The adult film industry has announced a moratorium on making pornos after an unidentified actor tested positive for HIV. The performer’s sexual partners are currently being tested by doctors with Adult Production Health and Safety Services, which works with the porn industry.
According to Diane Duke, executive director of the industry trade group the Free Speech Coalition, the actor was not believed to have been infected on a film set. “The moratorium will be lifted once the risk of transmission has been eliminated,” Duke told the Associated Press in an e-mail.
Though Los Angeles County passed a measure requiring adult film actors to wear condoms while on the job, some studios have been openly flouting the law by filming outside county lines. Also, last year, the industry put a similar moratorium in place following a syphilis outbreak that affected over a dozen performers. This latest moratorium has renewed the ire of porno opponents, including Michael Weinstein of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which helped lobby for the latex law.
“How many adult film performers have to become infected with an array of preventable sexually transmitted diseases — including HIV, which is not curable — before the porn industry actually complies with the law requiring condom use?” Weinstein asked in a statement.
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The porn industry, however, is fighting the LA County measure in court, claiming that their audience doesn’t want to see condoms. Last week a federal judge ruled the law constitutional, though industry officials vowed to appeal. Meanwhile, Assemblyman Isadore Hall III is pushing for a similar law to be adopted statewide.
“Exposing workers to this type of harm would not be accepted in any other industry in this nation,” said Hall, adding that the recent HIV infection was “devastating and preventable.”
Is the porn industry, right, though? Do you really mind if your porn stars wrap it up on camera?
QJ201
Straight porn actor I’m sure.
The gay porn producers either use condoms, claim to test before BB scenes or in the case of Treasure Island Media, don’t give a shit.
EdWoody
Not unidentified at all – other reports out there will tell you exactly who it is. A female straight porn performer.
And yes I bloody well do mind if they use condoms or not. I despise the increasing lack of use of protection in gay porn. It disgusts me, both for the performers’ sake and for the viewers’ sake. Your Sean Codys and Corbin Fishers are teaching the young gay boys bad habits. And your Treasure Islands and Raw Fuck Clubs are just Petri dishes on film.
Brian
Almost all straight porn is actually bisexual because it permits female bisexual behavior. In an overall sense, the porn industry is not very welcoming of male homosexuality unless it is segregated away from hetero and lesbian sex.
Mr. E. Jones
I’m sure they’ll find a way to blame the gays for this.
Polaro
@Mr. E. Jones: A penis was involved, so that makes it automatically gay.
Paul
i don’t mind seeing condoms used i think its better all the way around and it dose not diminish the content to me any way
sportsguy1983
These are adults making the decision to be in porn. If they want to do bareback porn, then they should be allowed to. I think it is completely stupid, but the government shouldn’t be telling people what they can and can’t do. It is called personal responsibility.
TinoTurner
I’m 34 years old and I was a kid in the 80s. I remember being beat in the face with the AIDs epidemic and the fear that it caused me when I came out. Condoms! Condoms! Condoms!
Its very alarming and makes me uneasy to see that every major mainstream porn company is now bareback…it DOES affect the young generation as they thing hiv/aids isnt a real thing. God help us.
GeriHew
The unfortunate female performer concerned has come out and revealed her identity. She is still being tested and it has not yet actually been fully confirmed that she is HIV+
Cameron Bay Comes Forward: HIV Result Unconfirmed
http://business.avn.com/articles/video/Cameron-Bay-Comes-Forward-HIV-Result-Unconfirmed-526307.html
It is also rumoured that she has, or had, a boyfriend who performs in gay porn. She has yet to publicly comment on whether this is true or not. But obviously if it is true then it is essential that he should be among the other performers she has had contact with are being thoroughly tested now.
The fact that production is being halted at this stage actually show how seriously the porn industry takes this issue.
queerT
@EdWoody: I TOTALLY agree!
Stache1
@QJ201: Of coarse it’s a straight porn performer. The gay side is either just a given or they use condoms.
Say What
Hi, EdWoody. I have noticed and admired your comments (on this site and others) over the past few years and would be interested in conferring with you. If you’d be so kind, please send me an email at [email protected]. Thanks.
Jay
Watching two people fuck is actually pretty boring, with or without condoms. Just as when I have sex, no fucking takes place, I’m very happy to watch two guys do everything but. This has nothing to do with safe v. unsafe sex. I FFed through most fucking scenes on my VCR, too.
I’m not forgetting the prostate, btw. Sex toys work fine.
ShowMeGuy
As an 80s teenager; all grown up now……raw porn freaks me the hell out. I do blame the AIDS epidemic for my reaction to condomless porn and it doesn’t matter if it is heterosexual or homosexual porn. And for the record…..mainstream straight porn uses condoms FAR LESS than mainstream gay porn.
And there seems to be a silent undercurrent in society which gives off the vibe that AIDS is not that big of a deal anymore, because we have really good drug treatments now. Wake up ! ! ! ! !
