Rep. Josh Schriver's Porn Ban Bill Would Criminalize Transgender Representation Online
Michigan's most controversial Republican wants to criminalize 'disconnection between biology and gender'
Michigan’s horrifying chaos goblin is back with perhaps his most ambitious assault on LGBTQ+ Michiganders yet. Fresh off his public humiliation over same-sex marriage and his failed attempt to strip LGBTQ+ protections from the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, State Rep. Josh Schriver (R-Oxford) has introduced House Bill 4938, the so-called "Anticorruption of Public Morals Act," which would ban all pornography in Michigan while specifically targeting transgender representation online — including non-pornographic imagery.
The legislation, introduced Sept. 11 with five Republican co-sponsors, goes far beyond traditional obscenity laws. Alongside prohibiting sexual content, the bill would criminalize any material "that includes a disconnection between biology and gender by an individual of one biological sex imitating, depicting or representing himself or herself to be of the other biological sex by means of a combination of attire, cosmetology or prosthetics."
"Don't make it, don't share it, don't view it," Schriver posted on social media about the bill, while also calling for pornography distributors to be added to the sex offender registry.
The sweeping proposal would impose felony penalties of up to 20 years in prison and fines of $100,000 for distributing prohibited material, with enhanced penalties of 25 years and $125,000 for cases involving more than 100 pieces of content. Internet service providers would be required to implement 24/7 content filtering and block circumvention tools like VPNs.
Unlike other states' age verification laws that restrict minors' access to adult content, Michigan's proposal would apply to all residents regardless of age — making it the first state to attempt such comprehensive online censorship.
While it’s hard to imagine serious lawmakers giving this political stunt credence, we’d be unwise to dismiss the intent behind it or the growing push for anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Michigan, especially ahead of the upcoming November 2026 election. Next year, Michiganders will vote for a new governor and lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, two state Supreme Court justices and all 38 state Senate seats (where Democrats currently have a 19-18 majority) plus all 110 state House seats (where Republicans won a 58-52 majority in the House in 2024).
This latest attack fits perfectly within Schriver's documented pattern of targeting marginalized communities. The Oxford representative has spent much of 2025 introducing discriminatory legislation after being stripped of his committee assignments last year by then-House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) for promoting the racist "Great Replacement Theory."
In February, Schriver held a press conference urging the Supreme Court to overturn marriage equality, where he ranted about "gays, queers, transsexuals, polygamists and other perverts" advancing "attacks on our children." The event spectacularly backfired when State Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) confronted him from the front row, forcing Schriver to flee without taking questions.
Undeterred by that public embarrassment, Schriver introduced HB 4751 in July, attempting to strip sexual orientation and gender identity protections from the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. The bill gained five Republican co-sponsors, including frequent collaborators Matt Maddock (R-Milford) and Joseph Fox (R-Wyoming), but has virtually no chance of advancing under Democratic Senate control.
Schriver's discriminatory agenda also earned him a censure resolution from House Democrats in May after making racist remarks targeting people "from all the races in Asia, Africa, Latin America" during floor debate.
The porn ban comes as Michigan House Republicans have escalated their attacks on transgender students throughout 2025. Earlier this month, the Republican-led House passed HB 4024 on party lines, restricting students to using bathrooms matching their sex assigned at birth — effectively banning transgender students from facilities aligning with their gender identity.
Rep. Helena Scott (D-Detroit) called the bathroom bill "a violation of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act," while advocates argued enforcement would be "close to impossible" and likened it to a distraction from stalled budget negotiations threatening a government shutdown on Oct. 1 — a looming issue without a clear resolution in sight.
The House also passed bills in May banning transgender girls from high school sports, with Schriver among the supporters claiming without evidence that "B-team boys sports players" were disrupting Michigan athletics. According to the Michigan High School Athletic Association, only about two students per year out of 180,000 athletes typically inquire about transgender participation waivers.
Like Schriver's previous stunts, HB 4938 has zero chance of becoming law. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, where no hearings have been scheduled, and would face certain death in the Democratic-controlled Senate even if it advanced.
The real damage isn't in the legislation — it's in the message. By specifically targeting transgender representation alongside sexual content, Schriver is attempting to equate LGBTQ+ existence with obscenity, a dangerous rhetorical strategy that echoes the darkest periods of American civil rights history.
Read More
After Winning Lawsuit Against WNEM-TV5, Emmy-Winning Flint Anchor David Custer Earns Top Broadcasting Honor
David Custer didn't expect to be back in a room full of Michigan's most respected broadcasters. But two years after WNEM-TV5 pulled the beloved Flint anchor off [...]
Lansing's First Leather Pride Contest Aims to Build Community and Break Down Barriers
When Derek James got into the leather scene in 2018, he quickly found a community that felt more authentic than anything he'd experienced before. A former drag [...]
Gay Men, Ketamine and Trauma. A Therapy or a Trap?
This article was originally published by Uncloseted Media.This story was produced with the support of MISTR, a telehealth platform offering free online access [...]
The Homebuying Myths Standing Between You and Your First Set of Keys
You're scrolling through your phone on a Sunday morning, watching another couple on HGTV debate whether they can live without a mudroom, and you're thinking: [...]
Pistons Pride Night Returns With All the Good Vibes (and All-You-Can-Eat Nachos)
When Keivin Lewis attended Pistons Pride Night last year at Little Caesars Arena, it wasn't just the basketball that made an impression. "What stood out to me [...]
We Spoke to 8 Trans Inmates. They Say the Bureau of Prisons Is Illegally Denying Them Care.
This article was originally published by Uncloseted Media.On his first day back in office, President Trump signed Executive Order 14168, which contains several [...]
