Our team of judges (or Grand Jury of Conspicuous Sexuality as they have been called) are selected for their knowledge, skills and influence in the field of sexuality and for their belief in the value of erotic performance and sexual services. Generally, each judge takes on a specific operational role as well as acting as a judge. All judges donate their time for free in order to maximise the amount of money raised for the Outsider's Trust. Judges themselves may not be nominated for an award.
Here is our wonderful team of judges for the 28th Awards ceremony in 2024:
Dr. Carolina Are
Activist of The Year 2019
Dr. Carolina Are is an Innovation Fellow at Northumbria University’s Centre for Digital Citizens, researching social media censorship, content moderation and de-platforming. Following her own experiences of censorship, she has been conducting studies on algorithmic bias against nudity and sexuality on social media, and has published the first study on the shadowbanning of pole dancing in Feminist Media Studies. Her work has been published in Journalism, First Monday, Media, Culture & Society and Porn Studies, and it has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Vice, the BBC, Wired, the MIT Technology Review. The winner of The Sexual Freedom Awards' Activist of The Year 2019 award, Carolina is also a content creator, blogger, performer and a pole dance instructor at bloggeronpole.com
Photo: Maite de Orbe
Black Venus
Stripper of The Year 2023
Black Venus is a professional Afro-disiac who has been in the sex industry for over a decade.
Martial artist, writer, performer and facilitator, her work is an exploration of seeking pleasure, power and agency within circumstances where they are often denied.
She is co-founder of Sex and Rage, a sex worker and activist-led organisation resisting stigma and shame through sex education.
Kian de la Cour (Chair)
Erotic Pioneer and Somatic Sex Educator
Kian de la Cour was one of our original judges in 1994, having been a volunteer for the Sex Maniac's Ball and Sexual Freedom Coalition. He is a Certified Sexological Bodyworker, Wheel of ConsentⓇ facilitator and director of the School of Somatic Sexology. He is Chair of the Association of Somatic and Integrative Sexologists and Vice-President of the Association of Certified Sexological Bodyworkers.
Irving Olvera
Pioneer of the Year 2022
Irving Olvera lives at the intersection of sexual expression, innovation and entreprenuership. As the founder of TLMYRS (Tell Me Yours) a safe digital space for sexual beings to connect, explore and create, Irving is on a mission to empower people to shape the future of sexual and gender identies, LGBTQI+ issues, sexual health and safety while having a whole lot of fun along the way. The aim is to normalise conversations about sex and squash stigmas against kinks and fetishes.
Irving’s sexual research, innovation and advocacy has pioneered digital experiences that helped people stay connected during pandemic, like online forums and ‘Burlesque at Home! This brought together over 100 burlesque performers from over 25 countries for online performances, raising awareness of mental health during lockdowns, sexual issues and collecting funds for NGOs, including National Ugly Mugs (UK), Umbrella Lane (UK)), Survivors (UK), Tiresias A.C. (Mexico), Yaaj (México). The innitiative was awarded recognition from the Netherlands Embassy in Mexico and the General Delegate of Québec in Mexico as a promoter of human rights, and for building strategic alliances that provide tools for young activists looking to build a more egalitarian Mexico, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. @TLMYRS
Professor Claire de Than
Legal academic, Law Commissioner & Chair of the Sexual Health and Disability Alliance (SHADA)
Professor Claire de Than is a legal academic, Law Commissioner, Chair of the Sexual Health And Disability Alliance (SHADA) and a Trustee of The Outsiders Trust. Her research has been recognised as world-leading; she is the author or co-author of more than 15 books and has over 85 legal publications. One of her main fields of research is publishing articles and books about the right to sexual expression as a fundamental human right, and convincing governments and professions that laws and practices need to change in order to ensure that everyone has access to that right.
This was our team from the 27th Awards ceremony in 2023:
Aderonke Apata
Activist of the Year 2018
Aderonke is a multi-award-winning human rights activist and feminist who studied the Bar Professional Training Course, and was subsequently Called to the Bar of England and Wales. Aderonke is a Lawyer, has a Master of Laws, Postgraduate Degree in Law, Master of Public Health, BSc in Microbiology and Registered Manager Award. She is also an International Accredited Civil/Commercial Mediator.
