Republican
Texas Dept. of Health and Human Services Refuses to Answer Questions About Anti-Porn Law's Mandatory 'Warnings'
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services has declined to confirm or deny whether the “health warnings” mandated by the state’s recent anti-porn age verification law are supported by any official documentation or statement produced by that office.
Pennsylvania Republican House Primary Heats Up Over Issue of 'Sexual Sin'
The proposition that adult content is a gateway to “sexual sin” has become an issue in the Republican primary contest for Pennsylvania’s 1st District, where longtime religious activist Mark Houck has mounted an effective right-wing challenge to mainstream conservative incumbent Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick.
Virginia Republican Behind Age Verification Law Calls Adult Content 'Not Normal'
State Sen. Bill Stanley, author of the age verification law that led Pornhub to shut down access in the commonwealth of Virginia, has defended the controversial, vaguely worded mandate by claiming that adult websites are harmful because their content is “not normal.”
Sen. Josh Hawley's New Book on Manhood Lambasts 'Timid, Weak, Sterile' Porn Watchers
“Manhood,” the new book by controversial U.S. Senator Josh Hawley of Kansas, features an extended chapter titled “Cheap Sex,” in which the Republican politician asserts, “Nothing could be more timid or weak, more sterile, than a man, alone, staring at porn on his phone.”
Alabama House Passes Republican Rep's Utah Copycat 'Porn Filter' Bill
The Alabama House of Representatives last week approved a bill copying legislation passed in Utah in 2021, aiming to force phone and computer manufacturers to install default “porn filters” on devices sold in the state.
Rolling Stone Surveys Ongoing Republican War on Porn
Rolling Stone magazine this week published a report on the ongoing anti-porn crusades in Republican-controlled states.
Arizona Senator's Anti-Porn Bill Questioned by Fellow Republicans
Arizona state legislators, including several GOP members, have raised serious questions about a Republican senator’s proposal to implement mandatory age verification for adult websites in the state.
Arkansas Republican Succeeds in Mandating Age Verification for All Major Platforms
The Arkansas legislature gave final legislative approval yesterday to a Republican senator's bill mandating that a number of major open social media platforms — including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Snapchat — implement age verification starting Sept. 1.
Digital Rights, Adult Industry Groups Warn About 'Porn Passport' State Laws
Digital rights and adult industry groups are sounding the alarm about the recent onslaught of “porn passport” state laws promoted by anti-porn groups and politicians, mandating various forms of age verification.
Arkansas Age Verification Bill Clears State House
Arkansas’ SB 66, a Republican bill that would require age verification before “entering a website offering pornography,” cleared the state House last week.
Arkansas Age Verification Bill Amended Over Confusing Language
The Arkansas House approved yesterday an amendment to SB 66, a Republican bill that would require age verification before “entering a website offering pornography,” over confusing language.
North Dakota Republicans' Bill Proposes Total 'Obscenity Control'
A partisan bill introduced by North Dakota Republican state senators would redefine “obscene material and performance” and “explicit sexual material” in extremely broad terms that would result in creating criminal liability for almost all instances of nudity and references to sex outside of adult venues.
Republicans Across the Country Continue Efforts to Redefine 'Prurient' Content
Republicans across the nation continue their ongoing campaign to legally redefine “prurient” — along with other terms like “obscenity,” “pornography” and “harmful to minors” — through diverse pieces of state legislation concerning topics such as online age verification, the purchase of library materials and the zoning of venues allowing drag shows.
The Guardian Probes Religious Motivation of Republican Anti-Sex Bills
The Guardian published a report today probing the religious motivations behind the current Republican effort to put forth “anti-porn bills” at the state level across the U.S.
Republican Admits Ultimate Goal of Arkansas Age Verification Bill is Federal Law
A Republican state senator in Arkansas who introduced a bill last month requiring age verification before “entering a website offering pornography” admitted that his state initiative is only a stepping stone toward the ultimate goal of a federal mandate.
Utah Republicans Continue Introducing Controversial Age Verification Bills
Republican state legislators in Utah have introduced two controversial age verification bills that could have nationwide ramifications.
West Virginia Republican Seeks to Redefine 'Obscene' and 'Prurient'
A controversial West Virginia state senator introduced this month two bills attempting to redefine “obscene matter” and “prurient interest” in the state, in an effort to censor sexual content.
Mississippi Republican Introduces Copycat Age Verification Bill
A Republican state senator in Mississippi has introduced a copycat bill patterned after the Louisiana state law that mandates age verification for websites featuring pornographic content.
Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee Introduces Bill to Outlaw All Porn Nationwide
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) this week introduced the Interstate Obscenity Definition Act, a bill that nominally aims to “establish a national definition of obscenity” but which would, in effect, outlaw all online sexual content nationwide.
Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft Seeks to Redefine 'Smut'
Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft this week attempted to clarify his proposed ban on funding for what he called “prurient” library books, by explaining that he meant “smut.”