Censorship Series

If it has to do with sex or sexual expression, it’s under attack!

Censorship in the United States is at unprecedented levels, despite the fact that the First Amendment protects our rights to freedom of speech and expression. Teachers are losing their jobs for talking about reproductive care, gender (how we see ourselves), and sexual orientation (who we are physically, emotionally and/or romantically attracted to). Books are being pulled off library shelves for containing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender characters. Social media platforms are removing the accounts of sex positive creators, educators and therapists. Legislators are introducing broad and sweeping legislation to limit sexual expression online. If it has to do with sex or sexual expression, it’s under attack!

“The Censoring of Sexual Freedom” is a monthly community virtual gathering featuring conversations with free speech experts and activists discussing the threats of censorship to our Democracy and to our daily lives, and to discover actions we can take to stop the attacks.

Join us for one or all of these programs. Invite your friends to a watch party. Bring your lunch or bring your dinner; cocktails or Coke; water or wine.

Next in the Censorship Series

Erotic Electrons: Challenging Censorship in the Sex Tech Era
January 30, 2025 • 1:00 pm ET —

This month, we will explore the intersection of sex technology, human rights, and online censorship. Sextech business's struggles are similar to struggles faced by advocates, researchers, and educators in the broader field of sexual rights. Individuals in sextech are navigating restrictive advertising policies, payment platform limitations, and social media bans and encountering the same barriers…

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Past Censorship Series Programs

Restrictions on the Risqué: Censorship & Sexual Freedom in 2024
December 23, 2024 —

In 2024, the intersection of sexual freedom and censorship was a rapidly evolving battleground shaped by shifting political, cultural, and technological forces. Our program this month explores the complex challenges and emerging opportunities surrounding the censorship of sexual freedom in a world where digital platforms, government policies, and social movements increasingly influence what can be…

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Silenced and Sidelined: Censorship, Adult Content, and Employment
November 22, 2024 —

A timely and provocative panel discussion exploring the complex intersection of personal freedom, censorship, and digital privacy in the age of social media. Our conversation will delve into the controversial topic of professionals facing termination due to their online presence, specifically focusing on cases involving adult content. Panelists will examine such dismissals' ethical considerations, potential…

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Canaries in the Coal Mine: Sex Workers are Fighting Censorship
October 23, 2024 —

We’re collaborating with our friends at New Moon Network for a compelling roundtable discussion about the critical intersection of sex work and censorship. We will examine how sex workers are often the "canaries in the coal mine" when it comes to free expression restrictions, facing disproportionate targeting and censorship before other groups. Our discussion will…

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Sexual Freedom in the Digital Age
September 27, 2024 —

Sexual freedom in the digital age represents a complex interplay of opportunity and censorship, deeply influenced by technological advancements and cultural shifts. The internet has become a pivotal platform for exploring and expressing sexual identities, breaking down traditional barriers, and enabling individuals to connect across diverse sexual orientations and preferences. This digital landscape has facilitated…

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Sex Ed in a Censored Nation
August 29, 2024 —

It’s back-to-school season in the US. Unfortunately, for many students in the US, comprehensive sex education won’t be on their class list this September. This month, we’re examining censorship’s impact on sex education with three dedicated and informed sex education advocates. Mandy Salley will delve into the critical intersection of sex education, censorship, human rights,…

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​​Choice in the Crossfire: Abortion Rights and Free Expression
July 30, 2024 —

Abortion Access in the United States has been severely restricted since the Supreme Court Decision, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, in June 2022. Some states rushed to totally ban abortion and related reproductive healthcare, while others protected it in their constitutions and expanded access for out-of-state patients. Additional legislative actions included passing laws that restricted…

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Unfiltered: Discussing Free Speech with Ricci Levy and Nadine Strossen
June 20, 2024 —

Join us for an enlightening discussion with two eminent figures in the realm of free speech: our esteemed President Ricci Levy and the exceptional Nadine Strossen, past President of the ACLU, author of the just reissued NYU Press Classics edition of Defending Pornography: Free Speech, Sex, and the Fight for Women’s Rights (with a new…

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Navigating Cyberspace: Exploring Sex Workers’ Experiences with Online Platforms
May 21, 2024 —

Persons working in the sex industry are often the “canaries in the coal mine” for online censorship. As some of the first workers to face removal from online spaces, they’ve made us aware of the longstanding and widespread censorship of sexual speech and behavior online. Woodhull commissioned a study to examine how sex workers use…

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Silenced Perspectives: The Unequal Effects of Censorship Across Communities
April 12, 2024 —

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right. Free Speech is protected in our constitution. Yet, censorship runs rampant - particularly with the advent of social media and the increasing accessibility of expression online. This series has covered various topics ripe for censorship, including sexual expression and freedom. However, content is not the only victim…

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Speak Loud, Speak Proud: Empowering You to Resist Censorship
March 27, 2024 —

In the “Censoring of Sexual Freedom” programs, we’ve demonstrated the rampant nature of censorship and how it harms us and our communities. We always discuss how you can fight censorship, but our March program, Speak Loud, Speak Proud: Empowering You to Resist Censorship, is all about how you can craft strategies and get involved in…

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Online Expression vs. Harm: Striking the Right Balance with Internet Laws
February 22, 2024 —

On January 31, US Senators held a hearing about kids' online safety. For several hours, they grilled CEOs of five different tech companies about their role in keeping their platforms safe for children. The “hearing” was one of the best examples of political pageantry we’ve seen from legislators in recent history, and several Senators took…

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The Road Ahead: Navigating Legislative Censorship in 2024
January 30, 2024 —

A New Year often means a fresh start. Unfortunately, censorship was not left behind when the clock struck midnight on December 31st. For our first Censorship Series program of the year, we’ll discuss the threats to the freedom of expression we anticipate this year. Mandy Salley will be joined by a panel of anti-censorship experts…

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