What would happen if your boss or co-workers found out that you are a swinger, would you loose your job?
At the end of a recent documentary that aired titled, "Sex with Strangers" a statement was made that 5 of the 6 couples who appeared on camera, lost their jobs because they are swingers. This is simply not true and the film did not elaborate on any of the circumstances surrounding the lose of their jobs. We all know how Hollywood likes to dramatize, even if it was only a documentary. One thing for sure, they were all Americans and it is illegal for an employer in the United States to fire anyone based on their sexual preference. If that is indeed what really happened, everyone of those couples should have gone straight to the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF).
Sue Gould of a non-profit organization for sexual freedoms compiled a very informative list of questions and answers regarding NCSF, exclusively for Lifestyle Voice magazine.
LifestyleVoice.com: What is NCSF?
Sue - NCSF: NCSF is "The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom." It is a national organization committed to creating a political, legal, and social environment in the United States that advances equal rights of consenting adults who practice forms of alternative sexual expression. NCSF is primarily focused on the rights of consenting adults in the SM-leather-fetish, swing, and polyamory communities, who often face discrimination because of their sexual expression.
LifestyleVoice.com: So what does that really mean?
Sue - NCSF: It means NCSF is the ONLY organization DEDICATED SPECIFICALLY to making the United States a better place for people in the lifestyle.
LifestyleVoice.com: What has NCSF done for people in the Lifestyle?
Sue - NCSF: In 2003, NCSF responded to more than 500 cases, with more than 1,300 contacts between NCSF and individuals, groups, attorneys, prosecutors, and businesses that requested assistance. Some incidents required only one or two phone calls, but many evolved into much larger projects such as the attacks by religious political groups against SM conferences.
In 42% of the incidents, NCSF assisted individuals. The largest category of incidents involved parents who were engaged in child custody and divorce cases. Parents continue to experience difficulties gaining child custody due to their interest in SM, swing or polyamory activities. NCSF worked with a number of attorneys representing parents accused of being unfit because of their alternative lifestyle interests. In many cases, because of information that the coalition was able to provide, the courts decided that alternative sexual expression alone was not cause to impugn a parent's ability to be a good parent. NSCF also helped families dealing with child protective services because of their alternative lifestyle interests.
NCSF saw a sharp rise in the number of requests for help from individuals experiencing employment discrimination because of their involvement in alternative lifestyles. Individuals consulted with NCSF on a variety of other issues, including: the legality of obscene materials, guidelines for posting sexually frank information on websites, the law regarding private parties, criminal cases, dealing with law enforcement and dealing with personal media exposure.
NCSF also opposed zoning and other local regulatory measures against those who practice some form of alternative sexual expression. NCSF assisted the swing communities in Illinois and North Carolina by working with them to fight back against punitive zoning restrictions.
In addition, in 2004, NCSF held the first Swing Leadership Conference in Chicago, IL. Club owners from all over the country were invited to participate in a FREE educational conference with topics covering First Amendment issues, Zoning, Dealing with the Law, and more. The second SLC is on the slate for the end of February, 2005.
LifestyleVoice.com: What can I do? I don't want the whole world to know what I do in my own bedroom.
Sue - NCSF: Now, more than ever, NCSF needs you. This country's radical shift back to "traditional values" will only mean more difficulties for those of us who practice alternative forms of sexual expression. You can help by making a financial donation; you can help by donating your time. The coalition needs members, coalition partners, and volunteers. Membership lists are confidential, as are donations. The time you spend helping can be on the privacy of your own computer or in a more public forum -- the choice is yours.
As the swing community grows, so does public awareness. NCSF wants to help shape that awareness to be positive and constructive, not demeaning or degrading.
LifestyleVoice.com: What should a person do if they loose their job because their employer found out that they swing? What could they do if their children are removed by Social Services because their family found out that they swing?
Sue - NCSF: You should contact NCSF immediately! They specialize in assisting people in responding to incidents just like these.
Right now, NCSF is involved in a legal battle dealing with the Communications Decency Act (CDA). On December 11, 2001, the NCSF filed its lawsuit in New York City's federal court. This historic lawsuit against The United States of America challenges the constitutionality of the CDA's obscenity statutes on the grounds that they violate the free speech of Internet content providers and inhibit the discussion of sexual issues on the Internet among consenting adults. The attorney for the case is John Wirenius, author of First Amendment, First Principles: Verbal Acts and Freedom of Speech (Holmes & Meier Publishers, Inc., 2000)
NSCF's major donor circle starts in 2005. Make a significant difference in giving a public voice to the Lifestyle Community, so you can have YOUR fun in peace and privacy. Contact vivienne@ncsfreedom.org for more information.
Be a part of this growing organization and join NSCF in the fight for your right to alternative sexual expression.
