# Free Speech Coalition

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) is a non-profit trade association of the sex industry in the United States. Founded in 1991, it opposes the passage and enforcement of obscenity laws and many censorship laws (with the exception of "anti-piracy" laws).

## Background

Prior to the establishment of a private right to own pornographic material in Stanley v. Georgia in 1969, adult film producers and sex toy manufacturers had limited ability to organize. The first truly national group to emerge was the Adult Film Association of America (AFAA), an association of approximately 100 film producers, exhibitors, and distributors. The AFAA hired attorneys and created a legal kit that could be used by those facing censorship. With the advent of inexpensive home videos, the AFAA became the Adult Film and Video Association of America (AFVAA).
In 1987, adult film producer Hal Freeman was charged with pandering. In People v. Freeman, prosecutors argued that paying performers to have sex in an adult film was an act of prostitution. The case went to the California Supreme Court where the 1989 Freeman decision effectively legalized adult film production in California. Despite the ruling, law enforcement began aggressively targeting adult theaters and video stores for selling adult material. In 1990, the City of Los Angeles used zoning ordinances to try and shut down nearly a hundred adult video theaters and shops in the Hollywood area.
Following the recommendations of the Meese Commission, the Bush administration began attacking both small distributors and major manufacturers of adult video with sting operations. Between March 1990 and June 1991, the US Department of Justice and the Los Angeles police raided 40 adult film companies in Los Angeles. While pornography production was no longer illegal in California, producers could still be charged with the federal crime of interstate sale of obscene material and tried in more conservative states.

## Founding

In response to the attacks, adult producers formed the Free Speech Legal Defense Fund (FSLDF) to pool resources. In 1991, 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 was born. The association became closely aligned with other organizations representing the rights of free speech and civil liberties.

## Organization

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) is the trade association of the adult entertainment industry in the United States. Founded in 1991, it opposes the passage and enforcement of some censorship laws (with the exception of "anti-piracy" laws) and obscenity laws.
On the FSC's website it states that it has "fought for the rights of producers, distributors, performers and consumers of adult entertainment and pleasure products through battles in the legislature, the courts, regulatory agencies, at the ballot box and in the press".
The FSC is committed to intersectionality, supporting those within the adult industry concerned with issues such as: "women's health and reproductive rights, LGBT rights, immigration, sexual health and wellness, sex education, decriminalization of victims and workers, human trafficking, discrimination, racism, and consent".
In 1999, FSC hired its first full-time Executive Director, William R. "Bill" Lyon, and began to gain a national reputation as a defender of First and Fourth Amendment rights. During the Clinton Administration, there were few obscenity prosecutions. Then-Attorney General Janet Reno seemed to see "obscenity" as a victimless crime. She also realized that in many areas community standards had changed and "obscenity" convictions were becoming more difficult to sustain.

## Issues and initiatives
### Child protection
#### Child Protection and Obscenity Enforcement Act

In 1995, a comprehensive Federal scheme regulating the creation and wholesale distribution of recorded images of sexual conduct came into effect. Aimed at detecting and deterring child pornography, the Federal Labeling Law (also known as the Child Protection and Obscenity Enforcement Act) eliminated privacy in the creation of sexual images. Any producers of, and performers in, such materials were ordered to comply with detailed disclosure requirements. The FSC played a critical role in industry compliance as it conducted training seminars, prepared compliance documents and uniform exemption labels and negotiated with the Justice Department for relief from some components of the law.

#### Communications Decency Act

In 1996 the Communications Decency Act (CDA) was enacted to protect children from accessing adult material on the Internet.

