[2] Founded in 1994 by campaigner Tuppy Owens, the awards were first called the "Erotic Oscars", until the name had to be changed for legal reasons.

The awards ceremony is an annual event in London with a semi-finals event and the finals held at the "Sex Maniacs Ball",[4][5] but now is a fully fledged award night in its own right.

The Leydig Trust organise these events which raise funds for the "Outsiders Club", a charity that supports disabled people to find partners.

[1][6] Nominations come from the public, and three finalists in each category are then selected by the "Grand Jury of Conspicuous Sensuality".

[3] The winners are announced during the ceremony, where the finalists' work is also exhibited and performed.