Today we got to talk to Electra Rayne the CEO and director of QueerCrush about her drive to create an online platform devoted to authentic and inclusive representation in the Adult content industry.
1 what made you decide to start Queer Crush? Did you think there were deficiencies in how the queer community was being depicted?
I’m bisexual and married to a woman, and noticed that there weren’t many companies regularly putting out porn that looked like the sex I (and many of my friends) have in my personal life. I wanted to create scenes that reflected the diversity of lesbian sex, both of the people participating and the activities themselves. I wanted to see lube usage, check-ins, water breaks, and, especially, toy usage. So many traditional lesbian sites either completely discourage toys to make things feel “natural”, or throw toys into the scene at the last minute without considering what those specific performers actually enjoy or are familiar with. While there’s a small handful of great queer porn sites made by-and-for queer folks out there (shoutout to my favorite, CrashPad), there wasn’t anything lesbian-specifc.
2 I saw that the content on Queer Crush is unscripted. Why was that an important thing for you to include in the site’s content?
Since the entire purpose of QC is to provide a genuine look at the reality of lesbian sex, it just simply doesn’t make sense for us to be using scripts or contrived plots. We’re here to show you what really happens when you get two (or three) dykes together who really like each other, exactly as it happened.
3 What steps do you take to ensure the safety and consent of your performers?
Performer safety and comfort are our #1 priorities at QC, and that starts long before performers ever set foot on set. As soon as a scene is scheduled, performers receive a survey to complete that collects information on language they do or do not want used to refer to them, boundaries, desires, and any additional requirements they have for STI testing on top of the industry standard. This ensures the entire production team and the performers are all on the same page immediately. Some other aspects of our safety protocol include having the production team present when the performers look at each other’s tests and go over boundaries for the scene, so that we as a team are informed enough to be able to intervene in the event something should happen that would violate a boundary. We also have a speech I give to performers right when they arrive discussing their rights in the entire creative process, and emphasizing that they can stop or take a break at any time, and that anything they don’t like can be removed from the scene. My proudest achievement with the site thus far is the 100% positive feedback we’ve received on our anonymous aftershoot surveys.
4 What made you get started in the adult film industry?
When I was young, a friend and I thought it would be funny to see what was at “boobs.com“. At the time it was an affiliate directory of porn sites, though it’s not anymore. We weren’t familiar with porn and honestly only had a foggy idea about sex at the time. The front page that day happened to be highlighting Hogtied, Kink.com’s rope bondage site. My friend thought the entire site was weird and gross, so I pretended that I did too, but it secretly intrigued me. I went back to check it out later, shocked at how similar it looked to what went on in my head when I did “that weird wiggling thing” I did, that I was just starting to piece together might be masturbation.
At first I thought something was horribly wrong with me, both because of the sexual aspects and the BDSM, but eventually I finally saw an exit interview and learned about model safety and also that they were paid. My first thought was “Who would want to do a thing like that!?” but I realized that I would, and that there must be other people out there like me. That moment was REALLY important to me accepting myself sexually, which was really important for me accepting myself more broadly. I knew I wanted to give back to that as soon as I could
5 where would you like to see Queer Crush in 5 years?
My five-year goal is to have the site profitable to the point I can pay our entire staff well over a living wage plus full benefits, plus raise rates for performers (in addition to shared content rights, as we do now). I’d also like for us to be producing features twice per year, telling stories from my and our performers’ real lives.
6. Is it important for you to establish a rapport with the community who is engaging with your content?
The community engaging with our content has been my community for many years. It has been an honor, however, to see how many performers over time have specifically sought us out because they’ve heard about the safe and welcoming environment we’ve created.
7 If people want more information about you or Queer crush where should they go?
QueerCrush can be found at QueerCrush.com, where we also have an application for interested performers. You can find us on Twitter at @QueerCrushX, and Instagram and TikTok at @QueerxCrushx. My personal website is ElectraRayne.net, and I can be found on Twitter and TikTok at @ElectraRayne, and Instagram at @ElectraFromChicago.
Final four questions –we ask everybody
Q) When the zombies take over the world where will you be?
I think I’d most likely end up leading either a program to raise and protect livestock, or becoming a folk pharmacologist.
Q ) What is your favorite Fandom
Honestly, I think the queer branch of the Fight Club fandom is pretty creative and impressive.
Q) What piece of art, be it in the form of music, a book, a film or picture, do you think people must experience before they die?
I don’t think there’s one single thing. Everyone’s own experiences are so different, there’s no possible way it could be the same for everyone.
Q) Give one fact that most people would not believe about you?
I’ve never had a nose bleed!
Paper Phoenix ink 