CANOGA PARK, Calif. - The gay social-networking and dating site Manhunt.net has donated $10,000 to the Free Speech Coalition. The money was designated to help fund the FSC's ongoing legal challenge to the U.S. government's recordkeeping and labeling act, 18 U.S.C. 2257.
"I support the Free Speech Coalition because our government needs to be reminded just what the Constitution says," said Jonathan Crutchley, chairman of Manhunt's board of directors. "The First Amendment states that Congress shall pass no law abridging freedom of speech or of the press. As Justice William O. Douglas pointed out, 'no law' means 'no law'. There's an old country-and-western song with the title 'What Part of No Don't You Understand?' Until restrictions on free speech like the 2257 law are lifted or struck down, we need to keep asking our government this question."
FSC Executive Director Diane Duke called Crutchley's sentiments exemplary and said the company should be commended for its ongoing commitment to protecting the free-speech rights of the adult industry.
"This is not the first time Jonathan and Manhunt have shown leadership in the battle against 2257," Duke said. "In 2007, they launched an overwhelmingly successful public comment campaign in response to the proposed 2257 regulations. By providing the lead gift in FSC's campaign for the next phase of our 2257 litigation, once again Manhunt and Mr. Crutchley have led the way in our battle against 2257. Thank you, Jonathan and Manhunt for your support, leadership and generosity."
Based in Cambridge, Mass., Manhunt claims nearly four million active members. The site is available in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German and Japanese. The company last year expanded into content production with OnTheHunt.com, a pro-am website that features Manhunt members in amateur scenes, videoed by professional celebrity directors.
Manhunt.net parent company, Online-Buddies.com, offers "a diverse range of online community-based services, each providing safe, friendly and exciting ways for members to express themselves and to interact with one another freely." The company encourages access to safer-sex information with its Internet Outreach program.
For more information about Manhunt, visit Manhunt.net. For more information about the FSC and its efforts on behalf of the adult entertainment industry, visit FreeSpeechCoalition.com.
