FSC Reaches Out to Performers with Testing Services Survey

CANOGA PARK, Calif. — Adult Production Safety & Health Services (APHSS.org), which is operated by Free Speech Coalition (FSC) is reaching out to performers with a survey on the performer testing program. The survey is meant to gather feedback about the APHSS.org testing program and will be sent to performers, producers and agents that have signed up for the program.

The survey is multiple choice and those that fill out the survey will be able to send their comments on APHSS.org and its affiliated testing facilities. This information will be used to improve the testing program, and help to provide the best program possible to performers and other APHSS.org participants.

All information gathered will be kept completely confidential.

“We want to reach out to the performers, producers and agents, to get feedback on their experience with APHSS.org,” FSC Membership Director Joanne Cachapero said. “So we encourage everyone that receives the survey to please, take the time to respond. Those responses will help to further develop a program that serves the needs of the industry and the best testing experience for APHSS.org members.”

The Adult Production Health & Safety Services (APHSS.org) Survey will be sent today using survey website Zoomerang.

If you have questions about the survey, or APHSS.org, please contact Joanne at joanne@freespeechcoalition.com.

 

APHSS.org Adds Cutting Edge Testing to its List of Healthcare Providers

Free Speech Coalition, the adult industry trade association, has announced the addition of Cutting Edge Testing, a new testing health center located in Sherman Oaks, to its APHSS.org program.

The center is under the direction of infectious disease specialist Dr. Peter Miao. Former Adult Industry Medical Healthcare (AIM clinic) employees Jennifer Mooney and Bobi Seybold comprise the medical support staff at Cutting Edge.

“We are extremely excited to have Cutting Edge added to our list of providers,” said Free Speech Coalition Executive Director Diane Duke. “Dr. Miao is a well known and well-respected infectious disease specialist who will provide top notch testing and care for our performers. Those are critical components of our APHSS.org program.”

APHSS.org was created to fill the gap left by the closure of the AIM clinic, and to carry on health & safety protocols for adult productions. The program and availability index were developed by FSC, working with legal and medical experts, industry members and Internet technology consultants.

Cutting Edge will provide the most advanced HIV testing available today (PCR- RT-RNA) as well as Chlamydia and gonorrhea at a cost of $120 for the performer panel with an estimated 24 hour turnaround time.

“We have missed providing testing and health services to performers. After spending nine years working at AIM, many of the performers are like family,” said staff member Seybold. “What is really exciting is the quality of care the performers will get from Dr Miao – he’s the best!”

Other APHSS.org providers include AMTC and the Healing Wave Center. APHSS plans to continue to build on their base of testing and health centers including signing on centers in other cities and states.  “We heard from performers, producers and agents that they want more choices,” said Duke. “Quality of care is the first priority and there are a number of quality providers eager to work with our industry. We will continue our efforts to find exceptional partners to join our program resulting in an increased number of choices without decreasing the quality of care.”

Performers, agents and producers can go to www.APHSS.org and click “sign-up” to be led through a simple registration process. Other information that is available at the website includes links to testing facilities, FAQs and contact information. Users are encouraged to view the FAQs on the website; if they have further questions, they can contact FSC.

Cutting Edge Testing is located at 5000 Van Nuys Blvd., #202, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403. Contact them at (818) 386-2132, or info@cuttingedgetesting.com.

(Graphic: courtesy of Nevit)

LA City Council Approves Condom Ordinance in 9-1 Vote

The LA City Council voted this morning, in open session, to approve a mandatory condom ordinance that would require adult productions to comply with condom usage on any adult set requiring a film permit in the Los Angeles City limits. The ordinance was approved 9-1.

The action was considered procedural after last week the city council green-lighted formation of a committee to decide on enforcement procedures for the ordinance. Reportedly, this committee will be made up of personnel from the City Attorney’s office, LAPD and personnel department, as well as state regulatory officials.

“The Council’s decision is yet another example of government overreach and intrusion. The regulations imposed are without any input from the stakeholders most impacted—adult performers and producers,” Free Speech Coalition Executive Director Diane Duke said. “Mandatory condom regulation will not increase performer safety, it will diminish the successful standards and protocols already in place and compromise performer health. Government regulation of sexual behavior between consenting adults is, and has always been, a bad idea. The government has no business in our bedrooms—real or fantasy.”