#### Child Pornography Prevention Act

The Child Pornography Protection Act (CPPA) followed in 1997; this sought to criminalize the depiction of minors in sexually explicit video or online content, even if those depicted were over 18 years of age. This redefinition of child pornography to include adults appearing to be minors and engaging in actual or simulated sexual activity was controversial. Although the Senate Judiciary Committee (the committee of origin), never held a vote on the bill, it was signed into law, following Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) attaching it during the Conference Committee to the October 1997 Spending Bill.
For the first time since its own redefinition as a trade association, FSC undertook litigation challenging the constitutionality of a Federal statute, filing suit against then-Attorney General John Ashcroft and charging that the CPPA abridged first amendment rights by defining protected speech as obscene or as child pornography. In 2002, FSC views were upheld in the US Supreme Court in Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition, the "virtual child porn" case.
In 2005, FSC filed a complaint against the Dept of Justice and then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, citing that 18 U.S.C. § 2257 regulations endangered the privacy and safety of performers by allowing private information to be accessed through the record-keeping process; also that 2257 regulations were complicated to the extent that adult producers would be unable to fully comply with the record-keeping system.
The controversial regulations have been an ongoing issue for adult industry producers and the FSC. In February 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit held in Connection Distributing Co. v. Holder that the record-keeping provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 2257 did not violate the First Amendment. A revised set of the § 2257 regulations was released in December 2009, prompting another complaint against the DOJ and Attorney General Eric Holder in 2010.

### California porn tax

In 1994, the FSC retained a lobbyist in Sacramento, California's state capitol. The following year, an excise tax was proposed for all adult products and services, with the proceeds going to collection of the tax, law enforcement and, if anything remained, to rape counseling centers and battered victim shelters. The bill was defeated at its first committee hearing.

### Performer Availability Screening Services

PASS (Performer Availability Screening Services) is a U.S. organization that maintains a database of STI testing results for pornographic actors. The database is intended to help reduce or prevent the spread of STIs in the porn industry. The organization, formerly known as Adult Production Health and Safety Services (APHSS), was developed by the Free Speech Coalition in 2013, following the closure of Adult Industry Medical Health Care Foundation. Performers are tested every fourteen days for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B and C and trichomoniasis. According to PASS, there has not been an on-set transmission of HIV on a regulated set since 2004.
During the global COVID-19 pandemic, a special task force met to determine how to incorporate a test for COVID-19. All performers and crew are now tested for COVID-19 with the date of test posted in the PASS database. Researchers have suggested that the PASS testing system may be a model for other industries.

### Banking access

In February 2015, the FSC announced an affiliation with the First Entertainment Credit Union. The arrangement made financial services available to approved production studios employees and their families, primarily in the adult film industry. Diane Duke, CEO of the FSC, noted the "...difficulties faced by industry members that have had their business turned away by other institutions."

### Other

Other initiatives and issues include:
* Challenging 2257 regulations in court (Free Speech Coalition v. Gonzales)
* Opposing the proposed .xxx top-level domain
* Rebutting claims of pornography addiction and harmful "secondary effects" of pornography
* Improving workplace safety
* Fighting piracy including the FSC Anti-Piracy Action Program and two Public Service Announcements
* Supporting the decriminalization of sex work and workers' rights.

