Porn star Josh Moore on dealing with online bullying through self-love and positivity – Screen Shot
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Porn star Josh Moore on dealing with online bullying through self-love and positivity

Adult film actor Josh Moore celebrates his sexuality and identity both on-screen and in real life. As an OnlyFans creator, he stands up for sex workers’ rights while challenging stigmas surrounding HIV. Moore has perfected the art of ignoring haters and carried on being his fabulous self by always speaking up.

That’s why for Anti-Bullying Week 2020, Moore sat down with Screen Shot to speak about online bullying and the impact it has on people’s well-being in support of the Not Just A Comment campaign. He shared more about the ways he deals with online hate so that you too can learn from his experiences.

 

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Your career choice is not always understood by everyone and it is often a reason for insults on social media. What made you choose to work in the adult industry despite knowing it was not going to be accepted by many?

It’s something that has always been interesting to me, and now it’s a real passion of mine—sex for me is a beautiful and powerful and art, and I love being able to create something that pleasures others.

Working in this industry must have changed your perspective on things to some extent. Has your self-confidence changed throughout the years, particularly in relation to hurtful comments?

Oh absolutely. You have to change and adapt pretty quickly. As soon as you reach any sort of social media fame, it comes with a price, and that, unfortunately, is trolling. My self-confidence took a battering for many years at the start of my career due to this.

You’ve used your voice to talk about sex workers’ rights while challenging stigmas surrounding HIV. So far, what changes have you seen in your industry as well as in people’s mindsets?

I always try my best to raise awareness on a lot of different matters, since starting in the industry 5 years ago, the stigma surrounding HIV and sex without a condom has changed massively, and we in the industry have the power to influence that through porn and our social media. I think that’s very powerful as there is zero sex education out there for young gay men!

I also think that we, as sex workers, are becoming more visible and more mainstream, thanks to the ‘Cock Destroyers’ Sophie Anderson and Rebecca More, the playful female porn star duo that has captured the nation’s hearts and really shows the humanity and joy behind sex workers and their career. But we still have a long way to go when it comes to our rights and the stigma we face, so I’ll always be there on the front line battling that!

 

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What would you tell young adults struggling with their own sexual identity?

I would tell them that being your authentic self brings so much joy. I’m not saying it will be an easy road to travel—sometimes to get there, it’s hard being LGBTQIA+, coming out especially or being confused. But please explore yourself, find what works for you, and be proud and open to do so! Because until you can be yourself and show the world who you really are, I don’t think you can be truly happy.

How mindful of online bullying would you say you are when posting new content online?

I try to be as mindful as I can be, but as a human, we all make mistakes. I myself have made mistakes and said mean things online when I’m frustrated or angry, but remember before you post anything that it could potentially hurt someone. Leave it for 10 minutes, calm yourself down, think about the human on the other side of that tweet or comment, and then come back to it and rethink posting.

What are other things you do to help you feel more confident?

I have a mantra when I’m feeling a little shaky or not so confident, I quietly say to my self ‘I am beautiful, I am powerful, I am strong and I’ve fucking got this’. It always helps me, and please try it, it can help you too! You need to tell yourself these things, even if you don’t feel them, make yourself believe! Fake it ‘till you make it!

What boundaries have you set on your social media platforms in order to keep some aspects of your life ‘safe’ from online bullies?

I’ve set boundaries in my own mental space, if I receive a negative comment, I will totally ignore that person—I won’t even block or delete, they will just not be acknowledged. Because what they are looking for when they troll you is a reaction and blocking is a reaction, it makes them feel like they have won. So a total lack of acknowledgement is always my go-to move.

If you could change one aspect about the internet, what would it be?

Stop the censorship of LGBTQ+ people on Instagram. The platform is full of female celebrities showing almost everything, but we as sex workers and gay people are reported, banned, and blocked every day for the same pictures.

What else do you think needs to be done when it comes to sex workers’ rights?

Decriminalisation!

Finally, what is the best thing you would recommend people to do for Anti-Bullying Week 2020?

Go out there on social media and be an anti-bully. Go spread love, joy, and positivity! Tell people how beautiful they are, tell them they are doing great, that their hair looks amazing and their outfit looks so cool—you never know, your comment may make someone’s day, or even save a life. Always remember that your comments hold power.

For Anti-Bullying Week 2020, Screen Shot is supporting the anti-bullying charity Ditch The Label in its mission to tackle online abuse. Our Not Just a Comment campaign features 6 inspiring change-makers (including Moore) who know first hand what it’s like to receive hate online. They shared with us the worst comments they’ve ever received as they come together to highlight the impact that words can have on each and every one of us.

Share with anyone who you think might be suffering from bullying and donate if you can to help support the incredible work Ditch The Label is doing. Share the hurtful comments you’ve received online using #NotJustAComment and raise awareness about the impact of online bullying.

For Anti-Bullying Week 2020, Sophia Hadjipanteli shares 5 tips on how to get over online bullying

Yesterday marked the beginning of Anti-Bullying Week 2020, and to support the anti-bullying charity Ditch The Label in its mission to raise awareness of the consequences of bullying and online abuse, Screen Shot launched the Not Just a Comment campaign. For it, we partnered with six inspiring advocates standing up against online abuse and asked them to share the hate comments they receive using #NotJustAComment in order to highlight the impact these words and comments can have.

Online bullying affects people from any age, including children, teens and adults who can all feel distressed and alone when receiving those comments. The brutality of online hate can make someone feel completely overwhelmed, which is why we found it crucial to encourage others to open up about the hurtful comments they receive in order to knock down the idea that posting hateful comments is acceptable.

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Among the six advocates we partnered with, we had the chance to speak with Cypriot-Greek-British model and activist Sophia Hadjipanteli, who, through her social media platforms has become an advocate for unconventional beauty with the mission to encourage more comprehensive beauty standards and ‘normalise what society pressures us to hide or fix’.

As the founder of the #UnibrowMovement, she’s well-used to receiving online comments and she wanted to share some of her best tips on how to get over online bullying with you guys. Here they are.

 

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1. Report and block

Just because people have an opinion does not give them the right to make you hear it—take control of the situation and get rid of them!”

2. Ignore, ignore, ignore!!!

“If we all listened to our online bullies, we would be so boring and no one would be different! Everything you do should be mostly for yourself, don’t allow the noise to cloud out your music. I know it is easier said than done so this one definitely takes time and practice! Nothing someone else says about you is true—only what you believe is.”

3. You’re not alone in this

“Remember that you are not alone. Even though at times it can feel like you are the only ‘non-perfect’ person being targeted online, you are not.”

4. Speak up!

“Speak about it! Talk to your friends and family about what you are dealing with. You should never feel by yourself when dealing with bullying.”

5. Just be your fabulous self

“Be even more yourself. Give those bullies something to really talk about next time you are online. Nothing frustrates insecure individuals like seeing someone live their perfectly imperfect life without giving a fuck.”

In 2020, we need to start tackling online abuse, because whether it was just for a laugh or actual hate, a comment is not just a comment. You too, share on social media a picture or a video of the meanest comments you’ve received. Use the hashtag #NotJustAComment and encourage others to do the same.

Reach out to anyone who you think might be suffering from bullying and donate if you can to help support the incredible work Ditch The Label is doing, and remember, just be your lovely self!