Free Speech Coalition, alongside co-plaintiffs working in the sex education, adult content, sexual wellness, and legal fields, has filed a legal challenge in Florida against the state’s age-verification mandate, which is scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2025.

HB3 empowers the Florida attorney general’s office to bring civil claims of up to $50,000 per violation against websites with “material harmful to minors” if they do not require visitors to upload a government ID, scan their face, or otherwise verify their age and identity. Different provisions of the same law, requiring age-verification for social media access, have already been challenged by other litigants. Read more on our blog.

The Free Speech Coalition congratulates the elected and reelected members of the FSC Board for the 2025-2026 term. Six members of the board were re-elected, along with sex worker advocate and New Moon Network founder Savannah Sly. To see the full list of 15 Board members, click here. 

“With adult businesses and workers facing unprecedented challenges, a strong board is critical to our survival,” says Alison Boden, Executive Director of Free Speech Coalition. “We have an incredible team and I’m confident that we’ll be able to build on the work we’ve been doing. I look forward to working with Savannah, who has been an integral part of the fight already, and want to thank outgoing member Walden Woods for his years of dedication to FSC.”

“I am deeply honored to join the Free Speech Coalition Board of Directors,” says Sly. “I look forward to contributing to FSC’s fearless advocacy and to advancing our shared commitment of defending the adult industry.” Read more on our blog.

The Free Speech Coalition is proud to announce this year’s annual summit, happening on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at XBIZ LA in the Beachwood Ballroom at the Kimpton Everly Hotel, Los Angeles.

The summit will feature a dynamic lineup of leaders in the adult industry’s nonprofit and advocacy sectors, including Ricci Levy of the Woodhull Foundation, Ian O’Brien of PASS, Leya Tanit of Pineapple Support, Constance Penley, Professor Emerita of Film and Media Studies at UCSB and Valentine, FSC’s Deputy Executive Director.

FSC Executive Director Alison Boden and Director of Public Policy Mike Stabile will join by livestream from Washington, DC, to give an analysis of oral arguments at the Supreme Court in Free Speech Coalition v Paxton, FSC’s legal challenge over age-verification — which will have been heard by the Court the day prior.

Whether you’re a creator, an advocate, or an ally, this year’s summit is a must-attend event to stay informed, connected, and engaged with the issues shaping our future.

For the full summit program and details, visit here. Read more on our blog.

On Dec. 17, IDEVASW, Senators Warren and Wyden, alongside Representatives Khanna and Lee, reintroduced the SAFE SEX Workers Study Act. The bill directs federal agencies to study the impacts of SESTA/FOSTA on sex workers’ health and safety, as well as trafficking investigations. Advocates argue SESTA/FOSTA has led to increased violence against sex workers by eliminating online safety tools while failing to aid trafficking prosecutions.

This legislation has been endorsed by FSC and over 30 organizations and seeks to provide data to guide better-informed policies. Read more on warrent.senate.gov.

“A Florida law requires pornographic websites to have age verification by New Year's Day, but a new federal lawsuit is trying to get that struck down. It creates ‘a substantial burden on adults who want to access legal sites without fear of surveillance,’ said Alison Boden, executive director of Free Speech Coalition, in a statement. ‘Despite the claims of the proponents, (the law) is not the same as showing an ID at a liquor store. It is invasive and carries significant risk to privacy.’” Read more on Tallahassee Democrat.

“‘These laws create a substantial burden on adults who want to access legal sites without fear of surveillance,’ said Alison Boden, Executive Director of the Free Speech Coalition, in a statement posted on its website.” Read more on El Pais.

December 17 marks the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers (IDEVASW), a day to honor sex workers lost to violence and to raise awareness of the systemic conditions—like criminalization—that perpetuate harm. The day began in 2003, following the sentencing of Gary Ridgeway, who targeted sex workers because he believed their disappearances would go unnoticed. Since then, IDEVASW has grown into a global movement with vigils, panels, and demonstrations to promote safety and dignity for sex workers. Allies can get involved by attending events, donating to advocacy organizations, and amplifying sex workers’ voices through social media and newsletters. This year, let’s mourn those lost and fight for a future of resilience and justice. Read more on Reason.

A Los Angeles County judge has ruled that former talent agent Derek Hay and his agency, LA Direct Models, violated the California Talent Agencies Act and labor laws, sending performers on assignments that jeopardized their health and safety. The court found Hay used unapproved contracts, charged unlawful fees, and breached his fiduciary duty as a licensed agent. While Hay’s remaining charges are set for trial next year, this decision marks a major victory for the five actresses who brought the case, with all contested contracts deemed void and agency revenues ordered to be disgorged. Read more on AVN.

A newly proposed bill in Texas, introduced by Republican Rep. Hillary Hickland, seeks to ban the sale of sex toys at major retailers like Walmart and Target, restricting them to sex-oriented businesses. The bill, H.B. 1549, aims to fine non-compliant retailers up to $5,000 per violation and is part of a broader effort to reduce what Hickland and her supporters call the “sexualization” of public spaces. If passed, the law could take effect immediately, further tightening Texas’ restrictive approach to sex-related legislation. Read more on KHOU11.

In a recent opinion piece, Nicholas Creel advocates for device-level age verification as a universal solution to protect children online, addressing the shortcomings of platform-specific laws like those requiring ID verification for adult content. By embedding age verification into smartphones, Creel argues we can streamline the process, enhance privacy, and set a global standard for age-appropriate access across all apps and websites. He compares this approach to safety standards in cars, emphasizing its feasibility, minimal cost to manufacturers, and potential to create a safer digital environment without compromising user privacy. Read more on Newsweek.