The group's leader, Mark Houck, is bringing what he calls his “No More Porn Tour” to adult shops and theaters in Philadelphia's five-county area, carrying signs that read “Real men love women” and “Real men don't exploit women.” The group of about 30 men protests twice a month at local adult businesses.
“It's something we decided to do as Christian men — taking our faith to action," Houck said. "We're trying to reach out to men and women who are broken, seeking love in all the wrong places. We encourage a life of sexual self-control, and we have a great return on our investment.”
Houck said that on an average day, the group can convince about a half-dozen men not to enter the store, get back in their cars and leave.
“I used to have my own addiction to pornography for 15 years,” Houck said. “I've found freedom in my life from these vices. I tell people, 'Look brother, I've been there. You have to break the cycle.' I don't know if hearts have been transformed, but we think it's having an impact on the community.”
Adult World Manager Amy Ganzel said the group's actions have an effect inside the store.
“On the days they are there, we take a cut anywhere from a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars, and it hurts us,” Ganzel said. “It's hard enough for some people to come in, but then to be bombarded by these guys? Of course, they scare them away. And there is nothing we can do. Our Constitution allows them to say what they want to say, but they just can't step foot on the property.”
She said even she has been approached by persistent group members.
“They asked me not to go in, and I told them I had to," Ganzel said. "I work here. Then they offered to help find me another job."
She also said one member of the group took his protest too far and faced a disorderly conduct fine from police last year.
Houck said his group “acts within the confines of the law,” standing outside the edge of the business's property. It will continue to protest as long as the store is open, he said.
“We do this to raise awareness not just to people going in, but people passing by," Houck said. "Maybe someone sees us who uses the Internet to look at something impure. Maybe we can remind them that what they're doing is not right. ...The other day we saw two women coming out with a big bag of stuff and we told them they deserved better."
Houck said the shop relocated its entrance and main parking area to the rear of the building.
“We like to think as a result of us going there, they are taking measures to give patrons more anonymity," he said. "Before, we were within 6 feet of them. Now we have to yell out, since they are 50 to 100 feet away from us. It's hard to get them to hear us, but we still point to our signs.”
Ganzel says the relocation of the entrance had nothing to do with the group's influence.
“We actually moved the entrance because we were expanding and we needed the room," she said.