CANOGA PARK, Calif. — Free Speech Coalition CEO Diane Duke today authored an op-ed on HuffingtonPost.com on the many degrees of censorship in the adult entertainment and pleasure products industries.
Called “50 Shades of Censorship,” the column offers 11 points to digest on the many ways conservative censors — lawmakers, corporations and the various anti-porn morality groups — are still limiting people’s ability to read, write and watch material like “Fifty Shades of Grey,” the mainstream sexually erotic movie that had its theatrical debut today.
“The success of the ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ movie is being treated as if it were the final victory over prudish sex censors,” Duke begins in the piece. “But the real answer is a bit more complicated. While we're often aware of restrictions in places like Iran, China or Malaysia, many are much closer to home.
“For over three decades, the Free Speech Coalition has argued that the government has no right to tell adults what books they may read, what films they may watch or what — if any — pleasure products they may buy.”
Duke calls out public library censorship because of some Florida’s counties have banned “Fifty Shades of Grey.” She also notes that sex toys are still illegal in Alabama and porn stars are being targeted at their financial institutions, leaving many of them with limited options for banking services.
The FSC’s chief leader also says that some blue-chip corporate enterprises just refuse to do business with those selling erotica.
“Google no longer accepts ads for adult companies, Apple won't allow adult-themed apps,” she wrote.
And there are boycotts by anti-porn morality groups that create a lasting stigma with mainstream America.
“Target is being boycotted for 'Fifty Shades'-themed items; theaters are being protested over implied sexual violence of BDSM. And thanks to pressure from anti-porn activists and morality groups, some hotel chains have pulled adult videos from their rooms entirely.”
Duke said that the Free Speech Coalition, the trade association for the adult entertainment and pleasure products industries, has been fighting for the right of adults to make their own decisions about what they watch and read for three decades.
“We encourage anyone who believes the same to learn more about these and other battles here or by following us on Twitter,” she wrote in the piece.
