Many people contact Fight the New Drug to share their personal stories about how porn has affected their life or the life of a loved one. We consider these personal accounts very valuable because, while the science and research is powerful within its own right, personal accounts from real people seem to really hit home about the damage that pornography does to real lives.
Wearing a PKL tee is a sure way to spark conversations, but it can also be a nervewracking experience if you're not used to talking about porn. Here's how one Fighter's tee sparked conversations in her life.
Hello FTND!
I just wanted to thank you for your movement. It has truly impacted my life and has helped me understand people struggling with porn around me.
Back in 2015, I saw a friend post a picture with his bold, red “Porn Kills Love” tee shirt. It sparked curiosity in me. I spent a long time reading all your articles on your website. Honestly, it made me so sad.
Personally, I’ve never been addicted to porn or have even seen it! My parents warned me about it at a young age and that’s the last I heard of it. Plus, I don’t spend a lot of time on the internet. But reading your articles opened up my eyes! I had no clue about the vast problems porn causes to those around me.
Later that year, in 2015, I gave a presentation in class raising awareness on the issues porn causes all around us and within us. A couple of months after that, we talked about pornography as a school, and many of my classmates opened up and talked about their struggles and it broke my heart. Why aren’t we talking more about this? People need to come out of hiding and get help.
So what did I do? I bought a bold, red, “Porn Kills Love” tee shirt! That thing is awesome and has lead me into many wonderful and awkward conversations. I still wear that tee shirt every week. I even have had a few girl friends cry in my arms about their porn addictions. They just want to be free from it. I always direct them to your website and state some of the facts. Thank you for the hope you give!
Related: Quick Answers For When Someone Asks About Your Fighter Gear
This past year, pornography broke my heart more than I ever thought it would. You see, I met an awesome man. He became my best friend. Never have I ever been more in love with someone. We talked about dating, and I’ve never had a boyfriend, so obviously I was so excited. However, I told him that we need to be honest with each other, so I asked him about his porn habits, and it turns out that he struggled with porn. It brought me to tears to see someone I loved be hurt so badly by something so toxic.
Not too long later, the talk of porn came up again…and this time it was the full truth. It turns out that his porn habits weren’t a struggle, but an 8-year compulsion. I felt worthless to find out he even sought it out it from time to time when we were together. I had to make a choice. Would I stay with him or would I release him in hopes gen gets help with his addiction? He wasn’t going to stop, so I made a very very hard choice to no longer be with him. I felt that a relationship would be a wildfire and a distraction to help him get over his long struggle with porn. I wanted to help him, but I knew it wasn’t my place.
Related: 6 Ways To Tell If Your Partner Might Be Struggling With Porn
This past year has been full of tears and heartbreak. Thankfully, the guy I loved is doing much better. He had accountability with other wonderful men and has confronted his addiction. He even thanked me for helping him realize his problem, and fix it. He still struggles from time to time, but lives a much more freeing life.
I still care for him and wish him the best. I do not wish the sting of porn on anyone, which is why I rep my tee loud and proudly. Everyone deserves to know the truth.
Again, thank you FTND.
–K.
Why This Matters
We love this Fighter! Thanks for sharing, K!
The truth is, whether you’re sharing an article on social media, sporting the classic PKL tee, or repping the movement on your water bottle, there are ways to start the difficult conversation of pornography with friends and strangers alike without having to say something yourself, first. It’s that easy!
Related: I Wore My ‘Porn Kills Love’ Shirt To Disneyland And This Happened…
Some may respond with a similar point of view and signs of support, and others might not see the harmful effects pornography has on our relationships, our brains and our society. If they’ve never heard of the movement, share with them this video that explains the movement and why we started it. If they use the infamous pro-porn line, “If you don’t like porn, don’t watch it,” you can redirect them to this article that shows why that phrase alone is harmful in itself.
No matter the conversations or reactions, keep in mind that you are not alone in this fight. All around the world our generation is starting to take notice of pornography’s harmful effects and are speaking out against it more than ever before. It is up to us to choose to speak up and speak out against it, rather than turn a blind eye to the harmful epidemic impeding on our society.
It is up to us to fight for love. Are you with us?
