ESPLER Holds Press Conference, Rally at Democratic Convention

ESPLER Holds Press Conference, Rally at Democratic Convention

SAN FRANCISCO — Erotic Service Provider Legal Education and Research Project (ESPLER) has announced that it will be holding a press conference in conjunction with its planned rally outside of tomorrow's Democratic Convention to advocate for sex workers’ rights.

The press conference is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PDT) tomorrow outside the Moscone Center at the northwest corner of 3rd and Howard, with the Die In and Rally for International Whore’s Day to follow.

"We want the California State Democratic Party, the candidates, delegates, elected officials, the Central Committee members and all the volunteers to know this 'big tent' needs to include our rights too," said Maxine Doogan of ESPLER.

Specifically, organizers are hoping to present the Resolution to Decriminalize Prostitution to the committee's delegates, urging the California Democratic Party to endorse full decriminalization as its platform for the upcoming 2020 elections. 

This year, the California Democratic Party Convention coincides with International Whore’s Day, a yearly protest for sex workers' rights that has only increased in popularity and attendance since the 2018 passage of FOSTA/SESTA. 

Considering the high percentage of delegates expected to be in attendance that voted to pass FOSTA/SESTA, a bill which has largely been criticized as detrimental to consensual sex workers' safety and livelihoods, Rachel West of the sex worker activist group USPROStitutes Collective urged, "We want the presidential candidates attending the Convention to see and hear some of the real-life effects on our already marginalized community." 

Following the press conference, The Democratic Decriminalization Rally is scheduled to run until 3 p.m.

For more information, contact Maxine Doogan at (415) 265-3302 or email info@esplerpl.org.

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

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rejects Tariffs, Trump Responds

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled against the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs, which have significantly impacted the pleasure industry, prompting the president to announce a new tariff strategy as a workaround.

FSC Updates Complaint in Tennessee AV Case, AG Motions to Dismiss

The Free Speech Coalition this week filed an amended complaint in its lawsuit challenging the Protect Tennessee Minors Act as unconstitutional, in response to which the Tennessee attorney general motioned for dismissal of the case.

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.

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.

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.

Judge Dismisses NCOSE-Backed Suits Against Adult Sites Over Kansas AV Law

A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed lawsuits brought against two adult websites in Kansas for alleged violations of the state’s age verification law.

Aylo/SWOP Panel Spotlights Creators' Struggle for Digital, Financial Rights

Aylo and Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP) Behind Bars presented, on Tuesday, an online panel on creators’ rights, debanking and deplatforming.

AV Bulletin: Canada, Italy, Australia Updates

Since the Supreme Court’s decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, more state age verification laws have been enacted around the United States, as well as proposed at the federal level and in other countries. This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Show More