Our Twenty-Year Timeline

Celebrating Two Decades of Progress!

Welcome to our journey through the past twenty years at Woodhull Freedom Foundation, where dedication, resilience, and progress have shaped our commitment to safeguarding our fundamental human right to sexual freedom. Join us as we reflect on key milestones that mark our evolution and tireless efforts to create a more inclusive and just world.

As we celebrate two decades of progress, we acknowledge that the journey is ongoing. Looking forward, we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting and promoting fundamental human rights, ensuring that everyone can exercise their right to sexual freedom without fear or discrimination.

Join us in commemorating our past, celebrating our present,
and envisioning a future where human rights are universally respected and upheld.

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October 2023

Hosted a Banned Books Week Event with Allies

July 2023

Organized Week of Action to Oppose “Bad Internet Bills” with Allies

July 2023

Endorsed and Participated in the Inaugural International Day of Visibility for Non-Monogamy

July 2023

Received Decision Requiring Narrow Interpretation of FOSTA to Limit its Adverse Impacy on Sex Workers in Our Lawsuit Against the United States

July 2023

Filed Amicus Brief with Allies to Supreme Court in Lindke v. Freed to Protect Our First Amendment Rights to Access and Comment on the Communications Elected Officials Post on Social Media

June 2023

Submitted Testimony in Support of Repealing Maryland’s Unnatural or Perverted Sexual Practice Act

April 2023

Participated in New York’s Day of Action Against Gender-Based Violence with Allies

February 2023

Filed Amicus Brief with Allies to Supreme Court in Barton v. Texas to Protect Our First Amendment Rights to Engage in Protected Speech

February 2023

Filed Amicus Brief to Supreme Court in United States v. Hansen with Against Criminalizing Speech that Encourages Undocumented Immigrants to Remain in the U.S.

February 2023

Authored Opinion Arguing for Expanded Definitions of Family and Affirming that Sexuality Has No Expiration Date

February 2023

Hosted Human Rights Commission on the Entrapment and Harassment of LGBTQ+ People in Support of the Repeal of Maryland’s Unnatural or Perverted Sexual Practice Act

January 2023

Argued Against the Constitutionality of FOSTA in the U.S. Court of Appeals for D.C.

December 2022

Issued Press Release Urging Greater Protections Against Policing of Our Human Right to Sexual Expression

December 2022

Issued Statement Decrying the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals’ Ruling in Barton v. Texas and Its Chilling Effect on Our First Amendment Rights

December 2022

Issued Statement Affirming the United Nations’ Universal Declarations of Human Rights and Sexual Rights

November 2022

Issued Statement Calling to Continue Activism for Reproductive and Free Speech Rights During Rises in Fascism and Repression

October 2022

Issued Statement Against the Stop Sexualization of Children Act and Its Censorship of “Sexually-Oriented Material”

October 2022

Issued Statement Against a Noxious Texas Ruling that Permits Employers to Discriminate Against Trans Employees

September 2022

Launched Petition to Block EARN IT Act

September 2022

Filed Appellate Brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for D.C. Challenging the Constitutionality of FOSTA

August 2022

Awarded 2022 “Vicki” Sexual Freedom Awards in Recognition of Outstanding Activists in the Sexual Freedom Movement

July 2022

Issued Statement and Call to Action in Support of the Respect for Marriage Act

July 2022

Filed Amicus Brief with FIRE to Prevent Book Banning in Virginia

July 2022

Hosted Human Rights Commission on the Censorship of Sexual Freedom and Cross-Movement Strategies to Combat Repression

June 2022

Issued Statement Denouncing the Dobbs Decision’s Overturning of Roe and Casey

June 2022

Announced New Grant from Woodhull to Support a New Study on “De-Platforming” Adult Sex Workers in the U.S.