A.I.D.S. isn’t over.
multitasker
No other industry would expose their workers to harm? Get a clue. OSHA exists for a reason and many industries are unavoidably dangerous by nature. That said, condoms are not really any different in relation to the work done than harnesses for height safety or particle masks and hazmat suits. The difference is that their work exists specifically to be watched, which is rare among other industries. There will always be demand for bareback porn. It seems to me that there is inordinate emphasis on avoiding condoms in straight porn, though. Since I don’t watch it nearly as much, I’m no connoisseur and therefore no authority, however.
Bad Ass Biker
@ShowMeGuy: I am just a few years behind you in age and agree completely. It always pisses me off that the straight porn community gets so high and mighty saying that people don’t want to watch porn with condoms, yet condom use has become mostly mainstream and accepted in gay porn with no lack of viewers.
Rockery
I knew it was not gay porn there are tons of HIV+ gay performers so that would not halt anything
LeNair Xavier
@QJ201: Your viewpoint concerns me as being naive. Because it makes you sound as if gay porn producers don’t lie. As a former performer, I know firsthand that while sad to say, gay porn producers are also human beings. Therefore, more than a little capable of lying to avoid a well-deserved charge. So gay porn producers can make CLAIMS all they want. Whether or not they actually do it is a totally different story.
Keep in mind, I’m not saying your wrong. Should the truth come out of who it is, you might be right about it being a straight porn performer. Just don’t act like gay porn producers are the George Washingtons of the 21 century, and they “cannot tell a lie”.
alterego1980
Part of the problem is our puritanical society. If porn is enjoyed in a proper and healthy way, no one would idolize porn stars and people would understand the idea of the fantasy sex, condom or no condom. People should know how and be sensible enough to use protection when necessary (outside of a tested clean monogamous relationship). But no one ever talks about this stuff with their kids. Not in a serious, open and meaningful way.
Jay
@alterego, you sound like a sensible guy.
GeriHew
@Brian: (and others) The female performer concerned – Cameron Bay – did her last porn shoot in late July for Kink Com. Who, I’m sure you know, produce gay porn as well as straight porn. And most of their “straight” porn is pretty queer.
Kink also employ a significant number of bisexual male performers who do scenes with women and men and/or pre-op/no-op transwomen for the studio.
Cameron Bay tested negative for STDs and was cleared to work a couple of days before the shoot. Her main sexual partners on the shoot were a queer identified bisexual woman (Lorelei Lee) who is married to a transman ( known as Tomcat) who directs for Kink and a straight only male performer (Xander Corvus) who has posed for Playgirl and appeared in a non-sex role in a gay porn movie directed by a bisexual woman (Nica Noelle) who is well known for giving bisexual male performers boy/girl work.
And as I already mentioned previously, Cameron Bay is rumoured to have a boyfriend who is a bisexual or “gay-for-pay” performer. If that’s the case then no doubt his name will become known fairly soon.
So, however you try to spin it Brian, we are definitely not talking about the “homophobic” side of the “straight” porn industry here where this case is concerned – except as the inevitable critics of so-called “crossovers” – i.e. bisexual male performers.
boring
Time to see what porn star has recently taken a trip to Brazil.
Brian
Most of the bisexual women who do what is called ‘straight porn’ are highly promiscuous and capable of transmitting STD’s. These women should share the blame. However, the porn industry will always try to blame a bisexual male as if, somehow, STD’s are created in bisexual men.
Keep in mind that we’re talking about a highly homophobic industry that hates the male homosexual act but embraces the female homosexual act. It will seek to scapegoat the male homosexual act for the spread of STD’s.
JimboinLA
When I first saw Cobra Video’s condomless porn back in 2004 I was disgusted at the close up shots of penetration after ejaculation. Basically showing up close how HIV is spread while seemingly not having a care in the world. I was very upset having lived through the crisis in NYC in the 80’s and 90’s and having 20 or more friends shrivel up and die in front of me. I actually felt that Brian Kocis death was karma for that specific reason. The ghosts of all our departed somehow staged that murder. But seriously, anyone who profits from bareback gay porn has blood on their hands. End of story.
CaptainFabulous
I see the anti-bareback brigade is out in full force again.
MIND YOUR OWN DAMNED BUSINESS.
rickydee1955
There is also an argument to be made that those who prefer to watch condom sex, chose condom films. those who prefer to watch Bareback, chose that. Who’s to say that watching BB porn, provides excitement and keeps people from taking the risk themselves. I love bareback porn and find condom porn meh… I have never intentionally had unsafe sex. Well, not since the 80s. It is generational, for those of us who came out before AIDS and those who came out after. It is all about what people want to do in their own lives, on both sides of the projector. Real people don’t have nearly the web of defense against HIV seroconversion that the porn community does… Who’s the most at risk? Possibly those who are partnered in what they believe to be monogamous relationships…don’t hate, and don’t judge…people gonna be people!
startenout
Guess what? If all the films featured all the actors wearing condoms but still having hardcore sex, men would watch.
oilburner
Watching treasure island porn is like going to a pnp party in a sleazy motel everyone there is a tweaker with HIV having sex with whomever is there. BTW treasure island makes the best porn over
Martin
Ive no sympathy,It should be made illegal,
DarkZephyr
@LeNair Xavier: A few comments above yours someone posted a link about who it was. Not only is it a straight performer, but a woman, not a man.
