WASHINGTON — The Woodhull Freedom Foundation has launched its new "Fact Checked by Woodhull" program, which uses peer-reviewed research, compiled and analyzed by professional researchers, to debunk myths weaponized to justify the repression of sex, sexuality and gender expression.
Woodhull’s first fact check release confronts myths behind the pseudoscientific “pornography public health crisis” currently being used to advance broad censorship of the internet.
Woodhull plans to grow the program with the support of advocates and academics.
Foundation President Ricci Joy Levy said, “Over the past few years, a flood of propaganda and pseudoscience has set the stage for repressive policies and poor health outcomes. Unfortunately, most mainstream media outlets and social media sites are deeply uncomfortable talking about sex and have thus allowed myths and misinformation to flourish. With our Fact Checked program, we’re giving journalists, educators, legislators, health care professionals and advocates the information they need to fight back.”
Levy added that a flood of bills regarding porn introduced in the past two years are based on “entirely spurious” claims about sex and gender.
“Too often, these claims are amplified uncritically by the media,” she noted. “Woodhull has been a source of credible, well-sourced analysis and information for more than two decades. We want to use this program to improve our conversations around our bodies, our health care and our rights.”
Feminist free speech historian and former ACLU president Nadine Strossen called Fact Checked by Woodhull “an essential antidote to dangerous disinformation.”
“It presents expert research and evidence about sexual expression, which refutes arguments for additional restrictions,” Strossen explained. “As with all speech that some people dislike, the appropriate response is more speech. I dislike the too-prevalent truth-distorting expression about sexual expression, so I applaud the appropriate more-speech response to it: Fact Checked by Woodhull.”
Researchers and contributors interested in being part of Woodhull’s team are encouraged to email factchecked@woodhullfoundation.org.
“Those interested in joining the fight online can also help by educating themselves about facts and sharing the posts on Fact Checked By Woodhull to engage with journalists, legislators and others who may be spreading misinformation wittingly or unwittingly,” a rep commented.
- For more information, visit WoodhullFoundation.org.