A bill introduced by Republican Senator Mike Lee, known as the Interstate Obscenity Definition Act, is advancing within the Senate.
The bill is a dangerous and ludicrous piece of legislation that seeks to create a nationwide pornography ban.
The bill’s new, subjective definition of obscenity—based on whether content “arouses, titillates, or gratifies”—is a dramatic departure from existing law and could be used to prosecute nearly any sexually suggestive content.
This legislation poses a particular threat to the LGBTQ+ community.
Due to the biases of its supporters, LGBTQ+ content would likely be disproportionately targeted and criminalized under the guise of obscenity.
This bill isn’t a serious attempt to protect children; it’s a politically motivated attack on free expression with a clear chilling effect on the queer community. It’s an unconstitutional overreach that should be rejected.
