On Our Backs was a groundbreaking lesbian sex magazine launched in 1984, created by and for lesbian women, challenging norms and advocating for sex-positive feminism. Its digitization preserves this vital piece of LGBTQ+ history, ensuring accessibility for future generations and fostering ongoing conversations about sexual liberation and identity.
Overview of the Magazine’s History and Significance
On Our Backs, launched in 1984, was the first U.S. lesbian sex magazine created by and for lesbian women, challenging traditional norms and fostering a sex-positive feminist dialogue. It played a pivotal role in the Feminist Sex Wars, advocating for sexual liberation and becoming a symbolic representation of lesbian identity and empowerment during its 22-year run.
Importance of Digitization and Online Accessibility
Digitizing On Our Backs preserves its historical significance, making it accessible to new generations. Online archives ensure its legacy endures, fostering education and research. Despite challenges like copyright and sensitivity, digitization bridges gaps between past and present, maintaining its influence in LGBTQ+ culture and sexual liberation discussions.
Historical Background of On Our Backs
Launched in 1984, On Our Backs was the first U.S. lesbian sex magazine, created by lesbians for lesbians, emerging during the feminist sex wars of the 1980s.
Founding and First Edition in 1984
Founded in 1984 by Susie Bright, Deborah Sundahl, Honey Lee Cottrell, and Nan Kinney, On Our Backs debuted as the first U.S. lesbian sex magazine. Its inaugural summer 1984 issue featured erotic photography and stories, marking a radical shift by centering lesbian sexuality. Created by lesbians for lesbians, it challenged traditional norms and ignited conversations during the feminist sex wars, becoming a symbol of sexual liberation and empowerment.
The Context of the Feminist Sex Wars
The Feminist Sex Wars of the 1980s polarized anti-porn and sex-positive feminists. On Our Backs emerged amidst this conflict, embodying the sex-positive movement by celebrating lesbian sexuality and erotica. This divide shaped the magazine’s mission to challenge censorship and promote sexual freedom, positioning it as a defiant voice for lesbian liberation and self-expression during a politically charged era.
Evolution of the Magazine (1984-2006)
Launched in 1984, On Our Backs became a pioneering voice for lesbian sexuality, enduring until 2006. It navigated censorship and cultural shifts, evolving to remain relevant. The magazine played a crucial role in promoting sex-positive feminism and influencing LGBTQ+ media, leaving a lasting legacy in lesbian culture and sexual liberation.
Key Figures Behind On Our Backs
The magazine was founded by Susie Bright, Deborah Sundahl, and Honey Lee Cottrell, pioneering women who championed lesbian sexuality and sex-positive feminism, shaping its groundbreaking content.
Susie Bright: Founder and Editor
Susie Bright, a pioneering sex-positive feminist, founded On Our Backs in 1984, serving as its editor until 1991. She championed lesbian sexuality and erotic content, creating a platform for women to express their desires freely. Bright’s work extended beyond the magazine, influencing feminist pornography and LGBTQ+ culture, leaving a lasting legacy in the fight for sexual liberation and freedom of expression.
Contributors and Their Roles
Contributors to On Our Backs included photographers, writers, and artists who shared a vision of empowering lesbian sexuality. Deborah Sundahl, Honey Lee Cottrell, and Nan Kinney were key figures, with Sundahl as publisher, Cottrell as photographer, and Kinney handling production. Their collaborative efforts created a space for lesbian voices to thrive, challenging stereotypes and promoting sex-positive narratives in a historically marginalized community.
Impact of the Founding Team
The founding team of On Our Backs left an indelible mark on LGBTQ+ culture, challenging societal norms and paving the way for future queer publications. Their work sparked necessary conversations about lesbian identity and sexuality, fostering a sense of community and visibility. The magazine became a symbol of resistance and empowerment, influencing both feminist discourse and modern media.
Content and Features of the Magazine
On Our Backs featured explicit lesbian erotica, photography, stories, and artwork, celebrating queer desire and challenging norms. It became a pioneering platform for lesbian sexuality and expression.
Lesbian Sexuality and Erotic Content
On Our Backs was the first U.S. magazine to explicitly depict lesbian sexuality, offering erotic stories, photography, and artwork created by lesbians for lesbians. It provided a platform for authentic expression of queer desire, challenging societal norms and empowering women to explore their sexuality openly and unapologetically.
Photography, Stories, and Artwork
On Our Backs showcased vibrant photography, intimate stories, and bold artwork, all created by lesbians for lesbians. These elements celebrated queer desire, offering authentic and unfiltered portrayals of lesbian intimacy. The magazine’s visual and narrative content not only challenged stereotypes but also provided a platform for self-expression, empowering women to explore their identities and desires openly.
Unique Approach to Lesbian Erotica
On Our Backs pioneered a unique approach to lesbian erotica by blending explicit content with personal narratives and artistic expression. It empowered women to explore their desires authentically, challenging mainstream norms. The magazine’s focus on lesbian-created and centered material ensured diverse voices and experiences were celebrated, making it a landmark in queer media and feminist discourse.
The Feminist Sex Wars and Their Impact
On Our Backs emerged during the Feminist Sex Wars, championing sex-positive ideals amid anti-porn debates. It played a pivotal role in shaping discussions on sexual expression and freedom.
Division Between Anti-Porn and Sex-Positive Feminists
The Feminist Sex Wars highlighted a deep divide between anti-porn feminists, who viewed pornography as exploitative, and sex-positive feminists, who championed sexual expression. On Our Backs became a symbol of the latter, promoting lesbian sexuality and challenging anti-porn ideologies. This division shaped debates on gender, power, and sexual liberation, with the magazine at the forefront of advocating for women’s erotic autonomy and freedom.
