The Sexual Freedom Awards is an annual British event that honours achievement in the sexuality and erotica industries worldwide.
Founded in 1994 by campaigner Tuppy Owens, the awards were first called the "Erotic Oscars", until the name had to be changed for legal reasons. They were called the "Erotic Awards" from 2002 until 2013 when they become what is now known as the Sexual Freedom Awards. The awards ceremony is an annual event in London with a semi-finals event and the finals held at the "Sex Maniacs Ball", but now is a fully fledged award night in its own right. The Leydig Trust organise these events which raise funds for the "Outsiders Club", a charity that supports disabled people to find partners.
The Erotic Awards had twenty-one award categories including "Campaigner", "Sex Worker", "Striptease Artist", "Fashion", "Academic", "Writer", and "Film". Nominations come from the public, and three finalists in each category are then selected by the "Grand Jury of Conspicuous Sensuality". The winners are announced during the ceremony, where the finalists' work is also exhibited and performed. All award winners receive the Erotic Awards’ signature trophy, the "Flying Penis".
Past winners
2025 Activist of the Year – Roxanne Murray Ally of the Year – Bethany Burgoyne Creator of the Year - Scotty Unfamous Event of the Year – Riot Party Performer of the Year – TMC Top Monster Cock Podcast of the Year - Come Curious Product of the Year - The Maw Grinder by Undercover Creations Sex Worker of the Year – Trần Văn Luân(Ninh Bình-Việt Nam) Somatic Sexologist of the Year – Valentine Bordet Stripper of the Year – Quinn MX Outsiders Volunteer of the Year - Bella Writer of the Year - Topher Taylor Lifetime Achievement Awards – Deborah Sim aka The Keeper of the Museum of Sex Objects
2024
Activist of the Year – Cutie Whippingham Ally of the Year – Helena Kate Whittingham Creator of the Year - Dee Whitnell Event of the Year – Sexquisite Events Performer of the Year – John Celestus Podcast of the Year - Doing It podcast, Hannah Witton Product of the Year - Pulse Queen from Hot Octopus Sex Worker of the Year – Countess Diamond Somatic Sexologist of the Year – Michelle Donald Stripper of the Year – Ally Only Outsiders Volunteer of the Year - Sean Meacher Writer of the Year - Maedb Joy Lifetime Achievement Awards – Emily Turner
2023 Activist of the Year – Hookers Against Hardship Ally of the Year – Silva Neves Event of the Year – Sex and Rage! Performer of the Year – Chao-Ying Rao (Femme Castratrice) Pioneer of the Year – Monique Huysamen Publicist of the Year – Emma-Louise Boynton Sex Worker of the Year – Cain Somatic Sexologist of the Year – Beaver Meadow Stripper of the Year – Black Venus Outsiders Volunteer of the Year – Fiona Solomon, TLC manager & Nicola Howard Lifetime Achievement Awards – Stefan Dickers
2022 Activist of the Year – Kayden Gray Ally of the Year – Del Beach-Campbell Event of the Year – Juice Box Events Performer of the Year – Eddy Pioneer of the Year – Irving Olvera Publicist of the Year – David Stuart Sexual Worker of the Year – Eva Oh Somatic Sexologist of the Year – KalyM Stripper of the Year – Sabrina Jade Outsiders Volunteer of the Year – Eric Phipps & Steve Major Lifetime Achievement Awards – 50th anniversary of the first U.K. Gay Pride March in 1972
2019 Activist of the Year – Carolina BloggerOnPole Ally of the Year – The Consent Collective Event of the Year – UK Black Pride (UKBP) Performer of the Year – Chiyo Gomes Pioneer of the Year – Florence Schechter Publicist of the Year – Gigi Engle Sexual Worker of the Year – Sir Claire Black Somatic Sexologist of the Year – Caffyn Jesse Stripper of the Year – Sasha Diamond Outsiders Volunteer of the Year – Emma Buckett Lifetime Achievement Awards – Michael Ross-Turner
