Thursday, November 08, 2012

Mandatory Porn Safe-sex with Inspections: LA Votes

Los Angeles, CA voters approved a law mandating use of condoms by the pornography industry.  The new law will establish a restaurant-like permitting system complete with on-set inspections by county officials.  Pornographers, who plan to sue on constitutional grounds, complain that government regulations are killing their industry, and claim that Christians are secretly behind the new law and lied to voters.
"The idea of allowing a government employee to come and examine our genitalia while we're on set is atrocious."
-- Amber Lynn, adult film actress
For background, read Porn Industry May Leave LA Over 'Safe Sex' Regs and also read California Wants Improved Occupational Health in Porn Industry as well as Porn Stars' STDs Blamed on County Health Officials

UPDATE 2/15/16: Failed HIV Test on Gay Porn Star Causes Multiple Infections

UPDATE 8/16/13: Federal judge rules condom requirements in porn are constitutional

UPDATE 4/14/13: Porn film industry pulls out of Los Angeles

UPDATE 3/18/13: AIDS Healthcare Foundation complains county inspections are impotent

UPDATE 9/16/13: Multiple HIV-positive porn stars cause filming shutdowns



-- From "LA County Voters Mandate Condom Use on Porn Sets" by The Associated Press 11/8/12

The measure requires adult film producers to apply for a permit from the county Department of Public Health to shoot sex scenes. Permit fees will finance periodic inspections of film sets to enforce compliance.

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which sponsored the initiative, says the measure will help safeguard the public, as well as porn workers, from sexually transmitted infections.

But the adult film industry, which is largely centered in the San Fernando Valley in suburban Los Angeles, says the requirement is unnecessary since the industry already polices itself by requiring performers to undergo monthly tests for HIV and other infections.

The industry also says the requirement would damage it since porn viewers will not watch sex scenes with condoms, and force adult film producers to relocate to where they can make movies that will sell.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "L.A. county porn shoots must use condoms" by Michelle Castillo, CBS News 11/7/12

California and New Hampshire are the only two states that legally allow adult films to be produced. Previously, the permit was required in Los Angeles city, but now the regulations will be expanded to 85 other cities in Los Angeles county.

But, the Los Angeles Times opposed the measure, saying that demand for unprotected sex in films will just increase the number of people who will circumvent the law, leading to more underground and possibly unsafe performances.

But, The AIDS Healthcare Foundation said a 2004 HIV scare and a 2012 syphilis scare that temporarily shut down the industry and infected at least nine was enough evidence that testing in the porn industry wasn't working.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "How will L.A. County enforce the law requiring condoms in porn?" posted at Los Angeles Times 11/8/12

The answer could mean the prospect of government inspectors on porn sites watching if condoms are being used, and surprise inspections of unlicensed porn shoots. It’s possible that regulators would view adult movies for evidence of violations.

AIDS activists call the measure similar to requiring restaurants to obtain a public health permit and submit to surprise inspections. Bathhouses and sex clubs – businesses where gay and bisexual men meet for anonymous sex – are  inspected quarterly by the county Public Health Department and pay annual fees of more than $1,000 each. The businesses are required to offer free condoms and on-site testing of HIV.

If porn companies move elsewhere in California, [AIDS Healthcare Foundation president Michael] Weinstein said they would still be violating Cal/OSHA rules, which require employers to protect workers from potentially infectious bodily fluids.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read President Obama Enables Pornographers