Every year on December 17, International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers unites our community to call attention to the urgent issue of violence, stigma, and neglect the industry still faces. Today we are joined by Siri Dahl, an unapologetic porn performer and outspoken advocate for sex worker rights and creator of the Corn telethon to talk to us about advocacy, age verification laws, and how creators can empower themselves and the community.
Please introduce yourself and tell us what inspired you to get into sex work?
My name is Siri Dahl. I started out thirteen years ago, in 2012. Back then I was just “Siri” with no last name. I chose Siri because my family background is all Scandinavian, and Siri is the nickname for Sigrid, which means “beautiful victory” in Old Norse. I picked Dahl because it’s also a Scandinavian name and it provides a lot of opportunities to make silly puns, like “The Dahl House.” I’ve always been a deeply curious person. I was also a bit of a late bloomer. I always had crushes, but I didn’t date anybody until after I graduated high school. In the meantime, my curious nature led me to consume all of the information I could get about sex ed, human sexuality, and different lifestyles, like kink and non-monogamy. By the time I was 18, I had started to realize I wasn’t straight, and I was also really curious about queer porn, so that was actually my main introduction to sex work. I bought memberships to a few queer porn sites, and I started entertaining fantasies of being in porn films myself. I first got the idea that I wanted to be a porn performer because the more I learned about the industry, the more I thought it would be a fun way for me to explore my own sexuality in a controlled environment, as opposed to just experimenting “in the wild.” It helped that I was also discovering that I have a bit of an exhibitionist streak. Although I had the idea that I wanted to do porn when I was 19 and in college, I didn’t actually execute on that plan until several years later when I was 23. It just seemed too crazy and impossible. But after years passed and I still couldn’t shake it, I decided I needed to just go for it, and that’s when I moved to Los Angeles in 2012 and launched my career as a performer.
Throughout your career, you've been an outspoken advocate for sex worker rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and promoted diversity and inclusion in the adult industry. Can you share some of the experiences that have inspired your activism, and tell us why these issues are so personally important to you?
I’ve always had progressive values and a strong sense of justice, which became glaringly obvious to me in adolescence, after my family moved to a deeply conservative North Texas suburb. I was exposed to a lot of bigotry there, which I couldn’t stand. I’m convinced the only reason I mentally survived high school was because I made friends with the other theater kids, weirdos, and the few gay kids that were brave enough to come out. I didn’t really date until college, but my first relationships were queer. By the time I was nineteen, I had come out to my whole family, at first as a lesbian, then later as bisexual. That was a fun time, explaining the concept of bisexuality to my parents and numerous aunts and uncles, who are all boomers and didn’t “get it” at first.
With respect to queer representation and diversity in the industry, things were quite a bit less progressive when I started out in 2012, and I was disappointed to find that out, because I expected more acceptance and solidarity from an industry full of stigmatized, marginalized people. I’m thrilled that the industry has made so much progress in the last decade in terms of representation, but we still have a ways to go. I think a big part of that change is the fact that performers are now more in control of the content we create, so the appeal of a greater diversity of appearances, body types, genders etc. is undeniable when you see there’s a niche for literally everything.
For the first couple years of my career, I didn’t really have a firm grasp on the importance of sex worker rights. I remember when FOSTA/SESTA was passed in 2017, and at the time I was retired from porn and working a civilian job, but I was completely horrified by what it meant that those laws got passed. Inspired by sex worker activists like Elle Stanger, Siouxsie Q, and SX Noir, I started just by casually talking to my friends about sex worker rights. Pretty soon I was talking to everybody about it—casual acquaintances, people at parties, random dudes at my powerlifting gym. The more I talked about it, the more I learned that most people are genuinely curious about sex work. Of course, there are some folks who are initially hostile and judgmental, but in my experience even those people are reachable once they meet an actual sex worker and have an honest, calm conversation. I became the primary source for everybody I met who had questions about sex work and the porn industry, and then I started to realize that I have a knack for providing that information in a friendly and disarming way. It’s one of the main reasons I decided to come out of retirement, because talking to people about it all the time made me realize how much I missed being a sex worker!
What does International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers mean to you?
