Hey Fighters!
First and foremost, we want to thank all of our loyal followers from across the world who are so dedicated to this awesome movement and are participating so passionately in getting the word out about the harmful effects of porn. The fact that we have thousands of Fighters from all across the world donating their time, sharing our articles on social, and repping their tees across the world is still so exciting to me. I wake up every morning to see what’s going on in the Fighter community and it’s incredible to see. We know we would be nowhere without all your support and this movement wouldn’t be such the huge success it is without your involvement.
Considering how we focus on being anti-porn and pro-love in many of our posts, I wanted to remind you all to remember what we’re fighting for, because while it’s important for everyone to know what we are fighting against, it’s even more important to emphasize that we are fighting for love and protecting relationships with the people we care about most.
One of my favorite quotes is, “The secret to change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”
So, what is the new that we are building together–what are we fighting for? The answer is always love. We are seeking to make our generation the one that recognizes the real harmful effects of pornography and sexual exploitation and seeks real, authentic love instead.
Clay Olsen, Co-Founder and President of Fight the New Drug, in Trinidad where he delivered a keynote address at a conference
Yes, of course, we are fighting against porn. Specifically, our fight is against the hardcore, violent, demeaning, degrading internet porn that is so accessible today. Our fight is against the selfish, unequal, harmful ideas that porn teaches and how it destroys intimacy in relationships. Our fight is against the inseparable links of pornography to sexual exploitation and to sex trafficking.
But our fight is also just as much for love that’s built on respect and equality. Our fight is for people to see each other outside of objectification or exploitation. Our fight is for love that is real, dedicated, and loyal, whether you’re a family member, friend, or significant other. We fight for love and every healthy ideal that it embodies.
These three things are what we are fighting for, and we invite you to join us in the fight:
We fight for real love.
Since the beginning of Fight the New Drug, we always considered our movement to be more pro-love than anti-porn. Ultimately, we promote, encourage, and endorse healthy, happy relationships. We don’t just want people to talk about real love, we want to see them live it out!
As pornography has infiltrated society more and more, it shouldn’t surprise us how confused many people end up being about love itself. Taking our cues from the endless sea of sexualized media around us, it’s easy for any of us to start thinking that loving someone is ‘pretty much’ the same as being physically attracted or aroused. Of course, real romantic love includes appreciating the beauty of healthy sexual attraction and relationships. Our movement is about representing the very best sense of what it means to be sex-positive.
We believe healthy sexual relationships between two committed individuals in love is sexy. We fight because we believe love is worth fighting for. We have always had a strong culture of understanding love and relationships at Fight the New Drug because that’s how we view our purpose: fighting for love and avoiding its cheap imitations.
We fight for love in communities.
I’d like to point out that this isn’t just a movement for people in relationships. This movement is for everyone, regardless of your relationship status, preference, or any other diversifying factor. We reject the idea that “love” has to be confined to romantic relationships alone. It doesn’t. Love can be applied to family relationships, friendships, and love for yourself. Porn doesn’t contribute to a healthy love of self or love for the people around you, romantically involved or not, and that’s why we’re fighting for love.
We fight for love in ourselves.
Having a healthy perspective of yourself, and a healthy amount of self-esteem and confidence is very important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle overall. The fantasy of porn tends to take away from that and give consumers the idea that they’re not good enough exactly as you are. We fight against that, and we fight to say that you are worth loving, and you are good enough. If you’re reading this, I want you to know that this movement is for you.
Our aim is to build people up to believe in themselves and believe that they have much to offer the world and any relationships or friendships of their choosing. We believe there’s a much higher quality of life than anything porn can offer, and we’re fighting for that. Join me in fighting for your love.
We are amazed by the near 2 million people who have joined the movement on social media and the countless others who support us in their own unique ways. We couldn’t be more excited about this growth, and we are inspired by our Fighters across the world every day. This positive message is spreading quickly and our influence and impact is expanding to nearly all parts of the globe. This movement for love is spreading, and if you’re reading this, you’re a part of that. So, thank you.
If you ever visit our main offices, you wouldn’t be able to miss the flat-screen TV mounted in the middle of our main work area that cycles through the hundreds of images we receive through social media from Fighters across the world repping the movement in their Porn Kills Love tees. If you’ve posted a picture on social media in an FTND shirt, odds are you’re probably up there. That’s how much we love you all.
We’re inspired by your energy and commitment to help to spread the word that porn kills love and to fight for love. Let’s keep fighting, together.
Much love,
– Clay Olsen
Co-Founder & President of Fight the New Drug
