At first it might seem like a good idea, right? Provide porn workers with workplace protections that would prevent them from getting sick, like how food workers have to wear gloves. But the more you hear about California’s Proposition 60, the fishier it smells. Yuck.
Now the LA Times has come out against the measure, which would require all adult film workers to wear condoms — and beyond that, would entitle any porn viewer to sue if they see a naked penis. This is insane.
But consider the source: the Proposition is backed by AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s Michael Weinstein, last seen denigrating PrEP. Though his organization undoubtedly does a lot of good, Michael Weinstein himself is hardly a trustworthy source when it comes to advocating for safer sex initiatives backed by actual science.
Effective measures to combat HIV and other STIs require an industry-wide approach. When Los Angeles tightened its rules, production simply moved away. The same is likely to happen if California adopts similar rules. The net impact of Weinstein’s scheme will probably just be forcing the porn industry out of the state, possibly to areas that have even fewer protections.
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The measure also has unclear legal ramifications. It’s possible that cable companies and other middle-men might be on the hook for damages if they distribute porn in California with an unsheathed member. It’s really hard to say just who is exposed to liability, since it’s such a hastily written law.
Meanwhile, California’s division of OSHA is working on its own measures to protect performers. Maybe it might be a good idea to defer to the experts, rather than letting some random guy with a nonprofit make up the rules for everyone else.
ChrisK
Many of them are moving to places like Nevada. This accomplished nothing but stroke Weinsteins ego and make porn less safe.
DCFarmboy
Actually, there has not been that much movement. And the claim we don’t know how the proposed law would work is not reputable as we have practical experience with the LA County law. Vote “YES”
Granny Spoth
Regarding STDs, shooting a non-condom porn scene in California is the safest casual sex you could have. Performers are tested every 15 days. No HIV contamination in 13 years.
I don’t approve at all of the porn industry and its meat market (and I don’t really approve of Grinder hook ups either), but this law is stupid and reckless.
Geeker
Aren’t most bareback porn performers already positive anyway, seems kind of pointless if that is the case.
Swineshead
The case against this proposition is made strongly in the California voter guide. My hope is that people vote with their brain rather than with their emotions on this one…well, actually for the Presidential candidates as well!
ChrisK
@Granny Spoth:I agree. Isn’t that what we want? Regular testing with an almost non existent rate of hiv transmission. All done in the open. If this was community wide then hiv would be considered a thing of the past. Porn is easy to pick on though.
This is akin to telling people to stop masturbating or no sex before marriage as sexual education. It only makes what’s going to happen anyways less safe but gives the supporters a sense of smug satisfaction with zero change really happening.
This will probably pass though because people think they’re actually helping.
ChrisK
@Swineshead:You’re right. These unfortunately are easy to get passed because they appeal to the emotional side and deals with that icky sex thing. I’m thinking Prop 8 too.
trusgold
It would seem to me that is it just too fucking much to expect the California state government to try a tad bit of innovation like:
Use condoms OR do blood tests every week. California is known for just throwing shit against the wall and see what sticks, and then deal with the horrid unintended consequences. Either condom or make sure the beast shooting the cum isn’t aiming a death serum up some boys bum hole.
Alistair Wiseman
And the Left attempts to regulate and destroy another business industry.
The Left ALWAYS knows better. Vote Hillary for more regulation!
Brian
The “straight” porn industry is very homophobic. It deserves to be oppressed.
My only qualm about this law is that it requires men – not women – to wear the barrier. I think it’s sexist and anti-male because it assumes that only men are infective.
It also assumes that ALL men are automatically infective. There’s a built-in prejudice there.
skipvanpelt
Weinstein is nothing more than an arrogant, self righteous prick whose sole interest is himself. Props 60 and 61 both directly benefit him. Prop 60 would put him on the state payroll indefinitely as the “porn cop” and 61 would actually drive up the cost of prescription medication while exempting his organization completely. The man is a menace. NO on both his props
Rob91316
Bring the porn industry back to L.A. Vote no on Prop. 60!
girldownunder
To deliberately ignore a life-changing disease such as HIV/AIDS, is completely insane.
If you cannot wear a condom, — then you are a risk.
If the porn makers don’t see this- they ought to be open to lawsuits.