## Awards

The FSC Lifetime Achievement Awards are given to adult industry businesses and professionals for outstanding achievements and contributions to the adult entertainment industry. They were launched in mid-1988 by the Adult Video Association at its annual Night of the Stars fundraising event, replacing its discontinued Erotic Film Awards. When the association merged into the Free Speech Coalition in late 1992, the new coalition took over the tradition. Previous years' awards are listed at the AVA Wikipedia entry. Starting in 2008 an "Election Bash" in the fall replaced the former Night of the Stars awards ceremony, reflecting the FSC's change in focus from the entertainers to the business side of the industry. The award presentations were normally made late in the year, but starting in 2014 they were changed to January as part of the XBIZ 360 conference, which is also site of the XBIZ Award ceremony. Thus the awards normally presented in late 2013 were given out in January 2014.
The Positive Image Award is presented to "performers that have helped to dispel negative stereotypes and misconceptions connected to work in the adult industry."
The Legacy Award "recognizes innovation, successful business practices and contributions to the industry as a whole."
The Man of the Year Award is "given to business professionals that have shown exceptional leadership in building solid businesses and their communities."
The Woman of the Year Award is "given to business professionals that have shown exceptional leadership in building solid businesses and their communities."
The Leadership Award is given to "business or individual that demonstrates excellence in the adult entertainment industry in leading by example."
The Benefactor of the Year Award recognizes "unwavering support, through philanthropy and advocacy, of adult industry and mainstream causes. As well as setting a good example, the company also has diligently attempted to protect the adult industry business community from legal challenges, business risks and critics."
Pleasure Products Company of the Year goes to the pleasure products company "that has demonstrated constant and unwavering innovation and excellence." Prior to 2015, the award was known as the Novelty Company of the Year award.
Production Company of the Year "goes to the production company that has demonstrated constant and unwavering innovation and excellence. The company's success not only benefits their individual business but also the industry as a whole. In addition to their creative innovation, the company conducts business with high ethical standards and integrity."
Internet Company of the Year "recognizes excellence, innovation and contributions made to the adult industry overall."
Retailer of the Year "goes to the retailer that has demonstrated constant and unwavering innovation and excellence."
In 2015 a new award, the Christian Mann Courage and Leadership Award, was added. This award is given to "a member of the adult entertainment or pleasure products community who has shown exemplary courage and leadership fighting for the rights and image of the industry."

