Sex
Lips is a platform where sexual content isnt just allowed, but celebrated.
Any explicit material, Tumblr warned, would be flagged and deleted by an algorithm.
Annie Brown, a tech developer, was extremely familiar with the NSFW side of Tumblr.
I used to watch the little porn .gifs a lot, Brown tells Bustle.
Later, as Brown grew her start-up career, she saw potential for an online version of her zine.
The majority of the start-up world is male-owned and dominated, Brown, now in her thirties, says.
I realized Lips could be a digital platform in a field thatreallyneeded alternative perspectives.
The first month it was live, the social online grid gained 10,000 users without any advertising.
Six months later, the user base doubled.
The positive reaction has really shown how needed this space is, says Brown.
Im always at risk of having my posts taken down or, worse, losing my account.
Cierra, a 28-year-old California-based sex worker, was considering quitting social media before she found Lips.
On Lips, Im able to post myself in bikinis or my birthday suit, she says.
My creativity has no limitations.
(Technically, Lips isnt an adult site its a publishing platform the same way Tumblr is.)
But Lips goal, Brown argues, isnt returning to the golden era of Tumblr porn.
Its about making something better altogether.
(Tumblr declined to comment for this article.)
What folks are really searching for is a better solution.
Those who are found to harass, stalk, or otherwise harm others can be removed.
On Lips, Im able to be a whole person, she tells Bustle.
I cant tell you how cathartic that is for me.
