Woodhull Freedom Foundation Denounces Anti-Porn Campaign

Woodhull Freedom Foundation Denounces Anti-Porn Campaign

WASHINGTON — The Woodhull Freedom Foundation has released an official statement about the campaign that resulted in OnlyFans' policy change — later reversed after sex worker outcry — to ban sexually explicit content.

The statement was signed by Ricci Levy, president of the national organization dedicated to affirming and protecting sexual freedom as a fundamental human right.

Following is the Woodhull Freedom Foundation’s statement.

When OnlyFans announced it was going to ban pornography on its platform they were clearly participating in a campaign to police, restrict and punish sexual pleasure. The reaction from sex workers and their allies was swift and fierce. Without these efforts, this harmful campaign would surely have succeeded, and would have implications reaching well beyond the lives of sex workers. It could have restricted the freedom of anyone who wanted to post or view explicitly sexual content.

And it isn’t just policies like the one that OnlyFans nearly put into action. SESTA/FOSTA, an unconstitutional law enacted in 2018, is being challenged in Federal court (Woodhull Freedom Foundation vs. The United States of America). In addition to clear violations of the First and Fifth Amendments, the law makes it possible for people or platforms to be punished for actions taken in the past when the action was not illegal. Additionally, there are ongoing attempts to overturn Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which essentially says that the chalkboard isn’t responsible for what someone else writes on it. If these attempts are successful, free speech on the internet will be a thing of the past.

These policies all claim to be aimed at goals we think everyone supports: fighting sexual exploitation, human trafficking and child sex abuse. Yet, only platforms that embrace human sexuality are targeted, and they are targeted in ways that actually make it harder to fight human trafficking. Woodhull Freedom Foundation opposes human trafficking, forced labor and sexual abuse in all forms. But laws like this won’t help us protect people’s human rights. Instead, they restrict our sexual freedoms and make it harder to protect the vulnerable.

OnlyFans did the right thing in reversing their original decision to ban pornography on their site. They faced Goliath in the form of the large payment processors and ultimately stood their ground. But that’s today; when pressure increases tomorrow, which site will cave?

For more information, visit the WoodhullFoundation.org.

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

Nerdgasm: A Look at the Naughty Side of Pop Culture Geekdom

From “Call of Duty” to cosplay, from tabletop dice rolls to dungeon-inspired dirty talk, the worlds of geek fandom and fantasy are no longer confined to the basement. They’ve kicked down the door, shed the “Firefly” tee and gone full frontal.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Moves to Outlaw Internet Pornography

A parliamentary committee of the Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday approved a measure to outlaw online adult content in the country.

Sweden Bans Purchase of 'Remote' Sexual Services

The Riksdag, Sweden’s parliament, has approved a proposal to criminalize purchasing sexual services performed remotely by streamers and custom content creators.

Asa Akira to Deliver XBIZ Talk at Miami Conference

XBIZ is pleased to announce that decorated performer, Pornhub brand ambassador, and author Asa Akira is set to deliver an exclusive talk at XBIZ Miami.

JustFor.fans Launches 'Fentanyl Test Strip' Initiative

JustFor.fans (JFF) has launched a test strip initiative to combat the nationwide fentanyl crisis.

2025 XBIZ Miami Speaker Lineup Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the release of the full speaker lineup for XBIZ Miami, the latest edition of the adult industry’s premier summer conference, set to take place May 19-22 at the Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach hotel in South Beach.

AV Bulletin: Arizona's About-Face, What New Laws Mean for Adult

Industry stakeholders and free speech advocates have anxiously been awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, which could significantly impact state age verification laws around the United States. In the meantime, state legislatures continue to weigh and pass AV bills, the U.K. and the EU are moving ahead with their own AV mandates and strategies, and legal challenges continue to play out in U.S. courts — with some cases on hold pending the SCOTUS ruling in Paxton.

Million Billion Media Launches New Website

Management and PR agency Million Billion Media (MBM) has launched a new website.

'Neon Nightswim' Party Returns to XBIZ Miami

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the annual Neon Nightswim Pool Party will once again illuminate XBIZ Miami on Tuesday, May 20.

FSC Addresses UK Age Verification Guidelines

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published an article offering guidance on the U.K.'s Online Safety Act and the various guidelines put forward by the country's telecommunications regulator Ofcom.The article follows:

Show More