TAMPA, FL — Tom Hymes once again proved himself to be a man of heart, soul, intelligence, and energy during his insightful and passionate Cybernet Expo State of the Industry keynote speech on Friday afternoon. After recounting his early years as a writer and editor in the mainstream, Hymes, previously Communications Director for the Free Speech Coalition and now Publisher of XBIZ, briefly outlined his road to the adult industry or, as he noted some prefer to call it, “pornography.” The power of word choices such as these were among his many points made during the one hour presentation, which saw him touch upon issues including generational perspectives of the industry, the greed and lust for power of big companies that had backed the .xxx domain, and the importance of the Free Speech Coalition in the continued fight against unreasonable legislation and governmental censorship.
“They’re not going to stop,” Hymes informed the 50 attendees who listened attentively, referring to the socially conservative’s dedication to putting pressure on the adult video and internet professions, and those who hoped that accepting the .xxx domain would somehow divert its attention elsewhere.
In order to illustrate his contention that even some of the best and brightest among porn professionals had been hopeful that embracing the domain might prove helpful to the industry, Hymes reminded those assembled that even free speech martyr and Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt had initially supported the idea, thinking it might be effective in helping parents shield their children from content they feel is inappropriate. He was quick to point out that once Flynt realized the true results of such an extension, he revoked his support.
Hymes was emphatic about encouraging convention attendees and all member of the adult industry to throw their support behind the Free Speech Coalition. While he admitted that it is “an organization still in transition,” he was emphatic about dispelling what he contended were misconceptions about the board’s perceptions of the industry, particularly alleged disdain for adult webmasters. In fact, he made no bones about how little credence he gives such claims, labeling them “bullshit.”
Instead, Hymes encouraged webmasters to get involved with the FSC, even to the point of joining the board and making sure their unique insights are able to be clearly heard and represented. He pointed to current board member and president of YNOT, Connor Young, as an example of the kind of website experienced person who has taken the initiative to get involved and make a contribution to the cause of freedom.
Perhaps one of the most important moments during Hymes’ hour of worthy observations, came after discussion of the current obscenity prosecution against controversial producer/director/performer Max Hardcore. While he indicated that Hardcore’s unique evocative approach to his subject matter was not to his personal liking, he reminded the group that however tempting it might be to throw Hardcore and other more extreme members of the industry to the proverbial dogs, it would ultimately do no good, since the government’s plan undoubtedly includes a “divide and conquer” strategy.
“We are a conflicted society,” he said, referring to the U.S. culture in general, but also speaking truth about the professional community, as well. Observing that obscenity laws are among the last bastions of English ecclesiastical laws designed to fight blasphemy, Hymes made an impassioned plea for its members to throw off their guilt and shame. After all, if those who work within the adult industry are uncomfortable with what they do, how can those outside of it care or understand why it should be spared from excessive legal restriction – or extinction?
