CANOGA PARK, Calif. – Effective Feb. 1, longtime entrepreneur and HIV/AIDS activist Eric Paul Leue will replace Diane Duke as executive director of the Free Speech Coalition, the adult industry trade organization. Duke resigned effective Jan. 1 in order to pursue other opportunities. Attorney and FSC Chairman Jeffrey Douglas acted as interim executive director while the organization sought Duke’s replacement.
Leue most recently worked as the director of sexual health and advocacy at San Francisco-based fetish studio Kink.com.
“It’s an incredible honor to be able to lead the charge of the Free Speech Coalition at a time when the adult industry is fighting for its very survival,” Leue said. “When it comes to free speech, performer safety and sexual health, we cannot let moralistic and anti-scientific arguments dictate policy. I will fight to keep our industry safe and legal.”
The adult industry in California faces two immediate threats: new Cal/OSHA regulations that would require eye protection, dental dams and condoms when shooting adult film, and a ballot measure that would allow private citizens to file lawsuits against producers and performers who don’t appear to comply with the regulations.
Leue possesses extensive experience in both nonprofit and for-profit arenas. He started his first successful business while still in his teens and has managed budgets and fundraising for multinational corporations, nonprofit organizations and his own successful business, EPL Brand Services.
A former Mr. LA Leather, Leue has served on the Los Angeles County PEP and PrEP Workgroup since 2013, and on the L.A. Commission on HIV since 2014. In the past year, he was named one of the “Top HIV Advocates of 2015” by HIV Plus magazine and one of The Advocate’s “40 Under 40,” and was recognized by the Mayor of Los Angeles for his “untiring advocacy and exemplary service.”
Leue came to the attention of the adult industry in 2014 after circulating a petition calling for the removal of long-time industry opponent Michael Weinstein, president of AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Leue has since become a regular figure at Cal/OSHA hearings, legislative events, rallies and content-producer meetings.
“Eric has been a major contributor to our success over the past two years,” Douglas said. “He has been a fierce advocate for our industry, and we look forward to a successful 2016 and beyond.”
