What is the purpose of the Free Speech Coalition's (FSC) new Action Center?

The FSC's Action Center aims to track state and federal legislation impacting the adult industry and provide industry members with tools to monitor and respond to legislative threats.

Who funded the development of the legislative Action Center?

The Action Center received major financial support from Eldorado and Segpay, with additional support from Doc Johnson, Grooby, PervOut, and Polari Media.

What kind of information does the Action Center provide?

The Action Center utilizes bill tracking and analysis software (FiscalNote) to provide analysis, status updates, an interactive map of legislation, and keyword alerts for new legislation, including history, analysis, and relevant text on over 50 bills.

Free Speech Coalition Launches Action Center with Eldorado, Segpay

Q: What types of legislative issues will the Action Center track?

The Action Center will track issues such as banking discrimination, pleasure product restrictions, age verification, attacks on Section 230 protection, device filter mandates, and sex workers’ rights.

The Free Speech Coalition, backed by Eldorado and Segpay, launched a legislative Action Center to track and fight bills impacting the adult industry.

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has launched an online legislative Action Center, funded by major financial support from Eldorado and Segpay, to track state and federal legislation impacting the adult industry. The center will provide industry members with tools to monitor and respond to legislative threats.

Action Center Overview

The legislative Action Center, accessible to all industry members, utilizes bill tracking and analysis software. This software, identified as FiscalNote, provides analysis, status updates, and the opportunity to mobilize in response to bills. The Action Center includes an interactive map that displays pending and passed bills on a state-by-state level, in addition to federal legislation. Keyword alerts are designed to update FSC and its members as new legislation emerges, offering real-time tracking, text, and analysis of relevant bills.

Alison Boden, Executive Director of Free Speech Coalition, stated that the FSC Action Center will allow the organization to identify, monitor, and fight legislation that threatens the rights and businesses of the adult industry. Boden also noted that Eldorado, Segpay, and other sponsors are providing a tool for the industry through their support. Boden further commented that the industry is facing an unprecedented number of legislative attacks, and these bills can have far-reaching consequences for rights and livelihoods. The Action Center is intended to enable quick responses, rally allies, raise awareness, and facilitate action before damage occurs.

Wanda Garland, CEO of Eldorado, expressed pride in supporting this effort to protect the industry. Garland stated that to successfully combat discrimination and censorship, the industry needs to be as aware and equipped as its opponents. Garland also expressed hope that others in the industry would join in funding this effort.

The Action Center website will track legislative issues including banking discrimination, pleasure product restrictions, age verification, attacks on Section 230 protection, device filter mandates, and sex workers’ rights, among other issues. The platform provides history, analysis, and relevant text on more than 50 bills.

Sponsorship and Support

Eldorado and Segpay are providing major financial support for the Action Center. In addition to these lead sponsors, Doc Johnson, Grooby, PervOut, and Polari Media are supporting the Action Center as Grassroots Sponsors. SegPay, a global payment processing company, became a member of the Free Speech Coalition. Cathy Beardsley, CEO of SegPay, stated that the Free Speech Coalition is a needed and respected advocate for the industry it serves, tackling issues that a single business owner cannot address alone. SegPay, based in Europe since 2005, expanded to serve US businesses in 2008 and supports merchants in the US, Canada, and the European Union, with global consumer payment support.

Diane Duke, CEO of FSC, commented that SegPay's membership demonstrates a commitment to the adult industry by contributing to FSC and becoming a member. Duke highlighted the benefit of having a payment processor dedicated to serving adult clients, especially given instances of financial entities refusing to work with adult businesses.

Legislative Landscape and Future Plans

The Free Speech Coalition noted that it continues to employ lobbyists at the federal level, but state legislatures have historically been challenging to monitor. The FSC has been involved in stopping or slowing bills such as California’s SB435 and the EARN IT Act in Congress. The organization emphasizes that timing is essential for effective responses to unconstitutional or discriminatory legislation.

The FSC will host an Action Center webinar for members following the midterm elections. The Action Center launched on November 3, 2022, in Los Angeles, with news of its launch also reported on November 1, 2022, by the Free Speech Coalition.

Key Facts

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) launched an online legislative Action Center.
Eldorado and Segpay provided major financial support for the Action Center.
Doc Johnson, Grooby, PervOut, and Polari Media are Grassroots Sponsors.
The Action Center tracks state and federal legislation on issues including banking discrimination, age verification, and sex workers’ rights.
The platform utilizes FiscalNote for bill tracking and analysis, offering real-time updates and an interactive map.
The Action Center launched on November 3, 2022.