The porn industry is headed to Congress to fight for their rights.

The Free Speech Coalition, a trade organization for the adult industry, has hired a D.C. lobbying firm to build its relationships with lawmakers and to advocate on behalf of the adult industry.

Politicians have proposed new laws that would devastate sex workers, and the Free Speech Coalition is fighting back against sex work discrimination, tech censorship, and banking bans.

“Our workers vote, they pay taxes, we are strong members of our community. We deserve representation,” said Alana Evans, a pornographic actress and the president of the APAG union. Alana Evans also serves on the legislative committee for the Free Speech Coalition. “Nearly every industry in our country hires lobbyists to communicate their views to our leaders. Since the beginning of our nation’s government, lobbying has been used to amplify voices and concerns with members of Congress and the Senate. As an industry that has gone unrepresented since its inception, it’s about time the adult industry enables and hires its own lobbyists.”

Though the Free Speech Coalition is new to the Washington Lobby Game, the group dates back to the early 1990s, when it formed in response to a series of arrests of adult movie manufacturers.

“We aren’t making donations to politicians,” claims Michelle LeBlanc, president of the Free Speech Coalition. “One of the great benefits of having experienced lobbyists is that they know not just the legislators but all of their staff and who holds the real power on which committees. The lobbyists will make sure we talk to the right people and will help us frame our position in a way that appeals to them,” 

And it seems industry leaders agree.

Stan Fiskin, owner of FanCentro, and the recently acquired Clips4Sale thinks, “This is indeed a great idea and probably a good time for the industry to come together about this issue.”

“This is great news for the adult industry. It has been far too long since we have had a voice and “fixer” in Washington DC. During this time of a literal “War on “Porn” from the religious right, conservative legislators, and much of mainstream media, this is essential for our protection and future,” says Colin Rowntree of Wasteland.com.

The Free Speech Coalition is a non-profit trade association for the adult industry. If you would like to help with the lobbying efforts, you can make a donation by clicking here.