ESPLER’s Litigation Pledge Drive Canceled by GoFundMe

SAN FRANCISCO — ESPLER, the San Francisco-based sexual privacy organization that filed suit last week to overturn California’s 54-year-old prostitution statute, has found its pledge drive campaign on GoFundMe yanked.

GoFundMe, according to ESPLER, contacted the group and canceled the online campaign to help fund litigation in the case because “they had just changed their terms of use.”

ESPLER officials said that it had raised more than $520 towards a goal of $30,000 on GoFundMe.

“Not only did they cancel our campaign to raise monies to support our court case, they deleted our account altogether,” ESPLER officials said. “We want to thank all of our supporters who have reached out to us.”

Today, ESPLER’s Maxine Doogan is asking supporters to direct themselves to a new Tilt.com account to serve as a portal for donations to help fund the litigation efforts.

Last week, ESPLER filed suit that seeks to overturn California’s 54-year-old prostitution statute, contending that Section 647(b) of the California Penal Code violates the 1st Amendment involving free speech and freedom to associate, as well as the 14th Amendment in relation to the substantive due process right to earn a living and sexual privacy.

ESPLER's suit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief and was filed by two adult entertainment industry attorneys — Gill Sperlein and H. Louis Sirkin — on behalf of the group at U.S. District Court in San Francisco.

GoFundMe’s new policies over types of crowdfunding topics it accepts actually went into effect in September.

According to its site, GoFundMe prohibits sexually explicit material, sexually suggestive material, adult service or products, pornography and material relating to adult industry, among many other types of materials.

ESPLER — formally known as the Erotic Service Provider Legal, Education and Research Project — also is taking contributions by mail: ESPLER Project, 2261 Market St., No. 548, San Francisco, CA 94114.

Related:  

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

Pineapple Support, Streamate to Host 'Navigating Grief and Loss' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Streamate are hosting a free online support group to help performers cope with grief and loss.

Friday is Final AV Compliance Deadline in UK

Friday, July 25 marks U.K. media regulator Ofcom’s deadline for user-to-user services such as tube, cam and fan sites to implement its requisite “highly effective age assurance” measures for preventing minors from viewing adult content.

Elly Clutch Stars in Latest From Brazzers

2024 XMAs Female Clip Creator of the Year Elly Clutch stars with Ricky Johnson in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Elly’s Evil Twin."

Liz Jordan Crowned Newest Vixen Angel

Vixen Media Group (VMG) has crowned Liz Jordan as its newest Vixen Angel.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for May, June

AEBN has released the top search terms for the months of May and June from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Brittney Kade Headlines Latest From TransSensual

Brittney Kade stars in "Sweat Slut Licks Pretty Pits for Bear Fuck," from TransSensual.

Two Texas Bills Restricting Sex Toy Sales Fail to Pass

Two bills aimed at restricting sales of sex toys have failed to pass the Texas state legislature during its 2025 session.

Sweet Sinner Releases 7th Volume of 'The Hot Wives'

Kenzie Taylor, Little Puck, Blake Blossom, and Sophia Locke star in the seventh volume of "The Hot Wives," from Mile High Media studio imprint Sweet Sinner.

NYC Adult Stores Petition for Rehearing in Zoning Law Case

A group of adult businesses on Tuesday petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit to rehear a case involving a zoning law that could severely limit adult stores’ operations in New York City.

Leilani Li, Angellica Good Star in Latest From TransAngels

Leilani Li and Angellica Good star in the latest release from TransAngels, titled “Double VR Mouth Swap,” alongside Marcus McNeill.

Show More