WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — The Free Speech Coalition’s longtime CEO, Diane Duke, has decided to resign from the adult entertainment trade group.
Duke, who joined the FSC as its executive director in November 2006, will step down at the end of December. FSC Chairman of the Board Jeffrey Douglas will act as interim head until a replacement has been found.
“After nine years at the Free Speech Coalition, it was time for me to move on. I am honored to have been able to represent this incredible industry and will always treasure the time I spent as CEO of the Free Speech Coalition.
"In the meantime, I will remain a resource for the industry until the transition is complete, and I have complete faith in our board of directors to continue the fight.”
Duke was tapped for the position nine years ago after the FSC’s previous executive director, Michelle Freridge, stepped down.
Duke, a former executive at Planned Parenthood, has been a staunch advocate for the adult industry, in the media, in the legislature and in the medical community.
Under Duke’s leadership, the Free Speech Coalition has defeated mandatory condom legislation in California three times.
In 2011, after the closing of Adult Industry Medical testing facility, Duke was instrumental in creating what would become the PASS testing system.