Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right, enshrined in Articles 10 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We each have a right to hold our own opinions and to express them freely and out loud. It also protects our freedom to receive information from other people.
Free speech allows us to advocate for all of our other civil liberties and human rights. The freedom of the press, and our freedom of association and assembly are woven together with our freedom of speech.
Without the right to free speech, the government would be able to control how we express ourselves, including what we write and say politically, artistically or personally. It is a cornerstone of all liberation struggles, including that of the sexual freedom movement.
Summit Programs
Press Releases
- Woodhull Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Age Verification Laws 2025
- Woodhull Freedom Foundation Urges FTC to Address Online Censorship of Sex Workers in Tech Inquiry 2025
- Woodhull Reacts to President Trump’s Promise to Protect Free Speech in Executive Order 2025
- Woodhull Freedom Foundation to SCOTUS: Texas’s Age Verification Law is Unconstitutional! 2024
- Woodhull Files Amicus Brief in Doe v. Grindr 2024
- Woodhull Urges the Supreme Court to Find TX Age Verification Legislation Unconstitutional 2024
- Woodhull Tells Florida Legislators to Vote NO! on Age Verification Bill 2024
- Woodhull Joins Allies in Moody v. NetCoice Amicus Brief 2023
- Woodhull Celebrates Banned Books Week 2023
- Coalition of Human Rights Groups Organize Week of Action to Stop “Bad Internet Bills” 2023
- DC Circuit Upholds FOSTA 2023
- Statement on Lindke v. Freed Amicus Brief 2023
- Woodhull Defends Free Speech In Latest Court Battle Over FOSTA Censorship 2023
- The Tsunami of Sexual Repression 2022
- Stop the Sexualization of Children Act is Bad News for Sexual Expression 2022
- Woodhull Launches Petition to Block EARN IT Act 2022
- Woodhull Freedom Foundation Joins Human Rights Orgs, Files Amicus Brief Opposing Texas Social Media Law 2022
- Woodhull Files Appeal Challenging the Constitutionality of FOSTA 2022
- Woodhull Announces Human Rights Commissions 2021
- OnlyFans Statement 2021
- The Sex Workers Human Rights Commission 2021
- Woodhull Freedom Foundation Files Motion to Declare FOSTA Unconstitutional 2020
- Woodhull Wins FOSTA Appeal 2020
- FOSTA Appeal Moves Forward With Woodhull’s Statement 2018
- Woodhull Freedom Foundation Appeals FOSTA Ruling 2018
- Woodhull Freedom Foundation Files Lawsuit Challenging FOSTA 2018
- We will stand firm! Woodhull joins 200 organizations nation-wide to uphold civil and human rights under Trump 2017
- Woodhull Files Amicus Brief at U.S. Supreme Court in Sexual Discrimination Case 2016
- Woodhull Freedom Foundation Issues Statement on Censorship at Utah Pride 2016
- Woodhull Joins Amicus Brief to Protect College Student Whistleblowers’ First Amendment rights 2016
- Washington, DC Passes Bill to Repeal Discredited “Prostitution Free Zones” 2014
- Senate Hearing on Obscenity: Woodhull Calls for “Fair and Open Debate” 2005
Media Mentions
- Letter to the Editor: Re: “One of the Worst Industries in the World Gets Its Comeuppance,” by David French 2025
- How Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton Will Change Tech Policy 2025
- US Digital Age Verification Laws are Threatening Artists’ Freedom of Expression 2025
- The Egg Yolk Principle: Human Sexuality Will Always Outsmart Prudish Algorithms and Hateful Politicians 2025
- Banned, Blocked, But Not Broken | Fighting Sexual Censorship ft. Mandy Salley 2025
- New GOP Bill Would Basically Ban Porn, Experts Warn 2025
- Republicans Want To Redefine Obscenity 2025
- Texas Sex Toy Law Could Lead to More Civil Rights Restrictions, Advocates Warn 2025
- Snap, Roblox Break Silence on Anti-Deepfake Take It Down Act 2025
