Sexorship: The Strange Case of the US vs. John Stagliano
Posted at 2:15 PM Apr 29, 2008
Sex Worker Rant runs on Tuesdays and is written by Renegade Evolution, a sex worker, sexual mercenary, and all around fan of “The Sexy” living somewhere near our nation’s capital. Quirky might as well be her middle name.
Simple question for the people: Is it okay to use criminal prosecution to curtail free speech on the ‘net?
Me, I say no. Yet, see, right now, there is an attempt to do that.
Now, sure, many of you may not be familiar with John Stagliano. He’s a pornographer, head of Evil Angel films, and the driving force behind a Vegas show, based on one of his films, “The Fashionistas”. I’m a fan of his work, and that of Evil Angel in general. What is the big bad government so upset about? Well, the man makes porn, and apparently, the trailer for Evil Angel director Belladonna’s film “Fetish Fanatic 5” may be seen by minors on the Internet. Not has been, not was, but may be. Never mind the Evil Angel web site has warning pages, never mind that any kid with an Internet Connection and thirty seconds can find graphic war footage, films of real life beheadings and beatings, step by step plans to make pipe bombs, Aryan Nation propaganda, and graphic rape/murder/torture scenes from mainstream movies and network TV. Stagliano, porn dude, has been indicted. Much like Rob Black, Lizzie Borden, Ray Guhn, JM Productions, and countless others before him. They have one thing in common: they make pornography.
This is nothing new, right? Same war the pornographers have been fighting for years, right? Wrong. Should Stagliano loose this case, it sets a precedent. That precedent being that if you have any sexually graphic material out there on the net, and a minor can see it, well then your name could be the next one listed after “The United States vs…”. Any pro-am/indy porn maker, any sex blogger, any sexwork writer/advocate, any erotic fiction author, any erotic photographer, any comix artist…this very site even maybe? You could be next!
I’m not saying you need to love Stagliano, Belladonna, porn, or any of that, but I am asking you to consider what implications this case could have on free speech and artistic impression on the net. Including yours. Your favorite cam gal/guy? Your favorite sex blogger? Your favorite alt nude model? Your favorite swinger /fetish network site? Your favorite indy porn producer? Your favorite sex advice columnist? They could be next. I know I’d be waiting to hear the words “The United States vs Renegade Evolution” should Stagliano lose this case. That bothers me a little.
No, the government trying to crack down on a censor pornography and sexually based material is nothing new…but it seems that the methods are getting more insidious and obtuse and aggressive, much closer to stomping all over free speech. This also bothers me, and I hope it bothers you too.
If you want to learn more or show your support or see what you can do to help, please feel free (while you can) to visit Defend Our Porn [ed's note: the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom is another group that has been fighting the good fight for pornographers for many years]
“Ignore your rights, and maybe they’ll just go away.”
Read Renegade Evolution's blog here.
more: Sex Worker Rant
Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention! I'm going to post a link to your blog on my groups to increase awareness of the dangers associated with this case. And I'm completely with you on being stunned that it's okay for minors to be able to watch all sorts of violent acts, but acts of sex and loving are banned. America's war against sexuality continues to rage to ridiculous levels. Let's all do our part to protect our sexual rights!
Posted by: Inara de Luna at April 29, 2008 3:35 PM
Ren, this post is wonderful and chock-full of good information. You have really been on top of this case.
Posted by: Amber at April 29, 2008 10:59 PM
