Key factors to consider are:

• Rainbow youth in Aotearoa are more likely to think porn is positive, become regular viewers, learn about sex from porn, and try things they see in porn.
• Some believe porn is a poor learning tool and describe experiences of feeling upset or disturbed after viewing it.
• Rainbow young people may experience a lack of acceptance of their identity, and for some, porn has been considered a safe place to view sexual behaviours that affirm their sexuality and/or gender, including same-sex activities and trans and non-binary representation. Being able to learn, explore, and affirm identities that may not be accepted or visible in mainstream sexuality education, can therefore make porn more appealing.
• Many of the aggressive and dominant scripts in heterosexual porn are also found in sexually and gender diverse porn, with studies indicating that some gay porn can reinforce homophobia and heteronormativity, and that some has poor messaging regarding safety and anal and oral sex.
• Mainstream lesbian porn is created for the male gaze, and some lesbian, bisexual and trans actors can be portrayed as submissive, promiscuous and/or fetishised.

Special attention should be paid to rainbow young people who may go to porn to learn about sex or to affirm their sexuality, but are disturbed by the scripts, have uncomfortable viewing experiences, and may need support.