Elie Mystal has proposed that the Democratic Party should ’embrace pornography’ as a form of protected free speech in an effort to attract disenchanted young men back to the party. In his article, Mystal argued that pornography is a legitimate form of free expression and that the party should defend this right rather than attempt to regulate it. His suggestion comes as part of a broader discussion on the role of free speech in political strategy, particularly in relation to age verification laws.
Mystal emphasized that while age verification is important to protect minors, there is no constitutional right for minors to access pornography. He believes that regulating adult access to pornography is a restriction on free speech and expression. His suggestion also includes an argument against the idea that ‘Free Palestine’ flags are protected as free speech, but that pornography is a clear example of protected expression that is often targeted by conservative groups.
Other voices have responded to Mystal’s suggestion, with some supporting the idea and others condemning it. Journalist Taylor Lorenz praised the suggestion, while the National Center on Sexual Exploitation has criticized the idea of promoting pornography as a political strategy, highlighting the potential mental health and social consequences associated with pornography consumption.