Aderonke is an LGBTIQ asylum campaigner, advocate and Expert Witness for LGBTIQ people seeking asylum to stay in the UK; whom herself got granted asylum after a 13-year battle, having started the Shutdown Yarl's Wood Detention Centre campaign in 2012 from inside the detention centre. Aderonke’s tireless campaigns and social political change making have been recognised by awards such as: Positive Role Model for LGBT National Diversity Award 2014; one of the most influential LGBT people in the UK, on the RainbowList2014 & RainbowList2015; LGBT Heroine of the year 2015 by DIVA Magazine; Attitude Pride Award 2017; Activist of the Year, Sexual Freedom Awards 2018; Ron Todd Foundation Equality Award, 2018 and Aderonke was added to the Amnesty International UK's 'Suffragette Spirit Map of Britain' in 2018.
Aderonke is the founder and CEO of African Rainbow Family, an LGBTIQ grassroots charity that campaigns for LGBTIQ asylum rights, supports LGBTIQ people of African heritage and the wider BAMEs in UK. She is also campaigning for the Repeal of the toxic Nigerian Anti-LGBTIQ Law.
Dr. Carolina Are
Activist of The Year 2019
Dr. Carolina Are is an Innovation Fellow at Northumbria University’s Centre for Digital Citizens, researching social media censorship, content moderation and de-platforming. Following her own experiences of censorship, she has been conducting studies on algorithmic bias against nudity and sexuality on social media, and has published the first study on the shadowbanning of pole dancing in Feminist Media Studies. Her work has been published in Journalism, First Monday, Media, Culture & Society and Porn Studies, and it has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Vice, the BBC, Wired, the MIT Technology Review. The winner of The Sexual Freedom Awards' Activist of The Year 2019 award, Carolina is also a content creator, blogger, performer and a pole dance instructor at @bloggeronpole.
Kian de la Cour (Chair)
Erotic Pioneer and Certified Sexological Bodyworker
Kian was one of our original judges in 1994, having been a volunteer for the Sex Maniac's Ball and Sexual Freedom Coalition. He is a Certified Somatic Sex Educator, Certified Wheel of ConsentⓇ facilitator and director of the School of Somatic Sexology. He is Chair of the Association of Somatic and Integrative Sexologists and on the board of the Association of Certified Sexological Bodyworkers.
Sasha Diamond
Stripper of the Year 2019
Sasha Diamond lives her truth through the medium of dance, bringing life to the stage with a captivating blend of grace, poise & sensuality.
Life on the professional East London club scene has offered opportunities branch out into theatre, character work and as a life drawing model in adition to her natural ability for clean, sparkling pole technique whcih led to her becoming a regular teacher at one of London's most renowned pole dancing schools, Ecole de Pole.
An entrepreneur at heart, Sasha offers private lessons for those wishing to develop their pole dancing skills at her home studio. Whether brand new to pole or perfecting core moves further down the line, Sasha has created a safe inclusive space for all persons to train.
Irving Olvera
Pioneer of the Year 2022
Irving Olvera lives at the intersection of sexual expression, innovation and entreprenuership. As the founder of TLMYRS (Tell Me Yours) a safe digital space for sexual beings to connect, explore and create, Irving is on a mission to empower people to shape the future of sexual and gender identies, LGBTQI+ issues, sexual health and safety while having a whole lot of fun along the way. The aim is to normalise conversations about sex and squash stigmas against kinks and fetishes.
Irving’s sexual research, innovation and advocacy has pioneered digital experiences that helped people stay connected during pandemic, like online forums and ‘Burlesque at Home! This brought together over 100 burlesque performers from over 25 countries for online performances, raising awareness of mental health during lockdowns, sexual issues and collecting funds for NGOs, including National Ugly Mugs (UK), Umbrella Lane (UK)), Survivors (UK), Tiresias A.C. (Mexico), Yaaj (México). The innitiative was awarded recognition from the Netherlands Embassy in Mexico and the General Delegate of Québec in Mexico as a promoter of human rights, and for building strategic alliances that provide tools for young activists looking to build a more egalitarian Mexico, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. Facebook : : http://tellmeyours.co.uk
Professor Claire de Than
Legal academic, Law Commissioner & Chair of the Sexual Health and Disability Alliance (SHADA)
Professor Claire de Than is a legal academic, Law Commissioner, Chair of the Sexual Health a Disability Alliance (SHADA) and a Trustee of The Outsiders Trust. One of her main fields of research is publishing articles and books about the right to sexual expression as a fundamental human right, and convincing governments and professions that laws and practices need to change in order to ensure that everyone has access to that right.
