The head of the influential U.S. industry association Free Speech Coalition (FSC), Michelle L. LeBlanc has resigned from her post. Effective immediately, the current president of the board, Alison Borden, will take over the organization’s leadership on an interim basis.
Without explanation, FSC announced that its chair, Michelle LeBlanc, would resign from her post effective immediately. Former Insex CEO Alison Borden will take over leadership of the influential industry organization until further notice.
LeBlanc had begun leading the lobby group in the fall of 2019 with plans to initiate several changes. However, her time was significantly impacted by the COVID pandemic that swept the world in the spring of 2020.
With her help, FSC and PASS developed industry-specific protocols to ensure the safety of the industry during the chaotic circumstances. During her time at the FSC, LeBlanc also helped guide the industry through new challenges presented by the increasing regulatory demands imposed by the financial industry.
She also made a push to develop a system for complaints for performers and employees working in the porn industry. She also had to prepare the association for the increasing censorship efforts in a number of states worldwide.
In a statement, the FSC declared, »The past few years have been some of the most challenging in our history, and we are grateful for Michelle’s wisdom, strength, and leadership during her tenure. Thanks to the work of Michelle and her team, FSC is a stronger, more efficient organization than it was three years ago. I and the rest of the Board understand her decision and wish her well.«
LeBlanc herself also commented on her resignation without giving specific reasons, saying, »This has been a challenging and rewarding experience. I’m honored by the welcome I received from all of you and deeply value the knowledge and insight I have gained about sex work and the important fight this industry faces. While it is time for me to move on from FSC, I am confident in the ability of the team, the Board, the businesses and the workers to continue this fight.«
For more information on the Free Speech Coalition, visit the coalition’s website.