America's War on Sex

Reverend Debra Haffner, ordained Unitarian Universalist minister and director of the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing, moderates a panel discussion about the “War on Sex” in American culture and politics. Panelists include Marty Klein, licensed marriage and family therapist and certified sex educator; Joan Bertin, executive director of the National Coalition Against Censorship; and Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. This event was organized to mark the release of Marty Klein’s new book, America's War on Sex: The Continuing Attack on Law, Lust, and Liberty (2006). Klein defines the “War on Sex” as the “political laws, social regulations, cultural norms, and corporate policies designed to regulate all aspects of our sexuality;” Bertin describes the American sexual landscape as “confusing, hypocritical, and conflicted” from a first amendment perspective; and Lynn reflects on the “tremendous fear” emanating from the religious right in the United States. The discussion is followed by questions from the audience.