Utah lawmaker's porn crisis resolution getting worldwide attention


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SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah senator's resolution asking for resources to fight what he called an "epidemic" of pornography use is facing both positive and negative reaction from around social media.

Sen. Todd Weiler's proposed resolution made its way to media outlets including the New York Daily News, the Daily Mail, the London Telegraph, Maxim, Time, and was even mentioned on the television talk show "The View" this week.

"Apparently this is a joking topic all around the world. I think it's a serious issue," Weiler said.

"It is such a perversion to me of what sex is supposed to be, what it was created for," Candace Cameron Bure says of...

Posted by The View on Monday, February 1, 2016

The Woods Cross Republican said he doesn't mind the attention because it has sparked a conversation about what he calls an "epidemic" that is harming people in Utah and the nation. New research shows viewing sexually explicit images is addictive, like cigarettes and drugs, he said.

"Everything in the resolution is supported by science and research. It's not just a kooky thing that some politician from Mormon Utah came up with. It's bigger than that," Weiler said.

Pornography, according to SCR9, "perpetuates a sexually toxic environment."

Utahns will have a chance to weigh in on the resolution at the Senate Health and Human Services Committee meeting at 4 p.m. Friday. Weiler said he expects some opposition.

Herbert praised Weiler on Thursday for taking on a tough issue that needs to be discussed.


I think Todd Weiler is bringing an awareness to us, that, 'Hey, rethink what's going on out there.' We shouldn't give it a pass.

–Gov. Gary Herbert


"I think Todd Weiler is bringing an awareness to us, that, 'Hey, rethink what's going on out there.' We shouldn't give it a pass," the governor told reporters at his weekly media availability. "I think, good on Todd."

Herbert compared pornography to alcohol, saying both are legal products that can lead to addictions.

"There's certainly a lot of people out there saying, 'I've become addicted' and their lives seem to demonstrate that to be true. So I agree that it's something that needs to have the discussion and it certainly for me is a concern," he said.

The governor stopped short of calling pornography an epidemic, however.

"I don't know what the definition of an epidemic would be here, but I do believe that pornography and the production of pornography and the consumption of pornography has been growing exponentially," he said. "I mean, it's a big, big, big industry out there."

Contributing: Lisa Riley Roche, Whitney Evans

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