The latest in the fight for adult industry rights

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The Latest at FSC

Capitol Hill Fly-In Day

FSC is returning to Washington D.C. on May 11th. Our goal is to raise awareness in Congress about the urgent need for reforms to ensure fair access to banking services. To learn more, read our FAQ ( [link removed] ) , check out the tentative agenda ( [link removed] ) and peruse the travel ( [link removed] ) information. If you’d like to join us in our nation’s capital, register your interest in attending ( [link removed] ) by April 23.

Register Here ( [link removed] )

Legislative Update

Mississippi’s AVS bill ( [link removed] ) is expected to go into effect on July 1st.

* Arkansas’ AVS bill ( [link removed] ) is expected to take effect on July 31st.

But there was some good news!

* Arizona's age-verification bill ( [link removed] ) is killed — or at least undead — after arguments made by FSC regarding constitutionality and privacy and the availability of device level filters helped sway legislators ( [link removed] ).
* FSC efforts to ice-box California’s bill ( [link removed] ) until next year were successful! We’ll be working with our members to propose
* Additionally, both Kentucky ( [link removed] ) and South Dakota ( [link removed] ) ended their 2023 legislative sessions before their bills could pass.

Learn More ( [link removed] )

Banking Survey

In the lead up to our Capitol Hill Fly-In, FSC is continuing to collect responses to our banking survey ( [link removed] ) to show legislators just how widespread ( [link removed] ) financial discrimination against sex workers and other adult industry members is. If you currently earn income from the adult industry and haven't taken the survey, please do ( [link removed] ).

Check Out the Report ( [link removed] )

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FSC In the News

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*An increasing number of states and countries are passing age verification laws. It's not clear how they'll work.*

“A lot of stuff is being passed,” says Mike Stabile, director of public affairs at the adult industry trade body the Free Speech Coalition. “In terms of the actual implementation and how it’s going to work—that’s much more mysterious.” The porn industry isn’t against age-checking everyone who visits its websites, Stabile says, but some laws are vague and don’t say how age verification should be implemented or whether all companies would be required to introduce the technology. Read more on Wired. ( [link removed] )

*Podcast With Mike Stabile: Sell Porn or Die Trying*

During a recent episode of the podcast "Sell Porn or Die Trying," host Connor Young spoke with FSC's Mike Stabile about the issue of financial discrimination that affects the adult entertainment industry. The conversation centered on the various challenges faced by the industry, including sudden bank account closures and credit card companies limiting what people can see online, and explored the measures taken by the FSC to push back and keep the industry thriving. Listen to the Podcast on YNOT ( [link removed] )

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*YNOT Q&A: FSC's Mike Stabile On "Money Shot" Documentary*

Following the Netflix Documentary "Money Shot", Mike Stabile discusses the ongoing issue of financial discrimination faced by the adult entertainment industry, highlighting how banks and payment processors have imposed arbitrary restrictions that have made it difficult for adult businesses and performers to access financial services. Stabile also points out how the issue of financial discrimination has been exacerbated by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has made it even more challenging for adult industry workers to make a living. Read more on YNOT ( [link removed] )

Florida Residents! Tell your Senators to Oppose SB 472! ( [link removed] )

29 AVS Bills Passed or Pending ( [link removed] )

Other Industry News

Banks Are Closing Customer Accounts, With Little Explanation

" Increasing attention to suspicious-seeming transactions has led to some people suddenly losing access to their bank accounts. The reasons are often a mystery." Read more on ( [link removed] ) The New York Times ( [link removed] )

Three Sites Threatened With Blocking In France For Lack of Age Control

Three pornographic websites may face being blocked in France for not implementing adequate age verification measures. The French audiovisual regulator, CSA, has given the websites until the end of April to comply with the regulations or face being blocked. Read more on ( [link removed] ) News In France ( [link removed] )

Recent Case Highlights How Age Verification Laws May Directly Conflict With Biometric Privacy Laws

" California passed the California Age-Appropriate Design Code (AADC) nominally to protect children’s privacy, but at the same time, the AADC requires businesses to do an age “assurance” of all their users, children and adults alike." Read more on ( [link removed] ) Tech Dirt ( [link removed] )

X3 Expo 2024 Show Dates Set for Jan. 19-20

"X3 Expo will once again take over the historic Hollywood Palladium Jan. 19-20, to spotlight the biggest lineup of stars in North America and the latest advances in digital entertainment and pleasure tech." Read more on XBIZ ( [link removed] )

XBIZ LA Conference Set for Jan. 15-18

"XBIZ is pleased to announce that its flagship conference, XBIZ LA, is set for Jan 15-18, 2024. North America’s largest adult industry conference will return to bring together top stars, indie creators, digital media pros, company execs and newcomer entrepreneurs for boundless business opportunities — and for a comprehensive look at the future of adult entertainment." Read more on XBIZ ( [link removed] )

Australia's Top Submits Secret 'Road Map' on Age Verification

"Top censor and eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, who has acknowledged having conversations with U.S.-based, religiously-inspired anti-porn lobby NCOSE, submitted to the Australian government on Friday a road map to implement age verification for 'online pornographic sites.'" Read more on XBIZ. ( [link removed] )

Digital Rights, Adult Industry Groups Warn About 'Porn Passport' State Laws

"Digital rights and adult industry groups are sounding the alarm about the recent onslaught of “porn passport” state laws promoted by anti-porn groups and politicians, mandating various forms of age verification." Read more on XBIZ. ( [link removed] )

Australia's Labor Government Touts Censorship Reform

"The Australian government yesterday released a review of the nation’s content rating system for audiovisual material and games, proposing an end to the country’s censorship of certain fetishes and some instances of violence in pornography." Read more on XBIZ. ( [link removed] )

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Newsletter Feedback and Schedule
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As I'm sure many of you have noticed, we've changed up our newsletter! The recipient list has remained the same but the style and frequency has changed.

Our new schedule has been changed to every other Friday. We would love to hear your feedback, concerns and suggestions on this change!

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