FSC Meets With Author of Contentious AB2389 Bill

FSC Meets With Author of Contentious AB2389 Bill

LOS ANGELES — The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) met with California Assemblymember Cristina Garcia this week about "the future of AB2389" and its "potentially harmful impact" on adult performers.

The trade organization's statement about that meeting follows:

On Wednesday, FSC Executive Director Michelle L. LeBlanc met with Assemblymember Cristina Garcia in her office in the State Capitol to discuss the future of AB2389 and its potentially harmful impact on the performers it seeks to protect. 

“Our meeting was productive and informative from both sides,” said LeBlanc. “Asm. Garcia was eager to learn more about our industry, how it works, and the issues our members face. She is open to working with FSC and other performer advocacy groups to understand the real challenges of this industry.”

FSC commended Asm. Garcia for the amendments to AB2389 striking the bill’s fingerprinting and business license provisions. However, AB2389’s certification requirement — which prohibits adult performers in California from creating or publishing content until they’ve completed a class on sexual harassment and workplace safety — remains unconstitutional and discriminatory, and unnecessarily shifts the burden of compliance to the worker.

The fight for workplace safety and a more empowered workforce are not new to our industry. Many organizations, including the FSC, have worked hard to develop programs that educate performers about their rights and resources. For example, FSC’s INSPIRE program, and the Adult Performer Advocacy Committee’s Porn 101, both tackle issues left unaddressed by traditional workplace safety training.

In fact, the FSC is currently engaging with Cal/OSHA to explore workplace safety guidelines for adult sets. But workplace safety should remain a regulatory decision — one that applies to all workplaces equally — rather than a law that applies to just one. 

Workplace safety issues are not limited to the adult industry. Mainstream entertainment has its own problems with sexual harassment, as do newsrooms. Yet no one would consider a law basing the First Amendment rights of a mainstream actor, dancer or journalist on state certification — or punishing them for operating without it.

FSC looks forward to working with Asm. Garcia more closely as the bill evolves, and will be fighting to:

  • Remove stigmatizing language that positions adult performers as victims rather than creators
  • Shift the focus of the bill so that compliance remains the responsibility of employers, not workers
  • Keep our compliance requirements in line with those in other industries, understanding that certain areas — such as sexual harassment training that prohibits sex in the workplace — may require the development of guidelines specific for the adult industry

FSC and Asm. Garcia have a shared goal of a safer and more empowered workforce. We ask that in working toward it, she treats our industry as she would treat any workplace, and respect the concerns of our workers. 

Find the FSC online and follow the org on Twitter.

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

Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Eris Jolie Makes Her TransAngels Debut

Eris Jolie has made her TransAngels debut alongside Bree Brooks in "A Very Filthy Cookout."

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Amanda Riley Toplines Latest 'TS Taboo' From TransSensual

Amanda Riley headlines the 10th volume of "TS Taboo," from Mile High Media studio imprint TransSensual.

Trial Set for Lawsuit by U Wisconsin Professor Fired Over Adult Content

A trial date of June 22, 2026, has been set for the civil lawsuit filed by veteran communications professor Joe Gow against the University of Wisconsin board of regents, which fired him for creating and appearing in adult content.

New UK Task Force Meets to Target Adult Content

The architect of an influential report that recommended banning adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic” has convened an “Independent Pornography Review task force” aimed at translating that report’s findings into action in the U.K.

Show More