South Carolina Couple Arrested for Public Videos Releases Apology

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — The content creators arrested by South Carolina police over public videos that were uploaded to an adult website have released a video via Facebook tearfully apologizing for their actions.

In the video, re-published by the Myrtle Beach Sun News, the couple — now identifying themselves as Eric and Lori Harmon — spoke directly to the camera after their second arrest this week.

As XBIZ reported, the Harmons had been originally arrested by local police and charged with multiple sex crimes, including obscenity, after police were tipped off about public sex videos they had allegedly shot in Myrtle Beach and other locations, and uploaded to an adult website.

The Horry County prosecutor is charging the couple with multiple charges of indecent exposure and also with “participation in preparation of obscene material,” part of South Carolina’s rarely enforced obscenity statute which considers all filming of sexual acts illegal.

‘We’re Sorry, Please…”

“I’d like to think I was a good person,” a visibly moved Lori Harmon told her Facebook audience. “I was just having some fun. That’s what I thought I was doing. But it was wrong — it’s against the law and I should not have done that and I’m truly sorry and I hate, hate this, because of my family, my kids having to go through this and see this.”

Her husband Eric Harmon, also charged for the videos, added that they “did not want our kids to see this or even know about this but the media has blasted us all over the world and of course our kids found it.”

“They are teenagers,” Lori Harmon said on the verge of tears. “They can see it. It hurts, because they’re my babies, and I love them, and they’re hurting — with me.”

At that point Lori Harmon broke down and started sobbing.

“I’m here to apologize,” she continued. “I’ve learned a lesson. I’m not gonna do it again. If anything, please reach out to me, I’d really like to make it right for you all because that’s not how I want to live my life. I was just having fun and I got out of control. And this was a huge wake-up call.”

“And I’m awake. I’ve been awake for days and days and days. But we’re sorry, please…” Lori Harmon concluded.

Sex, Police and Videotapes

The original January 16 arrest, according to the local ABC News affiliate, occurred “after officers were tipped-off to videos showing the couple performing sex acts inside a glass gondola at the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel within view of the public, and at a community pool in the Surfside Beach area of Horry County sometime during the December 2020.”

The alleged indecent exposure was not witnessed or reported by anyone at the time of the incident and the investigation by local police seems to have only consisted of reviewing the videos allegedly posted by the couple to the adult site.

Fun Factory USA Hosts ‘Radical Sex Positivity’ Workshop with Ericka Hart

BREMEN, Germany — Fun Factory USA will present an online workshop about “radical sex positivity” hosted by Ericka Hart.

Fun Factory is organizing the workshop led by Hart — a Black queer activist, writer and award-winning sex educator — “in support of the anti-racist movement that gained momentum this past summer,” a rep explained.

Participants “will discuss how white people can approach customers of color more thoughtfully, how they can support coworkers of color, what consent means in the workplace and how justice movements are connected to the movement for sex positivity,” the rep added.

The workshop is free for people in any role within the sex and pleasure industries.

“As a brand committed to inclusivity and self-expression, Fun Factory understands that racism, ableism, transphobia and other prejudices stand in the way of our mission — and more importantly, our people,” the rep explained. “If our industry can work to confront and transform those prejudices, we believe that members of marginalized groups will be freer to experience pleasure.”

Hart has a Master’s of Education in Human Sexuality from Widener University and currently teaches at Columbia University’s School of Social Work and the CUNY School of Public Health at Hunter College.

Hart’s philosophy, the rep said, “positions human sexual expression as inextricable from overall human health and its intersections with race, gender, chronic illness and disability.”

Kristen Tribby, Fun Factory’s head of global marketing said, “We’d like to think that the sex and pleasure industries are the most forward-thinking. This workshop will help us put our ideals into practice, so we can create a positive environment for people of every race, ability, sexuality, size and gender.”

The workshop will be offered virtually in two parts on Wednesday, February 17 and Wednesday, February 24 at 11 a.m. (PST).

Participants will receive the link to the event by email after they register here.

For more from Fun Factory and Ericka Hart, follow them on Twitter.

Winners Announced for Nutaku Games Awards 2021

Winners Announced for Nutaku Games Awards 2021

MONTREAL — Winners of the fan-voted Nutaku Games Awards 2021 have been announced honoring popular games and game developer partners within the Nutaku community.

“The Nutaku Game Awards gives us the opportunity to highlight the games that managed to garner the most attention from our community in the last twelve months,” a rep explained.

“Project QT” earned five overall awards. “The oh-so-popular puzzle RPG has been capturing the attention of thousands of players since its first arrival on Nutaku and is a classic for a reason,” noted the rep. “With gorgeous babes and exciting battles, this game will keep you on your toes at all times, and always asking for more.”

