CANOGA PARK, Calif. — The Free Speech Coalition today said that longtime entrepreneur and HIV/AIDS activist Eric Paul Leue will take over as executive director of the adult industry trade organization.
Leue will take the reins of the organization as executive director on Feb. 1.
Leue had most recently worked as the director of sexual health and advocacy at San Francisco-based Kink.com.
“It’s an incredible honor to be able to lead the charge of the Free Speech Coalition, at a time when the adult industry is fighting for its very survival,” Leue said. “When it comes to free speech, performer safety, and sexual health, we cannot let the moralistic and anti-scientific arguments dictate policy. I will fight to keep our industry safe and legal.”
The adult industry in California currently faces two existential threats — New Cal/OSHA regulations which would require eye protection, dental dams and condom when shooting adult film and a ballot measure that would allow private citizens to file lawsuits against producers and performers who don’t appear to comply with the regulations.
Leue has extensive experience in both nonprofit and for-profit arenas. Leue started his first successful business while still in his teens, and has managed budgets and fundraising for multinational corporations, nonprofit organizations and his own successful business, EPL Brand Services.
A former Mr. LA Leather, Leue has served on the L.A. County PEP and PrEP Workgroup since 2013 and on the Los Angeles Commission on HIV since 2014.
In the past year, he was named one of the “Top HIV Advocates of 2015” by HIV Plus magazine, one of The Advocate’s “40 Under 40,” and recognized by the mayor of Los Angeles for his “Untiring Advocacy and Exemplary Service.”
Leue came to the attention of the adult industry directly in 2014, after circulating a petition calling for the removal of long-time industry opponent Michael Weinstein, of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
He has since become a regular figure at Cal/OSHA hearings, legislative events, rallies and producer meetings.
“Eric has been a major contributor to our success over the past two years,” FSC Board Chair Jeffrey Douglas said. “He has been a fierce advocate for our industry, and we look forward to a successful 2016 and beyond.”
