The TEXXXAS porn expo could be on the verge of getting run out of town!
After Hilton Hotels announced that they canceled their agreement to host the sexploitation event, event coordinators started scrambling to find a new venue.
Meanwhile, we got to work contacting our hotel friends. Because of our work with the Dirty Dozen list, we developed great working relationships with Hilton, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Marriott, and Starwood. We contacted the executives of each of these groups and reminded them of their anti-porn policies and encouraged them to create brand-wide policies to never host sexually exploitative events.
To our great delight, we heard back from IHG. They contracted with Texxxas to host the event in one of their Holiday Inns. But their Holiday Inn decided to cancel!
InterContinental Hotels Group and the independently owned and operated Holiday Inn Southwest hotel took an important stand against sexual exploitation by refusing to host this pornography expo.
Hotels do not permit guests to smoke in their facilities, in part, because of the damaging second-hand effects. Similarly, we know that pornography expos have devastating second-hand harms that extend not only to the attendees, but to the whole community as well.
Pornography events act as glowing welcome signs to any pimp or sex trafficker in the area, who knows there will be increased demand for commercial sex in the area. Further, pornography use is linked to increases in viewing women as sex objects, acceptance of rape myths, and sexual violence. By declining to host the TEXXXAS pornography expo, IHG has affirmed its commitment to providing its guests with a safe and family-friendly environment, and to doing its part to create a world free from sexual exploitation.
That’s two hotels in less than two weeks. This pornography expo should get the hint that Houston doesn’t want their business!
If you’re interested in attending an event that is dedicated to ending sexual exploitation, rather than facilitating it, the Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation (CESE) Summit is held every year. Learn more here.
