Gay porn stars often get the blame for spreading The HIV in the adult film industry, because HIV is the gay disease, naturally. But gay porn stars — minus the barebackers at ActiveDuty.com and elsewhere — are also the ones wearing condoms so often. Gay porn entrepreneurs, like Michael Lucas and Chi Chi LaRue, make very concerted efforts about mandatory condom usage and testing. Straight adult performers, meanwhile, can be seen in endless new releases going without the latex, because the gals are all on the pill, and, so goes the thinking, these men and women can’t possibly transmit HIV, right? Of course not. Which is why state workplace regulators might just make condom use in porn a requirement.
The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board is considering a request, submitted yesterday by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, to legally require porn stars to wrap it up on the job. That’s a very big deal, considering California is the epicenter of the porn industry.
And in California OSHA’s 60 day review period, we’re going to hear cries from the porn industry that requiring condoms would, in fact, be a violation of their First Amendment rights, which protects the very “expression” of porn in the first place. But it’s also OSHA’s job to prevent occupational hazards in the workplace, and the transmission of HIV (and other nasty STDs) could very well qualify.
But we’re a bit split on the issue.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Do we support the right to create and distribute porn? Absolutely. Do we support safe practices on the job? Definitely. Do we think it’s the government’s job to enforce condom usage? Eh, we’re not so sure.
But then we asked ourselves a different question: Wouldn’t we expect OSHA to, say, prohibit furniture manufacturing employees from being exposed to unshielded buzz saws? Even if the furniture manufacturing industry promised us it was being super-duper safe and warning employees not to get too close to an exposed blade? Of course.
JoeB
the last paragraph is dumb. What makes you think OSHA doesn’t already protect against an unshielded buzzsaw? in most cases, there wouldn’t be an unshielded buzzsaw, but let’s say there is. People operating the machinery have to wear goggles and be trained to use it, and there has to be an emergency switch nearby to kill power immediately if there is a mishap. this is all due to OSHA requirements (and the threat of lawsuits).
OSHA even has regulations and suggestions on ergonomics. It’s not a stretch to say that they should be protecting against STD and HIV transmission.
alex
Cal OSHA already has information spelled out for the Adult Industry. Perhaps this latest request is an attempt to enforce the current standards. (I’m don’t know the legal ramifications of the current recommendations.)
http://www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/AdultFilmIndustry.html
That page basically states that California employers must comply with bloodborne pathogen standards, even if they are making adult films.
That webpage indicates that the State of California wants all employees and contractors to be trained on health and safety issues regarding universal precautions. Do you think Jake Cruise sits his bareback performers down before their scene and conducts a training session on bloodborne pathogens?
My opinion: barebacking on film is disgusting. The only reason produces want to do it is for the money. If Cal OHSA requires hospitals to provide gloves in the operating room, they should also require condoms on film sets.
Truntin
@1 I think they’re just saying how they would of course support OSHA keeping those type of employees safe from obvious job hazards, so why not keep porn star employees safe from obvious job hazards too?
JoeB
@3: yeah, you’re right, I misread it 🙂
FakeName
Do you think Jake Cruise sits his bareback performers down before their scene and conducts a training session on bloodborne pathogens?
Coincidentally I just d/l a Cocksure Men video a few days ago. It includes a statement: “All actors have given their informed consent not to use condoms. All actors are HIV negative and were tested using adult industry standard tests including the PCR/DNA HIV test, the same one used by the straight adult industry.”
The difference between getting fucked on-camera and dodging a whirling buzz saw is that a whirling buzz saw is going to inflict damage upon contact every time, while if all parties in a sex scene are non-infectious no damage can possibly be done.
Z.M.
What the hell happened to personal responsibility? The California Government should be focused on avoiding bankruptcy and a complete break down of basic services over becoming a damn babysitter.
Everyone is an adult and can make their own choices and know the risks.
Fitz
It’s just stupid because: 1) you will just get the porn makers to leave California and go produce elsewhere. and 2) Condoms aren’t the safest sex around: fucking someone who is also Neg is. And in this day, we have 20 minute rapid testing.
