In an effort to provide an opportunity for both sides on the issue to be heard, the Free Speech Coalition (FSC) will present a public community forum on the topic, “Today’s Porn: Entertainment or Addiction?” from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday 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.
In November of 2004, U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R–Kan.) held a Senate Subcommittee hearing on “pornography addiction” in Washington, D.C., where a number of researchers and other professionals dogmatically compared adult material with heroin and crack cocaine, suggesting that its effect on brain chemistry is similar. No one from the adult entertainment industry, or other academics with a different point of view, was invited to speak.
“To examine an issue of such importance to our industry and to society without allowing us to participate is tantamount to censorship,” said 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, which will be held in the Sheraton’s Tofanelli Room, will commence with a no-host cocktail hour at 6 p.m. with the panel discussion beginning at 7. A donation of $15 is requested but no entry fee will be charged. For more information, call 800-476-7813.
The Free Speech Coalition is the trade organization of the adult entertainment industry. Its mission is to safeguard the industry from oppressive governmental regulation and to promote good business practices within the industry.