It’s a somber reminder of the resilience of the sex worker community, because we face violence at rates much higher than the general population, and that risk is compounded for sex workers who occupy multiple marginalized identities, such as being trans, or a racial or ethnic minority. It’s also an opportunity to highlight the fact that a lot of the violence done to sex workers could be prevented, by destigmatizing and decriminalizing sex work in all forms. The only reason that sex work is widely considered to be a dangerous job is because society makes it dangerous for us. We all deserve safety, respect, and to live full and happy lives.
We couldn’t agree more. Speaking of safety, how have recent age verification (AV) laws impacted your career? As an online creator, have you noticed any changes to your traffic on earnings across platforms?
I have seen a pretty big drop in traffic to my paid pages, as well as my income, since AV laws started spreading across the US and Europe. It’s frustrating and disappointing because I know those fans who have disappeared from my radar probably aren’t completely abstaining from viewing adult content. Unfortunately, they’re probably going to other sites that don’t verify age, and finding content that is leaked and stolen. This is simply not sustainable for content creators like me in the long term. These laws could really decimate the Internet as we know it, and the effects will (and in many ways already do) reach far beyond the accessibility of adult content online. It’s bad enough to censor legal, consensual adult content, but these laws have a chilling effect on free speech as a whole. It affects everything from sex education information to reproductive health resources, LGBTQ+ resources, fantasy romance novels, and beyond. That’s why I’ve been vocal about fighting back against these crappy laws since day one. There is a way to go about this that keeps minors safer online, while also not infringing upon free speech rights and the livelihoods of adult content creators: We need device-based age verification, and it can’t come soon enough.
Exactly, we need to be vocal about age verification at the source. Let’s switch gears a bit. As a co-creator of the entertaining and cheeky Corn Telethon, what inspired you to launch this annual event?
My co-producer Alex Steed and I hatched the plan for the first Corn Telethon in 2024, because we were both experiencing the negative effects of these censorship laws in our work as entertainers. Alex’s background is in mainstream entertainment and podcasting, and he was especially alarmed by how quickly the anti-porn, anti-sex work narrative was spreading in this new era of age verification laws. Our inspiration for the Corn Telethon was the old fundraiser telethons from the 1980s, like the Jerry Lewis telethon to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The telethons back then weren’t just fundraisers, they were variety shows, and really they were cultural events. We wanted to create a retro-style fundraiser that would bring together entertainers from both the adult and mainstream entertainment industries to build solidarity, raise awareness about the challenges that sex workers face, and most importantly to raise as much money as possible for sex worker mutual aid. We’ve had some really amazing guests join us, from top comedians to bestselling writers, journalists, podcasters and musicians. Since it’s a 12-hour long event with 50+ guests, tons of people are in the studio on the day of the event, and the green room starts to look like a party! It’s such a cool thing to see so many amazing people coming together with a shared goal and message.
In addition to the Corn Telethon, your advocacy work has been noted in major press outlets like Mashable, you are featured in a Netflix documentary called Money Shot: The Pornhub Story, and have participated in notable campaigns like “Hands Off My Porn” that launched in 2024. Have you noticed increased awareness or changes in public understanding regarding violence against sex workers as a result of this exposure?
Advocacy work in general is a marathon, not a sprint. Especially with the issue of sex worker rights, there is a firehose of misinformation that we’re trying to combat, day in and day out. It’s hard to gauge public awareness on a large scale because of that. I won’t lie, sometimes it feels like it’s two steps forward and one step back. But the most important thing is that we’re on the right side of history, and I know that for a fact. We’re starting to see data now that shows that FOSTA/SESTA has not only failed to stop sex trafficking in the US, it’s literally made it harder for law enforcement to find and prosecute actual traffickers, while at the same time putting consensual sex workers in harm’s way. Not to mention, it’s led to the rise of ridiculous algospeak on social media, because apps like Instagram will ban user accounts just for using words related to sex, porn, or even sexual education.
