SACRAMENTO, CA — While Larry Flynt tweaks the beard of the government by asking for an industry bailout and award winning porn actress Stormy Daniels ponders a temporary political career, many other adult entertainment professionals are preparing for the 12th Annual “Celebrate Free Speech Lobbying Days” in Sacramento, CA.Scheduled to take place on Monday and Tuesday, March 9th – 10th, 2009, delicates from throughout the state and beyond its borders will participate in lobbying training before visiting the Capital building and meeting with lawmakers.
Sponsored by the Free Speech Coalition (FSC), the event is an opportunity for performers, business owners, professionals and those who support them to become better educated and more effective citizen lobbyist in defense of free speech and the adult industry.
“We are watching a couple of bills that are being shopped around,” FSC executive director Diane Duke observes in a press release on the subject. “One is a mandatory condom legislation and the other is a tax on adult entertainment.”
Aside from those issues, most participants will focus their discussions on the more general topics of how the adult industry contributes to jobs and revenue, both of vital importance for both the state of California and the nation during one of most intense recessions in either’s history.
Duke believes that the work done during Lobbying Days is of vital importance.
“It is much better for our legislators to hear the truth about our industry from us, rather than the lies from our opponents, who are all too willing to spread misinformation about who we are and what we do,” she explains.
Lobby training will take place on Monday from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, with lobbyists meeting on the Capital steps the next morning at 9:30 am and working until 5:00 pm. Once the day of politico hobnobbery is complete, all assembled, including lawmakers, staff and advocates, will relax with refreshments and conversation during the Free Speech Legislation Reception sponsored by Wicked Pictures from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
Those interested in participating are urged to contact the FSC via telephone at 818-348-9373 or email at kim@FreeSpeechCoalition.com.
