Michelle L. LeBlanc Leaves Free Speech Coalition

“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,” said Jeffrey Douglas, Board Chair of the FSC. “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.”

In its announcement, FSC noted that LeBlanc was named Executive Director in the fall of 2019, not long before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the statement, FSC added that under her LeBlanc’s guidance, “FSC and PASS developed industry-specific protocols to keep the industry safe, and serve as a model for other industries faced with the challenge of employee testing.”

“Under her guidance, FSC and PASS developed industry-specific protocols to keep the industry safe and serve as a model for other industries faced with the challenge of employee testing,” FSC added in its statement. “During her time at FSC, LeBlanc also helped guide the industry through the challenge of AB5 and the new Mastercard regulations, and spurred the development of a grievance process for performers and crew. In June 2021, FSC hired federal lobbyists to help confront growing legislative threats in Congress.”

In the statement, LeBlanc characterized her time at FSC as “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,” LeBlanc said. “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.”