TEXXXAS porn expo: Another hotel cancels contract to host event
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A porn expo scheduled to come to Houston in August says another hotel has backed out on its plans to host the event -- the second hotel to do so in as many weeks.
The TEXXXAS Expo says the Holiday Inn's Southwest Hotel in Houston was supposed to host the event, but now has backed out citing concerns over sexual exploitation and the harm it might inflict on the local community.
The Hilton Hotel in southwest Houston -- near the Galleria -- also cancelled its agreement to host the event.
The expo's organizer, John Gray, says hotel management backed out because of its morals clause with the parent company. Gray says management is helping him find a new location and the expo will go on as scheduled.
"There's no nudity. It's a classy event," he said.
ABC13 Legal Analyst Joel Androphy says the event is covered by the First Amendment.
"There's important first amendment privileges here that are available even to pornography industry," Androphy said. "People may think it's sinful but it is considered to be covered First Amendment, free speech and freedom of expression."
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The National Center on Sexual Exploitation is applauding the Holiday Inn's decision. The center released the following statement:
"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."
The expo is scheduled to take place from August 18-20.