I will never buy porn with condoms– It’s stupid and the most non-erotic thing around. And there is no need for it. If that is a problem, then there are lots of places to import it from.
Legislating your idea of morality is something the Religious Richt do.
alex
FakeName: While Jake Cruise/Cocksure Men do test through AIM, I still believe this is unacceptable. AIM testing does significantly reduce the window of possible infection. It does not, however, completely eliminate the possibility of performers contracting HIV. Considering that for a under $1 a condom can be used, there is no reason why all performers (gay or straight) shouldn’t be using the universal precaution of condoms.
Adult films aren’t about pleasure for the performs. (This is one “complaint” about the use of condoms.) Therefore, the only reason adult film producers film bareback scenes is because they produce more revenue. And, just because there is a market for a product doesn’t mean that product should be produced, in my opinion.
togounnamed
I am a porn performer. Its stupid to say porn star. How can someone be a star for what we do?
Anyways… this article is based on lies. Since when did Chi Chi LaRue demand testing? He has even done interviews where he says that its “wrong” to invade someone’s privacy to ask for a test. Sure he has gone out for publicity and said that he requires condoms but so what? He hires actors who have previously done bareback.
Porn is a fantasy. And I see some people on here dont want their fantasy interupted by the actors trying to be safe. Who cares about their “stars”. Isnt it funny how exalted some people will find porn performers by calling them stars, but in the next breath say they should risk their well being for their pleasure.
Why should one person’s fantasy be another person’s misery?
Before I close… let me just confess something on here. I have been in numerous porns. I have worked for quite a few “studios”. I have even done the AIM testing. I do not have AIDS or HIV. But you know what I do have? I was given genetial warts by a “star” of porn. And you know what that did to my profession? NOTHING. AIM charged me for a shot and to remove the visible warts and told me they handled it. But not one studio has stopped me from working. Guess what I just learned? That I have probably spread this disease to each of the people I have worked with. So am I supposed to give a shit or just keep on working? Seems the public thinks I should just keep on. After all, I have muscles, looks, and a cock. I can top or bottom. And my face has been used to sell many videos and other shit. But just me, AIM, and the studios know that I have warts like others in the industry. Great fantasy stuff, right?
Keith Kimmel
California is not the epicenter of the porn industry. They only think they are. There is porn – gay and straight – being shot in all 50 states. It may not be as obvious elsewhere.
No. 9 · togounnamed has clearly worked that industry. The industry is full of people who say all the right things when the cameras are on them and do quite another in the operation of their businesses.
Anyway, the California regulation is bullshit. Bareback will just be shot elsewhere and thats fine with me. I am tired of “the Cali look” anyway.
FakeName
Porn is a fantasy. And I see some people on here dont want their fantasy interupted by the actors trying to be safe.
No one is suggesting that performers who want to use condoms shouldn’t use them.
togounnamed
why did the government decide to require hard hats at construction sites?
steel toed shoes in factories?
rubber mats for workers who have to stand all day?
why wear seatbelts?
why wear motorcycle helmets?
why throw away used syringes in the hospitals and use masks and gloves?
FakeName suggests that performers have an option to use condoms. And earlier he claimed that he performed in movies. Well from all the movies I made it has been “do as your told or dont work”. Perhaps he produced his own movies.
I am sure MANY industries would LOVE to do the things the way they want to keep making the most money…. but they were told to change by the government to improve safety and well being for the community.
And as for the statement, “they will just go make it somewhere else”….. let them. Because then the next state and the next state and the next state will change their laws as well.
togounnamed
You know… another thought….
I have worked with many people. I know the types that get into porn.
There are the ones who do it for the money and then get out once they are on their feet. They know this job takes a toll on a person.
Then there are the ones who are just easy. They could care less about making a porn. They could care less about being an escort. Making money with their ass and cock is just part of life. No regrets.
They are also the ones who are so desperately looking for love. They dance in the clubs for attention. They have this big public relationships to show people they can be a boyfriend.
But here is the thing. “Porn Star Steve” we will call him goes to work and does an unprotected sex scene. He gets 1200.00 to be sucked (without condom), bottom, and jack off. Perhaps during work he catches “A”. That night the studio sets him up to make another couple hundred dancing in a club while the studio makes a fortune having some special night. Then “porn star steve” is told that he goes home with big fan “john” he can make another 1000.
