Los Angeles, CA: Known for its tireless efforts to preserve the rights of those working in the adult entertainment industry, Free Speech Coalition – the industry’s trade group – takes one night out of its busy freedom-fighting schedule to celebrate those who stand out from the crowd for furthering the fight in their own unique way with its annual Night of the Stars gala, an event that attracts the elite of the industry and the fans who adore them.

But this year’s event, billed as “A Fantasy Ball” featuring a Renaissance motif, is marked by an all-new achievement. Not only will the FSC be honoring adult superstar Jenna Jameson with the Positive Image award for her mainstream accomplishments and Luther Campbell of the rap group 2 Live Crew will be recognized as a Celebrity Freedom Fighter, but California legislators Assembly Member Paul Koretz and Senator John Vasconcellos will serve as honorary co-chairs for the event along with actress Susan Sarandon.

“We are truly gratified that Ms. Sarandon, Senator Vasconcellos and Assembly Member Koretz have indicated their support for the FSC mission by lending their names to Night of the Stars,” said Kat Sunlove, the Executive Director of the FSC. “It makes a dramatic statement of just how far FSC has come in taking our industry into the mainstream of American society and changing our image among legislators.”

When asked about the Positive Image award, Jameson said, “It’s a real honor to be recognized in this particular way and by this organization. We all must support the fight to protect our rights to free speech.”

The 17th installment of Night of the Stars – hosted by Playboy Radio’s Juli Ashton and Seymore Butts, star of the hit Showtime reality series Family Business and no stranger to fighting censorship through his own well documented bout with obscenity charges – will also recognize Wicked Pictures owner Steve Orenstein with the Joel Warner “Good Guy” Award, while the Hal Freeman “Freedom Isn’t Free” Award goes to Gary Kremen, who successfully sued Network Solutions for failing to investigate the fraudulent documents that turned Kremen’s domain, sex.com, over to a third party. Others who will be honored include actress Christy Canyon, actor Jesse Adams, director Carter Stevens, and from the gay side of the industry, actor Chip Daniels and director Chi Chi LaRue.

“Free Speech Coalition is proud to honor these individuals for the unique contribution each has made to our industry and to the cause of free speech,” said Nicholas T. Boyias, FSC Board President. “Protecting our rights is never easy but we appreciate and honor those who stand and fight.”

This year’s Night of the Stars will take place Saturday, July 24th 2004 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel starting at 6pm with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, segueing into a dinner, awards presentation and silent auction, then closing the night out with great music and a little dancing. Individual tickets are $185 while a table for 10 is $1750. Proceeds from the evening go to support the work of Free Speech Coalition in defending the interests of the adult entertainment community and its fans.

Says co-host Seymore Butts, “This is the biggest event of each year for the Free Speech Coalition and I am honored that I have been asked to host. The fact that Juli Ashton has accepted to share the stage with me is icing on the cake as we’ve been friends for a very long time. Once I saw the line-up of honoree’s I knew it was something I wanted to do…I mean who in their right mind would turn down the opportunity to spend an intimate evening in the same room as Jenna Jameson and Christy Canyon?”