### Award winners

| Year | Category | Winner |
| 1988 | Lifetime Achievement - Actress | Nina Hartley |
| 1988 | Lifetime Achievement - Actor | Joey Silvera |
| 1988 | Anthony Spinelli Lifetime Achievement - Director | Anthony Spinelli |
| 1988 | Joel T. Warner 'Good Guy' Award | Mike Warner |
| 1989 | Lifetime Achievement - Actress | Sharon Kane |
| 1989 | Lifetime Achievement - Actor | John Leslie |
| 1989 | Anthony Spinelli Lifetime Achievement - Director | Gerard Damiano |
| 1989 | Joel T. Warner 'Good Guy' Award | Al Bloom |
| 1989 | Hal Freeman 'Freedom Isn't Free' Award | Al Goldstein |
| 1990 | Lifetime Achievement - Actress | Kay Parker |
| 1990 | Lifetime Achievement - Actor | Eric Edwards |
| 1990 | Anthony Spinelli Lifetime Achievement - Director | Alex deRenzy |
| 1990 | Joel T. Warner 'Good Guy' Award | Hal Freeman |
| 1990 | Hal Freeman 'Freedom Isn't Free' Award | Bob Guccione |
| 1991 | Lifetime Achievement - Actress | Georgina Spelvin |
| 1991 | Lifetime Achievement - Actor | Paul Thomas |
| 1991 | Anthony Spinelli Lifetime Achievement - Director | Henri Pachard |
| 1991 | Joel T. Warner 'Good Guy' Award | Bobby Lilly & Mel Kamins (GVA-TWN owner) |
| 1991 | Hal Freeman 'Freedom Isn't Free' Award | Barry Freilich |
| 1992 | Lifetime Achievement - Actress | Marilyn Chambers |
| 1992 | Lifetime Achievement - Actor | Herschel Savage |
| 1992 | Anthony Spinelli Lifetime Achievement - Director | Cecil Howard |
| 1992 | Joel T. Warner 'Good Guy' Award | Russ Hampshire (VCA Pictures) |
| 1992 | Hal Freeman 'Freedom Isn't Free' Award | Phil Harvey |
| 1993 | Lifetime Achievement - Actress | Sharon Mitchell |
| 1993 | Lifetime Achievement - Actor | Randy West |
| 1993 | Anthony Spinelli Lifetime Achievement - Director | Chuck Vincent |
| 1993 | Joel T. Warner 'Good Guy' Award | Jacky Hagerman & Harry Mohney |
| 1993 | Hal Freeman 'Freedom Isn't Free' Award | Gloria Leonard |
| 1994 | Lifetime Achievement - Actress | Veronica Hart & Kelly Nichols |
| 1994 | Lifetime Achievement - Actor | Jamie Gillis |
| 1994 | Anthony Spinelli Lifetime Achievement - Director | Fred Lincoln |
| 1994 | Joel T. Warner 'Good Guy' Award | Bill "Pinky" Stolbach (salesman) |
| 1994 | Hal Freeman 'Freedom Isn't Free' Award | Howard Wasserman & Paul Wisner (publisher) |
| 1995 | Lifetime Achievement - Actress | Hyapatia Lee |
| 1995 | Lifetime Achievement - Actor | Mike Horner |
| 1995 | Anthony Spinelli Lifetime Achievement - Director | Bruce Seven |
| 1995 | Joel T. Warner 'Good Guy' Award | Dr. George Boris |
| 1995 | Hal Freeman 'Freedom Isn't Free' Award | Stanley Fleishman |
| 1996 | Lifetime Achievement - Actress | Porsche Lynn |
| 1996 | Lifetime Achievement - Actor | Ron Jeremy |
| 1996 | Anthony Spinelli Lifetime Achievement - Director | Harold Lime & Robert McCallum |
| 1996 | Joel T. Warner 'Good Guy' Award | Ted Rothstein (Nasstoys) & Martin Rothstein (Coast to Coast Video founder) |
| 1996 | Hal Freeman 'Freedom Isn't Free' Award | Eddie Wedelstedt (Goalie Entertainment Holdings founder) |
| 1997 | Lifetime Achievement - Actress | Seka |
| 1997 | Lifetime Achievement - Actor | John Holmes |
| 1997 | Anthony Spinelli Lifetime Achievement - Director | Candida Royalle |
| 1997 | Joel T. Warner 'Good Guy' Award | Robert Tremont |
| 1997 | Hal Freeman 'Freedom Isn't Free' Award | Larry Flynt |
| 1997 | Positive Image Award | Juli Ashton |
| 1998 | Lifetime Achievement - Actress | Vanessa Del Rio |
| 1998 | Lifetime Achievement - Actor | R. Bolla |
| 1998 | Anthony Spinelli Lifetime Achievement - Director | Bob Chinn |
| 1998 | Joel T. Warner 'Good Guy' Award | Marty Turkel |
| 1998 | Hal Freeman 'Freedom Isn't Free' Award | Nadine Strossen |
| 1998 | Positive Image Award | Shane |
| 1999 | Lifetime Achievement - Actress | Annie Sprinkle |
| 1999 | Lifetime Achievement - Actor | Richard Pacheco |
| 1999 | Lifetime Achievement - Gay Actor | Jack Wrangler |