On Our Backs as a Symbol of Sex-Positive Feminism
On Our Backs emerged as a powerful symbol of sex-positive feminism, challenging anti-porn ideologies and celebrating lesbian sexuality. Founded in 1984, it became a beacon for women reclaiming their erotic agency. The magazine’s bold content and unapologetic stance on sexual freedom positioned it as a landmark publication, inspiring conversations about empowerment, desire, and identity within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
Censorship Battles and Their Consequences
On Our Backs faced significant censorship battles, including legal challenges and distribution struggles. Issues were often removed from public platforms, limiting accessibility. These battles underscored the magazine’s controversial nature and its challenge to societal norms. Despite these obstacles, the publication remained a vital voice for lesbian sexuality, highlighting the importance of preserving such content for future generations.
Censorship and Legal Challenges
On Our Backs faced legal challenges due to its explicit content, leading to distribution issues and censorship. Courts often ruled against the magazine, impacting its reach and financial stability.
Struggles with Distribution and Censorship
On Our Backs faced significant challenges in distribution due to its explicit content, leading to censorship and legal battles. Many retailers refused to stock it, and legal disputes over obscenity further limited its reach. Despite these obstacles, the magazine persisted, becoming a symbol of resistance against censorship and a beacon for sex-positive feminism.
Legal Battles and Their Outcomes
On Our Backs endured numerous legal battles, particularly over obscenity claims, which hampered its distribution. Courts often ruled in favor of the magazine, upholding its right to publish. However, issues were occasionally removed from platforms like the Internet Archive due to third-party complaints. These challenges underscored the magazine’s resilience and its fight for freedom of expression.
Freedom of Expression Advocacy
On Our Backs emerged as a powerful advocate for freedom of expression, challenging censorship and promoting sexual liberation. The magazine’s legal battles and resilience highlighted the importance of protecting diverse voices, particularly within marginalized communities. Its legacy continues to inspire efforts to safeguard artistic and erotic expression, ensuring that such content remains accessible and celebrated.
Legacy and Influence of On Our Backs
On Our Backs significantly influenced LGBTQ+ media, inspiring modern publications and preserving lesbian history through digitization, ensuring educational access and its cultural relevance for future generations.
Impact on Lesbian Media and Culture
On Our Backs revolutionized lesbian media by providing a platform for authentic erotic content created by lesbians, fostering a cultural shift in representation and empowerment. It challenged stereotypes and inspired future LGBTQ+ publications, becoming a cornerstone of lesbian identity and sexual expression, while its digitization ensures continued relevance and accessibility for new generations.
Influence on Modern LGBTQ+ Publications
On Our Backs paved the way for modern LGBTQ+ media by breaking barriers in erotic representation. Its legacy inspires contemporary publications to embrace diverse voices and explore sexual liberation openly. The magazine’s innovative approach continues to influence queer media, encouraging bold storytelling and authentic portrayals of LGBTQ+ experiences, ensuring its impact endures in today’s evolving cultural landscape.
Historical Preservation and Education
Preserving On Our Backs as a historical archive ensures its legacy endures for educational purposes. Digitization efforts make the magazine accessible to researchers and the public, offering insights into LGBTQ+ history and feminist debates. Archiving this content educates future generations about queer culture, sexual liberation, and the magazine’s pivotal role in challenging societal norms and promoting LGBTQ+ visibility.
Archives and Digitization Efforts
On Our Backs archives are being digitized to preserve its historical significance. Efforts focus on making the magazine’s content accessible online, ensuring its legacy endures for future generations.
Current Availability of Digital Copies
Digital copies of On Our Backs are limited but increasingly available through archives and libraries. Some issues are accessible online, while others require physical access. Archives like the SF Public Library and university collections offer digital versions, though challenges like copyright and sensitivity persist. Efforts to digitize and preserve the magazine continue, ensuring its legacy remains accessible for research and education.
Challenges in Digitizing Sensitive Content
Digitizing On Our Backs faces challenges due to its explicit nature and copyright concerns. Legal battles and censorship histories complicate permissions, while ensuring contributors’ privacy and consent is essential. The explicit content also requires careful handling to balance preservation with respect for creators’ rights and sensitivities, making the digitization process complex and delicate.
Importance of Archiving for Future Generations
Archiving On Our Backs preserves a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history, offering insights into lesbian culture and sexuality during the 1980s and 1990s. This resource educates future generations on sex-positive feminism, fostering understanding and appreciation of diverse identities. It serves as a historical tool, ensuring that the voices and stories of its contributors remain accessible and influential for years to come.
On Our Backs remains a landmark publication, preserving lesbian history and advocating for sexual liberation. Its digitization ensures future generations can explore its cultural and feminist significance, fostering continued dialogue on identity and freedom of expression.
Final Thoughts on the Magazine’s Importance
On Our Backs holds immense cultural significance as the first U.S. lesbian sex magazine, challenging norms and fostering dialogue about lesbian sexuality. Its sex-positive feminist lens empowered women, provided a platform for marginalized voices, and educated readers about desire and identity. Despite censorship battles, the magazine remains a powerful symbol of resistance, leaving a lasting legacy in LGBTQ+ media and cultural history.
Future Prospects for On Our Backs Archives
The digitization of On Our Backs archives promises to preserve its legacy, making it accessible to new audiences. Efforts to digitize and share the magazine highlight its cultural and historical significance. Collaborations with libraries and LGBTQ+ organizations will ensure its availability for research and education, inspiring future generations to explore its impact on lesbian media and sexual liberation.