A brief history: A look back at Utah and its anti-pornography laws
(KUTV) – The debate surrounding pornography has reached somewhat of a pinnacle recently, particularly in Utah.
Today, at his confirmation hearing for U.S. Attorney General, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama) faced the debate head-on with a question by Utah's Sen. Orrin Hatch:
“Is it still your view that federal laws prohibiting adult obscenity should be vigorously enhanced?” Hatch asked.
“Mr. Chairman, those laws are clear, and they are being prosecuted today and should be continued to be effectively and vigorously prosecuted in the cases that are appropriate,“ Sessions said.
But it’s certainly not the first time the Beehive State has battled obscenity and pornographic content.
Here’s a brief look back on some of Utah’s ever-evolving relationship with porn since the early aughts.
February 2001
Utah's Republican-dominated Legislature establishes what is believed to be the first-ever "porn-czar" in the United States. Paula Houston accepts the position, along with the official title of Obscenity and Pornography Complaints Ombudsman.
Houston works to determine what classifies as pornographic or obscene. The position lasts a total of two years.
March 21, 2005
Former Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. signs legislation meant to protect children from Internet pornography.
House Bill 260, sponsored by Republican Rep. John Dougall, requires the state Attorney General's Office to list “harmful” online websites. Internet service providers must block those websites at each individual customer’s request. It also creates a new education program to inform parents about "dangers" found online.
The ACLU and other activists claim the law violates first amendment rights.
March 2009
A Harvard study finds that Utah is the number one state for online pornography consumption.
The zip codes that consumed the most online porn, according to the study, included 84766 in Sevier County, 84112 in Salt Lake County, 84018 in Morgan County, 84006 in southwest Salt Lake County and 84536 in San Juan County.
Also in March 2009, Utah's Attorney General Mark Shurtleff argued that teen sexting is a problem. A York University report released around the same time said the act is comparable to "playing doctor or spin-the-bottle."
2010
A new genre of pornography, labeled "Mormon Porn" debuts on the internet. According to journalist Isha Aran, it all began with MormonBoyz.com, which "follows the sexual exploits of young, male Mormon characters as they work their way up the ranks of priesthood." The site was founded by a man who used to practice Mormonism.
A similar site called MormonGirlz.com, also founded by a former Mormon, opens for business shortly after.
April 2014
According to a major website that provides access to online pornography, Utah is bumped down to number 40 for consumption.
June 2014
Utah Governor Gary Herbert signs the "Exposure of Children to Pornography" bill, which holds parents accountable for intentionally showing pornographic material to children.
The bill could affect how judges decide in child custody cases, according to 2News media-sharing partner the Salt Lake Tribune.
Other bills signed by the governor include a revenge porn bill, one that helps rape victims track rape kits, another that prevents child sex abuse and a third to help victims of human trafficking.
January 2016
Republican State Senator Craig Hall proposes a bill that would require computer technicians to report child pornography they find on a computer to the proper authorities. Those who fail to report could face six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
February 2016
The Utah Senate votes unanimously to consider pornography a public health crisis.
March 2016
Jeffrey Holland, an apostle with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, calls pornography a "disease" at annual anti-porn conference. He compared pornography to diseases like cholera and the flu.
"They are all antithetical to the human soul, to a health psyche, and a healthy relationship with a person they come to love," Holland said.
April 2016
Herbert ceremoniously signs legislature declaring porn a public health crisis.
"There's a particular psychological and physiological detriment that comes from addiction to pornography," Herbert said at the signing.
July 2016
McDonald's moves to block porn from their Wi-Fi networks in U.S. and U.K. locations. Starbucks says it will do the same after receiving pressure from anti-pornography groups, though does not specify when it will implement filters.
August 2016
Elizabeth Smart says pornography "made my living hell worse," referring to her childhood abduction. Smart says her abductor raped her more because of the violent porn he watched during her nine months in captivity.
Also, Penthouse magazine lashes out at Utahns and Herbert for declaring porn a public health crisis. The sexually-explicit publication named both on its August 2016 cover.
October 2016
Republican State Senator Todd Weiler vows to continues to his fight against pornography in Utah, this time working toward fostering community discussion on sexualized images and children.
December 2016
Herbert asks for $50,000 from taxpayers for his continued fight against pornography.
January 2017
Weiler proposes a law that would allow Utahns to sue pornography producers for emotional and psychological damages inflicted through consuming porn, according to 2News media-sharing partner The Salt Lake Tribune.
Late-night comedians, like Stephen Colbert, commented on the law in their opening segments.
Note: Utah segment begins at 7:30.
As for the future of pornography and obscenity laws, Hatch is set on making it a priority for the federal government. And Sessions, who is set to be the next chief law enforcement officer and lawyer for the U.S., seems to agree.
“Would you consider reestablishing a specific unit dedicated to prosecuting this category of crime?” Hatch asked.
“That unit has been disbanded – I’m not sure I knew that,” Sessions said. “It was a part of the Department of Justice for a long time and I would consider that.”
