New bill seeks nationwide porn-ban across the US
The proposed legislation has been introduced in the Senate.
New legislation introduced to the US Senate has the potential to effect a nationwide ban on porn if it is passed into law.
The bill is sponsored by Mike Lee and Mary Miller - two Republican senators.
The intention of the bill is the redefine the term "obscenity" as it appears in the Communications Act.
Under the proposed definition, a communication - a broad term that includes photos and videos - would be considered obscene if it “depicts, describes, or represents actual or stimulated sexual acts with the objective intent to arouse, titillate, or gratify the sexual desires of a person”.
The proposed bill would also criminalise not only the production of "obscene" communications, but also the distribution.
“Our bill updates the legal definition of obscenity for the internet age so this content can be taken down and its peddlers prosecuted...” said Senator Lee, advocating for the bill.
This is not the first time that Senator Lee has sought to implement a national ban on porn. Similar bills failed to pass the legislature in 2022 and also 2024. But the political climate in the US has become increasingly conservative and increasingly hostile to sex-positive content, sex workers, and the adult entertainment industry.
A national ban on pornography was included as a core objective of the Project 2025 document created by the Heritage Foundation - the roadmap that has been guiding the priorities of the Trump administration.
What's life like for LGBTQ people in the United States?
What's life like for LGBTQ people in the United States? Let's take a look at some of the key equality indicators.
Is it legal to be gay in the US?
One of the complexities of the experience of LGBTQ people in the United States is that much of the legislative framework for the country varies on a state-by-state basis.
It was only as a result of a Supreme Court decision in 2003 that same-sex sexual activity has been legal in all US states.
There is still some variation in the age of consent – it varies from 16 to 18, and some states have different ages of consent for same-sex sexual relations.
Is there anti-discrimination legislation in place to protect LGBTQ people in the US?
Yes. Federal anti-discrimination protections have been extended to all employees across the country. This now means that LGBTQ employees can’t be fired for revealing their sexuality.
This will be worth monitoring under the Trump administration as there are likely to be attempts to roll-back anti-discrimination protections.
Is there marriage equality in the US?
It was a 2015 Supreme Court decision that requires all states to licence and recognise same-sex marriages.
As Marriage Equality has not been codified by the legislative process, it is possible that subsequent Supreme Court decisions could roll-back the current position - as we have seen with access to abortion.
What’s life like for LGBTQ people who live in the US?
There have been huge advancements for LGBTQ people, with some landmark Supreme Court cases that have made symbolic and practical steps forward in achieving equality.
The modern LGBTQ Pride movement was born in the US in 1970 – marking the anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City in 1969. The month of June is now designated as Pride Month across the US, with a huge number of parades and events held in communities of all sizes.
In many ways, the US could be described as one of the best countries in the world to be gay, however numerous problems still exist.
The attack against the gay club in Orlando in 2016 was obviously an extreme event, but 49 people were killed and 53 people were injured in what should have been a safe space.
LGBTQ teen homelessness and rates of self-harm and suicide are disturbingly high – particularly for people from non-white ethnicities.
Trans people are routinely vilified by conservative politicians. Black Trans Women are particularly vulnerable to violence and abuse.
There appears to be a rising tide of homophobia, fuelled by right-wing politicians and media outlets that see it as a populist move.