“Porn star steve” goes home with “john” and has sex. He has now spread “A” to “john”. “John” continues finding guys either through paying or someother way and keeps on spreading “A”. And “Porn Star Steve” continues his life. Feeling like dirt for what he has done the first day of his trip to LA, he decides he needs love the next night. He hits the clubs and gets lots of attention for the way he dresses and people who recognize him. He makes out with people all night and finally goes home with someone he is certain is his next soul mate. Again “A” spreads itself OUTSIDE of the porn studio. His new soul mate ditches him and he goes back to his regular life… but “A” comes with him.
ITS NOT JUST ABOUT THE PORN “STARS”! They are part of our world. What they catch, WE catch.
Can the boys of WeHo REALLY say “I never slept with a dirty porn star”?
FakeName
And earlier he claimed that he performed in movies.
I never claimed to have performed in films or anywhere else.
Well from all the movies I made it has been “do as your told or dont work”.
There are plenty of porn producers that require condoms. Work for them.
Superman
@ TOGOUNNAMED
Sorry, baby, but what you do with your body in the porn biz–or in your personal life–is ultimately your choice. At any time, you are free to say, “No thanks, that’s not for me.” I do hope you choose to stay safe, though. A few bucks is not worth your life–in any industry.
jason
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation needs to understand that there are many porn stars who are perfectly healthy and do not transmit diseases. Mandating condom usage is an intrusion on their lives.
Fitz
The AIDS Healthcare foundation needs to understand the dangerous slope that they slide into when they advocate legislating people’s sexual behavior.
Joey
@Keith Kimmel
“California is not the epicenter of the porn industry”
The porn industry still dominates the San Fernando Valley (which is in California BTW), as it has for many decades. Do your research before you post.
markkernes
There remains a great divide between gay and hetero performers when it comes to testing. Although most gay companies don’t test, the majority do use condoms to prevent transmission, while the heteros DO test, and condom use is rare. But it’s worth noting that since AIM Healthcare was established in 1998, there has only been one HIV transmission within the hetero part of the industry: A performer who worked in South America became infected from having sex with a local, and when he returned, he tested within the “window period” of AIM’s test (PCR-DNA) and his HIV-positive status was not detected. He infected two other performers, all of whom are receiving treatment.
The point is, before the recession, the hetero porn industry put out about about 6,000 original movies per year, though these days, it’s down to about 3,000. Each of those videos contains an average of five hardcore scenes, so since the establishment of AIM, there have been approximately 300,000 sex scenes filmed, and just three HIV transmissions. That’s an excellent track record, and it’s all due to AIM.
James P. P.
@togounnamed
i love you.
**hug**
Rickwisdom
Hi Editor,
Having read the article on how the infection control lapsed, I felt the leisure industry should perform Risk Assessment.That is analyse the hazards which may affect the health of service providers in the profession. Implement control measures to safeguard them. This is an improvement on the state of welfare for service providers.
Merry Christmas
Schteve
I’m with Fitz in thinking it’s a bad idea just because it will drive porn production out of state.
Though to think this is an infringement on any constitutional rights is ridiculous. Mandating you use a condom any time you have sex is nothing at all like mandating porn produced and distributed within the state feature condom usage.
If you don’t want to wear a condom, don’t make porn in California. Pretty simple.
Jason
But what do you do about the economic incentive for bb porn? I admit that I find bb porn much hotter than condom porn mostly due to the “forbidden” factor. There is clearly a large market for this kind of porn. It’s not like kiddie porn either. As long as it’s consenting adults, it’s nobody’s business. Likewise, when the porn performer is tricking on his own time, or whoring himself out, condom usage is the business of that performer and his trick.
Brandon
“The point is, before the recession, the hetero porn industry put out about about 6,000 original movies per year, though these days, it’s down to about 3,000. Each of those videos contains an average of five hardcore scenes, so since the establishment of AIM, there have been approximately 300,000 sex scenes filmed, and just three HIV transmissions. That’s an excellent track record, and it’s all due to AIM”.
I’ll say.