There is still so much work to do to increase public awareness of how harmful these censorship laws are, but I do see the tide slowly turning. For the 2025 Corn Telethon, which we just did in September, it was very affirming to see how much mainstream press coverage we got. We had a handful of really large-scale press hits across traditional and new media, and the tone was different this year compared to last year—in the sense that more people seemed to have a better grasp of the seriousness of this threat. Peoples’ hackles are up. It doesn’t take a genius to see that the politicians and organizations backing these thinly veiled censorship laws are often doing so disingenuously. More and more people are starting to understand that this isn’t just sex workers’ fight, it’s everybody’s fight.
What are some of the positive outcomes you’ve experienced through your advocacy work?
I’ve always loved the people in this industry, but since getting involved with advocacy work I feel an even stronger sense of community with my fellow sex workers. One of the most rewarding things is when a new creator tells me that I’ve inspired them in some way. Every time I go to an industry party, conference, event, or awards show, I’m reminded of why I do this work. I don’t want to be too much of a cornball, but sometimes I get a little teary eyed. I really do get sentimental about it.
Have you faced any challenges or backlash related to your advocacy work, and if so, what motivates you to keep going?
As a sex worker, and honestly just as a woman on the Internet, I’m going to face backlash in some regard, no matter what I do! So yeah, of course. But it’s not nearly as bad as some people might think. When I first started talking about censorship and advocating for sex workers rights, I did have some fans who were salty about it. You know, the type of guys who would comment things like “We’re here to look at you, not listen to you yap!” I genuinely don’t care though. They’re ignorant trolls, not fans, and they’re not the ones paying my bills. I figure they can stick around and learn a thing or two, or they can continue down their troll path and unfollow me, if they’re so bothered.
There are challenges involved in balancing advocacy work with my other paid work. The more deeply I’m involved in activism, the less time I have for adult content creation and other income-generating opportunities, and that can be a financial struggle sometimes. Sometimes it’s hard to switch my brain mode between super analytical nerd brain and horny creative brain, but I just do my best, and it gets easier over time.
How have your fans and followers responded to the content you create around performer safety and sex worker rights?
The response is overwhelmingly positive! Aside from the occasional troll, my fans and followers really like it when I talk about the behind-the-scenes reality of how the adult industry works. I know many of them have learned new perspectives through watching my content, and gained a better understanding of how online censorship and suppression works.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get involved in using their voice and platform to advocate for the adult industry?
First of all, and most importantly, make sure you have the proper resources and information. You could be the most passionate advocate, but if you’re not using reliable resources, you could do more harm than good. I recommend resources like Decrim Now, Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP), SWAID Las Vegas, SWR Data, the Woodhull Freedom Foundation, and the Free Speech Coalition. If you intend to speak to journalists, I’d also recommend some basic media training. Woodhull has a media training program for advocates called Spokes Hub. Beyond that, I would say to just always be willing to give a little grace to people outside the industry, especially when you’re having tougher conversations. That doesn’t mean you let them walk all over you, but it does mean you need to be prepared for some potentially annoying or offensive questions, and be capable of fielding them in a calm and respectful manner. There’s been decades of sensationalized and incorrect information spread about sex work in mainstream media, and therefore many people will come to these conversations with misconceptions about what we do. It doesn’t mean they’re the bad guys. There are indeed bad actors and disingenuous people in the media, but in my experience, most of them don’t even bother talking to sex workers (probably because they’re afraid to be called out on their bullshit).
Aside from the organizations you mentioned, are there any creators in the industry whose work you admire and would like to highlight?
Oh boy, there are SO many people I want to mention here, I could write a whole novel about it.
Codi Vore is a huge inspiration to me for so many reasons—not only are we sisters in breast reduction surgery (which is obviously exceedingly rare in the porn industry!) but she’s one of the badass cofounders of SWAID Las Vegas. Codi flew in from Las Vegas and donated her entire day to co-hosting and helping on set with the Corn Telethon, in addition to making a very generous donation out of her own pocket. Every time I see her, my day is instantly brighter. She’s a gem of a person.
Gwen Adora and I met through the Netflix documentary and ever since then we’ve joked that the director of the film should start a matchmaking service, because Gwen and I instantly became super close. I adore everything she does, from her wild cosplays to her creativity in her content production, and the wholesome positivity of her social media presence.
I am constantly in awe of Little Puck and how she continually produces really impressive, beautiful original content. She’s a true artist. I have an infinite well of appreciation for her.