A partial list of winners include:

Top New Game

  • “SF Girls”

Best LGBTQ+ Game

  • “Ninja Maidens”

Best iOS Game

  • “Harem Heroes”

Most Innovative Gameplay

  • “MagicAmi DX”

Outstanding Artwork

  • “Project QT”

A Labor of Love

  • “Booty Calls”

Community Comes First

  • “Project QT”

Click here for a complete list of winners.

In related news, Nutaku is celebrating its sixth anniversary with a variety of in-game deals on free-to-play and paid games. The “Nutaku 6th Birthday Event” runs through January 28.

Visit Nutaku.net for additional details and follow the adult gaming platform on Twitter for the latest updates.

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Newcomer Zaria Jones Guests on ‘Smutty Talks’ on SmuttyFy

LISBON — Zaria Jones is the featured guest on the “Smutty Talks” video podcast from adult social network SmuttyFy.com.

The recently launched program is described by a company rep as a “virtual talk show” and “a way of promoting performers, models, directors, producers, designers, manufacturers and the industry as a whole.”

“Zaria is a young a transgender woman who came to the adult industry less than a year ago,” said a rep.

“Although she’s had a short career, she has done quite well and has even landed a nomination for the 2021 Transgender Erotica Awards (TEAs) for ‘Best New Face,’” the rep added.

“Smutty Talks” can be found on SmuttyFy.com and will soon be available on most major podcast platforms.

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SINematica Signs Director Cosmo Liveti

DUBLIN, Ireland — SINematica is celebrating its upcoming first anniversary by adding Cosmo Liveti as a new director to their production team.

“Cosmo Liveti’s background as a moviemaker for non-adult projects, and his positive experience in directing adult feature movies for French TV’s Canal+ led SINematica to sign him to direct a new line of vignettes,” said a rep.

“We needed someone with an acute cinematographic eye, but also able to lead an adult, X-rated project with passion and a high hardcore level,” said the studio’s head of production. “Cosmo fits this perfectly.”

Cosmo Liveti recently directed “Sicalipsis,” a big-budget thriller shot in Ibiza which premiered on Canal+ last year.

“Now, I get the unique chance to be signed by SINematica, which is a brand I’ve followed since their first steps,” said Liveti. “I can explore new ideas, new directing techniques, and they really let me do what I want. It’s a unique time to be creative and to take my art to the next level.”

For more from SINematica and Cosmo Liveti, follow them on Twitter.

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Jay Myers Returns to SeeHimFuck

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Jay Myers returns for “New Name, Same Big Cock Stud,” his second appearance this month on man-centric site SeeHimFuck.com.

The title co-stars SeeHimFuck’s contract model Val Steele.

“Jay sports a new shorter hair style as he strips from his tan suit, but his cock is still impressive,” described a rep. “Val gets him nice and slick with lube, before gifting him a messy rim job.”

“Epic intercourse ensues,” the rep added.

For more on “New Name, Same Big Cock Stud,” visit SeeHimFuck.com.

For more from Jay Myers and SeeHimFuck, follow them on Twitter.

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XR Brands Celebrates Sweep of 2021 Awards Season

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — XR Brands is celebrating a sweep of the recent awards season, which includes the 2021 XBIZ Exec Awards win by Josh Ortiz as “Brand Ambassador of the Year” and the 2021 XBIZ Award for “BDSM Pleasure Products Company of the Year.”

XR was also recently named “Best BDSM Company” by the 2020 Sign Magazine Awards, recognizing the company’s expertise in the BDSM and fetish pleasure products category.

“These awards mark an incredible start to the year with recognition not only for its superior product offerings but also for its hard work building and maintaining customer relationships and serving interests often left underserved or misunderstood,” noted a rep.

“XR’s reputation has remained deeply rooted in the BDSM and fetish categories thanks to the success of its signature fetish-focused brands, including the retailer-favorite Master Series fetish tools, the introduction of the Puppy Play Kit and other roleplay essentials, brand-new rimming and anal play products and more,” the rep continued. “With brands made for all experience and curiosity levels, XR never fails to support adult stores with exactly what shoppers want, ask for and get excited about.”

President Rebecca Weinberg siad the company is “focused on supporting retailers not only with competitively priced, in-demand fetish and BDSM tools but also with outstanding customer support.”

“In addition to our recent product releases, our sales representative Josh Ortiz has provided regularly virtual product trainings and sex ed sessions through his live ‘Dad Bod Dom’ workshops — which have been a huge hit,” she added. “We’d like to thank everyone who voted for us, Josh and our products for these special awards and we look forward to making 2021 a year to remember.”

Click here for a list of 2021 XBIZ Honors retail industry winners.

For additional details and to place an order, visit XRBrands.com and contact the company at info@xrbrands.com.

