Cool, CA – In November of 2004, U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R. – Kansas) held a Senate Sub-committee hearing on “pornography addiction” in Washington, D.C., where a number of researchers and other professionals compared adult material with heroin and crack, suggesting that the effects of porn on brain chemistry is similar to the effects of drugs. At the time, no one from the adult entertainment industry was invited to speak at the hearing. In an effort to provide an opportunity for both sides to be heard, Free Speech Coalition (FSC) will present a public Community Forum on the topic, “Today’s Porn: Entertainment or Addiction?” on Monday, April 18, from 6:00 to 8:30 PM at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento. Panelists will include sex educators, researchers and political activists who will offer their perspectives on the subject and respond to questions from the audience.

“To examine an issue of such importance to our industry and to society without allowing us to participate is tantamount to censorship,” stated Michelle Freridge, FSC Executive Director. “We intend to open the doors to full participation by all stakeholders in this complex issue. By holding a public forum where Californians of all persuasions can come and speak out, we feel we are doing a public service.”

Panelists will include Carol Queen, Ph.D., Author, Sex Educator and Director, Center for Sex & Culture; Robert Lawrence, D.Ed., D.C., Sex Educator and Co-Founder, Center for Sex & Culture; George N. Collins, M.A., Sexual Compulsion Specialist and Al Hernandez Santana, J.D., M.C.P., political activist and committed Catholic. The panel will be moderated by Layne Winklebleck, M.S.W.

The event will be held in the Sheraton’s Tofanelli Room, starting with a no-host cocktail hour at 6:00 PM. The panel discussion begins at 7:00 PM. A donation of $15 is requested but no entry fee will be charged. For more information, call 800-476-7813.

Free Speech Coalition is the trade organization of the adult entertainment industry. Its objectives include safeguarding the industry from oppressive governmental regulation and promoting good business practices within the industry.