LOS ANGELES, CA — The Free Speech Coalition will host a crucial all-industry roundtable on Thursday, Jan 12, to discuss the political and regulatory challenges facing the adult industry this year. The roundtable discussion is crucial for anyone doing business in the adult industry today.

“While we were able to defeat Prop 60, our biggest battles come later this year,” says Eric Paul Leue, Executive Director of the Free Speech Coalition. “From the Cal/OSHA hearings this month, to the prospect of renewed obscenity prosecutions, to mandatory porn blocking, to raids on service providers, we are seeing grave threats to the industry’s existence. We have not faced a more hostile government in nearly three decades, and we will need an active and informed industry in order to survive.”

The incoming Trump Administration has pledged to make obscenity prosecutions and regulation of adult content one of its top priorities. President-Elect Trump has stated that he does not believe that adult content is protected by the First Amendment; his Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, suggested at his confirmation hearing yesterday that he would revive the disbanded Obscenity Prosecution Task Force to go after adult producers.

The Republican Party plan, and many state GOP legislators, have called internet porn “a public health crisis.” Several states have proposed mandatory blocks on all computers, tablets and phones sold, and a bill drafted in Utah would allow private citizens to sue producers for “harm” that comes from viewing adult material.

At new Cal/OSHA hearings this spring, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation will once again seek to mandate condoms, as well as other barrier protection such as goggles and dental dams, in adult productions filmed in state.

“The prospect of aggressive prosecution is frightening, and we must remain vigilant” says Leue, “We will discuss strategies for survival, both for the industry as a whole, as well as for individual producers, performers and distributors who want to avoid triggering prosecutions.”

The Past Prop 60 Panel will be preceded by an FSC panel on site security, featuring leaders from the tech world, including Wired.com and the Center for Democracy and Technology.

“Past Prop 60”

Thursday, January 12, 1PM

Rooftop Ballroom

Andaz, West Hollywood

“HTTPS in Mainstream and Adult”

12PM

Rooftop Ballroom

Andaz, West Hollywood

CONTACT:

Mike Stabile

Media Relations, Free Speech Coalition

mike@freespeechcoalition.com

415.710.9184