This was our team from the 26th Awards ceremony in 2022:
Aderonke Apata
Activist of the Year 2018
Aderonke Apata is a Human Rights Activist, Feminist and LGBT Equality Advocate who has a BSc in Microbiology, a Master of Public Health, a Postgraduate Degree in Law, Bar Professional Training Course and currently studying Master of Laws. She's a campaigner for LGBTI people seeking asylum to stay in the UK; whom herself got granted asylum after 13-year battle. She was added to the Amnesty International UK's 'Suffragette Spirit Map of Britain' 2018, Winner of the awards: Ron Todd Foundation Equality Awards 2018; Attitude Pride Awards 2017; and Positive Role Model for LGBT National Diversity Award 2014, where she was described as “an unstoppable force in fighting for justice”, she is number 41 & 67 on the RainbowList2014 & RainbowList2015 respectively as one of the most influential LGBT people in the UK. Aderonke was named LGBT Heroine of the year 2015 by DIVA Magazine in recognition of her achievements in the LGBT community. Aderonke is the founder of African Rainbow Family, an LGBT Charity that supports LGBTIQ people seeking asylum in UK and campaigning for the Repeal of the toxic Nigerian Anti-LGBTIQ Law.
Aderonke started the shutdown Yarl's Wood campaign in 2012 from inside the detention centre where she organised and led a demonstration from inside Yarl's Wood detention centre demanding freedom for all. She galvanized and widened her reach to nearly 300 women of all nationalities, religious & cultural backgrounds fighting for their freedom. She stood up proudly and defiantly for her right to be free and for the right of ALL women to equality and freedom. Following her release from detention, Aderonke subsequently founded Manchester Migrant Solidarity, a self help group offering practical supports and building a powerful political voice against the systematic mistreatment of migrants in the UK and continues to campaign for the shutdown of all detention.
Aderonke was appointed the BAME Officer, National LGBT Labour in 2014. Aderonke is a Trustee and patron of many LGBTIQ organisations in the UK. Including currently serving as a Public Governor of the Rest of England in the Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust.
Kian de la Cour (Chair)
Erotic Pioneer and Certified Sexological Bodyworker
Kian was one of our original judges in 1994, having been a volunteer for the Sex Maniac's Ball and Sexual Freedom Coalition. He is a Certified Somatic Sex Educator, Certified Wheel of ConsentⓇ facilitator and co-founder with Katie Sarra of the Sea School of Embodiment and Somatic Sex Education Professional Training UK, Ireland & Portugal. He is Chair of the Association of Somatic and Integrative Sexologists and on the board of the Association of Certified Sexological Bodyworkers.
Sasha Diamond
Stripper of the Year 2019
Sasha Diamond lives her truth through the medium of dance, bringing life to the stage with a captivating blend of grace, poise & sensuality.
Life on the professional East London club scene has offered opportunities branch out into theatre, character work and as a life drawing model in adition to her natural ability for clean, sparkling pole technique whcih led to her becoming a regular teacher at one of London's most renowned pole dancing schools, Ecole de Pole.
An entrepreneur at heart, Sasha offers private lessons for those wishing to develop their pole dancing skills at her home studio. Whether brand new to pole or perfecting core moves further down the line, Sasha has created a safe inclusive space for all persons to train.
Jason Domino
Gay full-service sex worker, porn performer and rights campaigner
Jason was the first person to demonstrate the efficacy of PrEP on film: by not acquiring HIV during condom-less sex with a person living with HIV with a high viral load. See Porn4PrEP. Followed by speaking at the United Nations Geneva and the house of parliament on health activism lead by sex workers. Jason is now the Sexual Health and Wellbeing lead at SNAP (Support Network for Adult Professionals), online rep at USW (United Sex Workers) branch of UVW (United Voices of the World) trade union. He is also on the committee at SWARM (Sex Worker Advocacy and Resistance Movement), part of DecrimNow, PPSDpledge (Porn Professionals for Safety against Discrimination Pledge) & former staff at National Ugly Mugs. Additionally, Jason runs The Domino Foundation fundraising to improve testing access and equity for adult performers living with HIV.