GeriHew
@Martin: As a general rule in countries where porn is illegal it is also illegal to be gay.
It is possible that Iceland may become a rare exception to that rule.
GeriHew
@Brian: The porn industry is not a”highly homophobic” industry. If it was Donny Long would be regarded as a hero instead of pariah that nobody will hire anymore.
GeriHew
Cameron Bay HIV+ Status Confirmed
CANOGA PARK, Calif.—The Free Speech Coalition issued the following statement Thursday evening concerning performer Cameron Bay’s HIV diagnosis:
“In cooperation with ATMLA, LATATA, FSC and APHSS, we are saddened to report that the tests involving performer Cameron Bay have been confirmed as positive for HIV. Both Cutting Edge Testing (CET) and Talent Testing Services (TTS) have run separate tests and have confirmed this information.
“Thus far, there is no evidence whatsoever that there has been an on-set transmission of HIV. First generation partner identification and notifications are nearly completed. As a precautionary measure, the production moratorium will remain in place until all first generation partners have been tested and cleared.
“Mark Schechter, owner of ATMLA and agent for Cameron has been in constant communication with Cameron since this information surfaced yesterday. Schechter further states, ‘Cameron is obviously distraught over this conclusive information provided to her today, and yet she has been 100% cooperative with the medical personnel, strictly in the interest of ensuring the fastest possible partner notification for the benefit of all concerned. Cameron has been a model citizen acting responsibly at this most difficult time. Her courage should be lauded.’
“Cameron has provided the following statement: ‘As difficult as this news is for me today, I am hopeful that no other performers have been affected. I plan on doing everything possible to assist the medical professionals and my fellow performers. Following that, my long term plan is to take care of myself and my health.'”
http://business.avn.com/articles/video/Cameron-Bay-HIV-Status-Confirmed-526334.html
Say What
You’re sick, oilburner. Not only mentally, but also, I’d bet, physically.
phuckinstick
so far how many people are being infected
GeriHew
@phuckinstick: No other performers who worked with Cameron Bay have been infected apparently.
CANOGA PARK, Calif.—The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) announced late Tuesday that the moratorium on adult production has been lifted. A PASS (Performer Availability Screening Services—formerly APHSS) panel of three doctors met and confirmed the following:
• All performers who worked with Cameron Bay have tested clean.
• August 19 is beyond the 14 day window period for the Aptima HIV test.
Therefore, the FSC stated, it is safe to lift the moratorium under the following conditions:
• All test panels taken prior to August 19 are now expired in the PASS database.
• Any performer who tests clean after August 19 is safe and available to work.
• In the process of reviewing the case, the PASS Medical Advisory Coucil agreed to meet later this week to consider revising the minimum test requirement from 28 days to 14 days.
http://business.avn.com/articles/video/FSC-Lifts-Production-Moratorium-527361.html
However apparently many performers & directors are saying they will wait another week or two before resuming work.
Although it has not been official announced yet it seems that Cameron Bay contracted HIV after doing her last porn shoot. The theory that her boyfriend works in gay and straight porn, or just gay porn, seems to be just gossip.
The last HIV scare in the industry did however involve a bisexual male performer whose girlfriend was also a performer. He apparently contracted HIV on a gay porn set where they were using condoms. His girlfriend, who he said was the only person he was having sex with outside of work, tested negative.
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/08/local/la-me-porn-hiv-20101208
GeriHew
Don’t know if anyone is still bothering to read this thread but it seems evident that Cameron Bay really does have a boyfriend who is a gay/bisexual pornstar. Rod Daily.
https://twitter.com/Rod_Daily
The word is that he is not HIV+. He works mainly for Next Door Entertainment. They test regularly for STDs just like they do in straight porn and use condoms in most scenes.
Katbox
@GeriHew: Oh shoot. I just sent them a link to the twitter account as well. didn’t see your post and I doubt you’ll see mine.
GeriHew
Rod Daily just announced on his twitter in the last few hours that he has tested HIV+ as well.
https://twitter.com/Rod_Daily
They definitely lifted the moratorium prematurely. The shit is hitting the fan now.
laurent7465
These are ADULTS, capable of making their own decisions. They know the risks involved. I certainly don’t wish any of them to become ill, but again, they are making their own choice. So what most of you are saying, it that you think the government should come into your bedrooms and make sure you are wearing condoms too. Isn’t this what we have been fighting for, for years, to to keep the government OUT of our bedrooms??
Personally, I don’t like watching pron with condoms. I also don’t like to bottom with a condom, so I abstain from that, until I’m dating someone for a while and we both get tested before we have anal sex.