Brownback Schedules Another Washington Porn Summit

WASHINGTON — United States Senator Sam Brownback, one of the leading politicians involved with the anti-adult entertainment movement, has scheduled another congressional hearing for Wednesday, this time to examine the repercussions of the recently dismissed federal obscenity charges leveled at Extreme Associates and its owners.

The hearing, held by the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Property Rights, will feature discussion about state interests in regard to regulating obscenity, according to a release issued by Brownback’s office.

The hearing will be presided over by Brownback, who holds a seat in the Senate Judiciary Committee, but not in the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Property Rights.

Though Brownback and his spokespeople were unavailable for comment, they issued a statement saying that the meeting will also include constitutional scholars demonstrating how obscenity regulations do not interfere with First Amendment protections.

“In the decision of United States vs. Extreme Associates, U.S. District Judge Gary Lancaster created an unwritten constitutional ‘right to possess and view sexually explicit material in the privacy of one’s own home,’” stated Brownback. “The hearing will illustrate the negative impact this decision can have on prosecuting producers of obscene material.”

Constitutional protections to possess obscene material within one’s home were first laid out in the 1969 Supreme Court case Stanley vs. Georgia, when the court ruled, “The First Amendment as made applicable to the states by the Fourteenth prohibits making mere private possession of obscene material a crime.”

“Basically, we think that this is going to be the next step in their porn addiction approach to limiting free speech and adult entertainment,” said Michelle Freridge, executive director of the Free Speech Coalition. “Just like the last senate hearing, we were not notified or invited.”

According to Freridge, the FSC was notified of the hearings by a contact based in Washington and quickly contacted the subcommittee to ask if they could recommend some experts to speak. They were rebuffed.

“We were told that there are three invited speakers that are expert constitutional law professors, but that no one else was going to be allowed to speak at the event,” Freridge said.

Currently scheduled to deliver testimony at the hearing are Professor Robert Destroy from Catholic University of America; Professor William Wagner from the Thomas M Cooley Law School; and Frederick Schauer, a Frank Stanton Professor of the First Amendment at Harvard University.

Written comments will be accepted during the meeting, however, and the FSC has begun soliciting those from a variety of First Amendment attorneys, with Jeffrey Douglas and Reed Lee writing the FSC’s own comments.

“We don’t know whether they’ll end up being read out loud during the meeting or not, but we expect to get written submissions from a wide range of attorneys,” Freridge said. “Basically, we’ve contacted all the First Amendment attorneys who have worked with us in the past.”

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

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult Industry, Override Possible

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect in South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Show More