| 1999 | Anthony Spinelli Lifetime Achievement - Director | Bobby Hollander |
| 1999 | Lifetime Achievement - Gay Director | Jerry Douglas |
| 1999 | Hal Freeman 'Freedom Isn't Free' Award | William Dobbs (gay activist, attorney for the Coalition for Free Expression) |
| 1999 | Positive Image Award | Christi Lake |
| 2000 | Lifetime Achievement - Actress | Shanna McCullough |
| 2000 | Lifetime Achievement - Actor | Jon Martin |
| 2000 | Lifetime Achievement - Gay Actor | Matt Bradshaw |
| 2000 | Anthony Spinelli Lifetime Achievement - Director | Lasse Braun |
| 2000 | Lifetime Achievement - Gay Director | John Travis |
| 2000 | Joel T. Warner 'Good Guy' Award | Christian Mann (Evil Angel General Manager) & Susan Colvin (California Exotic Novelties founder) |
| 2000 | Hal Freeman 'Freedom Isn't Free' Award | Dr. James Elias |
| 2000 | Positive Image Award | Sean Michaels |
| 2001 | Lifetime Achievement - Actress | Juliet Anderson |
| 2001 | Lifetime Achievement - Actor | Don Fernando |
| 2001 | Lifetime Achievement - Gay Actor | Cole Tucker |
| 2001 | Anthony Spinelli Lifetime Achievement - Director | John Stagliano |
| 2001 | Lifetime Achievement - Gay Director | Steven Scarborough |
| 2001 | Joel T. Warner 'Good Guy' Award | Paul Fishbein |
| 2001 | Hal Freeman 'Freedom Isn't Free' Award | Randall D.B. Tigue (attorney) |
| 2001 | Positive Image Award | Shayla LaVeaux |
| 2001 | Special Recognition Award | Gloria Leonard |
| 2002 | Lifetime Achievement - Actress | Ginger Lynn |
| 2002 | Lifetime Achievement - Actor | Tom Byron & Peter North |
| 2002 | Lifetime Achievement - Gay Actor | Kevin Williams |
| 2002 | Anthony Spinelli Lifetime Achievement - Director | Radley Metzger |
| 2002 | Lifetime Achievement - Gay Director | Gino Colbert (performer and director) |
| 2002 | Joel T. Warner 'Good Guy' Award | Ron Braverman (Doc Johnson) co-founder |
| 2002 | Hal Freeman 'Freedom Isn't Free' Award | Tom Wahl & Suzi Wahl (small adult website operators) |
| 2002 | Positive Image Award | Dave Cummings |
| 2003 | Lifetime Achievement - Actress | Amber Lynn |
| 2003 | Lifetime Achievement - Actor | Buck Adams |
| 2003 | Lifetime Achievement - Gay Actor | Jim Bentley |
| 2003 | Anthony Spinelli Lifetime Achievement - Director | Kirdy Stevens |
| 2003 | Lifetime Achievement - Gay Director | Joe Gage |
| 2003 | Joel T. Warner 'Good Guy' Award | Charles Brickman (Cinderella Distributors founder) & Larry Ross (promoter/publisher/producer) |
| 2003 | Hal Freeman 'Freedom Isn't Free' Award | H. Louis Sirkin (First Amendment attorney) |
| 2003 | Positive Image Award | Felecia |
| 2004 | Lifetime Achievement - Actress | Christy Canyon |
| 2004 | Lifetime Achievement - Actor | Jesse Adams |
| 2004 | Lifetime Achievement - Gay Actor | Chip Daniels |
| 2004 | Anthony Spinelli Lifetime Achievement - Director | Carter Stevens |
| 2004 | Lifetime Achievement - Gay Director | Chi Chi LaRue |
| 2004 | Joel T. Warner 'Good Guy' Award | Steve Orenstein (Wicked Pictures) |
| 2004 | Hal Freeman 'Freedom Isn't Free' Award | Gary Kremen |
| 2004 | Positive Image Award | Jenna Jameson |
| 2005 | Lifetime Achievement - Actress | Alicia Rio |
| 2005 | Lifetime Achievement - Actor | Johnnie Keyes |
| 2005 | Lifetime Achievement - Gay Actor | Jeff Stryker |
| 2005 | Anthony Spinelli Lifetime Achievement - Director | Jim Holliday |
| 2005 | Lifetime Achievement - Gay Director | Wash West |
| 2005 | Hal Freeman 'Freedom Isn't Free' Award | Mike Moran of (LD Management) |
| 2005 | Positive Image Award | Jim Griffith (Playboy Entertainment Group) |
| 2006 | Lifetime Achievement - Actress | Jill Kelly |
| 2006 | Lifetime Achievement - Actor | Marcus Spencer |
| 2006 | Lifetime Achievement - Gay Actor | Michael Brandon |
| 2006 | Lifetime Achievement - Gay Director | John Rutherford |
| 2006 | Joel T. Warner 'Good Guy' Award | Bob Pyne Sr. (Williams Trading founder) |