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Sen. Merkley: Revised SISEA Will ‘Protect the Rights’ of Consensual Online Performers

WASHINGTON — A spokesperson for Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) confirmed to XBIZ today that the new version of the SISEA bill he co-sponsored last year will “ensure that the rights of consensual actors” in this adult industry will “continue to be protected.”

“Right now, Senator Merkley and his staff are in listening mode,” Deputy Communications Director Martina McLennan told XBIZ in response to questions about the new version of SISEA.

The “Stop Internet Sexual Exploitation Act,” intended to “prevent the uploading of pornographic images to online platforms without the consent of the individuals in the images,” was co-introduced last December by Merkley and Senator Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), but died without passing the committee stage before the end of the last Congress.

A revised version of the bill is expected to be re-introduced during the current Congress, which began earlier this month.

McLennan told XBIZ that Merkley’s office is currently conducting research “to gather more information and feedback about how this proposed legislation could affect content creators and others online, to ensure that the rights of consensual actors in this space will continue to be protected.”

In response to XBIZ’s questions about the timetable for re-introducing the new version of SISEA, McLennan said that “no final decisions have been made at this point about details for the bill’s reintroduction in this Congress.”

“Senator Merkley remains committed to ensuring that the worst moments of people’s lives cannot be perpetually exploited and abused for profit on the internet, while also protecting the rights of consenting adults to create and share content online,” McLennan added.

Alana Evans, president of adult performers’ union APAG, was one of the stakeholders who earlier this month held a meeting with Merkley’s office to advocate for the free expression rights of adult performers, who had vocally criticized the phrasing of SISEA.

On January 20, APAG released a statement stating that “the meeting went very well, with Merkley’s staff being responsive, concerned and open to hearing our opinions about the legislation.”

APAG discussed a number of issues brought up by adult performers and sex workers concerning the controversial bill including language that “would inadvertently limit artists from being able share artist renditions of NSFW work material, including constitutionally protected art and even comics,” and the bill’s concerning establishment of an ill-defined new category of “pornographic website.”

“When the meeting came to a close,” the APAG statement concluded, “we were offered the opportunity to stay in communication with their staff to be involved as the bill is shaped for future legislative intentions. We will maintain an open dialogue to be sure when SISEA returns, it protects our workers as opposed to harming them.”

Vanna Bardot Chosen as Bang! ‘Babe Of The Month’ for January

Vanna Bardot Chosen as Bang! 'Babe Of The Month' for January

LOS ANGELES — Bang.com has announced Vanna Bardot as their January Bang! “Babe of the Month.”

“Petite, statuesque beauty Vanna has something special for fans this month on Bang.com, and a BTS video on Bang’s Youtube channel where she takes viewers on a tour of her house with Paige Owens,” said a rep.

Bang! Marketing Director Steve said, ”We are very excited to have Vanna as our Bang! ‘Babe of the Month.’ We are so happy with her new scene on Rammed but also really excited for people to see the BTS video we did with Vanna at her own house.”

“I think it’s amazing she gave fans a look inside her personal environment, and it really gives everyone a chance to get to know the real Vanna,” Steve added.

Bang.com members can also see Bardot in a brand new scene for Bang! Originals’ Rammed series, co-starring Mick Blue.

To watch “57 Questions with Vanna Bardot,” visit Bang.com’s YouTube channel.

For more from Vanna Bardot and Bang.com, follow them on Twitter.

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Pineapple Support to Host Relationship Webinar for Performers, Creators

Pineapple Support to Host Relationship Webinar for Performers, Creators

LOS ANGELES — Pineapple Support will host “Stocking Your Relationship Tool Kit with HART,” a webinar about how to manage relationships as an adult content creator.

The event, sponsored by Team Skeet, will be led by licensed mental health counselor Nicki Line.

“The webinar will focus on the innovative Harmony-Arion Relationship Tools (HART) methodology to equip attendees with the building blocks for developing healthy and meaningful relationships,” a rep explained.

“Every healthy relationship is built on a foundation of knowing your partner, trust and vulnerability,” said Line. “HART will provide these building blocks for you to develop them in your relationship, as well as identifying toxic patterns that can develop over a course of a relationship.”

Pineapple Support founder Leya Tanit said, “Nicki is an incredible kink-aware and poly-friendly counselor with extensive training and experience in her field.”

“As relationships can be especially challenging as an adult performer, it’s essential to understand and develop tools that can be used to nurture and sustain positive and healthy relationships,” Tanit added.

The “Stocking Your Relationship Tool Kit with HART” webinar will take place via Zoom on Friday, February 5, at 9 a.m. (PST). It is scheduled to last one hour but may go longer.

For more information and to access the webinar link, visit PineappleSupport.org.

For more from Pineapple Support, follow them on Twitter.

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