Top Stories
US Lawmakers’ Online Perversion
Sex workers are once again calling out Department of Justice as SESTA FOSTA continues to be used to police and endanger sex workers rather than fight actual sex trafficking. This most recent flare-up revolves around a bust of a purported major sex trafficking operation which media reported on and polticians celebrated. The problem is that in no way was the bust of a sex trafficker, it was a website which allowed sex workers to advertise, which is illegal under SESTA FOSTA. According to sex workers and advocates the prohibitions against advertising and other limitations on being able to share information such as bad date lists, endangers sex workers rather than protects them. Additionally, it is claimed that sex trafficking is being used as an all purpose carve out to avoid policing reforms.
While SESTA FOSTA continues to create new victims, American legislators are considering a new law which will further erode the online rights of sex workers and other marginalized communities. The Eliminating Abuse and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technology Act (EARN IT Act) is being reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, if brought into law the Department of Justice would be empowered to compel online platforms to censor or moderate content and create a back door for law enforcement, essentially wiping out privacy protections. Similar to the chilling effect of SESTA-FOST, EARN IT would open up websites to the threat of enforcement, rather than carefully ensure they’re on the right side of the law it will be easier for them to outright ban anything to do with sex. The effects would be felt immediately, as illustrated in The Advocate, pandemic related mutual support networks for sex workers could be gone just like that.
Canada may possibly consider reviewing their sex work laws, maybe.
I’m cynical as of late that Canada’s Liberal government has an appetite for taking on any transformational change, they seem content playingto the middle. But Vancouver Liberal MP Hedy Fry is publicly saying change is coming. Fry, who has taken a lead within her party in advocating for sex work, told a coalition of sex work organizations, and subsequently Now Magazine, that Attorney General David Lammetti will be reviewing the laws brought in by the preceding Conservative government. Liberals have previously been criticized for dragging their feet on this issue since taking power, after criticizing the laws in opposition. Opponents argue that the laws are unconstitutional, a claim which was somewhat supported by a February court ruling.
Amnesty International is also weighing in on Canada’s sex laws, calling for a halt of enforcement during the pandemic. Jackie Hansen of Amnesty says the enforcement is unjust as it further prevent sex workers from making a living while also being shut out of government run support programs for people unemployed because of the pandemic.
Can Big Porn be moved by a petition?
A petition calling on BangBros and Pornhub to remove videos of Mia Khalifa has reached 1.5 million signatures. Mia Khalifa was paid $12,000 to record 11 videos over a three month period in 2014 and remains one of the most searched performers. She says the videos will “haunt her until she dies” and have resulted in death threats from ISIS. The petition asks the videos be removed voluntarily, as Khalifa wouldn’t stand a chance in court against the “financial advantage” of Bang Bros and Pornhub. This leads to the bigger question of the right to be forgotten, should someone need millions of signatures to get what they consider a mistake removed from the internet?
What Else We’re Watching
Big Porn cashes in on racism and anti-Semitism: Laila Mickelwait, director of the controversial anti-porn group Exodus Cry, details the many ways racism appears on Pornhub.
Belle Delphine Went From Selling Bath Water to an OnlyFans Subscription: The online personality is turning heads again with a troll OnlyFans account.
I cloned my partner’s penis and so can you: If it’s your thing, here’s how to make a dildo mold of a penis.
Sex Work Hasn't Stopped During Coronavirus: Vice speaks with three sex workers in Spain who are continuing to work during the pandemic.
This Animal Crossing-Enabled Buttplug Will Let You Hook Up In-Game: …yup.