FSC Tightens Belt With Layoffs

CANOGA PARK, Calif. — Free Speech Coalition Executive Director Diane Duke said today that due to budget constraints the organization will lay off two of its members at the end of this month.

Leaving FSC will be Kat Sunlove, Director of Legislative Affairs, and Layne Winklebleck, Legislative Affairs Associate. To cut costs, FSC plans to outsource its California lobbying activities, while continuing its federal lobbying efforts through The Raben Group of Washington, D.C.

“Lobbying is a priority for FSC, but the overhead and expense of staffing a separate lobbying office is too great,” Duke said. “With the added expense that comes from FSC’s 18 USC 2257 as well as the FSC vs. Utah litigation, we must scrutinize every dollar.”

Sunlove entered the adult industry more than 25 years ago as a journalist and wrote a sexual advice column, “The Kat Box.” For the last decade, she was an effective lobbyist for the adult entertainment trade group, and filled the FSC executive director position on an interim basis while the group searched for a full-time executive.

Winklebleck also has extensive experience in adult entertainment as editor of the weekly Free Speech X-Press newsletter and several issues of Free Speaker Magazine.

“Two of the institutions established by Kat and Layne, the Free Speech X-Press and our annual Celebrate Free Speech Lobbying Days in Sacramento, have had as much impact on both the organization and the individual members as any activity undertaken by the coalition,” FSC Board Chairman Jeffrey Douglas said. “We are eternally grateful for their contributions.”

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 News

Better Life Science Launches 'Affiliate and Influencer' Initiative

CLIA-certified laboratory network Better Life Science has launched its affiliate and influencer program.

Cherie DeVille Joins Woodhull Freedom Foundation 'Free Speech' Panel

Multi-XMAs winner Cherie DeVille will join the upcoming Woodhull Freedom Foundation panel series "Fact Checked by Woodhull," addressing free speech on Feb. 26.

Wisconsin AV Bill Moves Ahead, Minus Anti-VPN Provisions

The Wisconsin state Senate on Wednesday advanced a bill that would require adult websites to verify the ages of users, but approved an amendment striking proposed language that would have required sites to block virtual private network traffic.

Pineapple Support Introduces 'Wellbeing by PS' Service

Pineapple Support has debuted its new Wellbeing by PS service, providing mental health support packages for companies and agencies.

MyMember.site Integrates Bluesky Functionality

MyMember.site has added Bluesky features to its website management platform.

GirlsDoPorn Defendants Ordered to Pay Victims $75.5 Million

A federal court has ordered former GirlsDoPorn owner Michael Pratt and his co-defendants in the GDP sex trafficking case to pay restitution totaling $75,568,283.47 to 106 victims.

SWR Data Publishes 'Clip Trend' Report

Adult industry market research firm SWR Data has published a report on clip platform performance and sales.

Another German Court Rejects Blocking Orders Against Pornhub, YouPorn

A German court has blocked the Rhineland-Palatinate Media Authority (MA RLP) from forcing telecom providers based within the court’s jurisdiction to cut off access to Aylo-owned adult sites Pornhub and YouPorn.

Ofcom Fines Kick Online Entertainment $1 Million for AV Noncompliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom on Thursday fined Kick Online Entertainment 800,000 pounds (more than $1 million) for failing to implement age checks as required for compliance with the Online Safety Act.

FSC Details Legislative Outlook for 2026

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has laid out the legislative outlook for the industry in 2026.

Show More