Feminists Against Censorship
Encyclopedia
Feminists Against Censorship (FAC) is a large network of women founded in 1989 to present the feminist arguments against censorship
, particularly of sexual
materials, and to defend individual sexual expression.
FAC originally came together in response to the passage of a resolution by the annual general meeting of the National Council for Civil Liberties
in 1989 condemning pornography. Spear-headed by British activists Linda Semple and Roz Kaveney
, meetings of feminists were organized in London to begin producing documents and speaking up for the feminist position in support of free expression.
FAC is unfunded and has no paid staff or offices. Individual members write submissions to government bodies, letters, and other publications. FAC and its members have produced several books presenting research reviews, analysis, and personal experiences related to censorship
and pornography
. They are also available to speak to the public and have joined university debates as well as appearing on television and participating in radio discussions.
They are a member of Backlash
, which was formed in 2005 in order to oppose a new law criminalising possession of "extreme pornography
". FAC responded to the Government consultation on this law.
Censorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
, particularly of sexual
Human sexuality
Human sexuality is the awareness of gender differences, and the capacity to have erotic experiences and responses. Human sexuality can also be described as the way someone is sexually attracted to another person whether it is to opposite sexes , to the same sex , to either sexes , or not being...
materials, and to defend individual sexual expression.
FAC originally came together in response to the passage of a resolution by the annual general meeting of the National Council for Civil Liberties
Liberty (pressure group)
Liberty is a pressure group based in the United Kingdom. Its formal name is the National Council for Civil Liberties . Founded in 1934 by Ronald Kidd and Sylvia Crowther-Smith , the group campaigns to protect civil liberties and promote human rights...
in 1989 condemning pornography. Spear-headed by British activists Linda Semple and Roz Kaveney
Roz Kaveney
Roz Kaveney is a British writer of both fiction and non-fiction, and editor. She was born male but changed to and thereafter has lived as a female...
, meetings of feminists were organized in London to begin producing documents and speaking up for the feminist position in support of free expression.
FAC is unfunded and has no paid staff or offices. Individual members write submissions to government bodies, letters, and other publications. FAC and its members have produced several books presenting research reviews, analysis, and personal experiences related to censorship
Censorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
and pornography
Pornography
Pornography or porn is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purposes of sexual arousal and erotic satisfaction.Pornography may use any of a variety of media, ranging from books, magazines, postcards, photos, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording, film, video,...
. They are also available to speak to the public and have joined university debates as well as appearing on television and participating in radio discussions.
They are a member of Backlash
Backlash (pressure group)
Backlash is an umbrella group formed in 2005 to coordinate opposition to the “Consultation on the possession of extreme pornographic material” issued in the UK jointly by the Home Office and the Scottish Executive...
, which was formed in 2005 in order to oppose a new law criminalising possession of "extreme pornography
Extreme pornography
Section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 is a piece of legislation in the United Kingdom that criminalises possession of what it refers to as "extreme pornographic images". The law was enacted from 26 January 2009...
". FAC responded to the Government consultation on this law.