style, Angel brings ass-shaking, split-jumping and body-rolling madness to every crowd she meets- guaranteeing excitement, shock and arousal to all.

@missangelbella : : X @missangelbellaa : : missangelbellaa@outlook.com

Tauras

My name is Tauras aka the king of stems. I am an exotic dancer/content creator from the USA. I am known for my gender fluid personality and my versatility in different forms of dancing.

I’m a free spirit and hate being boxed in so I take huge pride in spreading positivity and acceptance in all genders and sexuality. Good energy and positivity is what I live by.

@taurastv : : Tiktok @taurastv

Writer of the Year

Girl on the Net

Girl on the Net is a sex blogger, audio porn producer, and enthusiastic pervert. She's been writing true sex stories at GirlOnTheNet.com since 2011, where she also rants about body image, relationships, love, dating, wank fantasies and other delights. GOTN also publishes guest blogs from a wide range of voices, turns her own work into audio porn to help make it more accessible to people using screenreaders, and runs the audio porn project at GirlOnTheNet.com/AudioPorn - where she pays and supports other writers to do the same.

She writes because she loves it, but also to try and challenge sex stigma, spark joy, and build a platform on which she can share other people's stories and celebrate the ones that don't often get told in the mainstream media. Whether it's railing against consent apps or revelling in last week's hot threesome, Girl on the Net writes to try and inspire other people to embrace and celebrate their consensual sexual desires, forgive and learn from their mistakes (and hers!) and hopefully help readers feel a little less alone. Her work is funded almost entirely by Patreon support (patreon.com/girlonthenet) and ethical sex industry companies.

girlonthenet.com : : Mastodon: @girlonthenet : : BlueSky: @girlonthenet : : X @girlonthenet

Maedb Joy

Maedb Joy is a poet, writer and theatre-maker, making political and socially engaged work. She is an alumna of Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and the Royal Court Playwriting Group. Maedb writes confessional work, with a socio-political perspective, aiming to provide a nuanced insight to the conditions sex workers are forced to exist in under current UK legislation. Writing from lived experience, she draws on her experiences with the criminal justice system, exclusion from mainstream education, and surviving as a working class artist in London, to tell stories about class, sex work, queerness and womanhood. Maedb works as a solo artist, but often creatively collaborates with the wider sex worker community as a writer, creative, community arts facilitator, and producer.

Her professional credits include: Impurity (Bishopsgate Institute), Stripped! (VAULT Festival), and Home Sweet Hell (Camden People’s Theatre, A Pinch of Vault). Alongside this she has had her work featured by BBC, Tate St Ives, Tour De Moon, Fat Out Fest, Ourgasm, The Barbican, Sounds of the Other City, Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Vagina Museum, and Polyester Zine. She regularly performs her original poetry at events across the country, and is currently working on a full length collection.

Maedb is the founder and and artistic director of Sexquisite Events, a performing arts company platforming sex worker artists across theatre, cabaret and nightlife across the UK. She is also the co-founder of Riot Party, a sex positive queer community producing sold out events in London and Manchester. Both organisations are committed to creating paid creative opportunities for sex workers, and impacting meaningful change through art and entertainment. maedbjoy.com : : Social media: @MaedbJoy

Quinn Rhodes

Quinn Rhodes is a freelance journalist whose work focuses on dismantling shame and queering sex. His writing aims to change how people think and talk about intimacy and gender.

Let down by the lack of inclusivity in mainstream conversations about sex and the sex ed he received, Quinn started writing six years ago to figure out what sex could look like for him. It led to his desire to centre the voices of people often left out of those conversations, and to the anti-capitalist and unapologetically queer lens he takes to his work.

Quinn has written about sexual health, reproductive justice, queer culture, and blow jobs for publications including VICE, Mashable, Gay Times, and Cosmopolitan. His bi-weekly newsletter, Genderbent, explores gender, transmascilinity, and mental illness. Quinn’s writing is fuelled by nerdy curiosity – and sometimes frustration with the cisnormative language used when discussing “women’s” health conditions like vaginismus.

Quinn is especially proud of his reporting on the barriers trans masculine people face accessing HIV prevention care, which was the first deep dive into this issue. He’s since spoken to public health professionals across the USA on how to improve sexual health services for trans youth. He is currently working on a radio documentary about the inaccessibility of PrEP in the UK. quinnrhodes.co.uk : : Blog onqueerstreet.com : : @onquinnstreet : : Mastodon @onqueerstreet : : X @OnQueerStreet

Previous Lifetime Achievement awardees have included:

Derek Jarman – Anthony Grey (leading English lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights activist) – Deborah Ryder (writer of erotic fiction representing female masochism) – Kathy Acker (author) – Berth Milton (photographer & founder of Private in 1965) – Charles Gatewood (photographer) – Betty Dodson (author, artist & educator) – William Levy (founder of Suck & International Times) – Irena Ionesco (photographer) – Derek Cohen (founder of SM Gays in 1981) – Jo King (founder of the London School of Stripping) – Sir Guy of The Tawsingham Community and The Other Pony Club – William Margold (porn actor, director and activist) – Dian Hanson (publisher) – Dolores French (author of Working: My Life as a Prostitute) – Empress Stah (Aerial Artist, Cabaret Theatre Performer, Show Producer) – Barbara Carrellas (author of the the world’s first LGBTQ and kink inclusive Tantric sex book, Urban Tantra) – Joseph Kramer (pioneering founder of The Body Electric School, EroSpirit & Sexological Bodywork) – Kenneth Ray Stubbs (quadriplegic sexual shaman & originator of modern tantric massage) – Crossbones (John Constable) – Dominic Davies (Pink Therapy) - 50th anniversary of the first U.K. Gay Pride March in 1972 (collected by Andrew Lumsden and Nettie Pollard for the GLF)

28th Sexual Freedom Awards Finalists