Video: .XXX Approval Sparks Heated Debate at The Phoenix Forum

LOS ANGELES — Colin Rowntree, one of the online adult industry’s founding members, has posted a blog entry featuring video footage of the recent .XXX seminar at The Phoenix Forum.

The XBIZ blog, called “Fear and Loathing at The Phoenix Forum," describes Saturday’s event. Rowntree writes a regular blog entry for XBIZ.com called “Waste Not, Want Not.”



It was “sort of like going to a fist fight and an opera broke out!” he said. “Hunter Thompson was not there, but the .XXX session was every bit as macabre as anything he could have penned!

“Like a pinball machine that alternated between vitriolic, dark humor, politicians caught in a lie and outright just plain strange," he said in his XBIZ blog.

“This seminar was without a doubt the most surreal and difficult one I have moderated in the past 15 years of doing such at adult conferences and trade shows.

“After much machination over who would moderate and speak on this hot-button panel, it all went down on April 2 with a remarkable combination of industry execs, pundits, lawyers and ICM execs.“ he said.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

British Documentary Spotlights XBIZ Amsterdam With Candid Conversations

British creator and host Josh Pieters traveled to XBIZ Amsterdam to film a documentary about the annual European adult industry conference.

XBIZ 2026 to Debut 'New Talent Go-See' Special Event

XBIZ 2026, North America’s premier adult industry conference, will debut a special event designed to help new talent jump-start their careers: the New Talent Go-See.

Penthouse Announces Digital Archive Launch

Penthouse Magazine has announced that it will launch a comprehensive digital archive in 2026.

Dreamcam Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

Dreamcam has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches by Country for August, September

AEBN has released the list of popular searches from its straight and gay theaters by country in August and September.

AV in Focus: A Guide to Unlocking Compliance With Clarity

The age verification era isn’t coming — it’s here. Laws are already on the books in numerous U.S. states, as well as in the U.K., France and beyond.

Canadian Privacy Commissioner Endorses National AV Bill

Philippe Dufresne, privacy commissioner of Canada, has voiced support for a bill that would impose fines of up to $500,000 on adult sites that do not implement age verification for Canadian viewers.

Ricky Johnson Launches 'Ricky's Resort' Through YourPaysitePartner

Ricky's Room studio honcho Ricky Johnson has launched his latest site, RickysResort.com, through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Industry Attorney Paul Cambria Retires After 50 Years of Practicing Law

After more than a half-century in practice, during which he provided the defense in some of the adult industry's most notable legal cases, attorney Paul Cambria has retired.

2026 XMA Nominations Party Set for Nov. 19 in Hollywood

The 2026 XMA nominations reveal party will take place at Keys on the Sunset Strip on Wednesday, Nov. 19, with red-carpet arrivals starting at 8 p.m.

Show More