2020 Annual Report

 Free Speech Coalition’s mission is to protect the rights and freedoms of the adult industry so that we all prosper. The difficult challenges the industry faced this year have only increased our resolve. This industry is no stranger to adversity and will emerge from this stronger than ever.

Legislation

Before the pandemic struck, the last trip our Executive Director, Michelle L. LeBlanc, made was to Sacramento where she and our lobbyists met with legislators to seek changes to AB5 (employee/contractor status bill) and to quash AB2389 (sex worker training bill). Our efforts were instrumental in burying AB2389. More importantly, though, the trip helped strengthen connections with existing allies to the adult industry and create new connections.

In September, we received the news that the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals finally ruled on our long-running suit with the US government over 2257 record-keeping regulations. gave FSC and the other plaintiffs a victory in this 2257 case.

COVID-19

As the pandemic approached, FSC began speaking with producers, performers and medical experts, and mapped out a survival strategy for our industry. When the pandemic shut down production, we started the FSC Emergency Fund and raised $120,000 to help 400 performers and crew members who were unable to work. We held numerous town hall meetings that brought together studios, independent producers, and performers to work together on how to return everyone to work as safely as possible.

We contracted an occupational health and safety firm to help develop the Health and Safety Guidelines for Adult Film Production, and we added COVID-19 testing to the Performer Availability Screening Services (PASS).

FSC ensured that the adult industry was recognized as the standard-bearer for safer workplaces and workplace testing. FSC’s unique guidance on prevention was sought by companies and industries globally, and praised widely. FSC is currently working on a pilot program to help non-adult productions trace and monitor exposures.

FSC continues to monitor, put out guidance, and host information sessions regarding government COVID-19 regulations. FSC has also been actively involved in contact tracing and helping to quarantine potential COVID-19 exposures on production sets.

INSPIRE Program

In the past year, FSC dramatically expanded its INSPIRE educational program for performers. As business models shifted in favor of new revenue streams, cam and clip sites saw explosive growth from creators and consumers. FSC has hosted numerous webinars through our INSPIRE program to help models learn how to grow and manage their own businesses. The INSPIRE educational program will continue to grow in the coming year.

Racial Equity and Harassment in the Workplace

In the midst of the pandemic, the #BlackLivesMatter movement and the #MeToo movement created another inflection point in adult entertainment production. FSC has provided public support of the missions to improve racial equity and workplace safety in adult entertainment, releasing an updated Code of Ethics and a Consent Checklist tool to use on set. We held webinars for producers, performers, and agents about negotiating consent on-set. Behind the scenes, we have consulted with numerous companies to help them improve their policies and we started a Policy Task Force to develop production standards and better resolve matters of workplace disputes

30 Years

Next month marks the 30th anniversary of the incorporation of the Free Speech Coalition as a trade association. We have exciting changes in the works for the sexual wellness products side of the adult industry and for PASS.

We thank all of our members, contributors, and advocates for their continued support. None of this would have been possible without you.