I really admire Mike Stabile at the Free Speech Coalition, because he’s doing incredibly impactful and important work, with limited resources. Anybody who cares about sex worker rights who hasn’t heard of him, stop what you’re doing and go follow him right now.
Noelle Perdue [a former Pornhub employee], who I also became friends with via the Netflix documentary, is a porn historian and a fantastic writer with a unique approach to discussing pornography and sex work. I’m obsessed with her Substack.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Zariah Aura several times in Adult Time productions, as well as being a guest at her and Nicky Zeal’s wedding. Both Zariah and Nicky are amazing performers, and of course I must stan a porn industry power couple. They work really hard, always bring a positive energy, and we are lucky to have them in our community!
Behind the scenes at the Corn Telethon, 2025. Photo by Gustavo Turner. Zariah Aura, Codi Vore, Nicky Zeal, Siri Dahl.
Looking back at your journey, is there a particular moment or experience that profoundly shaped your perspective on sex work and advocacy?
At the first “civilian” job I had right after I left the industry in 2015, one of my coworkers recognized me from porn and anonymously reported me to HR. Of course I hadn’t done anything wrong at work, this coworker just didn’t like me being there, and they were trying to get me fired. It resulted in my supervisor calling me in for a private conversation a few days later. In that time between learning about the complaint and having the conversation with my supervisor, I felt embarrassed, insecure, and terrified that I was about to lose my job, but I was so relieved when that ended up not being the case. After an honest and mildly awkward conversation with my supervisor, to his credit he took my side on the issue and recognized that the complaint was just an attempt to harass me and make me feel uncomfortable at work. I kept my job, and the person who submitted the complaint was given a warning.
It’s ironic that the person who made the complaint was probably opposed to porn and sex work, yet they still wanted to punish me even when I had left the industry (if you hate porn, isn’t that exactly what you want?) and was literally working at the same job as them. You see this same mentality all over the place with anti-sex work organizations and activists. They aren’t concerned with our rights and safety as much as they’re concerned with purifying the parts of our culture that they don’t personally like. Whether they’re coming from a religious fundamentalist perspective or a sex-worker-exclusionary radical feminist perspective, they’re just zealots. Which also means they’re a minority of people who are just really, really loud. I think there are far more people out there like my former supervisor—people who just need the cloud of misinformation lifted for a minute to see the reality of the situation, which is that sex workers are just as deserving of rights and respect as anybody else. That was a really powerful realization for me, and it’s a big part of why I’m dedicated to speaking up about these issues, and why I have a lot of hope for the future of the movement for sex workers rights.
Given the hard work that goes into advocacy, being a performer and creating content, how do you unwind and care for yourself when you’re not working?
That is literally one of the main reasons I hired a manager; to help me prioritize the ways I spend my time. I have the perfect personality type to become a miserable workaholic, so it really helps to have somebody else telling me to take a break! But seriously, I take a lot of long hot baths. I also spend 12-15 hours a week in the gym powerlifting, and although I do create some content around that, 90% of it is Me Time, and I love zoning out to my favorite music in my headphones while I’m lifting. Also, I have a therapist that I see regularly. Shoutout to Pineapple Support for helping me find her, because she is amazing!
Final question because we couldn’t help but notice you’re a cat lady! What are the names of your two cats? Do they have any distinctive personality traits?
I have two black cats, and their names are Georgia Binx and Lenny Beans! They’re not literal siblings, but they’re one year apart, and they’re definitely bonded with each other. Georgia is a total mama’s girl, and she’s way too smart for a cat. I had to put a special child lock on my front door because she figured out how to unlock the deadbolt and open it, and whenever I leave the house for more than 30 minutes, she wants to come find me. Lenny is a little derpy, which is super cute. He’s an absolutely perfect angel baby. He loves everybody and he’s super snuggly and affectionate. Both of them follow me around all day and fight over who gets to sit on my lap.
We encourage you to check out the organizations and individuals Siri mentioned in her spotlight for additional information on advocating for sex worker rights and ending the stigma facing our community. By working together, we can fight to end violence against sex workers.
Banner photo credit of Siri: Gustavo Turner
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