FSC Tightens Belt With Layoffs

CANOGA PARK, Calif. — Free Speech Coalition Executive Director Diane Duke said today that due to budget constraints the organization will lay off two of its members at the end of this month.

Leaving FSC will be Kat Sunlove, Director of Legislative Affairs, and Layne Winklebleck, Legislative Affairs Associate. To cut costs, FSC plans to outsource its California lobbying activities, while continuing its federal lobbying efforts through The Raben Group of Washington, D.C.

“Lobbying is a priority for FSC, but the overhead and expense of staffing a separate lobbying office is too great,” Duke said. “With the added expense that comes from FSC’s 18 USC 2257 as well as the FSC vs. Utah litigation, we must scrutinize every dollar.”

Sunlove entered the adult industry more than 25 years ago as a journalist and wrote a sexual advice column, “The Kat Box.” For the last decade, she was an effective lobbyist for the adult entertainment trade group, and filled the FSC executive director position on an interim basis while the group searched for a full-time executive.

Winklebleck also has extensive experience in adult entertainment as editor of the weekly Free Speech X-Press newsletter and several issues of Free Speaker Magazine.

“Two of the institutions established by Kat and Layne, the Free Speech X-Press and our annual Celebrate Free Speech Lobbying Days in Sacramento, have had as much impact on both the organization and the individual members as any activity undertaken by the coalition,” FSC Board Chairman Jeffrey Douglas said. “We are eternally grateful for their contributions.”

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

Adult Industry Educational, Networking Platform 'Imperfectly You' Launches

Imperfectly You, an educational and networking platform for adult industry workers, has officially launched.

Segpay to Launch News Network for High-Risk Merchants

Segpay has announced that it will launch the Segpay News Network (SNN) on April 15.

Age Verification Watch: Patching the Holes

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Pineapple Support to Host Autism Spectrum Support Group

Pineapple Support is hosting a free online support group for performers and creators who are, or suspect they may be, on the autism spectrum.

ImLive Launches Revamped Member Loyalty Program

Cam platform ImLive has revamped its member loyalty program.

GoFundMe Set Up for Danny Ferretti's Medical Expenses

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Fangear founder Danny Ferretti, who requires extensive lung surgery.

Byborg Acquires Cuties AI

Byborg Enterprises has acquired adult artificial intelligence startup Cuties AI.

Irish Government Releases Report on Sex Work Decriminalization Legislation

The Irish government has released a report reviewing a 2017 law that decriminalized sex work across the country.

Texas Bill Would Require Age Verification for Online Sex Toy Sales

A new bill in the Texas state legislature would require online retailers to implement age verification of purchasers before selling “obscene devices” to anyone in that state.

New York Assemblyman Proposes Banning the Term 'Sex Work'

Republican New York Assembly Member Brian Maher has introduced a bill to prohibit the use of the term "sex work" in government documents.

Show More