Discerning New Feminisms from Sadomasochistic Pornography in On Our Backs

Abstract

On Our Backs, a lesbian-feminist pornography magazine first pub-lished in 1984, features explicit lesbian sadomasochistic sex despite initial publication in a feminist politic critical of pornography and sadomasochism. The creators of On Our Backs expressed frustration with anti-porn discourse in the feminist movement and desired a feminism that was inclusive of diverse lesbian sexualities. Through analysis of the erotica published in On Our Backs from 1984-1988, I demonstrate that the creators engaged with sadomasochistic fantasy and bodily sensations to develop feminisms that addressed their sexual needs while exploring what felt absent from second-wave feminism, anticipating the rise of feminism’s third-wave.