June 2022

Joined Allies in Demanding that Google Stop Endangering Abortion Seekers

May 2022

Filed Amicus Brief with Allies to Supreme Court in NetChoice v. Texas to Halt Enforcement of Texas’ Constitutionally Questionable Social Media Law

April 2022

Filed Appeal Challenging FOSTA’s Constitutionality

February 2022

Published Findings from Study of Super Bowl Sex Trafficking Myths

December 2021

Filed Amicus Brief with Allies in Austin v. Illinois Arguing that Prohibiting Nonconsensual, Public Dissemination of Private Sexual Images Violates the First Amendment

December 2021

Filed Amicus Brief with Allies in Buchanan v. Alexander Arguing the Importance of Academic Freedom to the First Amendment

December 2021

Filed Amicus Brief with Allies in Mech v. School Board of Palm Beach County, Florida Arguing Against Expansion of the “Government Speech” Exception to Our First Amendment Rights

December 2021

Uplifted Language from Thomas E. Dobbs’ Introduction and Summary of Argument in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

December 2021

Announced Woodhull’s Launch of Human Rights Commissions to Investigate, Promote, and Protect Human Rights

August 2021

Issued Statement Against OnlyFans Announced Plan to Ban Pornography

August 2021

Awarded 2021 “Vicki” Sexual Freedom Awards in Recognition of Outstanding Activists in the Sexual Freedom Movement

July 2021

Issued Remarks at the Sex Workers Human Rights Commission Urging Decriminalization of Sex Work

February 2021

Offered Testimony in Support of House Resolution 5250 to Create a Legislative Commission to Ensure Racial Equity

January 2021

Honored the Memory of Carmen Vázquez, Former Co-Chair of Woodhull’s Board of Directors, and Her Relentless Advocacy for Our Right to Sexual Freedom

September 2020

Filed Motion for Summary Judgment Seeking to Declare FOSTA Unconstitutional

August 2020

Awarded 2020 “Vicki” Sexual Freedom Awards in Recognition of Outstanding Activists in the Sexual Freedom Movement

May 2020

Joined Coalition of LGBTQ+ Organizations United Against Anti-Black Racism and Violence

March 2020

Hosted 2020 Virtual Sexual Freedom Summit

March 2020

Filed Amicus Brief to Supreme Court in U.S. v. Hansen Against Criminalizing Speech that Encourages Undocumented Immigrants to Remain in the U.S.

January 2020

Won Appeal for Constitutional Challenge to FOSTA

October 2019

Submitted Testimony in Support of the Community Safety and Health Amendment Act of 2019

August 2019

Awarded 2019 “Vicki” Sexual Freedom Awards in Recognition of Outstanding Activists in the Sexual Freedom Movement

November 2018

Filed Appeal with U.S. Court of Appeals for D.C. to Block Enforcement of FOSTA

August 2018

Awarded 2018 “Vicki” Sexual Freedom Awards in Recognition of Outstanding Activists in the Sexual Freedom Movement

June 2018

Filed Lawsuit with Allies Against the U.S. to Challenge the Constitutionality of FOSTA

May 2018

Participated in Columbia University’s Human Rights Institute Gathering

April 2018

Hosted Second Sexual Freedom Town Hall in Atlanta

October 2017

Hosted First Sexual Freedom Town Hall in Philadelphia

October 2017

Joined Coalition of Civil Liberties and Human Rights Groups Denouncing Illegal DHS Social Media Monitoring

August 2017

Awarded 2017 “Vicki” Sexual Freedom Awards in Recognition of Outstanding Activists in the Sexual Freedom Movement

June 2017

Announced Partnership with Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocates and Survivors to Protect Healthcare Access

March 2017

Joined Coalition of Civil Liberties and Human Rights Groups Calling for Stronger Response to Hate Incidents

February 2017

Joined Civil Society Organizations in Calling for an Emergency Hearing Regarding the “Muslim Ban”

February 2017

Woodhull’s President and CEO, Ricci Levy, Elected Chairpersonship of the U.S. Human Human Rights Network Sexual Rights and Gender Justice Working Group

January 2017

Joined Other Members of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights in Prioritizing Civil and Human Rights Under Trump

November 2016

Joined Global Call to Defend the United Nations Human Rights Council

August 2016

Awarded 2016 “Vicki” Sexual Freedom Awards in Recognition of Outstanding Activists in the Sexual Freedom Movement

July 2016

Honored the Memory of Jeffrey Montgomery, One of Woodhull’s Founders, and His Leadership and Activism

July 2016

Honored the Memory of Eric Rofes and His Activism for the LGBTQ+ Community

May 2016

Issued Statement on LGBTQ+ People and the Fundamental Human Right to Family

April 2016

Issued Statement Regarding Utah Pride Organizers’ Decision to Censor an Adult Entertainment Studio from Participating

March 2016

Organized Team of Attorneys to Evaluate Response to a Federal Court’s Decision to Regulate Consensual BDSM Activity

February 2016

Filed Amicus Brief with Allies in Milward v. Shaheen to Protect College Student Whistleblowers’ First Amendment Rights

