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History
Mission Statement
Vision Statement
FSC Strategic Plan 2007-2009
Privacy Policy
Employment Opportunities


History

The Free Speech Coalition was founded in 1991 as a result of numerous government attacks against producers and retailers of adult products. But its roots are embedded deep within the birth and development of adult entertainment in the United States.

The concept of an organization as a rallying point for those who believe in the free expression of adult-themed works began as early as 1970. The first truly national group to emerge was the Adult Film Association of America (AFAA). At that time, adult entertainment was only available in adult theaters and bookstores so early members were largely theatrical exhibitors. With the advent of inexpensive home videos, the AFAA morphed into the Adult Film and Video Association of America (AFVAA).

The next significant event that galvanized the AFVAA was the arrest of Hal Freeman for pandering. Prosecutors wanted to establish once and for all that paying performers to have sex in a film was an act of prostitution. Freeman won that legal battle, which redefined the use of the pandering laws relative to providers of adult product. As video productions became the dominant factor in the marketplace, theatrical exhibition diminished. Video chains and many independent stores in suburbs and smaller cities started carrying adult fare. Overzealous law enforcement officials subjected more and more retailers to "obscenity" charges. Then in 1990, under the first Bush administration, the Federal government attacked most of the major manufacturers of adult video with a sting operation designed to destroy the industry. In response, the Free Speech Legal Defense Fund (FSLDF) was formed by industry leaders to protect the rights of members in all areas of adult entertainment.

In 1992, as the government attack was blunted, the FSLDF decided to select a name more reflective of its broadened role in the adult community and the Free Speech Coalition (FSC) was born.

During the Clinton Administration, there were few obscenity prosecutions. Then-Attorney General Janet Reno seemed to see "obscenity" as a victimless crime. She also realized that in many areas community standards had changed and "obscenity" convictions were becoming more difficult to sustain.

In 1997 FSC retained Kat Sunlove as California lobbyist to represent its legislative interests in the state. Efforts to make adult industry views heard and to build relationships in the State Capitol have been very successful. Sunlove introduced an annual lobbying training program for FSC members entitled Celebrate Free Speech Lobbying Days, and FSC has produced that event each year since to high acclaim.

In 1999 FSC hired its first full-time Executive Director and began to gain a nationally recognized reputation as a defender of First and Fourth Amendment rights. FSC has formed alliances with other organizations whose missions are compatible with our own.

In 2002, FSC views were upheld in the US Supreme Court in Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition, the so-called VIRTUAL CHILD PORN case, which has been described by no less than the ACLU as "the most important victory for the First Amendment in decades."

We welcome your ideas and energy as we continue to work for YOUR rights to produce, perform and consume adult entertainment.


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Mission Statement

The Free Speech Coalition’s mission is to:

Lead, protect and support the growth and wellbeing of the adult entertainment community. As the trade association for the adult entertainment we do this by:

 

  • Being the legislative watchdog for the industry  
  • Lobbying
  • Public education and communication
  • Member education and communication
  • As a last resort, litigation

     

Vision Statement
 
We envision a national association that helps limit the legal risks of being an adult business, increases the profitability of its members, promotes the acceptance of the industry in America's business community, and supports greater public tolerance for freedom of sexual speech.



Free Speech 2007- 2009 Strategic Plan
Public Relations
FSC will be widely recognized and easily identified as the adult entertainment industry’s trade association.  It will do so though the development and/or enhancement of:  
  1. Brand Identity - Development of a clear look, message and content.
  2. Internal and External Communications Plan – Identification of audiences (industry, members, media, legislators, etc), development of methods and materials to reach those audiences and the planning and implementation of message dissemination.
  3. Code of Ethics & Best Practices – by 3rd quarter 2008, review, revision and endorsement of Code of Ethics & Best Practices by the membership.  Development of message materials for general public by the end of the 4th quarter, 2008.
  4. Communication Infrastructure – Develop and implement plan for annual review, revision and update of current methods of communication (website, publications, etc).

 

Membership

Bearing in mind all segments of the industry (novelties, talent, webmasters, producers, distributors etc.), FSC will cultivate and maintain a vital membership base that understands and values the benefits of being an FSC member.  Membership enhancement will be accomplished through: 

  1. Membership Survey - Develop and implement a bi-annual membership survey-the first survey to be completed by the end of the second quarter 2007.
  2. Benefits & Services – Utilize information gathered from the membership surveys and build on existing member benefit and services program with annual goals and evaluation.   
  3. Retention & Recruitment – Create a process for data tracking and analysis to monitor trends in new memberships and member retention.   Develop a membership monitoring program that addresses lapsed members, membership retention and member recruitment.  Program developed in 2007 with membership goals for 2008 and 2009.
  4. Meetings, Seminars and Trade Shows - Utilize information gathered from the membership surveys and develop and implement an annual calendar of membership meetings and seminars that are of interest to our members.  Also determine a schedule of trade shows in which FSC should have a presence and determine what level.  Review FSC activity through participant evaluations at each event.
  5. Publications – Maintain strong lines of communication with membership through FSC website and publications (Xpress, Free Speaker e-mail blasts etc.).  Utilize membership survey to determine a publication’s value to membership as well opportunities for publication enhancement.

Organizational Development

FSC will apply systems, processes and oversight to promote solid business practices and long-term sustainability. 

1.      Diversification of Funding – Develop an annual schedule of member fundraisers.  Create sponsorships opportunities and recruit sponsor for FSC publications and program activity.  Solicit donations for FSC litigation and programs.  Schedule and implement fundraising events.  Coordinate these efforts to reduce dependence on membership dues by 25%.

2.      501(c)3 – Develop a 501(c)3 nonprofit to provide community education about freedom of speech and freedom of expression and the adult entertainment industry.  Papers filed by the end of the 2nd quarter 2007.

3.      Oversight - Develop policy and process for comprehensive Executive Director Evaluation and fiscal oversight.  Process in place by the end of the 2nd  quarter 2007.  Executive Director evaluated annually, fiscal reports reviewed bimonthly with audits performed annually.

4.      Board Development – Review and revise board committee structure and participation (by end of 2nd quarter 2007) and the board nomination and election process (by 3rd quarter 2007).  Develop and implement annual board work plans.

5.      Chapter Development – Develop a structure, guidelines, and support network for state and/or regional chapters to address issues at a local level and broaden the scope of our membership.

 Government

FSC will continue to be the watchdog for the adult entertainment industry, working to prevent legislation that is harmful to the industry and FSC members.  FSC will guard against harmful legislation by:

 

  1. Legislative Tracking – track legislation throughout the 50 states and develop a vehicle for member information and alerts.
  2. Message Development – Develop white papers and talking points for use in lobbying and media inquiries. 
  3. Federal and California Lobbying – Continue FSC presence at the California state capital and our Nation’s capital.  Create support materials about the industry that will be useful to our lobbyists.  Develop a network of industry spokespeople ready, willing and able to testify, lobby or be interviewed at a moments notice.
  4. Grassroots Organizing – Develop and implement a plan to organize and activate industry members and the industry’s consumer base.

     

    Litigation

     When appropriate, FSC will continue to protect its members through the oversight and coordination of litigation.  FSC will provide appropriate litigation selection and oversight through: 

     

    1. Litigation Criteria and Approval Process – FSC will develop written criteria and an approval process that potential litigation must pass prior to being brought before the board for a vote.
    2. Budget – FSC will develop litigation budgetary guidelines for future litigation proposals.
    3. Attorney Selection – FSC will develop a process for attorney selection and oversight.
    4. Litigation Updates – FSC will develop and implement a process for regularly updating our membership on current litigation.

       

 


 












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