- Woodhull Freedom Foundation featured on the SINagogue BDSM Podcast 2025
- How Will Meta’s New Content Policy Affect Artists? 2025
- Letter to the Editor re: Teens, Parents and Pornography: We Need to Talk 2024
- Using the Bill of Rights to Win in Court and Beyond – Beat the Prosecution 2024
- Dirty Laundry Piles up at Utah’s Anti-Porn and Anti-Trafficking Charities 2024
- Porn Is Protected Speech. Trump’s New Presidency Will Test That Sentiment. The Courts Can Uphold It. 2024
- EFF, Woodhull, TechFreedom File SCOTUS Amicus Supporting FSC in Texas AV Case 2024
- California Will Allow Parents to Curb ‘Addictive’ Social Media Content for Kids 2024
- Unpacking Sexual Freedom with Mandy Salley 2024
- Deplatforming Puts Sex Workers at Risk, Study Says 2024
- Rights Groups Warn Senate-Passed Online Safety Bill ‘Makes Kids Less Safe’ 2024
- Senate Passes Child Online Safety Bills That Could Hurt LGBTQ+ Kids & Allies 2024
- How the American War on Porn Could Change the Way You Use the internet 2024
- Adult Site Broker Talk Episode 214 with Ricci Levy of the Woodhull Freedom Foundation 2024
- Tech Lobby Follows NY Playbook on California Social Media Bill 2024
- Inside Kids’ Online Safety Prospects Pre- Election 2024
- Woodhull Freedom Foundation Debuts ‘Fact Checked by Woodhull’ Program 2024
- Freedom of Choice – Bound by the Cloak Podcast 2024
- Your Right to Sexual Expression Can Get You Fired 2024
- How Much Can States Regulate Social Media? The Supreme Court Hears Cases For and Against 2024
- Texas and Florida Want the Supreme Court To Bless Their Unconstitutional Social Media Laws 2024
- Woodhull Freedom Foundation Urges Florida Senators to Reject ‘Unconstitutional’ Age Verification Bill 2024
- The Kids Online Safety Act Could Ruin the Internet for LGBTQ+ Youth. Or Will it Protect Them? 2024
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund of NJ and Garden State Equality Call On State Legislature To Reject Restrictions on Internet Access 2024
- A Bad Year for Drag Queen Foes 2023
- Woodhull’s Mandy Salley Returns to ‘#SexTalkTuesday’ 2023
- Proposed Porn Age Verification Bill in Ohio Raises Serious Civil Liberties Concerns 2023
- Artists Call on Congress to Stop “Bad Internet Bills” 2023
- Leading Digital Rights, Privacy Orgs Urge Immediate Action Against ‘Bad Internet Bills’ 2023
- Court Rules Against Woodhull in FOSTA Appeal 2023
- Online Sex Trafficking Law is Constitutional, D.C. Cir. Says 2023
- Know Your Rights – The Censorship of Sexual Freedom 2023
- 132 Rights Groups Warn EARN IT Act Threatens Online Privacy and Free Speech 2023
- Sugar Daddy Appreciation Day with Mandy Salley – DTF: Darryl & Timaree Fun Hour 2023
- Motion to Dismiss Calls Out DOJ Duplicity in Backpage/Woodhull Cases 2023
- Free Speech Organizations Team Up to Push Back on Potential TikTok Ban 2023
- Breaking The Stigma with Ricci and Mandy from Woodhull 2023
- Interview with Ricci Levy & Mandy Salley of the Woodhull Freedom Foundation 2023
- Woodhull Defends Free Speech in Latest Court Battle Over FOSTA Censorship 2023
- Appeals Court Panel Seems Skeptical That FOSTA Doesn’t Violate the First Amendment 2023
- Woodhull’s FOSTA Challenge Lays Bare DOJ’s Lies in Lacey/Larkin Case 2023
- Appeals Court Seems Poised to Void Part of Sex Trafficking Law 2023
- How a War on Porn is Endangering US Sex Workers 2023
- BREAKING: Woodhull Defends Free Speech In Latest Court Battle Over FOSTA Censorship 2023
- Woodhull Files New Reply Brief Challenging FOSTA 2022
- The Sexual Freedom Episode – Part Two 2022
- Petition To Stop Law Silencing Legal Sexual Expression 2022
- Woodhull Warns Against GOP’s New Anti-LGBTQ Censorship Bill 2022
- Woodhull Launches Petition to Block EARN IT Act 2022
- Woodhull Launches Petition to Block EARN IT Act 2022
- There’s No Way FOSTA Isn’t a First Amendment Violation, Says Lawsuit 2022
