09-04-2011, 09:58 AM
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Confirmed User
Industry Role:
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: In a refrigerator box by the tracks.
Posts: 4,790
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Correcting Misinformation Concerning the FSC
For all you newbies, here is the history of the Free Speech Coalition:
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The Free Speech Coalition was founded in 1991 by a group of concerned industry professionals in response to numerous government attacks against producers and retailers of adult products. Its roots are embedded deep within the birth and development of adult entertainment in the United States, and the organization has continued to grow with the industry?s own explosive growth, now representing all segments of adult entertainment on a national level.
The concept of an organization as a rallying point for those who believe in the free expression of adult-themed works began as early as 1970. The first truly national group to emerge was the Adult Film Association of America (AFAA). At the time, adult entertainment was only available in adult theaters and bookstores, so early members were largely theatrical exhibitors. With the advent of inexpensive home videos, the AFAA morphed into the Adult Film and Video Association of America (AFVAA).
The next significant event that galvanized the AFVAA was the arrest of Hal Freeman for pandering. Prosecutors wanted to establish once and for all that paying performers to have sex in a film was an act of prostitution. Freeman won that legal battle, which redefined the use of the pandering laws relative to providers of adult product. As video productions became the dominant factor in the marketplace, theatrical exhibition diminished. Video chains and many independent stores in suburbs and smaller cities started carrying adult fare. Overzealous law enforcement officials subjected more and more retailers to "obscenity" charges.
In 1990, under the first Bush administration, the Federal government attacked most of the major manufacturers of adult video with a sting operation designed to destroy the industry. In response, the Free Speech Legal Defense Fund (FSLDF) was formed by industry leaders to protect the rights of members in all areas of adult entertainment.
In 1992, as the government attack was blunted, the FSLDF decided to select a name more reflective of its broadened role in the adult community and the Free Speech Coalition (FSC) was born.
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The Mission Statement for the Free Speech Coalition follows:
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The mission of the Free Speech Coalition is to:
Lead, protect and support the growth and well-being of the adult entertainment community.
As the trade association for the adult entertainment we do this by:
Being the legislative watchdog for the industry;lobbying in California and in Congress.
Providing public education, research and reports to gradually change public opinion about adult entertainment.
Providing member publications, seminars, updates, advisories and coordinating member activism toward legislative change.
Improving members? business profit margins by introducing ?value-added? benefits, such as insurance, risk management programs, discounts, etc.
Engaging, as a last resort, in litigation.
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Please note that litigation is used as a last resort and not the primary purpose. |
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