ana-valens

Ana Valens


Ana Valens is a reporter specializing in online queer communities, marginalized identities, and adult content creation. She is a former Daily Dot staff writer. Her work has appeared at Vice, Vox, Truthout, Bitch Media, Kill Screen, Rolling Stone, and the Toast. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, and spends her free time developing queer adult games.

A blonde woman uses a smartphone in bed.

There’s a better way to be on social media in the pandemic

Logging off is good, but balance is better.

On Mar 25, 2021 by Ana Valens

IRL
A woman happily stares at her laptop, juxtaposed with an image of Pillowfort's logo.

After security woes, Tumblr alternative Pillowfort promises relaunch

Users found 'old school' exploits after the site's debut.

On Mar 23, 2021 by Ana Valens

IRL
A white man stares at his smartphone in bed

It’s easy to see the role ‘NoFap’ played in yesterday’s violence against Asian women

Sex addiction isn't real, but it's certainly dangerous.

On Mar 17, 2021 by Ana Valens

Tech
A woman in her bedroom with a laptop, symbolizing depression.

These sex toys and dating apps may jeopardize your privacy, Mozilla warns

Just in time for Valentine's Day.

On Feb 9, 2021 by Ana Valens

IRL
A remixed image showing the CrewLink logo alongside an Among Us promotional picture.

Among Us is even more addicting with this voice app

What happens when you can play Among Us by chatting with your fellow players?

On Jan 24, 2021 by Ana Valens

IRL
An image showing logos for Twitter and NCOSE next to a woman censored. This represents the NCOSE lawsuit against Twitter, and how it could cause a Twitter NSFW ban.

Anti-porn organization takes aim at Twitter for NSFW ban, sex workers warn

Sex workers fear a repeat of Backpage.com.

On Jan 22, 2021 by Ana Valens

Tech
An image of a woman holding the Moodbeam One, a wearable surveillance tech device.

This controversial bracelet lets bosses track employees’ moods with the push of a button

It's surveillance tech for your well-being.

On Jan 18, 2021 by Ana Valens

IRL
A logo for Kitsune Tails from Kitsune Games

Kitsune Tails is an explicitly queer throwback to classic platform games

The game is a sapphic love letter to Japanese mythology.

On Jan 16, 2021 by Ana Valens

IRL
Two screenshots of Alicia, the main character from 'Hentroidvania' Crisis Point: Extinction.

Meet Crisis Point: Extinction, the revolutionary ‘Hentroidvania’ porn game

It's a kinky combination of Metroid and hentai.

On Jan 11, 2021 by Ana Valens

IRL
illustration of woman using ring light, camera and laptop to apply lipstick

OnlyFans dominated 2020. What does that mean for sex workers?

OnlyFans helped sex workers in some ways—but not all.

On Dec 27, 2020 by Ana Valens

IRL
An image of a man doing a handstand with a wolf's shadow on a wall. Wolf dynamics play a key role in the omegaverse and its A/B/O dynamics.

Welcome to the ‘omegaverse,’ the kinky erotica genre reimagining bodies

It's a knotty subject.

On Dec 21, 2020 by Ana Valens

IRL
A side-by-side comparison of the Cyberpunk 2077 cover and the controversial 'Chromanticore' in-game trans model.

Cyberpunk 2077 looms. How am I supposed to deal with it as a trans woman?

There's no script for this.

On Dec 9, 2020 by Ana Valens

IRL
Blender Porn Overwatch Ana

From Overwatch to hentai, the best Blender porn online

It's even better than SFM porn.

On Dec 7, 2020 by Ana Valens

IRL
Subverse Controversy

Subverse controversy grows after Kickstarter ‘non-apology’ sparks refund requests

It's the third 'apology' from the studio.

On Dec 2, 2020 by Ana Valens

IRL
Subverse Arch Warhammer Controversy

Subverse’s Arch Warhammer controversy shows that porn games are always political

'No political affiliation' is a political affiliation.

On Nov 30, 2020 by Ana Valens

IRL