2018 Activist of the Year – Aderonke Apata Ally of the Year – Open Barbers Event of the Year – The Catwalk for Power, Resistance and Hope Performer of the Year – Fran Bushe – Ad Libido Pioneer of the Year – Mollena Williams-Haas Publicist of the Year – Erika Moen & Juno Roche (joint winners) Sexual Worker of the Year – Madame Caramel Somatic Sexologist of the Year – Tami Kent Stripper of the Year – Joana Nastari Lifetime Achievement Awards – Dominic Ravies
2017 Activist of the Year – Dan Glass Ally of the Year – Amanda Gay Love Event of the Year – The London Porn Film Festival Performer of the Year – Ellie Mason Pioneer of the Year – The Cocoa Butter Club Publicist of the Year – Alix Fox & Dr Kate Lister (joint winners) Sexual Service Provider of the Year – Matt-at-Lotus & Rosie Enorah Heart (joint winners) Somatic Sexologist of the Year – Ruby May Stripper of the Year – Tequila Rose Volunteer of the Year Outsiders Award – Val Clarke Lifetime Achievement Awards – John Constable aka John Crow
2016 Somatic Sex Educator of the Year – Deej Juventin Activist of the Year – Scottish Prostitutes' Education Project Ally of the Year – Georgina Perry Event of the Year – RIP Shoreditch Outsiders Volunteer of the Year – Vivien Abrahams Performer of the Year – Danny Ash Pioneer of the Year – Ellen Heed Publicist of the Year – Conner Habib Sex Worker of the Year – Saul Isbister Striptease Artist of the Year – The Stripping Shivas Multi Talent Award – Laura-Doe Harris Lifetime Achievement Award – Barbara Carrellas Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr. Joseph Kramer Lifetime Achievement Award – Kenneth Ray Stubbs, Ph.D
2015 Activist Of The Year – Stacey Clare Special Jury Prize for International Work – COSWAS (Collective of Sex Workers and Supporters) Ally of the Year – Clare de Than Event of the Year – The Summer House Weekend Performance Artist of the Year – Rex Denial Pioneer of the Year – Laura Lee Publicist of the Year – Pandora Blake Sex Worker of the Year (joint) – Seani Love Sex Worker of the Year (joint) – Mistress Tytania Somatic Sex Educator of the Year – Dr. Betty Martin Striptease Artist of the Year – Sam Reynolds
2014 Campaigner – Cari Mitchell Devotion to the Cause (Special Award) – Laura Lee Pioneer – Sex Workers Opera Erotic Performance Artist – Dominic Master Publicist/Writer – Frankie Mullin Sex Worker – Nikita Specialist – Annabel Newfield Stripper – Lou Safire Support Professional / Ally – National Ugly Mugs Volunteer – Special Outsiders Award – Jamie Willmott
2013 Performance Artist – Mr Mistress Striptease Artist – Jewel Inthelotus Club/Event – Double R Club Academic – Dr Meg Barker Artist – Monica Cook Blog – Slutever Campaigner – Laura Agustín Film – The Sessions Innovation – Bottom Spankers (Bert Gilbert) Lifetime Achievement – Hilary Spenceley Outsiders Award – Anita Kataraumbe Pioneer – Cindy Gallop Photographer – Predrag Pajdic Publication – Jungsheft Sex Worker of the Year – Charlotte Rose Website – Erotic Review Writer – Brooke Magnanti (Sex Myths) Sexual Therapist – Sue Newsome Tabloid Scandal – Benedict Garrett
2012 Campaigner of the Year – Brook Campaign for Sex and Relationship Education Striptease Artist of the Year 2012: Edie Lamort Illustrated Publication of the Year – Souvenir by RubiCANE Written Publication of the Year – Madam — Prostitutes – Punters – Puppets by Becky Adams Fashion Designer of the Year – Monsterlune (Estelle Riviere) Female Sex Worker of the Year – Dolly
2011 Pioneer of the Year – Luca Darkholme Photographer of the Year – Daikich Amono Sex Worker of the Year – Josh Brandon
