Nominations are open for the 29th Sexual Freedom Awards in 2025!

* Nominations close December 31, 2024 *

The Sexual Freedom Awards welcome nominations for pioneers in the world of sexuality.

The form below is now collecting nominations for the 29th Awards ceremony.

A shortlist will be announced in advance and the Awards to winners will be presented at the Sexual Freedoms Awards show & ceremony.

Nomination must meet the criteria outlined below. 

Self-nomination is permitted and welcome!

Finalists are selected by the Judges panel according to merit rather than the number of nominations received i.e. a single nomination is sufficient for a nominee to be considered. We have a policy of inclusivity and we are especially interested in receiving nominations for disabled people and disabled artists.

🔥 As the Performer category can include diverse nominees doing circus, pole, cabaret, comedy, drag etc., these are judged based on the performance on the night. Judging focuses mainly on the act, audience engagement, skill and stage presence

🔥 For the Stripper category (also judged on the night as above), a pole is available but it is not necessary to do pole tricks to win or be nominated. You also don’t need to have years of experience to apply. We are celebrating the field as a whole!

🔥 If you are a Sex Worker or in another category and you are not out, we are happy to use non-identifying pics for the Finalist’s page and to make a note of not posting / photographing you on the night

Nomination criteria

  • A single nomination is sufficient for a nominee to be considered

  • Please choose the single most appropriate category per nominee

  • Self-nomination is permitted

  • The work of nominees should be available or have been seen in the UK (including online)

  • Nominees are judged on their recent work. Finalists from previous years can only be Finalists again if they have done completely new work

  • Previous winning Finalists cannot win twice in the same category but they could win in a different category

  • Nominees are required to accept their nomination and confirm that they agree to the ethos of the Sexual Freedom Awards; and are willing to have their work and their status as a Finalist on our website, social media and printed publications for publicity and marketing both now and in the future

  • Nominees should be willing if possible to have photographs and videos taken of them at the event, which may be used for future publicity and marketing on this website, social media and in printed publications. If nominees are not 'out', we will make sure pictures and information doesn't identify them, and that we will not film or photograph them on the night

  • Judges cannot be nominated

  • Judges are required to declare any friendships or professional associations with nominees/Finalists

The 2025 categories for the Awards are Activist, Ally, ⁠⁠Creator, ⁠⁠Event, Performer, Podcast, Product, Sex Worker, Somatic Sexologist, Stripper and Writer of the year:

  • Activist of the Year

    • Someone who is contributing to sexual understanding, expression, freedom, diversity and/or education through activism, raising awareness and/or campaigning for / with marginalised groups

  • Ally of the Year

    • Someone whose work is not considered within the sexual field and who is contributing to sexual understanding, freedom of expression, diversity and/or education. They could be an academic, healthcare worker and more

  • Creator of the Year

    • This category refers to content creators and includes being a YouTuber, influencer, porn creator and more

  • Event of the Year

    • A regular or one-off event celebrating sexual expression, freedom, diversity and/or education

  • Performer of the Year

    • Any performance that the performer does not consider full striptease. Could include: circus, pole dance, cabaret, comedy and more

  • Podcast of the Year

    • A podcast or podcaster contributing to sexual understanding, expression, freedom, diversity and/or education

  • Product of the Year

    • An item for sale which contributes to sexual expression, freedom, understanding, diversity and/or education

  • Sex Worker of the Year

    • Open to anyone who defines themselves as a sex worker. Could include full service sex work, escort, BDSM and more

  • Somatic Sexologist of the Year

    • Someone whose work with sexuality has a therapeutic intent and is focussed on the body-mind as a whole (somatic). This could include psychosexual therapy, Sexological Bodywork®, sexual surrogacy, sex coaching and other forms of somatic sexology

  • Stripper of the Year

    • A stripper or exotic dancer who performs striptease in clubs and/or other events

  • Writer of the Year

    • Someone who is contributing to sexual understanding, expression, freedom, diversity and/or education through writing. This could be a book author, journalist and/or blogger

  • Lifetime Achievement

    • This category is not included on the form below because they are discretionary awards, given by the Judging Panel for long-standing dedication to sexual freedom, exploration and expression. Previous Lifetime Achievement awardees have included Derek Jarman, Kathy Acker, Charles Gatewood, Betty Dodson, Jo King, Barbara Carrellas, Joseph Kramer, John Constable and Dominic Davies