opinion

Can Softcore Porn Be ‘Obscene?’

Declaring that “Commercials like those promoting ‘Girls Gone Wild’ are clearly supporting an obscene product,” Tennessee Democrat, Sen. Doug Jackson, has introduced legislation that would outlaw television advertising – both broadcast and cable – of adult entertainment products. “These products are illegal under Tennessee law, and we have a clear interest in preventing their advertising,” the Senator said, according to a recent XBIZ News report.

Now, I’ve always felt that GGW had far too high a level of ‘exposure,’ given its widespread bombardment of late night television with ads that have surely generated a mountain of complaints – and some that featured folks – and daughters of folks – who want this little operation put to bed.

But is this material “obscene?” The words that come to my mind include “fun” or “silly” or “cute” or “naughty” perhaps, but “obscene?”

I ran a poll at XBIZ this week based upon this story, the current results of which I find a bit surprising; as they show that the majority of respondents believe that softcore porn could indeed be possibly considered obscene. I say “surprising” results since I expect our dominantly liberal audience would see softcore as “always ok” – but echoing a similar sentiment to that expressed over the Red Rose stories obscenity case – there does appear to be a “line” that shouldn’t be crossed: and you don’t need to show hardcore material in order to cross that line.

The results might be different if I asked “Do you think Girls Gone Wild is obscene?” instead of the more inclusive term, “softcore,” but one certainty is that there’s a broad diversity of opinions over what and what is not “obscene.”

As for one Democratic Senator’s opinion, Jackson wants “‘Girls Gone Wild’ and their obscenity-laden products” out of our living rooms. “If you have the television on at night, you can’t help but see these suggestive, disgusting commercials advertising a product that is clearly obscene in nature,” Jackson said.

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

How Promoting Wellness Fuels Retail Growth in Uncertain Times

My PR and marketing work helping adult brands, performers and platforms reach audiences has made one thing very clear. The brands most likely to succeed in the current economic, political and social climate are the ones marketing more than just sex.

Hail Groo ·
profile

Chaturbate's Emely Zuniga Talks Show Floor Magic and Creator Care

During industry events, you’ll likely find Zuniga gliding through the room, greeting creators, checking details and making sure everyone around her feels taken care of. With her colorful red hair, perfectly done nails and an easygoing, “work bestie” demeanor that instantly puts people at ease, she thrives in the fast-paced environment of conferences and trade shows.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

How Pleasure Brands Can Capture Attention Through Press Trips

In many industries, press trips are considered desirable but optional — a bonus rather than a core element of a brand’s marketing strategy. In sexual wellness, however, they are essential.

Bryony Lees ·
opinion

What to Know About Deepfakes, Likeness Rights, and Digital Consent

AI is reshaping virtually every sector of the global economy, and the adult industry is no exception. Many adult companies have already explored or adopted AI in content production, and surveys indicate that around 65% have considered implementing AI technologies in their operations.

Christoph Hermes ·
opinion

Key Strategies for Adapting to Stricter PCI Compliance Standards

When it comes to PCI compliance, the days of simply filling out some paperwork and answering a few questions are gone. A casual approach is just not viable anymore.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

Automating Retail Accounting With AI

With 21 locations, I’m pretty much always hiring. Unfortunately, the employment market these days can be chaotic, as candidates send out applications across dozens of job boards with a single click. For managers like me, this results in more time spent sorting through signals and static.

Zondre Watson ·
opinion

5 Ways Social Media Can Boost Retail Sales

In today’s retail landscape, social media isn’t optional. It is one of the most essential drivers of product discovery, store traffic and long-term customer loyalty. The retailers seeing the strongest engagement and sell-through today are creating experiences customers want to share.

Genevieve Lariviere ·
opinion

How to Maximize Value From Your Payment Processing Fees

Regulatory requirements are putting more and more pressure on the adult industry. To stay compliant, merchants need tools that help with content moderation, age verification and fraud solutions. Unfortunately, the fees for those tools are hitting merchants’ bottom lines — including fees charged by payment services providers.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Understanding Sin Taxes and the Legal Roadblocks Ahead

As of this writing, a bill sits on the desk of Utah’s governor, awaiting his signature to make it state law. That bill includes a provision imposing an excise tax of 2% on adult sites operating in the state.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Visibility and Growth Strategies for BBW Creators

Plus-size adult creators continue to be a powerful and profitable presence across content platforms. Audiences seeking BBW content are often highly motivated, deeply loyal and willing to pay for exactly what they want — especially when they can’t easily find it elsewhere.

Sara Star ·
Show More