The only member of the City Council to vote against the ordinance was Councilman Mitchell Englander, who represents the San Fernando Valley. Clearly, Englander realizes the negative financial impact on the area that may potentially result from today’s unnecessary move toward governmental regulation – especially at a time when the state recently introduced broad funding cuts to many services, and when state regulatory agency Cal/OSHA is reportedly under-staffed and under-funded.

Two other city council members, Bill Rosendahl and Paul Koretz, spearheaded the condom ordinance, in what they termed as an effort to save taxpayer money.

In December, AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s (AHF) condom ballot petition produced the required number of signatures to make mandatory condoms an issue for Los Angeles voters in June’s citywide elections. In order to save the expense of bringing the issue to the ballot, as well as any litigation that would follow, the City Council moved to enact the ordinance.

Both Rosendahl and Koretz have accepted donations from AHF President Michael Weinstein.

The Los Angeles City Attorney had filed a complaint in December against AHF’s ballot initiative, citing earlier court decisions ruling that Cal/OSHA could not pass regulatory enforcement responsibilities on to local agencies, including the Film LA permitting agency. The City Attorney speculated at that time, if passed, the ballot initiative also would be challenged on constitutional grounds.

AHF and its President Michael Weinstein have waged a relentless campaign against the adult industry since 2009 under the guise of “protecting” performers and the public health. AHF’s efforts were a major factor in the closure of the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare (AIM) clinic, which upheld successful performer testing protocols since the industry moved to self-regulate in 1998. The organization also has filed numerous complaints against adult businesses including Hustler, Vivid and industry talent agencies.

Weinstein’s grandstanding on the condom issue is groundless – using provocative language like “epidemic” and quoting statistics that have proven to be inaccurate – Weinstein has politicized the issue of mandatory condom use while alienating the industry he claims to protect. He also has suggested that the City Council add an $85 fee to film permits for adult productions, in order to fund enforcement.

Currently, Film LA reports that only five percent of total film permits are used for adult productions.

Strangely enough, the City Council actions coincide with major adult industry trade shows scheduled for the month of January. The announcement of last week’s vote to approve the motion to form an enforcement committee came during the XBIZ LA Show, held in West Hollywood. AHF protested at the XBIZ Awards ceremony on January 10, where Hustler founder Larry Flynt and FSC’s Diane Duke were honored, among many other industry leaders and performers.

This morning’s city council vote was taken while many industry members are in Las Vegas for the Adult Entertainment Expo.

LA City Council Motions to Approve Film Permit Ordinance That Would Require Condom Use on Adult Sets

The LA City Council today approved a motion to create an ordinance that would require adult productions to show proof of condom use, in order to be issued a film permit.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s (AHF) recently gathered enough petition signatures to put mandatory condom regulation through film permits on the ballot for the Los Angeles City election to be held in June. AHF’s President Michael Weinstein also has stated that the HIV nonprofit organization would push to have the condom initiative placed on countywide ballots for the November election.

AHF’s relentless attacks on the adult industry have been orchestrated to portray rates of adult performer STIs as a “public health threat” and Weinstein’s grandstanding on the issues uses emotionally-charged tactics by calling the situation an “epidemic” and by quoting statistics that have been proven to be inaccurate.

FSC has led the opposition to AHF’s needless, self-serving anti-adult agenda and also has made every effort to cooperate with state health & safety regulatory agency Cal/OSHA.

“Performer health and safety is a priority for the adult film industry, which is why the industry’s standards and self regulations have been successful as represented by the industry’s low rate of STI transmission and no transmission of HIV in the industry in more than 5 years!” FSC Executive Director Diane Duke stated in response to today’s developments.

“Government regulation of film-making would likely undermine existing health and safety efforts and industry standards that are effective as well as take the government into dangerous new territory.

“This approach betrays our Constitution; it betrays the hard lessons we’ve learned in the 25-year fight against HIV/AIDS; and it betrays aggressive health and safety efforts in place that are proven and effective,” Duke added.

Speculation on actions taken by the City Council today suggests that the council may be taking preemptive steps to prevent the ballot initiative from reaching voters, in order to prevent cost to taxpayers from the election and – if the initiative was passed – any litigation that might follow.

