In a move that’s turning heads from the studio to the Senate, adult entertainment icon Cherie DeVille has stepped into the political spotlight, featured prominently in a powerful new opinion piece for Washington D.C.’s influential publication, The Hill. The article tackles one of the most contentious issues brewing online: the rapid spread of age-verification laws that are putting a chokehold on free speech and digital privacy.
A Shuttered Digital Door
The piece, titled “Americans Have Been Dangerously Misled About Porn Age-Verification Laws,” kicks off by highlighting a stark reality for millions. It describes a video where DeVille informs viewers that Pornhub has gone dark in Texas. This isn’t an isolated glitch; it’s a direct consequence of the state’s restrictive H.B. 1181 law. Texas has joined a growing list of states, including Louisiana, Utah, and Virginia, where major adult platforms have chosen to block access rather than comply with what many argue are unworkable and dangerous age-gate mandates.
These laws require adult websites to verify the age of every user, often through invasive methods like submitting a government-issued ID to a third-party company. Critics, including DeVille and the Free Speech Coalition (FSC), warn that this not only creates a massive privacy risk but also sets a chilling precedent for controlling what adults can see and say online.
More Than Just Porn
While she didn’t author the piece herself (it was penned by FSC’s Mike Stabile), DeVille’s voice and platform are central to its message. Long known for her advocacy for performer rights and safety, she’s now at the forefront of a much broader battle for digital freedom. Her stance is clear, powerful, and meant for everyone, not just fans of adult content.
“What’s happening right now is bigger than porn. It’s about protecting free speech, privacy, and the right to access legal content without government overreach. I’m proud to lend my voice to this issue because if we don’t stand up now, the door opens for much broader censorship. This is about every creator, every viewer, and every citizen who values freedom.”
This isn’t just talk. The fight has reached the nation’s highest court. The article in The Hill dives into the high-stakes legal challenge, Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, which is currently battling its way through the federal courts. The outcome could determine the future of the internet, deciding whether the government can dictate how legal content is accessed by adults.
An Advocate for the Digital Age
DeVille’s involvement highlights a growing trend in the adult industry: creators are no longer just performers; they are entrepreneurs, activists, and powerful advocates for their communities. By using her considerable platform—which you can follow on X at @cheriedeville—she is challenging stereotypes and forcing a national conversation about issues that extend far beyond the bedroom.
The core of her argument, echoed by civil liberties groups, is a “slippery slope” warning. If states can create a framework to control and monitor access to legal pornography, what stops them from applying the same logic to other content they deem controversial? This could impact everything from political speech and art to information about health and wellness.
The Fight Ahead
As the legal battle continues, DeVille and her allies are digging in their heels. They’re not just fighting for a website; they’re fighting for a principle. As she makes clear, the future of a free and open internet is on the line, and it’s a cause that concerns every single person who values their online liberty.
* Photo from avn.com
