Thanks and Appreciation from FSC

Every year at FSC, we meet with industry leaders, manufacturers, producers and performers. We discuss the issues that affect the adult community. As the adult industry trade association, our mission is to promote the well-being of the industry. We face challenges when they come up (which happened a lot in 2011). We provide a pro-adult voice to media and the public. We’re there to keep an eye on anti-adult legislation and anti-porn activists. We create needed resources and provide services for the industry.

We also defend the rights of free speech and sexual expression. Without First Amendment rights, there can be no democracy – an important issue with the upcoming presidential election, global protests and looming Internet regulations. Sexual speech is an easy target for censorship and legislation – FSC members understand that we must be pro-active and protect our rights.

Despite every challenge, the adult industry remains intact. It hasn’t been easy, but this business is a tight-knit community of survivors, creative visionaries and dynamic personalities.   FSC is committed to fighting the good fight – but we couldn’t do it without YOU.  We would like to take a moment to thank some of our members who have gone above and beyond to support FSC and, through their contributions, help everyone in the adult industry.

Industry pioneer Phil Harvey and Adam & Eve have been FSC generous supporters from the beginning. We’re honored by the loyalty, and recognize the battles fought by Adam & Eve, in defense of free speech.

We want to thank Steven Ornstein and Wicked Pictures for their generous  contributions over many years. All of the Wicked Girls have gladly donated time to attend and promote FSC fundraising events, and make those events extra-special.

Dan O’Connell, Moose and everyone at Girlfriends Films generously given to FSC, and many other charities. They send a positive message about the adult industry by giving to those in need. Thanks also, to ElDorado Trading Co. and Larry Garland, who helped with fundraising efforts – ElDorado also donates to various charities.

Allison Vivas and Pink Visual have been instrumental, through industry education and IT support, in promoting and improving FSC’s Anti-piracy Action Program (APAP).

Thanks to the “Founders” – Cal Exotics, Topco, Doc Johnson, Pipedreams and Nasstoys for their support through ACDC advocacy.  Their visionary support of the adult industry should be commended.  FSC also would like to recognize Scott Tucker and Topco Sales for hosting many FSC Board meetings and donating storage space. The hospitality is much appreciated.

This year, Manwin became a FSC platinum-level sponsor; we appreciate their contribution, as well as their additional support of FSC advocacy efforts and our Anti-Piracy Action Program.

Vivid Entertainment and Evil Angel have contributed to fund advocacy, confronting the issue of mandatory condom regulations. An industry-wide effort is needed, in 2012, to arrive at appropriate health & safety regulations.

Special thanks to Peter Acworth, Dave Astels and Kink.com for contributing much-needed services, including the resources needed to build the Adult Production Health & Safety Services (APHSS.org) website. Kink is also testing the program, top to bottom, helping to develop an updated, reliable system for performer safety.

Whenever possible, we encourage our members to use industry services. We are very grateful to the guys at YNOT for sponsoring our email campaigning through YNOT Mail. Their adult-friendly email service is simple and effective – Connor  and Rochard hooked us up.

Also, to Brad and MojoHost – thank you for simplifying and streamlining our IT platform. Whenever we need help, customer service is right on it.

Joel Kaminsky and Jenn at Good Vibrations, and Topco’s Lynn Swanson – many thanks for your help with the FSC membership database.

And, as always, thanks to XBIZ and AVN for helping to promote the message of FSC, and for their part in helping to spread the word about important issues.

Finally, our appreciation for each member of the FSC Board; these people have volunteered many hours, over many years in the industry. They help shape the policies and strategies that protect adult industry businesses.

There are many others that deserve recognition; businesses and individuals that have worked behind the scenes or have always come to the aid of FSC, whenever necessary.

The FSC Team has a lot to be grateful for – and we thank every member and supporter for the things they do on behalf of the adult community. Especially in 2012, the adult industry will be stronger if we unite to face the challenges ahead. FSC is proud to serve our members, and proud of our members – the responsible, professional folks that produce adult entertainment for millions of adults to enjoy.

(Photo: Some rights reserved by Beyond My Ken) 

A Year of Extraordinary Support From Extraordinary People

As 2010 closed, we put yet another recessionary year behind us I have to say, it had been one hell of a year. Dot XXX has crept back into existence like a zombie from the “Night of the Living Dead.” Megalomaniac Mike Weinstein from AIDS Healthcare Foundation set his sights on the adult entertainment industry utilizing CalOSHA as his weapon of mass destruction. And the industry has come together as never before to confront copyright infringement, once again showing that we can be the leader when it comes to embracing technology for business solutions.

Not a week goes by without someone calling me up and asking, “So, how ya holdin’ up?” mindful that the industry is struggling and, as businesses consolidate or fail, our revenue stream will be negatively impacted. True, finances are tight and we are watching every penny, but it feels as if FSC is more relevant to the industry today than ever before. We have had a significant impact on the direction of ICM’s .XXX. We have launched a solid defense in the negotiations with CalOSHA, more often than not being the voice of reason in the room. Working with key industry members we have launched an industry-wide attack on copyright infringement while opening up potential streams for new revenue. And, we are still in the trenches trying to provide some relief from the onerous restrictions of 2257. Yes, I believe we are more relevant today than ever before — and we have our members to thank, including some extraordinary people who have supported FSC like never before.

Dan and Moose from Girlfriend Films are regulars at the CalOSHA meetings providing valuable input and moral support, as well as a generous donation to help offset the cost of the special lobbyist we hired to help with CalOSHA. The folks at Hustler not only made a generous donation, but also threw a fundraiser for FSC at the Whisky a Go Go. I got a call from John Sander at Kink.com saying that he and Peter appreciated the work FSC was doing around .XXX and CalOSHA and wanted to donate. Colin Rowntree and Angie his wife made a generous donation to help us with .XXX, AND then went on to work with Theresa Reed (who also made a donation) to create a kick-ass parody video around .XXX. Allison Vivas and the folks at Pink Visual organized and implemented the Content Protection Retreat helping FSC promote the Anti-Piracy Action Program (APAP) and creating a top-notch website to support the program. Joone from Digital Playground and Keith from Titan Media have been instrumental in testing our APAP and spreading the word of its success. Director Michael Whiteacre also volunteered his time and resources to create the APAP public services announcements, which have generated more than 700,000 views on YouTube and featured adult performers reaching out to consumers with the anti-piracy message. Susan Colvin, Scott Tucker, Ron Braverman and some of the other founders have helped considerably with our 2257 efforts, and Sid Grief from AAA News has supported 2257 as well. We owe our brand and website development to Tim Valenti and the folks at Nakedsword/Cubik. And there are more, so many more.

So as 2011 begins, I reflect on last year and I’m thankful. I am fortunate to be working in this alternative industry with some of the best people on the planet. From the bottom of my heart I thank you all for your support and for the honor of being able to serve you another year. – dd

(Photo: Some rights reserved by Ellie)