Professor Claire de Than
Legal academic, Law Commissioner & Chair of the Sexual Health and Disability Alliance (SHADA)
Professor Claire de Than is a legal academic, Law Commissioner, Chair of the Sexual Health a Disability Alliance (SHADA) and a Trustee of The Outsiders Trust. One of her main fields of research is publishing articles and books about the right to sexual expression as a fundamental human right, and convincing governments and professions that laws and practices need to change in order to ensure that everyone has access to that right.
This was our team from the 25th Awards ceremony in 2019:
photo James Salibury
Kian de la Cour
Erotic Pioneer and Certified Sexological Bodyworker
Kian was one of our original judges in 1994, having been a volunteer for the Sex Maniac's Ball and Sexual Freedom Coalition. He is a Certified Somatic Sex Educator, Cuddle Party facilitator, surrogate, and as co-founder with Katie Sarra of the Sea School of Embodiment, teacher of Consensual Touch™ and Sexological Bodywork™ trainings. He is Chair of the Association of Somatic and Integrative Sexologists. You can find out more about his work here.
Professor Claire de Than
Legal academic, Law Commissioner & Chair of the Sexual Health and Disability Alliance (SHADA)
Professor Claire de Than is a legal academic, Law Commissioner, Chair of the Sexual Health a Disability Alliance (SHADA) and a Trustee of The Outsiders Trust. One of her main fields of research is publishing articles and books about the right to sexual expression as a fundamental human right, and convincing governments and professions that laws and practices need to change in order to ensure that everyone has access to that right.
This was our team for the 24th Awards ceremony in 2018:
Anita Kataraumbe
Model & Fashion Designer
Anita volunteers for Outsiders, having been a member for more than fourteen years.
She loves to socialise and always looks forward to the Outsides lunches held every second Saturday of the month, currently at All Bar One, Finsbury Squire, London.
She intends to “continue to work and be part of such an amazing club that has changed so many lives. I am testimony to that effect”.
Anita won the Outsiders Award in 2013.
Professor Claire de Than
Legal academic, Law Commissioner & Chair of the Sexual Health and Disability Alliance (SHADA)
Professor Claire de Than is a legal academic, Law Commissioner, Chair of the Sexual Health a Disability Alliance (SHADA) and a Trustee of The Outsiders Trust. One of her main fields of research is publishing articles and books about the right to sexual expression as a fundamental human right, and convincing governments and professions that laws and practices need to change in order to ensure that everyone has access to that right.
photo Lazslo Kovacs
Kian de la Cour (Chair of Judges)
Erotic Pioneer and Certified Sexological Bodyworker
Kian was one of our original judges in 1994, having been a volunteer for the Sex Maniac's Ball and Sexual Freedom Coalition. He is a Certified Somatic Sex Educator, Cuddle Party facilitator, surrogate, and as co-founder with Katie Sarra of the Sea School of Embodiment, teacher of Consensual Touch™ and Sexological Bodywork™ trainings. He is Chair of the Association of Somatic and Integrative Sexologists. You can find out more about his work here.
Seani Love
Sex worker, workshop teacher, sex positive activist
This was Seani Love's second year as a judge at the Sexual Freedom Awards after being a joint winner of Sex Worker Of The Year in 2015. Seani is committed to making powerful, consensual sexual activity available to more people and as such he teaches workshops on consent, boundaries, kink and erotic ritual and also runs professional training workshops for others drawn to this way of working. His main passion remains his one-on-one sessions which are deeply nourishing, empowering and rewarding for both Seani and his wonderful clients. Find out more about Seani Love's work at www.seanilove.com.
Stacey Clare
Co-founder of the East London Strippers Collective, Activist of the Year 2015
Stacey is a stripper, writer, performance artist, Buddhist, activist and co-founder of the East London Strippers Collective. She is the author of the upcoming book "The Ethical Stripper". She lives in London and shares her time between running a life drawing class (with strippers as models), theatre projects, working part-time in care, activism and writing.