August 2015

Issued Statement with U.S. Human Rights Network Coordinating Center on the State of Emergency of Anti-Trans Hate Violence

August 2015

Awarded 2015 “Vicki” Sexual Freedom Awards in Recognition of Outstanding Activists in the Sexual Freedom Movement

January 2015

Sent Letter with Allies to President Obama Requesting that Increase Funding for HIV/AIDS Safety Net Programs to Protect Public Health

October 2014

Celebrated D.C. Passing Bill to Repeal Discredited “Prostitution Zones”

August 2014

Awarded 2014 “Vicki” Sexual Freedom Awards in Recognition of Outstanding Activists in the Sexual Freedom Movement

July 2014

Joined Allies in Condemning Government Attacks on Escort Service Providers

May 2014

Sent Letter to Amtrak Regarding Its Affiliation with J.P. Morgan Chase and Denial of Credit to Members of the Adult Entertainment Industry

August 2013

Awarded 2013 “Vicki” Sexual Freedom Awards in Recognition of Outstanding Activists in the Sexual Freedom Movement

February 2013

Submitted Testimony in Support of Florida’s “Families First” Marriage Equality Bill

November 2012

Featured in 64-Day Campaign for Human Rights

September 2012

Launched Family Matters Project to Raise Public Awareness of Family Diversity, Provide Human Rights Education, and Prevent Discrimination Based on Family Structure

July 2012

Awarded 2012 “Vicki” Sexual Freedom Awards in Recognition of Outstanding Activists in the Sexual Freedom Movement

May 2012

Published Call to Action Regarding International Day of Action for Women’s Health

May 2012

Published Call to Action Urging Readers to Ask Representatives to Vote Against the Adams Version of VAWA

March 2012

Issued Statement Criticizing the European Court of Human Rights Ruling that Member States Do Not Need to Grant LGBTQ+ People Access to Marriage

March 2012

Celebrated Passage of Florida’s H.B. 367 Prohibiting the Use of Restraints on Incarcerated People During Labor, Delivery, and Postpartum Recovery

March 2012

Celebrated International Sex Worker Rights Day

February 2012

Launched “Making Sense of Sex” Series with Sex Crimes Cabaret

February 2012

Submitted Testimony in Support of Florida’s H.B. 367 Prohibiting the Use of Restraints on Incarcerated People During Labor, Delivery, and Postpartum Recovery

January 2012

Submitted Testimony in Support of Repealing D.C.’s “Prostitution Free Zones” Law

December 2011

Celebrated Human Rights Day and the Anniversary of Adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

October 2011

Officially Recognized by the Council of D.C. for “Significant and Valued Contributions” to Human Rights

October 2011

Honored the Memory of Dr. Franklin Edward Kameny and His Activism for the LGBTQ+ Community

October 2011

Issued Statement on “Morality” in the Media and Pornography

September 2011

Published 2011 Report on the State of Sexual Freedom in the U.S.

August 2011

Awarded 2011 “Vicki” Sexual Freedom Awards in Recognition of Outstanding Activists in the Sexual Freedom Movement

March 2011

Collaborated with Sex Workers and Advocates to Successfully Call Upon the U.S. to Investigate Sex Workers’ Unique Vulnerability to Violence and Human Rights Violations

November 2010

Participated in First-Ever U.S. Delegation at United Nations Universal Periodic Review

September 23, 2010

Celebrated First Sexual Freedom Day in the U.S.

September 2010

Hosted Inaugural Sexual Freedom Summit

August 2010

Awarded 2010 “Vicki” Sexual Freedom Awards in Recognition of Outstanding Activists in the Sexual Freedom Movement

July 2010

Published 2010 Report on the State of Sexual Freedom in the U.S.

November 2009

Submitted Testimony in Support of Same-Gender Partners’ Right to Marry in D.C.

July 2008

Founded Affiliate Woodhull Group in New Orleans

April 2008

Authored Congressional Briefing with the ACLU

April 2008

Granted 501(c)(3/(c)(4) Status

August 2007

Participated in Sex Workers Rights Conference

March 2005

Offered Testimony Calling for a “Fair and Open Debate” in the Upcoming Senate Hearing on Obsenity Prosecution

January 2004

Published REAL Educational Pamphlet and Action Kit for Our Right to Sexual Freedom

October 2003

Published Sexual Freedom Advocacy Manual

February 2003

Creation of Woodhull Freedom Foundation

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