The LA City Attorney had already filed suit to stop the ballot initiative from being considered for the election, citing that if the initiative were passed by voters, it would likely later be brought to court – and lose – on Constitutional grounds.

Two City Council members, Bill Rosendahl and Paul Koretz, have received generous donations from AHF’s Weinstein. Both men spearheaded the effort to quash the City Attorney’s lawsuit.

AHF has stated that they will protest tonight at the XBIZ Awards, to be held at Santa Monica Airport’s Barker Hanger, where Hustler founder Larry Flynt will be honored with the Icon Award, and where FSC’s Duke also will receive the Woman of the Year Award.

(Photo: Courtesy of NASA)

FSC Announces Newly Elected Board Members

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) is proud to announce new members to its Board of Directors. The Board election was open to all active FSC members and held during the month of December.

Incumbent board members that were re-elected include Evil Angel General Manager Christian Mann and Eldorado Trading Co. founder Larry Garland.

Adam and Eve General Manager Bob Christian is newly elected to the FSC Board. Adult entertainment performer and director Kara Price also was elected.

“Bob brings a strong business component to the Board, while Kara will bring a performer perspective,” said FSC Executive Director Diane Duke. “Those skills coupled with their leadership ability will be a valuable addition to FSC’s Board.”

Members of the board in good standing include Peter Acworth, Jeffrey Douglas, Mara Epstein, Sid Grief, Alec Helmy, Joel Kaminsky, Mark Kernes, Reed Lee and Lynn Swanson, bringing the total number of seats to 13. Those elected serve two-year terms.

FSC congratulates its newest Board members – their participation will help FSC to develop resources and better business practices for the adult industry.

(Photo: Some rights reserved by Cemf)

FSC’s Diane Duke Awarded Woman of the Year by XBIZ

“XBIZ, the adult entertainment industry’s leading news media organization, is pleased to announce Free Speech Coalition executive director Diane Duke as its Woman of the Year.

Duke will be honored at the highly anticipated 10th annual XBIZ Awards ceremony on Jan.10 at the legendary Barker Hangar in Los Angeles.

The industry leader’s outstanding achievements in crucial, hot-button and sensitive areas across the board have made her the hands-down choice for this year’s award.”

Congratulations to FSC Executive Director and our fearless leader Diane Duke on this special recognition. For more on the story, click here.

Thanks and Appreciation from FSC

Every year at FSC, we meet with industry leaders, manufacturers, producers and performers. We discuss the issues that affect the adult community. As the adult industry trade association, our mission is to promote the well-being of the industry. We face challenges when they come up (which happened a lot in 2011). We provide a pro-adult voice to media and the public. We’re there to keep an eye on anti-adult legislation and anti-porn activists. We create needed resources and provide services for the industry.

We also defend the rights of free speech and sexual expression. Without First Amendment rights, there can be no democracy – an important issue with the upcoming presidential election, global protests and looming Internet regulations. Sexual speech is an easy target for censorship and legislation – FSC members understand that we must be pro-active and protect our rights.

Despite every challenge, the adult industry remains intact. It hasn’t been easy, but this business is a tight-knit community of survivors, creative visionaries and dynamic personalities.   FSC is committed to fighting the good fight – but we couldn’t do it without YOU.  We would like to take a moment to thank some of our members who have gone above and beyond to support FSC and, through their contributions, help everyone in the adult industry.

Industry pioneer Phil Harvey and Adam & Eve have been FSC generous supporters from the beginning. We’re honored by the loyalty, and recognize the battles fought by Adam & Eve, in defense of free speech.

We want to thank Steven Ornstein and Wicked Pictures for their generous  contributions over many years. All of the Wicked Girls have gladly donated time to attend and promote FSC fundraising events, and make those events extra-special.

Dan O’Connell, Moose and everyone at Girlfriends Films generously given to FSC, and many other charities. They send a positive message about the adult industry by giving to those in need. Thanks also, to ElDorado Trading Co. and Larry Garland, who helped with fundraising efforts – ElDorado also donates to various charities.

Allison Vivas and Pink Visual have been instrumental, through industry education and IT support, in promoting and improving FSC’s Anti-piracy Action Program (APAP).