- SPLC Sends Letter Urging District to Withdraw Disciplinary Action Against CA Adviser 2022
- Woodhull Files New Brief Challenging Constitutionality of FOSTA-SESTA 2022
- Sexual Freedom Summit: It’s about Males, Females, and X Controlling Their Bodies 2022
- Woodhull Freedom Foundation to Host ‘Censorship of Sexual Freedom’ Webinar 2022
- Virginia Judge Restricts Booksellers From Selling Two YA Books Accused of Being “Obscene” 2022
- OnlyFans Is Finally Showing Some Political Support for Sex Work 2022
- CCIA Welcomes Support From Diverse Group of 38 Organizations and Experts in Continued Effort to Halt Unconstitutional Texas Social Media Law 2022
- Plaintiffs Press Appeals Court to Rule That FOSTA Violates the First Amendment 2022
- Woodhull Appeals Case Challenging FOSTA Constitutionality 2022
- Woodhull Files Appeal in FOSTA-SESTA Challenge Suit 2022
- Woodhull Freedom Foundation Files Motion to Declare FOSTA Unconstitutional 2022
- New Woodhull Report Examines ‘Super Bowl Sex Trafficking’ Myth 2022
- Top Digital Rights Organization Highlights Woodhull’s Anti-FOSTA Litigation 2020
- Federal Court Hears Woodhull’s Appeal Challenging FOSTA 2019
Coalition Sign-Ons
- CDT Leads Civil Society Letter Opposing the NO FAKES Act
Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT)
- Harvard Solidarity Statement Letter
Center for American Progress
- Letter to FL Legislators about Protecting our Free Expression Rights
PEN America
- 90 civil rights and privacy organizations condemn ID-checking bills, citing effectiveness, censorship, and privacy concerns.
Fight for the Future
- Letter to US Attorney for DC on Prosecution Threats Against DOGE Critics
Freedom of the Press Foundation
- Submission to the Consolidated Industry Codes of Practice for the Online Industry, Class 1C and Class 2 Material – Australia
Scarlett Alliance
- 40+ Rights Organizations Urge Lawmakers to Denounce Mask Bans, Citing Free Expression, Privacy, Discrimination Concerns
Fight for the Future
- Coalition Letter to the Senate Opposing the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA)
Software & Information Industry Association
- Opposition Letter – CA SB 976 – “Protecting our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act”
Chamber of Progress
- Opposing South Carolina’s New Education Standards that Promote Censorship Sponsoring Org: PEN America
PEN America
- PRESS Act Markup (S.2074)
Freedom of the Press Foundation
- Letter to the House House Energly and Commerce Committee Opposing the Proposal to Sunset Section 230 of the Communications Act
Chamber of Progress
- Coalition Letter to Oppose Adding KOSA to the FAA Reauthorization Act
Chamber of Progress
- Letter Opposing HR 7521 – The TikTok Ban
- National Organizations Sound The Alarm: Suppressing Art Because it Relates to Political Conflict is a Violation of Artistic Freedom
National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)
- Coalition of Over 20 Send Letter Opposing Florida’s SB 1372/HB 1291
PEN America
- Maryland HB 603 Coalition Opposition Letter
Chamber of Progress
- Letter to AG Chris Carr
Freedom of the Press Foundation
- Opposition Letter to NJ’s A5750/S4215 Age Verification Bill
- 25+ Human Rights Organizations Call on 2024 Congress to Investigate Big Tech and Publishing’s Stranglehold over Digital Books
- Pennsylvania SB 22 Coalition Letter
Chamber of Progress
- Rights orgs, Broadcasters Demand Info on FBI Raid of Journalist’s Home
Freedom of the Press Foundation
- Coalition Letter to Leader Schumer on Opposition to STOP CSAM Act
ACLU Human Rights Program
- Coalition Letter Opposing CA S.B. 680
Electronic Frontier Foundation
- Don’t Turn School Libraries Into Detention Centers
National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)
- Opposition to S.1207 EARN IT Act & S.1199 STOP CSAM Act
