FSC Issues Statement Over Utah's Anti-Porn Resolution

FSC Issues Statement Over Utah's Anti-Porn Resolution

CANOGA PARK, Calif. — The Free Speech Coalition has issued a statement on the anti-pornography resolution passed in Utah this afternoon.

The resolution, signed by Republican Gov. Gary Herbert, declares porn an epidemic that normalizes violence against women and children and makes men less likely to want to get married.

Below is the FSC’s statement:

Today, the Utah Legislature passed a noxious bill which calls pornography a “public health crisis,” and links it erroneously to everything from sexual dysfunction to violence against women. The claims and the implied proscriptions harken to the dark days before adult film was legal, and when sex and sexuality were only discussed behind closed doors, if at all.

The Utah bill is an old-fashioned morals bill, not one grounded in science. Throughout history, there has been concern from moralists and censors that speaking about sex frankly, whether in the form of adult entertainment or Kinsey or Mapplethorpe, would somehow corrupt society.  In fact, actual science shows that viewers of adult entertainment are more likely to hold progressive views on sexuality and women’s rights, to be more educated on sexual health, and access to adult entertainment correlates pretty clearly historically and geographically with declines in sex crime.

No reputable, science-based public health organization has labeled pornography a public health crisis. Not the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics or any state health department.

The true public health crisis is the lack of adequate, science-based sexual health education in U.S., perpetuated by socially conservative politicians like these for over 35 years. This has led to unbelievably high STI and HIV infection rates amongst our young, as well as a teenage pregnancy rate of 26 per 1,000 in the U.S. vs. 6 per 1,000 in Europe. Regressive policies like this will achieve nothing.

Utah has now enthusiastically contributed to an incredibly disturbing trend seen across this country. Angered by the advance of progressivism, inclusion, and a growing acceptance of sexual expression and openness, its self-appointed morality police have cherry picked facts and cited advocates rather than scientists. Rather than a success for traditional American values, it is in fact a gross violation of them. There is little difference between these actions and those we see in other states attacking sex education, women’s reproductive rights, and the rights of the LGBTQQI community. The common thread linking each of these battles is a coordinated, large scale war on progressive values. In regard to pornography specifically, for those who seek to be the sole source of authority on morality and expression, consenting adults engaging in displays of healthy sexuality must indeed be anathema.

The issue at hand is not adult entertainment or sexuality, but bills like this that traffic in shame and stigma. We need a society where sexuality is spoken about openly, and discussed in nuanced and educated ways, not censored. We can and must work together to prevent non-adults from accessing adult material. Unfortunately, legislators in Utah and elsewhere are often uninterested in actual solutions — such as the use of software for parents to block access to adult sites, industry-sponsored age-verification systems, and talking with children about online activity — in favor of moralistic campaigns that traffic in ignorance and bias.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 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

Justices Alito, Thomas Invoke Victorian-Era Morality Law, Raising Censorship Concerns

Several national publications reported this week on widespread concern among Free Speech advocates after U.S. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas repeatedly invoked during a hearing the infamous segregation-era law the Comstock Act, which was the cornerstone of U.S. censorship of sexual material from the 1870s until the 1970s.

TeamSkeet Releases 1st Installment of 'Ripe for the Taking'

TeamSkeet has released the first installment of its latest feature, "Ripe for the Taking," starring TeamSkeet March AllStar Scarlett Alexis.

Skinfluential Management's FansFuel Acquires Fanwire

Creator stats and affiliate marketing platform FansFuel has acquired creator account management tool Fanwire.

Pineapple Support Taps Kasey Kei as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has named veteran performer and content creator Kasey Kei as its latest brand ambassador.

Nebraska AV Bill Moves Forward Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has given first-round approval to LB 1092, the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Eva Maxim, Katrina Colt Headline 'Cumming to LA' From Cherry Kiss

Eva Maxim and Katrina Colt star with Vince Karter in 2021 XBIZ Europas Female Performer of the Year Cherry Kiss' "Cumming to L.A.," from Evil Angel.

AEBN Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The Adult Entertainment Broadcast Network (AEBN) is celebrating its 25th year in business this week.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still pursue antitrust claims in the future.

Skylar Snow Headlines 'Infidelity 4' From Sweet Sinner

Skylar Snow toplines "Infidelity 4," the latest release from Mile High Media studio brand Sweet Sinner.

Serenity Cox Stars in 'Enjoy It' From MILFY

Serenity Cox stars with Alberto Blanco in "Enjoy It," from Vixen Media Group studio imprint MILFY.

Show More