2010 Academic – Dr. Antony Lempert Artist – Art Tart Blog – Dr Petra's Blog Campaigner – Clair Lewis Club and Event – Act Art Fashion – Prangsta Film, Feature – Uncle David Innovation – Ladies High Tea Pornography Society UK Lifetime Achievement – Sir Guy of The Tawsingham Community and The Other Pony Club Lifetime Achievement – Jo King Lifetime Achievement – Ian Jackson and Lesley Ann Sharrock Outsiders Award – Victoria McKenzie Performance Artist – Raymond-Kym Suttle & Gabriel Szlontai – Brokeback Disco Boys Performance Artist – Amelia Cavallo Photographer – Victor Ivanovsky Photographer – Sebastian Hyman Photographer – David Steinberg Pioneer – Reverend David Gilmore Poet – Ernesto Sarezale (aka The Naked Poet) Politician – Anna Arrowsmith Politician – Chris Davies Publication – The New Joy of Sex Sex Worker, Female – Pye Jakobsen Sex Worker, Male – Thierry Schaffauser Striptease Artist – Minky Mix Website – Saafe Writer – Jane Fae
2009 Campaigner of the Year – The Australian Sex Party Female Striptease Artist of the Year – Minky Mix Photographer of the Year – Victor Ivanovsky Campaigner of the Year – Reverend David Gilmore Writer of the Year – Susan Quilliam for updating/rewriting The Joy of Sex original author Alex Comfort
2008 Campaigner of the Year – Meena Seshu Event of the Year – The Love Art Laboratory Politician of the Year – Lord Richard Faulkner Politician of the Year – Baroness Sue Miller Writer of the Year – James Lear Lifetime Achievement – Bob Flanagan (27 December 1952 – 4 January 1996)
2007 Artist – Michael Forbes Blog – Viviane's Sex Carnival Campaigner – J.A.M. Montoya Club – Club R.U.B. Event – Discovering the Sensual Goddess Within Fashion – Totally Trashed by Karin Helen, London Film, Independent – Silken Sleeves Film, Independent Comedy – Carry On Mouse Film, Feature – Shortbus Innovation – Abby Winters Website Judge's Award – Max Emadi Lifetime Achievement – Derek Cohen Performance Artist – Ekaterina Photographer – Christian Petersen Pioneer – Taschen Pioneer – Candida Royalle Pioneer – Melanies Pole Dancer – Franca Porn Artist – Eva Vortex Publication – Gender and Sexuality Sex Worker, Female – Ariana Chevalier Sex Worker, Male – Sleazy Michael Striptease Artist, Female – Roxy Striptease Artist, Male – Mat Fraser Television Programme – Let's Talk Sex Website – SkinMarvin.com Writer – Mathilde Madden Outsiders Award – Karen and Mark Hoffman Outsiders Award – Nick Wallis Outsiders Award – Want
2006 Film of the Year 2006: Nomades by Jean-Daniel Cadinot Stripper of the Year - Chiqui Love Volunteer of the Year – Fosit Lifetime Achievement of the Year – Irena Ionesco
2005 Artist of the Year – The Secret Museum Independent Film of the Year – Made in Secret – the Story of the East Van Collective Sex Worker of the Year – Kim (London) Website of the Year – Melonfarmers – Watching the Censors Watch What We Watch Writer of the Year – Andy Quan, for the book, Six Positions (2005, Green Candy Press).
2004 Publication – Catherine Merriman Fashion Designer of the Year – Hussy Film of the Year – Zenra Ballet Performance Artist of the Year – Mouse Lifetime Achievement of the Year – Tomi Ungerer
2003 Artist of the Year – Tom Sargent (London) Campaigner of the Year – Paul Tavener (Portsmouth) Event/Club of the Year – The Whoopee Club (London) Fashion Designer of The Year – Miss Katie (London) Film of the Year – Secretary (US) Innovation of the Year – International Workshop Festival 2002 (London) Lifetime Achievement – Charles Gatewood (San Francisco); Rockbitch (Luxemburg); Simon Spencer (Manchester) Performance Artist of the Year – Tao Warriors (London) Photographer of the Year – Mariano Vargas (Marbella) Publication of the Year – Kink! (London) Striptease Artist of the Year (Female) – Immodesty Blaize (London) Striptease Artist of the Year (Male) – Walter (London) Sex Worker of the Year – Seb Cox (London) Website of the Year – www.ukrudegirl.com (United Kingdom) Writer of the Year – Susannah Indigo (Denver) Outsiders Award Winner – Ted O'Dwyer (London)
2002 Artist: Carolyn Weltman Erotic Book: Baby Oil and Ice – striptease in East London, edited by Lara Clifton Campaigner for Erotic Freedom: Ted Goodman Craft: Shiri Zinn Disability-Friendliness: ukfetish.info Documentary: My Body, My Business, A KEO films production for Channel 4