Outlaw of Romance Writing

[MindsMirror]

We don't think broad anti-pornography legislation will pass, but there's one in Oklahoma that appears to include writing/reading romance.
Author's Guild on Oklahoma Bill SB953

 

[AwkwardlySet]

Sigh.
Why is it that all we always hear comes either from far left or far right? When did pure idiocy become our reality? Each side should learn to silence the extremes and morons in their ranks so the rest of us could finally enjoy freedom of speech and some peace of mind.

 

[KittyOfSteele]

Among other things, the bill would provide criminal penalties of up to ten years in prison for the production, distribution, or possession of pornography.

Dude, this is straight out of my country. I mean it: if I translate to English the articles from a specific law that bans pornography, this sentence appears right there, word for word. I'm not American, but it's really amusing to see the American far-right is taking things that have been put in place here by a far-left tyranny.

 

[TheLobster]

Horseshoe theory strikes again. But hey, at least they are thorough!

 

[SimonDoom]

According to the article, the proposed law (it's proposed only, it hasn't passed) concerns visual images, not the written word.

 

[Cagivagurl]

As with all forms of censorship. It starts with a pointed attack that can be supported by most people.
It is the thin end of the wedge...
It all starts somewhere...

Cagivagurl

 

[madelinemasoch]

In the event that this would pass, this should be a challenge to write better to get through the censors, not a cause of panic for anyone.

Also, there shouldn't be obscenity laws of any kind in America, in my opinion, because of the first amendment.

 

[KittyOfSteele]

View attachment 2493260

In the event that this would pass, this should be a challenge to write better to get through the censors, not a cause of panic for anyone.

Also, there shouldn't be obscenity laws of any kind in America, in my opinion, because of the first amendment.

I won't discuss American laws because, again, I'm not American, but using the challenge to write better as a silver lining to a threat of censorship is something that I disagree with. Writing better doesn't mean obeying censorship laws. In fact, censoring yourself makes your writing worse.

Also, I have one question with the highlighted sentence you put in there: who gets to decide that? Who are the people who can judge on that? Can they be trusted?

 

[XerXesXu]

Is the cover of a work of fiction a part of the work taken as a whole or is it a separate work of art? Dunno, never come up.

Distribution within the state may be problematic. Exhibiting a prohibited work (imagery, the cover) in a library or bookshop may be caught by the criminal law of the state, criminal law is a states right, but production in another state and sending it through the post to a customer within the state eg: by order from Amazon, is 'interstate commerce' and under the US constitution governed by US federal law.

 

[madelinemasoch]

I won't discuss American laws because, again, I'm not American, but using the challenge to write better as a silver lining to a threat of censorship is something that I disagree with. Writing better doesn't mean obeying censorship laws. In fact, censoring yourself makes your writing worse.

Also, I have one question with the highlighted sentence you put in there: who gets to decide that? Who are the people who can judge on that? Can they be trusted?

If it still allows erotica with literary/educational/artistic/political merit or value then I would just write some of that. Frankly all the erotica I’ve written wouldn’t be a hard court case to defend in that area.

 

[jaF0]

View attachment 2493260

In the event that this would pass, this should be a challenge to write better to get through the censors, not a cause of panic for anyone.

Also, there shouldn't be obscenity laws of any kind in America, in my opinion, because of the first amendment.

You, and they missed the operative words, 'visual depiction or individual image'. That would exclude stories, but MAY include non-photographic artworks and drawings.

 

[KittyOfSteele]

You, and they missed the operative words, 'visual depiction or individual image'. That would exclude stories, but MAY include non-photographic artworks and drawings.

Well, yes, but...

As with all forms of censorship. It starts with a pointed attack that can be supported by most people.
It is the thin end of the wedge...
It all starts somewhere...

Cagivagurl

This. I am from a country where there's a law against hate, and is not about hate speech or similars. Even the most political of comedians here must censor themselves when joking about the government, because as soon as they slip out something that the government doesn't like, right to jail for over a decade.

It doesn't matter whether it is visual depiction, or merely text. Censorship is censorship. A draconian law is a draconian law.

 

[TheRedChamber]

“The trouble about fighting for human freedom is that you have to spend much of your life defending sons-of-bitches; for oppressive laws are always aimed at them originally, and oppression must be stopped in the beginning if it is to be stopped at all.” - H. L. Mencken

Merit can never be allowed to be a criteria in censorship laws because all it does is give the regime permission to go for the 'dross' first.

 

[Cagivagurl]

Without falling into politics.
I agree with @KittyOfSteele
Draconian law starts somewhere. Sometimes it looks innocuous, but the reality is. It is the start of something.

Just my thoughts.

Cagivagurl

 

[ElectricBlue]

Please be careful what you post, or this will end up a politicised thread (and either be shut down or moved to the Politics Board).

 

[MindsMirror]

We think all of our stories on lit would meet the criteria for banning and that concerns us. It might concern others especially if they live in Oklahoma or states that try to copy their bill.

 

[Cagivagurl]

Please be careful what you post, or this will end up a politicised thread (and either be shut down or moved to the Politics Board).

Apologies.
I probable went to far.

Cagivagurl.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

Without falling into politics.
I agree with @KittyOfSteele
Draconian law starts somewhere. Sometimes it looks innocuous, but the reality is. It is the start of something.

Just my thoughts.

Cagivagurl

Yes, it starts somewhere - like with someone who condemns interracial erotica on principle and calls anyone who writes or reads it racist.

 

[Cagivagurl]

Yes, it starts somewhere - like with someone who condemns interracial erotica on principle and calls anyone who writes or reads it racist.

More mansplaining...

 

[pink_silk_glove]

More mansplaining...

Pardon?

 

[SimonDoom]

I'm not too worried about this. This sort of thing is always going on in America. It's an old story, but erotica is more firmly entrenched in this country than ever before, and I don't sense a groundswell of support for this sort of thing. If I were in Oklahoma I wouldn't worry too much about what I was writing.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

Pardon?

Hah, that's exactly what a guy would say!

 

[pink_silk_glove]

Hah, that's exactly what a guy would say!

That's exactly what a guy who can't get laid would say. "Won't put out? Must be a guy."

Actually check that. plenty of guys around here who can't get laid, only the ASSHOLES who can't get into your pants call us guys.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

That's exactly what a guy who can't get laid would say. "Won't put out? Must be a guy."

Actually check that. plenty of guys around here who can't get laid, only the ASSHOLES who can't get into your pants call us guys.

It was an obvious joke and not on your expense. I even thought you would approve of it. I found your reply humorous anyway. Carry on.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

It was an obvious joke and not on your expense. I even thought you would approve of it. I found your reply humorous anyway. Carry on.

You sound like my old boss who would make a derogatory remark about your work, then wait for your reaction. If you laughed it off he would come down on you hard and ream you out in front of everyone. If you took it seriously and fought back, he'd say, "hey, can't you take a joke?"

And you've been a major dick to me a few times in the past so I'm not surprised.