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 © 2025 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

New Creator Directory 'TrustyFans' Launches

TrustyFans, a new directory for creators, has officially launched.

Corey Silverstein to Host Webinar on 'SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling'

Where Does Age Verification Go From Here," to livestream July 10 at 4 p.m. (EDT).

FSC Publishes Guidance on Google Analytics Lawsuits

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published guidance on how adult websites can protect themselves in the wake of several consumer class action lawsuits filed against sites for using Google Analytics.

BranditScan, CreatorTraffic Partner for 'Creators & Agencies' Initiative

BranditScan and advertising network CreatorTraffic have partnered for an initiative to help creators and agencies generate traffic and protect their content.

Teasy Agency Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

Teasy Agency has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Aylo, Pineapple Support Partner for Mental Health Video Series

Aylo has teamed up with Pineapple Support to create a safety video series aimed at educating performers and creators about mental health.

Ofcom Investigates FTV Sites for Possible AV Noncompliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom is investigating First Time Videos, which operates the sites FTVGirls.com and FTVMilfs.com, for possible failure to comply with age assurance requirements under the Online Safety Act.

Stalwart Defender: Jeffrey Douglas on 30 Years Fighting for Free Expression

“If you had told me in 1995 that I would be on the FSC board for 30 years, I would have laughed out loud,” says Jeffrey Douglas.

FSC Publishes Analysis of Federal Trade Commission Event Promoting AV

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published an analysis of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) event held this week that promoted age verification among other forms of speech regulation.

GirlsDoPorn Owner Michael Pratt Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking

Michael Pratt, former owner of the rogue website GirlsDoPorn, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on Thursday to sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking charges, according to a report by City News Service.

Show More