Reflecting on abortion experiences | A new bill supporting pornography age verification
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Bi-Weekly Sexual Freedom Newsletter Thursday, June 20, 2024
Top Stories This Week
What’s happening at Woodhull;
Judicial bias against LGBTQIA+ folks;
A new bill supporting pornography age verification;
Banning books;
A win in Florida regarding gender-affirming care;
Reflecting on abortion experiences; and
Woodhull’s take on New Hampshire’s “banned concepts” law.
Get the Facts!The mission of Fact Checked by Woodhull is simple: to provide the facts you need to make informed decisions. Whether it’s dissecting complex policy debates, debunking misleading claims, or verifying the accuracy of statements made by public figures, we’re here to separate fact from fiction with precision and rigor. This week, we’re answering the questions about whether or not pornography causes violence.
Meet Mandy in NOLA!Woodhull’s own Mandy Salley will be heading to The Big Easy at the end of this month to speak at the largest gathering of lifestyle and sexual freedom enthusiasts, Naughty N’Awlins!She will be joined by fellow advocates Brett Chamberlin of OPEN and Tess Zachary of The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF).“I’m thrilled to bring human rights and advocacy to Naughty this year alongside two changemakers whom I greatly admire!” says Salley.
Heading to Naughty? Stop by our table and say hello or, even better, attend Mandy’s panel on Thursday, June 27th! We heard a rumor there might be sexy raffle prizes up for grabs!
(Theo Grace Quest for LOOKOUT)
Was Gregory Dickens Sentenced to Death Because He Was Gay? (The Appeal) Homophobia can often lead judges to impose harsher punishments. The criminal case of Gregory Dickens, who was sentenced to death, is no exception. Adam M. Rhodes and Joseph Darius Jaafari write: “In hindsight, it appears startling that the person who received the harshest punishment in the case never actually killed anyone. But a review of more than 600 pages of court records by LOOKOUT and The Appeal has shed light on why: the judge who sentenced Dickens, Judge Tom C. Cole, held bigoted beliefs against gay men—including his own son, who was dying of an AIDS-related illness.”Read more.
(authID)
Bauer-Kahan Supports New Bill for Pornography Website Age Verification (The Independent)
We at the Woodhull Freedom Foundation strongly oppose attacks on our sexual freedom, including attacks on our right to access sexual content online. A bill in California threatens that right by proposing pornography website age verification requirements. Jeff Walters writes: “The bill is opposed by the Free Speech Coalition (FSC), a trade association for the adult entertainment industry in the United States, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Woodhull Freedom Foundation, Netchoice, as well as an array of sex-ed, LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights advocates. ‘This bill, though ostensibly well-intentioned, is unconstitutional, infringing on our right to access legal speech without government interference,’ said Ricci Joy Levy, president and CEO of the Woodhull Freedom Foundation.” Read more.
Supporters of free speech, LGBTQIA+ folks, and quality education are rejoicing after a favorable Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals decision. Nico Lang writes: “[On May 15], the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Maryland parents who objected to the inclusion of LGBTQ+ texts in their school’s curriculum without an opt-out option. The books Montgomery County Public School parents opposed were reportedly Pride Puppy, an illustrated children’s book about a dog who gets lost while attending a Pride parade with his family, and Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope, chronicling the transition of the author’s son. In the split 2-1 verdict, Judge Steven Agee expressed skepticism regarding the complainants’ case, given that parents had not proved the books were even being taught in class.” Read more.
(Julie Bennett via Getty Images)
‘Huge Win in Florida’ as Judge Strikes Down Gender-Affirming Care Ban (Common Dreams) Great news: a gender-affirming care ban in Florida was struck down. Brett Wilkins writes: “A federal judge on [June 11] ruled that key sections of Florida's ban on gender-affirming healthcare for minors—which also limits adults seeking such care—are unconstitutional and that the Republican state lawmakers and GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis were acting with ‘anti-transgender animus’ and not in the interest of public health when they approved the legislation.” Read more.
(Shutterstock/Cage Rivera/Rewire News Group illustration)
What I Learned From My Four Abortions (Rewire News Group)Everyone deserves to freely exercise their right to accessible, comprehensive, and compassionate abortion care. Larada Lee-Wallace writes: “Empowered by my work as an abortion advocate and doula, I embraced the autonomy of managing my own care at home. Supported by my partner and armed with information, I navigated the process confidently, free from the bureaucratic burdens that had marred previous experiences. My partner was by my side as I transformed my office space into a sanctuary of compassionate care.” Read more.
Woodhull’s Take: Good Riddance to New Hampshire’s “Banned Concepts” Law (Woodhull’s Sex & Politics Blog)
Across the country, laws like New Hampshire’s “banned concepts law” police what teachers can and can’t teach – and what students can and can’t learn – through targeted bans on critical topics like gender, sexual orientation, and race.
We at Woodhull celebrate the demise of this “banned concepts” law: “We at the Woodhull Freedom Foundation staunchly oppose attacks on our First Amendment right to free speech, and we’re disturbed by the rapid increase in pro-censorship laws across the country. It’s hardly radical to want classrooms to be places where teachers can teach and students can learn. Schools should welcome discussion, debate, and curiosity about how identity, community membership, and structures of power shape our daily lives.”Read more.
Woodhull Freedom Foundation is the only national human rights organization working full time to protect the fundamental human right to sexual freedom. Our work includes fighting censorship, eliminating discrimination based on gender or sexual identity, or family form, and protecting the right to engage in consensual sexual activity and expression. We do this through advocacy, education, and coalition building.