| 2006 | Hal Freeman 'Freedom Isn't Free' Award | Lenny Friedlander (New Beginnings owner), Phyllis Heppenstall (Peekay founder), and Dave Cummings |
| 2006 | Advocate Award | Angelina Spencer (ACE National Executive Director) |
| 2008 | Legacy Award | Harry Mohney (Déjà Vu) |
| 2008 | Man of the Year | Scott Coffman (AEBN President and founder) |
| 2008 | Woman of the Year | Rondee Kamins (GVA-TWN CEO) |
| 2008 | Business of the Year | Sureflix Digital Distribution |
| 2009 | Positive Image Award (Male) | Ron Jeremy (rescinded in 2017 due to multiple allegations of sexual assault against him). |
| 2009 | Positive Image Award (Female) | Stormy Daniels |
| 2009 | Legacy Award | Larry Flynt (Hustler founder and Free Speech advocate) |
| 2009 | Man of the Year | John Stagliano (Evil Angel) |
| 2009 | Woman of the Year | Peggy Oettinger (Sinclair Institute president) |
| 2009 | Pleasure Products Company of the Year | Screaming O |
| 2009 | Production Company of the Year | Titan Media |
| 2009 | Internet Company of the Year | Video Secrets (live cam company) |
| 2010 | Leadership Award | Girlfriends Films |
| 2011 | Leadership Award | Colin Rowntree (Wasteland.com CEO) |
| 2012 | Positive Image Award | Steven St. Croix & jessica drake |
| 2012 | Legacy Award | Susan Colvin (California Exotic Novelties founder) |
| 2012 | Man of the Year | Tim Valenti (AEBN, NakedSword) |
| 2012 | Woman of the Year | Theresa Flynt (Hustler) |
| 2012 | Pleasure Products Company of the Year | Sportsheets |
| 2012 | Production Company of the Year | Vivid Entertainment |
| 2012 | Internet Company of the Year | Gamma Entertainment |
| 2012 | Leadership Award | Allison Vivas (Pink Visual CEO) |
| 2012 | Benefactor of the Year | Manwin |
| 2014 | Positive Image Award | James Deen |
| 2014 | Legacy Award | Steven Hirsch (Vivid Entertainment founder) |
| 2014 | Man of the Year | Nick Orlandino (Pipedream Products) |
| 2014 | Woman of the Year | Bonnie Feingold (Honey's Place CEO and president) |
| 2014 | Pleasure Products Company of the Year | California Exotic Novelties |
| 2014 | Production Company of the Year | Hot House Entertainment |
| 2014 | Internet Company of the Year | Gamelink |
| 2014 | Leadership Award | Nina Hartley & Ernest Greene |
| 2014 | Benefactor of the Year | Wicked Pictures |
| 2014 | Retailer of the Year | Lions Den |
| 2015 | Positive Image Award | Chanel Preston (The announcement is unclear as to whether this award was renamed the Performer of the Year Award, or whether the title on the announcement is in error since the description still calls it the Positive Image award.) |
| 2015 | Legacy Award | Phil Harvey |
| 2015 | Man of the Year | Christian Mann |
| 2015 | Woman of the Year | Lorelei Lee |
| 2015 | Pleasure Products Company of the Year | Pipedream Products |
| 2015 | Production Company of the Year | Wicked Pictures |
| 2015 | Internet Company of the Year | Clips4Sale |
| 2015 | Leadership Award | Streamate |
| 2015 | Retailer of the Year | Castle Megastore |
| 2015 | Christian Mann Courage and Leadership Award | Peter Acworth |
| 2016 | Positive Image Award | Ela Darling |
| 2016 | Man of the Year | Steve Orenstein (Wicked Pictures) |
| 2016 | Woman of the Year | Susan Colvin (California Exotic Novelties founder) |
| 2016 | Pleasure Products Company of the Year | Screaming O |
| 2016 | Production Company of the Year | Mile High Media |
| 2016 | Internet Company of the Year | BaDoink.com |
| 2016 | Leadership Award | Frank Kaye & Michael Kaye (Pleasure Productions) |
| 2016 | Retailer of the Year | Good Vibrations |
| 2016 | Christian Mann Courage and Leadership Award | FSC Staff, including Diane Duke, Joanne Cachapero and Julie X |
| 2016 | Legacy Award | Kelly Holland |
The Free Speech Coalition also presents an Award of Excellence at the Cybersocket Web Awards (won in 2010 by CorbinFisher.com)