The Woodhull Freedom Foundation is presenting a series of online events addressing censorship and obscenity, featuring discussions on art censorship in Idaho, online content moderation, and the distinction between obscenity and censorship. These programs are part of Woodhull's ongoing efforts to advocate for sexual freedom as a fundamental human right.

Upcoming Censorship Series Events

The Woodhull Freedom Foundation will host three upcoming online events as part of its Censorship Series. These programs aim to explore various facets of censorship impacting sexual expression and free speech.

On Wednesday, the Woodhull Freedom Foundation is partnering with FIRE for an event titled "Art Censorship in Post-Roe America." This discussion, scheduled for 12:00 p.m. (PDT), will focus on a recent instance of censorship in Idaho where art was removed from an on-campus exhibition. The removal was attributed to Idaho's No Public Funds for Abortion Act. Ricci Levy, Woodhull's President & CEO, will moderate this panel, which will include artists and lawyers, to discuss the events in Idaho and potential responses.

On Friday at 9 a.m. (PDT), Woodhull and the National Coalition Against Censorship will present "We Removed Your Post." This event is part of the October Censorship Series program and will feature Mandy Salley, Woodhull's COO, alongside Emma Shapiro of Don’t Delete Art and Elizabeth Larison of the National Coalition Against Censorship. The discussion will address how art and artists face censorship online.

The November Censorship Program will commence on November 16 at 9 a.m. (PDT). Mandy Salley will return for a conversation titled "The Thin Line Between Obscenity and Censorship." This panel will include Air Cohn of TechFreedom and Barry Lynn, formerly of Americans United and the ACLU.

All programs are free to attend with an RSVP. Donations are encouraged to support the Woodhull Freedom Foundation's advocacy work for sexual freedom. Further information is available at WoodhullFoundation.org.

Woodhull's Advocacy for Sexual Freedom

The Woodhull Freedom Foundation, based in Wyncote, PA, operates with the mission to affirm sexual freedom as a fundamental human right. The organization, which received its ruling year in 2006, states that if an issue relates to sex or sexual expression, it is currently "under attack."

According to Woodhull, censorship in the United States has reached "unprecedented levels," despite First Amendment protections for freedom of speech and expression. The organization highlights various forms of censorship, including teachers losing jobs for discussing reproductive care, gender, and sexual orientation; books being removed from library shelves for featuring lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender characters; social media platforms removing accounts of sex-positive creators, educators, and therapists; and legislators introducing broad legislation to restrict online sexual expression.

The "Censoring of Sexual Freedom" is described as a monthly virtual gathering that features conversations with free speech experts and activists. These discussions aim to address threats of censorship to democracy and daily life, and to identify actions to counter these attacks.

Ricci Levy serves as the President & CEO of the Woodhull Freedom Foundation. The organization also acts as the fiscal sponsor for the New Moon Network, receiving and disbursing funds on its behalf, while other donations directly support Woodhull's work.

Past and Related Initiatives

The Woodhull Freedom Foundation has previously hosted events addressing free speech and sexual expression. On Thursday, February 26, as part of its Fact Checked by Woodhull series, the organization hosted an online panel titled "Checking the Facts: Free Speech Edition." This livestreamed event brought together experts from adult entertainment, journalism, and law to examine the First Amendment's protection of sexual expression and efforts to restrict it through legislation targeting pornography, sex education, and online speech.

The panel included adult star Cherie DeVille, Taylor Lorenz, Lawrence Walters, Esq., and Allison Grossman, PhD, who is Woodhull’s senior policy analyst. The discussion covered free expression, sexual freedom, and the real-world impact of censorship on marginalized communities. Cherie DeVille expressed appreciation for spaces focused on facts, stating that free speech and sexual expression are deeply connected, and such conversations help people understand what is at stake when these rights are challenged.

"Checking the Facts: Free Speech Edition" streamed live on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube at 11:30 a.m. PT/2:30 p.m. ET. Registration for this event was also free, with optional donations supporting Woodhull Freedom Foundation’s advocacy work.

Key Facts

  • The Woodhull Freedom Foundation is presenting three online events on censorship and obscenity.
  • Events include "Art Censorship in Post-Roe America," "We Removed Your Post," and "The Thin Line Between Obscenity and Censorship."
  • Ricci Levy, Woodhull's President & CEO, and Mandy Salley, Woodhull's COO, will moderate or participate in these discussions.
  • Partners for the events include FIRE, the National Coalition Against Censorship, TechFreedom, and individuals formerly of Americans United and the ACLU.
  • The Woodhull Freedom Foundation's mission is to affirm sexual freedom as a fundamental human right.
  • The organization previously hosted "Checking the Facts: Free Speech Edition" with panelists including adult star Cherie DeVille.