This was our team for the 23rd Awards ceremony in 2017:
Emy Fem
Sex worker, activist, performer & workshop facilitator
A sex worker activist, sex-positive workshop facilitator and sex worker, Emy performs in various shows around the topic of sex work and sex positivity as the Sex Workers Opera and Black Circus and create an own show named Sex Work Works. She created a peer network for trans*sex workers, is based in Berlin and is active "wherever it makes sense". She also offers art workshops for sex workers. You can view some of her projects at: https://emyfem.net/ https://sexworkworks.tumblr.com https://sexworkstoriesworkshop.tumblr.com/ http://transsexworks.com/?lang=en_GB
Fiona Gilbertson
Sex worker rights activist with SCOT-PEP & founder of Recovering Justice
Fiona is a human rights activist, lobbyist and and campaigner on the board of SCOT-PEP, a charity dedicated to the promotion of sex workers’ rights, safety, and health, SCOT-PEP are a proud and active member of the global movement for sex worker rights who won the Activist of the Year category on 2016.
Fiona founded a charity called Recovering Justice that campaigns for changes to the current drug policy, lobbying for reform and an end to prohibition. She has been involved in human rights projects mainly around HIV /sex work and drug laws for over 25 years.
Fiona says "I am a former sex worker, in various areas and stripping was a passion for 20 years. I love these awards they inspire and nourish me diverse communities coming together to celebrate connection, express love and defy stereotypes." Read more about SCOT-PEP at http://www.scot-pep.org.uk/
Joy Isdancing
Stripper of the Year 2008
Joy Is Dancing is a former winner of the Best Stripper Award in 2008. For a decade, she entertained folks in with strip-tease and pole dancing in London, working in the infamous White Horse of Shoreditch, lesbian club Candy Bar, Torture Garden and other club nights. Together with her dance partner Solitaire she hosted a couples rooms in Erotica over several years and performed to audience ranging from severely disabled to corporate, gangsters to builders. Together they raised money for several successive years for the Outsider’s Trust by entertaining folks at the Erotic Awards. While not actively performing anymore, she has a taste for sensual, subversive, inspirational fun.
Kian de la Cour (Chair)
Erotic Pioneer and Certified Sexological Bodyworker
Kian was one of our original judges in 1994, having been a volunteer for the Sex Maniac's Ball and Sexual Freedom Coalition. He is a Certified Somatic Sex Educator, Cuddle Party facilitator, surrogate, and as co-founder with Katie Sarra of the Sea School of Embodiment, teacher of Consensual Touch™ and Sexological Bodywork™ trainings. He is Chair of the Association of Somatic and Integrative Sexologists. You can find out more about his work here.
Myles Jackman
Lawyer specialising in Obscenity Law
Myles is the Law Society’s Junior Lawyer of the Year 2012 Excellence Award winner and is the only solicitor professing to specialise in sexual liberties and obscenity law. Myles has been instrumental in challenging the legal framework in which sexual morality is constrained through campaigning, activism, litigation and advocacy.
Myles is currently advising a number of UK and US adult industry businesses regarding compliance with the Authority for Television on Demand (ATVOD) and the legality of ATVOD’s actions in interpreting the Audiovisual Media Service Regulations 2014.
Myles is also currently engaged in Judicially Reviewing the Crown Prosecution Service and the Ministry of Justice on behalf of Andrew Holland, the #TigerPorn defendant, regarding their refusal to clarify the extreme pornography guidelines.
Seani Love
Sex worker, workshop teacher, sex positive activist
This is Seani Love's first year as a judge at the Sexual Freedom Awards after being a joint winner of Sex Worker Of The Year in 2015. Seani is committed to making powerful, consensual sexual activity available to more people and as such he teaches workshops on consent, boundaries, kink and erotic ritual and also runs professional training workshops for others drawn to this way of working. Find out more about Seani Love's work at www.seanilove.com.
And this was our team for the 22nd Awards ceremony in 2016:
Alex Feis-Bryce
CEO of National Ugly Mugs (NUM)
Alex was initially appointed in 2012 to set-up, develop and run the NUM pilot based on the consultation that had preceded his appointment and he has been running the scheme ever since, orchestrating it’s growth into a high-profile multi-award winning organisation that benefits around 10,000 sex workers in the UK. He is a published and award-winning writer having contributed to national publications including the Independent, the Huffington Post, Total Politics and the House Magazine.
