New York (AFP)
A new generation of women is launching podcasts and audio platforms with erotic contents that are more in tune with the female desire, with the ambition to contribute to their well-being.
Initially, a finding, that of a free space in the landscape of eroticism between literature, not enough sensory, and video, which leaves too little room for imagination.
"I prefer to listen to erotic content than to see it," says Yves (who gives only his first name), user of Dipsea, one of the three major platforms launched for about a year, with Ferly and Quinn, all led by women.
"As for books," she says, "I prefer to imagine myself in a situation rather than looking at someone."
For Billie Quinlan, co-founder of the British platform Ferly, the time has come for eroticism to explore another form, be it the media or its content.
"Sexual stimulation is a sector historically dominated by men", she explains to AFP in an email, and this one "did not have as priority the feminine pleasure with, on the arrival, contents harmful "for women.
She thinks especially cries or groans overplayed, and positions supposedly appreciated by women.
Ferly has set herself the "mission of reimagining these stories by being thoughtful, honest and open to diversity," she says.
If Ferly is only for women, Quinn and Dipsea are open to a male audience.
Almost all podcasts last between 5 and 35 minutes, with sometimes sophisticated scenarios, which involve, for some, changes of places and multiple characters.
The erotic intensity of the program is often indicated, as well as the starting configuration, "She + Him", for example, with sometimes categories, such as "in public", "fantasy" or "voyeurism" at Ferly.
- "Sexual well-being" -
Ferly and Dipsea have dedicated significant resources to writing and sound, distinguishing themselves from more amateur content, such as GoneWild Audio, on the Reddit discussion platform.
"When you create erotic content, you trigger a very fragile feeling, which can be disrupted if a replica does not work or that the voice does not sound right," says Gina Gutierrez, 29, co-founder of Dipsea, who claims more than 325,000 downloads.
"You really feel like you're in the room with someone, having sex with her," says Caroline Spiegel, founder of Quinn.
Gina Gutierrez refuses the term "audio porn", sometimes used, which for her corresponds to something "transactional and cold, when the eroticism is wider", with "a human connection".
"It's hard to find erotic content that values women, or at least that treats the female character with respect," said a user of Dipsea, on condition of anonymity. "I feel respected and valued as a woman when I listen to Dipsea".
The $ 5.5 million invested in Dipsea and $ 1.5 million raised by Ferly have placed the United States and the United Kingdom at the forefront, but the genre is also becoming popular in other countries, such as France with "Les Paths of Desire "on Arte Radio.
This wave of erotic sound is part of a general movement that, in recent years, sees sex approached by the media in a more modern, less stereotyped, especially by women.
"We are living in a period that corresponds to people's desire to know each other better," says Gina Gutierrez.
Although it has not disappeared, the annoyance historically associated with the consumption of erotic content tends to dissipate.
Yves, the user of Dipsea, assures that she speaks with her friends and has already published a link to an erotic podcast on her Twitter account.
For Dipsea as for Ferly, the ambition goes beyond entertainment, as evidenced by their offer of audio guides (masturbation, cunnilingus, sexual games) and more theoretical podcasts ("say no", "desire and libido") .
Billie Quinlan and her partner, Anna Hushlak, have both been victims of sexual violence and see Ferly as a way for victims to reclaim their sexuality.
"Understanding what pleasure means to you is the essence of sexual well-being," says Billie Quinlan. "When you get there, it spreads in every aspect of your life."
If most of the listening is done alone, explains Gina Gutierrez, people currently in couples "explain to us that this has a strong impact on their relationship".
Women "may have more desire to be on the initiative," says the co-founder of Dipsea, "they have a better idea of how to do, a new language in bed, they try things (...) And it gives women strength far beyond the bedroom. "
© 2019 AFP