The Fight for Rights
The world often tries to tell us that we can’t have nice things, and why we can’t have them. The powers that be would be content to have you believe that it’s natural for the world to suck and that it’s best to sit down and shut up. The truth is; however, that we can, indeed, have nice things… but not without a fight.
Power struggles have been a part of human society since our earliest days. This unfortunate fact of life is perhaps most evident in the plight of women. Since the story of Adam and Eve, and likely well before, women have been subjugated in systems designed to control them all across the world. Throughout history, they have been treated as property — to raise heirs, to be traded and sold, to be stolen, to be collected, and to be abused.
And yet, sex and procreation are necessary conditions for the future of civilization. For thousands of years, social and legal constructs have been put in place to regulate how, when and with whom these biological imperatives ought to occur. Though modern society has come a long way from humanity’s violent beginnings, the battle for sexual freedom and bodily autonomy has been won an inch at a time, and the battle is far from over.
Our Voice
For several years, we’ve been making waves on Capitol Hill, starting with our unprecedented fly-in day to represent the adult industry. It’s been a slow but steady process, and thanks to the support of people like you, Congress is listening. Our visits have become more frequent. Increasingly promising opportunities are presenting themselves, as we continue to schedule more and more phone calls and trips, showing the powers that be that we are a force to be reckoned with, and that the adult industry is a legitimate one that deserves its fair shake in society.
With election fever at its peak and the media sensationalizing the worst about everyone involved, it’s easy to feel disheartened by the candidates we have to choose from. But remember, there’s a reason that bills are presented and handled during election years. There are politicians who really do care and rely on your vote. And there are others who depend on you not voting to stay in power. People bled for the rights we enjoy today. Whether or not you believe your vote counts, which it most certainly does, the best way to honor the sacrifices of those who came before us is by casting your ballot. No matter your background, whether you want column A, B, or none of the above, be sure to vote and prove to politicians both good and bad, to those who represent the people and those who serve their corporatocracy lobbyists, that you will not back down.
Our Bodies
Back in the day, having sex almost always meant risking pregnancy. Until recently, birth control, abortion rights, and IVF gave all US citizens the right to have children more or less on their own terms. According to the NIH, IVF technologies have helped families with fertility challenges give birth to over 10 million children around the world. Within the current context, your vote matters more this election than ever. In the past few years, Congress and some states have been seeking to take away the rights we’ve enjoyed and benefited from for decades. With the historic overturn of Roe vs. Wade, women all over the country lost their bodily autonomy overnight. While the media often paints a picture of a tense and equally represented debate on the issue of the abortion, according to Gallup, 85% of Americans support early term abortion rights. Recently, Alabama tried to deem embryos as people, forcing their few IVF clinics to shut down and preventing families from fertility support. The ensuing backlash forced several politicians to walk back their aggressive stance procreation. Even the Texas Supreme Court, known for its conservatism, refused a case that would have harmed IVF rights. If these issues affect you or someone you care about, this election is bound to have a major effect for better or for worse. The choice to vote is still yours.
Our Money
Financial discrimination is the last but vital piece of the puzzle. It doesn’t take a seasoned politician or economist to understand that our fundamental human rights are intrinsically linked to our financial liberty. Financial discrimination is one of the sneaker and more subversive ways already marginalized groups are marginalized even further. In the case of adult content creators, whose work is perfectly legal, their right to freedom of expression is on the chopping block thanks to predatory practices that unfairly target women at far higher rates than men, kicking them out of banks, off money platforms, and effectively depriving them of safe financial systems and practices, where they are left extremely vulnerable.
