1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose the Interstate Obscenity Definition Act. This bill presents serious risks to free expression, personal privacy, and the rights of individuals to make their own choices about the media they consume. By seeking to expand and codify a federal definition of obscenity, this legislation could open the door to broad and subjective interpretations that would suppress lawful speech and artistic expression. Communities across the country have diverse values and cultural norms, and what may be considered offensive in one place might be entirely acceptable in another. A uniform federal standard for obscenity could override these local perspectives and impose unnecessary restrictions on the public. Furthermore, the bill risks chilling the work of artists, educators, journalists, and content creators who may avoid legitimate creative or educational materials for fear of prosecution. This outcome would undermine our long tradition of protecting free speech, even when it addresses controversial or challenging topics. I ask you to stand up for the First Amendment and reject legislation that threatens to limit open discourse in a free society. The existing legal framework already provides mechanisms to address illegal obscenity without restricting lawful expression. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I hope you will oppose the Interstate Obscenity Definition Act and work toward protecting the freedoms that are central to our democracy.