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Written by Rev. Mike Tomko Monday, 30 June 2003 18:00

Internet users are bombarded every day with pornographic spam in their mailboxes and accidental page clicks that send them to pages NetNanny would disapprove of. “naked goth girls, naked punk chicks, nude emo girls”

This phrase is blazoned across the opening page of SuicideGirls.com. Normally one’s mind would envision images of graphic hardcore sex on a Web site full of pop-up windows and ads for bestiality and other lewd sites. Why would one think this? The reason is that, in a day and age where sex is used to sell everything from shampoo to cigarettes, there is a public stigma against any form of “adult entertainment” found on the Web. Internet users are bombarded every day with pornographic spam in their mailboxes and accidental page clicks that send them to pages NetNanny would disapprove of.

This leads to the question: Is the SuicideGirls Web site pornographic?

“By my definition, no, but by most of society’s definition,yes. The thing is porn, to me, depicts actual sexual acts. SG forthe most part is just naked pictures of girls done in a similar pinup style, you know, like Playboy. And to me, Playboy isn’t porn, either.” Suicide Edea

In the literal sense, yes, it is. SuicideGirls uses the depiction of erotic behavior (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement, and by definition, this makes it a pornographic Web site. What most people don’t realize is that, beyond the surface, SG is so much more. What do you think makes SuicideGirls different from any other site on the Web containing adult content?

“Well, number one, you as a model have more say in what setting and how you want your pictures taken. It definitely captures different tastes and styles and personalities more so than any site I’ve seen so far. That, and I feel like it’s more about appreciating everyone’s individual beauty, rather than forcing sexy into the mold of huge tits, having a tan, and having blond hair. That, and members and models can interactwith one another if they so choose.” Suicide Amelie

“SuicideGirls was created to give womena place toexpresstheir sexuality. It wasn’t created to fit into a preconceived mold.” Missy Suicide, founder of SuicideGirls.com

Follow me and all of the SuicideGirls as we take a trek inside the walls of SGHQ and find out what these naked goth, punk, and emo girls are really all about.

The Site Founded by Missy and Sean Suicide (no relation) as a way to bring appealing erotica to the masses, SG was sparked by the attractiveness of girls in Portland’s Pioneer Square. SuicideGirls’ “empowered erotica” shows the world that beauty is not just what is ogled over in the pages of Maxim or Playboy, but that it is all around you. As a member, besides being able to see all of the girls’ pictures, you have your own page on the site with a journal, profile, Webcam, “my pics” section, favorite girls, friends, etc. At any time, you can contact any of the SuicideGirls or members, whether it be through the message boards, journals, picture sets, member groups, SG chat, or the contact feature found on profile pages.

The Girls Remember that cute coffee shop waitress who bumped into you and smiled? You know, the one with the lip ring and tattoo. Or the girl you saw dancing at that rave? Black hair, dressed in leather, with the crazy hair. Or even the mohawked punker chick, the one who was bouncing up and down at the last hardcore show and whom you couldn’t keep your eyes off of. You can find them all on SuicideGirls. This is the site that claims to have kidnapped your girlfriend and given her a tattoo, to have the girl next door—if next door was CBGB’s. The girls (notice I don’t call them models) are unbelievably beautiful women of all shapes, sizes, ages, colors, hair styles, and interests who have to go through a lengthy application process in order to have their sets displayed. Why did you choose to pose for SuicideGirls?

“This site is totally intoxicating—the whole feeling was just right with it—very comfortable.” Suicide Quinne

“When I saw the site, I thought it was completely different from any ‘Goth’ porn I’d seen before. The girls on the site looked like me, and I loved the fact that they kept journals;I’d never seen that on a porn site before. I guess the reason I did it was because I wanted to be a part of something that might make some changes for the better in the adult industry, but also, I did it for the free membership!” Suicide Nic

The Pictures The first thing to realize is that there are no males and/or male body parts in any of the picture sets found on SG, which is the major separator from your average “porn” site. All of the girls are allowed to choose the setting and theme for all of their pictures, opening the door for integrity, originality, and experimentation. Photo sets can range from the simple candid around-the-house type, to the exhibitionist, to the extreme. Erin’s “Moody” set shows her moping and napping under the sheets; the “Will Strip” set has Bryn showing off her stuff on the side of the road with a “Will Strip for Food” sign; and “Get Dark” displays the masochistic side of Katie with broken mirrors, boobs, and blood. Does this sound like your ordinary porn site?

