One of the studios which specialise in bareback videos recently announced that it is implementing a program to test all performers for multiple STDs just prior to commencement of shooting. It states that while it will keep the results confidential it will on its own sero-sort so that those who are positive are paired with positive and those who test negative will be put together. It isn't a perfect solution but it is better than simply taking the word of the performers. Bareback sex will never disappear; it never did even at the height of plague deaths amongst gay men, but none of the studios did much but introduce condoms after considerable pressure.

But whether it's bareback or not-shouldn't we be telling people fullstop to always get tested? or NOT to have sex without precautions when you don't know the partner? I just think the whole 'hoopla' over bareback just makes it even more inviting. Also, don't the straight porn studios have compulsory testing when they bareback-which funnily enough isn't such a taboo over there?

Geeze I don't discuss it with people never really have. But I also always used and will use a condom and for that reason have never been infected.

Bottom line not talking about is not the same as being ignorant or stupid about it.

hi

John:

Well, sort of. Chi Chi LaRue quit directing straight videos for Vivid Video when they dropped their condoms-only policy a little ways back (as he specifically mentions in his PSA). The straight industry uses its testing/banning as justification for not using condoms, not the other way around. That was one of the principal differences between straight and gay porn in the mid-eighties; gay companies operated on the assumption thatall sets would use condoms and had less emphasis on knowing whether or not stars were positive or negative. Straight porn figured that if everyone was testing negative, there wasn't anything to worry about (as if everyone were playing safe on and off the set), even though that assumption has been proven wrong more often than not.

hello

I've been with a couple of gay porn stars…and think I'm now HIV+…
what do I do?

First and foremost, if you think you are poz, it does not mean you are. Have yourself tested!! I know it may be scary at first, but in the end, you'll thank yourself for getting it done. Secondly, if you do test poz, get in contact with those that may have exposed it to you, and you to them. It's important that they know about it for their own health, and it's important for you as well. Lastly, and this may sound cleche, but even tho you may receive medical treatment for the body, get help for the mind. You have been delt a serious blow, and you will need help copeing with the fact you are now poz. Ask your doctor for any good recommendations.

The only means of determining HIV awareness among porn stars is to see how many use condoms. Talking seems rather unimportant.

@John: You can live forever with AIDS now, so who cares anymore?