Pineapple Support Highlights Danger of Sex Work Stigma in Brutally Honest Video Campaign
Pineapple Support, the industry’s leading mental health resource, has launched a brutally honest video campaign to help raise awareness of the mental health challenges faced by adult performers. The video sheds light on the toll that discrimination, stigma, stress, consent violation and emotional abuse can inflict on performers.
“We wanted to be uncompromisingly honest about the effect stigma has on adult performers,” says Leya Tanit, Founder and President of Pineapple Support. “The video may be difficult to watch, but so is the reality faced by performers. As our industry knows all too well, sex worker stigma can be life-threatening. Most importantly, we wanted those struggling to know that they are not alone — and that there is help.”
Founded in 2018 by Tanit, Pineapple Support provides adult performers with 24/7 access to emotional support and other mental health resources. In just over eighteen months, the organisation has connected over two hundred and fifty adult performers with free and low-cost therapy, counseling, group sessions, and other resources.
The one-and-a-half-minute video, featuring actress Lyra Law, was produced in collaboration with CC Productions and Clips4Sale.
“We’re proud to have partnered with Pineapple Support on this project,” says Neil Orkin, CEO of Clips4Sale. “We hope the message in this video helps people to better understand the impact of stigma and mental health issues on adult performers. The outstanding work that Pineapple Support is doing is paramount to the future of the adult industry.
Christina Carter who directed the video for Pineapple Support says that it was crucial that the video tackle the issues with realism. Carter says even Lyra Law’s tears were real.
“We could have shot something bubbly and beautiful,” says Carter. “But we are not here to sugarcoat the issues. We are here to truly help our fellow talent and industry. I hope we’ve got your attention.”
Pineapple Support is encouraging performers and allies to share the video via YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.
Pineapple Support, which is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit in the United State and a registered charity in the UK, offers stigma-free therapy and counselling. The Pineapple Support listener service is completely free, anonymous and available 24/7. Simply visit the website pineapplesupport.com and click “Get Support”.
