December 24, 2009

California AIDS Group Seeks Law to Require Condoms in Adult Films

The California-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has filed a petition to amend state regulations to explicitly require condom use in the Los Angeles adult film industry, which has an ongoing sexually transmitted infection (STI) epidemic.

AHF’s petition calls on the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Cal/OSHA) to clarify protection for adult film industry workers and to include a condom requirement to the “bloodborne pathogens” regulations.

“We are taking this action on behalf of the thousands of workers who are needlessly exposed to [STIs] during the production of adult films in California. We look forward to Cal/OSHA’s swift action on this issue,” said Michael Weinstein, AHF’s president.

According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH), transmission of STIs is 10 times more likely to occur among adult film workers than the general population.

Between 2003 and 2007, LADPH documented 2,013 chlamydia cases and 965 gonorrhea cases among adult film workers. There have been at least 25 industry-related HIV cases since 2004.

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Previous Comments:

Jeanne W. Harris, FORT WORTH, 2010-01-03 08:38:45
The problem is 'porn stars' are not only having sex with other porn stars but with civilians- they, all of us should use condoms, the risks of transmitting the virus to innocents is too great. Err on the side of caution and concern for others.

Evan, San Francisco, 2009-12-31 10:59:33
Good grief! Porn actors are adults. If they want to do bareback porn it's their choice, no one is twisting their arms. Some people prefer their porn without condoms and if ADULTS are willing to make those films it's no one else's business. If you don't like it, don't watch it.

Kelly, , 2009-12-31 10:36:34
What an ignorant comment Fox, showing again why this is most needed in this industry. The latest estimates indicate that at the end of 2003, HIV prevalence— the total number of persons with HIV—was roughly 1 million (estimated range between 1,039,000–1,185,000) [1]. Approximately one-fourth (24% –27%) of HIV-infected persons are believed to be unaware of their infection, underscoring the need to expand opportunities for HIV testing. - CDC 25= a hell of a lot more not seen

Fox, San Francisco, 2009-12-29 18:52:08
Are we done with this fascism yet? With this alarmism? with this "epidemic" that is OVER! Only 25 cases among PORN ACTORS since 2005! Let go of this energy, people, and return to lives of courage and faith rather than fear.