Free Speech
Pennsylvania Republican Reintroduces 'Mandatory Porn Filter' Copycat Bill
Republican State Rep. Jim Gregory has reintroduced a copycat bill to require electronics manufacturers to activate “porn filters” on all devices sold in Pennsylvania.
SWERF Democrat, Christian Lobby Team Up to Push 'Age Verification' Law in Maine
Democratic State Rep. Lois Reckitt has teamed up with Maine’s Christian Civic League to propose a new “age verification” law, as that state’s version of the controversial legislation that religious Republicans have been promoting around the country in an effort to reinstitute obscenity prosecutions at the federal level.
FSC Warns of Risks to Adult Sites if Texas Age Verification Law Takes Effect Sept. 1
Free Speech Coalition (FSC) issued a statement Thursday urging industry stakeholders to prepare for the new Texas age-verification and labeling law set to take effect Sept. 1.
Texas Interim Attorney General Argues All Adult Content is 'Obscene,' Not Protected by 1st Amendment
Texas’ interim attorney general, Angela Colmenero, on Tuesday issued a response to the Free Speech Coalition (FSC) lawsuit against the state’s controversial age verification law, contending that adult content is “obscene” and therefore not entitled to First Amendment protections.
Virginia Press Reports on Failure of Recent Anti-Porn Law
The Virginia Mercury newspaper Wednesday published its first report assessing the effectiveness of the commonwealth’s recent age verification law promoted by anti-porn activists and religious conservative Republicans.
Virginia Democrats Admit to Trading Off Their Age Verification Votes for Unrelated Bill
A Democratic Virginia state senator has admitted that he and Republican senators used the issue of age verification for adult material as a bargaining chip to negotiate the language of an unrelated piece of legislation.
Judge Postpones Start of Backpage.com Trial
The Arizona federal judge in charge of the Backpage.com retrial pushed back the start of the trial during a hearing on Friday, following the death of co-defendant James “Jim” Larkin.
Judge Moves Backpage.com Retrial Forward Despite Jim Larkin's Death
The Arizona federal judge in charge of the Backpage.com retrial issued an order Tuesday stating that she is aware of the death of co-defendant James “Jim” Larkin, but nonetheless expects the parties in the case to prepare for trial to commence next Tuesday.
Former Backpage Executive Jim Larkin Dies Days Before Retrial
Former Backpage.com executive James “Jim” Larkin, a co-defendant in the ongoing Backpage.com case due to be retried this month after a 2021 mistrial, died by suicide Monday in Superior, Arizona.
Controversial KOSA, COPPA Bills Pass Commerce Committee, Head to Senate Floor
The Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday approved by a unanimous voice vote two controversial “online safety” bills that have been criticized by leading digital rights and privacy advocates.
Biden Urges Lawmakers to Pass Controversial 'Online Safety' Bills
President Joe Biden on Tuesday urged lawmakers to pass controversial “online safety” bills KOSA and COPPA, currently making their way through the Senate.
FSC Petitions Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Over Discrimination Against Adult Industry, Workers
Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has submitted an official comment to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), asking regulators to address the issue of discriminatory banking practices and their effects on adult businesses and workers.
Virginia Republican Behind Age Verification Law Calls Adult Content 'Not Normal'
State Sen. Bill Stanley, author of the age verification law that led Pornhub to shut down access in the commonwealth of Virginia, has defended the controversial, vaguely worded mandate by claiming that adult websites are harmful because their content is “not normal.”
The Bible Exempted From Utah's Draconian Anti-Porn Law
A Utah school board that ordered the Bible removed from certain school libraries, as it was found to be in violation of Utah’s draconian new anti-porn law, reversed course on Tuesday after community pressure to exempt scriptural descriptions of incest, rape and other sexual matters from censorship.
Pornhub Releases New Video Urging Action Against Anti-Porn Legislation
Pornhub has released a new video featuring Cherie DeVille urging viewers to contact their representatives to weigh in on the current blitz of anti-porn legislation being proposed around the country.
FSC Asks Court to Block Utah Age-Verification Law
Free Speech Coalition has filed a motion for preliminary injunction of Utah's age-verification law, asking the district judge to block its enforcement pending resolution of the case.
Texas Orders All Adult Sites to Post Anti-Porn Propaganda Disclaimers
The Texas legislature has passed a new age verification law that compels adult websites to post pseudoscientific anti-porn propaganda disclaimers declaring that “pornography is potentially biologically addictive, is proven to harm human brain development, desensitizes brain reward circuits, increases conditioned responses and weakens brain function.”
Hamburger Mary's Sues Ron DeSantis Over Anti-Drag Law
LGBTQ-friendly restaurant chain Hamburger Mary’s is suing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over one of his state’s anti-drag laws, alleging that the law’s blanket prohibition against “children attending adult live performances” is affecting its business in Orlando and violating its free speech.
FSC Issues Open Letter to Anti-Porn Utah Senator Over New AV Law
Free Speech Coalition Executive Director Alison Boden on Tuesday issued an open letter addressed to the Utah Senate’s leading anti-porn activist, requesting clarification on how adult sites might comply with SB 287, the state’s controversial new age verification law.
Broker.xxx Joins Free Speech Coalition
Adult business consultancy Broker.xxx has joined the Free Speech Coalition (FSC).