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Alan speaks with Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, who warns that 'repressed conservatives' are waging 'war against sex'
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And welcome to our microphones once again Hugh Hefner the founder a Playboy Playboy enterprises Playboy magazine.
And mr.
-- I was very struck by the editorial which is something -- for you.
In the may issue the war against sex.
It's amazing that we are still fighting the battles you fought and I thought one decades ago.
Yes -- so that was my I reacted quite frankly and and -- -- That's what prompted me to write the editorial.
-- get you started something called the Playboy forum in the Playboy philosophy.
We discussed the very kinds of things you're at the forefront of these battles and I I really thought of when than you -- -- -- key figure in fighting for women's -- use birth control first amendment rights.
You've got to be shocked that this has become.
-- fodder for the current presidential campaign.
Yes I think it really came out of feel.
You know they were obviously playing completely.
GOP candidate obviously playing to their conservative.
Constituency that.
I didn't see it coming and you know something that this was said during that.
They -- were.
Put me back fifty years.
Yeah for example while.
You have said for example in this editorial a new generation of repressed conservatives are pounding on America's bedroom door.
They're not the beating that they're not as the beating of a work on that sounds their intentions to again regular sex lives.
You gotta believe this is temporary maybe -- passing fancy in the part of the current political.
Environment that won't won't stay with us for -- long once we get our -- back.
Well yeah I don't think you people are going to.
Yes and a nice little -- -- like yeah yeah yeah yeah.
Written that much support for -- -- it was.
We came out of the blue.
But I think you're you know they were clearly playing to the more conservative -- -- -- What what Howard in the press -- like for example years ago when you had.
And Begin the Playboy philosophy you were instrumental in changing laws and changing people's mindset.
Does that power still exist in the from the -- fourth estate.
Yes I think so I think so but I also think that.
The media.
Plays to its own constituency -- And I think that this you know its its citizens would have a dozen of another.
You were for example in this in this piece and I'm glad you wrote this this reminds people about some of the things you've done.
For example in 1967.
When police arrested Bill -- for lecturing students about contraception.
-- -- handed out samples of her recital -- And you stood up for bill -- thing that.
Yes.
I'm.
Entire generations have grown up without -- new real hourly.
-- where.
Whether we we came from.
You know you -- think it regretted.
So that I think you know the good -- about this quite frankly.
It is it provides a.
And -- but remember room remembering.
So that we don't have to go back -- did this is that we we bought those you know those.
We've a lot of -- -- you know it's amazing to me.
And you -- for example Griswold vs Connecticut case and we forget that as recently as 1961 which in the greater scheme of things is that long ago.
-- there was a fight to actually be able to have birth control that this was such an issue back then.
Yes yes and that people.
People what the prison.
For round.
It now in terms of central freedom comes controlled.
Right or woman to make the world could go into war.
And and and those and that even a bunch of states who are trying to regulate women.
In terms of -- forced and it takes on -- grams.
-- to hear the heartbeat of the fetus -- number the state lawmakers who were trying to chip away at rovers is way.
Yes and among other things -- People are -- -- impacted.
-- We were part of the -- -- that says.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- That's right and and even that in 1972.
Was not that long ago in the greater scheme of things who's the woman you mention is that in the puppet -- -- and woman.
Who was arrested at her father's request for fornication.
And the father said she Greg rather see here in jail -- -- botched.
Yeah I remember the case but I don't -- the -- -- And and it's amazing that a father.
Would think that and they're probably too many people still think like that today.
Oh yes well when you're out of part of the world you know bother to actually.
Kill their daughter because.
If you're saying -- that or get -- really lead.
We still have in parts of the world.
We're we're fathers want to think they're protecting women the by doing such as -- Yes a lot of this is rooted in him.
Put this religious values and it's very they had -- to see.
It in the secular society like ours where people could be read that you're not a -- in your bedroom I mean do you are we at all.
-- we don't back then when you did when you talked about this stuff it was truly revolutionary I mean you're the first person to come forward and say it's OK to have sex with whom you want.
And it doesn't have to be monogamy and you don't necessarily have to be married and you know that doesn't sound very controversial today although it sounds like it's becoming more controversial line of the Republicans running for office but back then that was really groundbreaking.
Guess it was as well and historically what would probably -- what is -- that your attitude to go back sentries.
Since -- -- to get very specifically that the only moral purpose of sex is.
-- -- -- And of course a lot of other very legitimate moral reasons.
Well -- -- -- Rick Santorum said during this campaign that that he basically said sex is wrong Alexis for procreation and what if he also meant.
Even within the context of a marriage and he also said certainly contraception was wrong.
Now they have the ability to legislated away if he were president -- you got to wonder what they would do I mean Santorum did say he would support a constitutional amendment.
-- to negate all gay marriages in the marriage -- -- between a man and a woman.
Yes and and I think he also said that contraception as it is is -- quote I like to do things sectoral.
That are -- to how things are supposed to be and -- -- do you think we're really in big danger of regressing or.
Is this a passing fancy.
I think it is -- more minority view -- is public.
And -- -- The fact that there is saying it.
Constituency of the different -- that that the deal we've.
Candidates would think it was appropriate to.
You to bring this subject up is is distressing.
Are you actively supporting President Obama for reelection.
-- I what it -- if it's time for another Playboy.
Philosophy to come out you know to cannery is is it time for another sexual revolution.
Well I think quite frankly that's what the editorial was all about.
Right and there -- do you plan to have more of this kind of stuff in in the magazine.
We both -- I know I feel there intersection of the magazine and it continued to appear in the magazine every month.
That is the record -- -- the forum.
And it began when I would it would -- original philosophy it was a way of getting a similar response from the readers and a dialogue between the editors of the readers.
I think it's so important that Playboy still around and going strong and -- dialect still exists and you are still at the Helm.
-- did you only see yourself as the personification.
Of the Playboy image was that something you purposely became more cultivated.
Let -- just sort of happened by accident.
And -- pretty good gig.
It is a pretty good gig and I'm glad you're doing it go and strong and you're feeling well I hope and you've got -- years had a birthday right.
-- celebrated my 86 birthday and -- very good.
And you villain -- messed -- I do appreciate the opportunity dot do you thank you so much for your time it is my pleasure.