- Over 200 LGBTQ+ and Allied Organizations Call on Target, Business Community to Speak Out Against Extremist Anti-LGBTQ+ Attacks
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
- Opposition to the Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technologies Act of 2023 (EARN IT Act)
Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT)
- Open Letter on Fighting “Anti-Woke” Censorship of Intersectionality and Black Feminsim
Freedom to Learn Network
- More Than 200 Civil Rights and Education Organizations Call on Congress to Reject Book Bans and Bigotry, Support Inclusion and Respect
Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
- TikTok Ban Free Expression Coalition Letter March 2023
PEN America
- Joint Statement with National Coalition Against Censorship Statement on Florida Attack on Drag Performances
National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)
- Letter in Opposition to Oklahoma’s Proposed Rules 210:10-2-1 & 210:35-3-121
Amplify
- AHA Statement Opposing Florida House Bill 999 (March 2023)
American Historical Association
- Letter: Imposing Fees to Access the Twitter API Threatens Public-Interest Research
- Coalition Letter to Susan Rice on Establishment of Domestic Human Rights Institution
ACLU Human Rights Program
- Oppose Judicial Ethics Internet Censorship Provision of NDAA, Section 5934
Demand Progress
- Senate Floor Consideration of the Open App Markets Act (S.2710)
Tech Freedom
- Opposition to S. 3663’s Threats to Minors’ Privacy and Safety Online
Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT)
- Group Letter Urging Congress To Pass AICO & OAMA, Bipartisan Antitrust Bills To Rein in Big Tech
Public Knowledge
- Wood Hull Signs on to Letter on Sex Worker Pride Day to Human Rights Organizations Urging US Congress to Pass SAFE SEX Workers Study Act
Sex Workers Project
- Woodhull Joins SPLC in Sending Letter Urging District to Withdraw Disciplinary Action Against CA Adviser
Student Press Law Center
- Virginia Legal Action Threatens the Freedom to Read: Coalition Statement
National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)
- Civil Liberties Groups Urge Social Media Platforms to Better Protect Free Flow of Information in Crisis Zones
Electronic Frontier Foundation
- Letter to the Texas Legislature re: Their Statement on Obscene Materials in School Libraries
National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)
- CDT Leads Broad Human Rights Coalition Urging Senate to Drop EARN IT Act
Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT)
- Protected: Coalition Statement on the Attack on Books in Schools
National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)
- Artists, Curators and Advocates Condemn Censorship of Coral Gables Public Art Show
National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)
- The Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act
Free Press
- In Opposition to “Divisive Concepts” Legislation
National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)
- Zoom, Facebook AND YouTube Threaten Academic Freedom
National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)
- In Opposition to The Online Content Policy Modernization Act
Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT)
- Eliminate EARN IT Act
Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT)
- Concerns Over North Paulding High School During Pandemic
- The Free Press in a Time of Crisis
National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)
- Expansion of Protections for Whistleblowers
Athena
- Against Attempts to Block Youth from Accessing LGBTQ Stories
National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)
- The Right to Protest During a Pandemic
National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)
- Legal Requirements Regarding the Equal Opportunity Clause’s Religious Exemption
Leadership Conference on Civil Rights