“These girls are allowed to be who they are… We pick what we wear, where we shoot, how far we go. It’s all very liberating.” Suicide Opahl

The Message Board Probably the most talked-about feature, besides the naked girls, is the message board. Broken up into eight categories—The Girls, The Site, Hook-Up, Music, Current Events, Dirty Talk, Lifestyle, and SG Army—the message board is how the SG community began, with hundreds of posts every day covering an expanse of topics. The beauty of the SG message board is the fact that practically any topic can be discussed without shame or embarrassment, and you are almost guaranteed to have a like-minded individual respond. As long as you follow the simple community rules and keep your posts to a non-hate slant, then you will have a very fruitful SG message board experience.

Profiles & Journals After someone reads your comments on the message board, he or she has the option to click on your screen name and view your profile. Member profiles are the basis for interpersonal communications on SG. Your profile page includes a personal synopsis, including age, location, body mods, interests, fantasies, etc., as well as a profile picture, your Web cam, a list of SG members that are your friends, your favorite girls, your favorite pictures, a personal photo album, and your journal. Members have the option of keeping a journal which can be updated as frequently or infrequently as they like and can be commented on by other members. This is how members maintain contact with one another on SG.

“The members are my favorite part of SG. They are such supportive, honest, and sweet people.” Suicide Bryn

Hook-Up & Member Groups Another way for members to meet is through the Hook-Up page. Here you can search for other members based on age, sex, keyword, or location, see who has Web cams active, and join SGChat. Member groups, which spawned from the Hook-Up page, are the best way for like-minded members to congregate on SG. Groups range from regional to special interest and from public to private and are the easiest way for members of the same city or interest to make plans, chat, share pictures, etc.

“My favorite part of SG is the friends (both in my city and out of it) who I’ve made, and hung out with, since I joined.” Suicide LuluMae

The Suicide Boys The most popular member group by far is the Suicide Boys. SB, which grew out of a growing demand on the message board for naked goth, punk, and emo boys, is the beginnings of a brother site to SG. Male members can upload SG-style photo sets of themselves and receive comments on their pictures just like the girls, except that the boys do not go through an application process, nor do they get compensated for their images. The boys do, however, have to follow the same rules as the SGs, which include starting clothed and ending up naked, showing their face in the photographs, and maintaining a standard of image quality.

Limbo Girls When a female member “goes pink” but their first photo set has not yet been uploaded, they are considered to be in “limbo.” (“Going pink” refers to the color a member’s posts change to when they become an SG.) New girls are featured twice weekly, Tuesdays and Fridays, as well as on special New Girl Weeks, when there is at least one new girl uploaded every day.

Calendar & Magazine Sections Just when it seems as if there couldn’t be any more special goodness to find on SG, they manage to squeeze in some more with the Calendar and Magazine sections. Members are allowed to upload events into the internationally searchable calendar of events, and they can read and comment on works of fiction, feature articles, and interviews submitted by SG members.

So, is SuicideGirls punk porn or alternative art? I would conclude that it is both, because it takes the art of pornography to a whole new level. SG is a community full of features to help people—people who are into fashion, music, art, film, and a little nudity—band together, free from discrimination. SG is a unique, one-of-a-kind Web site that has been featured on Nightline, on Larry King Live, in Spin magazine, and in various other print, radio, and television venues. Two hundred thousand weekly visitors would agree, and with roughly 800 women applying for suicideship a month, I don’t think SG will be fading out anytime soon.

“SuicideGirls are known as being beautiful, smart, sexy, unique, and real. There is an irresistible connection to the girls and to the community that you can’t get on any other Web site.” Suicide Stacie

http://www.suicidegirls.com