Imho
nastypig
@ChrisK: let’s get to the REAL reason that michael has been doing this shit. if the bill passes he stands to make millions as a permanent gov job. he and other officials in california can sue porn stars and porn companies and all distributors including cable companies and websites like NETFLIX (see: Interior. Leather Bar.) and verizon for providing data for hotspot service to view NETFLIX on tablets/laptops/computers. then they have the avenue open to levy heavy fees and usury taxes that will hit consumers like a bomb. michael weinstein is an evil lying piece of shit and I can’t stand the way these news media outlets still treat him with kid gloves. even the alternative news outlets like queerty won’t call him the hungry lying bitch that he is and talk about all of his underhanded dealings with money peddling rich whores. just because he’s head of non profit for aides health advocacy doesn’t make him an angel. FUCK that ugly bitch, he has to pay for it so he hates anyone who doesn’t and he’s hell bent on getting his millions anyway he can. even selling us out with this bullshit ?
nastypig
@girldownunder: that makes no sense. some people don’t carry the enzymes needed to propagate HIV, such as myself. I’ve have plenty of sex with HIV positive men even joined multiple orgies with more than 30 guys some of them were positive. I’m still negative and I know some other guys who are the same. I’ve never had any childhood diseases either and I have a naturally high metabolism, not sure if those are factors to my condition. but for sure there are drugs now that protect people from contracting HIV and doesn’t require people to change their diet or stop drinking alcohol or smoking. it’s one little pill a day and it doesn’t even have any real side affects. and you can go to places and get the drugs at dirt cheap prices. there are large number of guys in porn and outside of porn who take these drugs and they are some of the biggest cum dumpsters I’ve ever seen and they are all healthy not even a rash or discharge. the biggest fact is drugs like TRUVADA are a better method for ZERO TRANSMISSION of HIV. it is scientifically proven that condoms ACTUALLY have slightly lower rates of effectiveness than PrEP drugs. that’s why michael weinstein is going mentally crazy these past 10 years because he put all of his backing and investment money in condoms and the industries surrounding them. see if prop 60 is passed michael will get millions of dollars and have a PERMANENT gov position and millions in penchant funds. always follow the money. he should resign as the chair of the AHF, it’s disgusting how he’s fallen in recent years to all of the underhanded deals he made for money from the PEOPLE, CORPORATIONS AND POLITICAL PEOPLE who OPPOSE GAY RIGHTS AIDES eradication. that dirty asshole showed his true colors in record time. officials will be able to SUE porn actors. that’s what’s so vile and evil about him and this tool he’s using to get his millions. their is NO real threat of the AHF falling out of favor with it’s rich donors or closing it’s doors because the dedicated hardworking loyal staff it’s garnered throughout the years but he wants money now. along with suing porn actors they can sue the porn companies, cable companies even NETFLIX (see: Interior. Leather Bar.) and verizon for providing data for Hotspot services. officials behind this will get richer very fast along with michael, just deplorable what greed does to marginal people
nastypig
@DCFarmboy: vote NO. michael weinstein will get millions of dollars and a PERMANENT gov job with MILLIONS in penchant funds if it’s passed. always follow the money it will lead you to the truth. never fails. he didn’t figure out like trump did how to make the AHF non-profit his personal piggy bank now he’s HELL bent for money. he already has a bit of money but I guess it just isn’t enough for the lifestyle he wants to have in california. and the other side of the truth is that condoms have slightly lower rates of effectiveness than PrEP drugs. it’s only 1 pill a day without the need for change in diet or drinking and smoking habits. and virtually NO side affects. ZERO transmission of HIV is achieved by only PrEP drugs and abstinence. wasn’t that the goal weinstein was after? so why do you think he’s so crazy against the use of the drug? the drug making more virulent strains of HIV? well it’s been out since 2004 and rates of HIV have gone down in areas where people are taking it. so what’s he going on about? money just money. with his prop 60 tool he can and the other dirty homo-hating officials he’s done underhanded deals with can then sue porn actors. and let’s not leave out all of porn and cable companies. plus companies like verizon for data and Hotspot services. even NETFIX (see: Interior. Leather Bar.) the rich will get richer through litigation. thanx michael you backstabbing, turncoat, lowlife piece of shit