He is also a member of the National Police Working Group on Prostitution, a consultant trainer on the accredited Lime Culture Advanced Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) training and was a guest expert judge at the 2015 Third Sector Awards. He regularly speaks at national and international conferences and is frequently quoted in the media as an expert in his field. In 2015, he featured on the prestigious Independent Rainbow List of the 100 most influential LGBT+ people in the UK.
Jewel
Sex Worker
Having worked in many parts of the UK, for the last 7 years Jewel has been based in Edinburgh, working with disabled people all over Scotland. This is Jewel's first attempt at being a judge in her capacity as a sex worker and she is excited to do her best. You can read more about her at www.edinburghjewel.co.uk
Katie Sarra
Certified Sexological Bodyworker, Somatic Sex Educator and artist
Katie Sarra won Erotic Artist of the Year in 2009. She is a Certified Sexological Bodyworker, Somatic Sex Educator, artist, Art Psychotherapist, Playback Theatre performer and Cuddle Party Facilitator in training who specializes in working with people overcoming the effects of trauma. She trained and worked in the mental health system for many years before becoming involved in somatic sex education. She has trained in Tantra, Quodoushka, NLP, and many other modalities. She sponsors and assists the UK Sexological Bodywork professional training. Katie works with individuals of all genders, sexual orientations and abilities to help them find liberation from any barriers to intimacy, naturalness and sexual fulfilment and expression. Katie specialises in supporting people to reframe how they feel about themselves and their bodies to enable them to find deeper generosity and spontaneity within themselves. For the last eight years, Katie has been supporting the Outsiders organisation by working with people who are living with disabilities. Katie is passionate about the Sexual Freedom Awards and their role in celebrating pioneers and performers in the field of sexuality. You can find out more about Katie here.
Kian de la Cour (Chair)
Erotic Pioneer and Certified Sexological Bodyworker
Kian was one of our original judges in 1994 and is now back heading up the Judging Panel for the 2016 Sexual Freedom Awards. Kian is a Certified Somatic Sex Educator, deep tissue bodyworker and teacher of erotic massage and sensual touch workshops. In his work, he draws on extensive experience in tantra, bodywork and shamanic sexuality, having trained with some of the world's leading-edge teachers in conscious sexuality and sex coaching since he started working professionally in 1994. You can find out more about Kian here.
Mouse
Performance Artist
Mouse is one of the world's top erotic performers, famous both in the art world and in clubland. She currently works at The Box in London and in New York. Mouse has been a very vocal judge of the Awards for over 10 years and has previously won several awards including Cabaret Artist of the Year 2002.
Myles Jackman
Lawyer specialising in Obscenity Law
Myles is the Law Society’s Junior Lawyer of the Year 2012 Excellence Award winner and is the only solicitor professing to specialise in sexual liberties and obscenity law. Myles has been instrumental in challenging the legal framework in which sexual morality is constrained through campaigning, activism, litigation and advocacy.
Myles is currently advising a number of UK and US adult industry businesses regarding compliance with the Authority for Television on Demand (ATVOD) and the legality of ATVOD’s actions in interpreting the Audiovisual Media Service Regulations 2014.
Myles is also currently engaged in Judicially Reviewing the Crown Prosecution Service and the Ministry of Justice on behalf of Andrew Holland, the #TigerPorn defendant, regarding their refusal to clarify the extreme pornography guidelines.
Pye Jakobsson
Sex worker & activist, Sex Worker of the Year 2009
Pye Jakobsson is a sex worker and activist from Sweden. She is the co-founder of the Swedish sex workers' rights organisation Rose Alliance and president of NSWP - the Global Network of Sex Work Projects. She has been a campaigner against the so-called Swedish Model for over a decade and have presented on the topic more than 100 times. In October 2016 her second report on Sweden "Then Again They are not Totally Stupid Either" will be published, co-written with fellow activist Carina Edlund. Pye has been a vocal advocate for sex workers with multiple stigmas, especially sex workers who use drugs like herself. As a way of introduction she often presents herself as a sex working, Jewish, bisexual, drug user living with a disability to illustrate that reality is more complicated than any stereotype..