The Afterlife of Anthony Comstock: Abortion, Bodily Autonomy, and Obscenity (1873-2023)

“The Afterlife of Anthony Comstock” connects the Comstock Act of 1873 with current attacks on bodily autonomy and freedom. Speakers examine what and who Anthony Comstock and his contemporary allies sought to control (by restricting contraception and abortion, policing sex work and obscenity, and penalizing queer and trans people) and discuss how these intersections are re-emerging. Are we in the midst of a Comstockian resurrection, or has he never left us?
The virtual panel features Kendra Albert, Gillian Frank, Jules Gill-Peterson, Melissa Gira Grant, and Whitney Strub, and is followed by a discussion and a preview of ComstockCon, a Spring 2024 convening inspired by the fallout from the Dobbs decision and the revival of the 150-year-old Comstock Act, threatening everyone’s bodily autonomy. To put Anthony Comstock back in his grave for good will require all of us.