Thanks to the “Founders” – Cal Exotics, Topco, Doc Johnson, Pipedreams and Nasstoys for their support through ACDC advocacy.  Their visionary support of the adult industry should be commended.  FSC also would like to recognize Scott Tucker and Topco Sales for hosting many FSC Board meetings and donating storage space. The hospitality is much appreciated.

This year, Manwin became a FSC platinum-level sponsor; we appreciate their contribution, as well as their additional support of FSC advocacy efforts and our Anti-Piracy Action Program.

Vivid Entertainment and Evil Angel have contributed to fund advocacy, confronting the issue of mandatory condom regulations. An industry-wide effort is needed, in 2012, to arrive at appropriate health & safety regulations.

Special thanks to Peter Acworth, Dave Astels and Kink.com for contributing much-needed services, including the resources needed to build the Adult Production Health & Safety Services (APHSS.org) website. Kink is also testing the program, top to bottom, helping to develop an updated, reliable system for performer safety.

Whenever possible, we encourage our members to use industry services. We are very grateful to the guys at YNOT for sponsoring our email campaigning through YNOT Mail. Their adult-friendly email service is simple and effective – Connor  and Rochard hooked us up.

Also, to Brad and MojoHost – thank you for simplifying and streamlining our IT platform. Whenever we need help, customer service is right on it.

Joel Kaminsky and Jenn at Good Vibrations, and Topco’s Lynn Swanson – many thanks for your help with the FSC membership database.

And, as always, thanks to XBIZ and AVN for helping to promote the message of FSC, and for their part in helping to spread the word about important issues.

Finally, our appreciation for each member of the FSC Board; these people have volunteered many hours, over many years in the industry. They help shape the policies and strategies that protect adult industry businesses.

There are many others that deserve recognition; businesses and individuals that have worked behind the scenes or have always come to the aid of FSC, whenever necessary.

The FSC Team has a lot to be grateful for – and we thank every member and supporter for the things they do on behalf of the adult community. Especially in 2012, the adult industry will be stronger if we unite to face the challenges ahead. FSC is proud to serve our members, and proud of our members – the responsible, professional folks that produce adult entertainment for millions of adults to enjoy.

(Photo: Some rights reserved by Beyond My Ken) 

Season’s Greetings from Free Speech Coalition

(Photo: Some rights reserved by JasonDGreat)

Pink Visual CEO Allison Vivas to Receive 2012 FSC Leadership Award

Free Speech Coalition is proud to announce that Pink Visual CEO Allison Vivas is the recipient of the 2012 FSC Leadership Award. The award will be presented during The XBIZ Awards Show.

FSC’s Leadership Award is presented to the adult entertainment industry business or individual who demonstrates excellence in leading by example. This award can be given for community service, activism, creating a positive and outstanding work environment, innovations and other qualities that lift the business or individual above the rest.

“Allison has great instinct, a brilliant mind and a boatload of courage,” FSC Executive Director Diane Duke said. “She combines those qualities to provide leadership not only for Pink Visual, but also for our industry as a whole.”

In March, Vivas accompanied FSC and a group of industry leaders to San Francisco to protest the approval of .XXX at the ICANN Board of Directors meeting. She spoke to the media on behalf of the adult industry’s opposition to the sTLD, and to the ICANN Board of Directors. Vivas and Pink Visual also issued a letter to ICM Registry, founder of the .XXX domain, to demand protection of the company’s brands, standing united with the biggest adult brands.

In 2011, Vivas and Pink Visual made it company policy to protect the health and safety of its performers by funding monthly testing.

Pink Visual has aggressively prosecuted copyright infringement, as well as sponsoring B2B seminars for industry leaders to learn more about strategies for dealing with content piracy and litigation. Vivas has strongly supported FSC’s Anti-Piracy Action Program (FSC-APAP.com).

Vivas exemplifies the industry executive – professional; proud to be part of the adult industry; fighting to protect the rights of adult business owners; and pushing to keep in the lead with new technologies for the consumer.

The XBIZ Awards will be held on Jan 10, at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, CA.

 

City of Los Angeles Files Suit Against AHF’s Condom Ballot Initiative

City of Los Angeles lawsuit against AHF says ballot measure is likely “unconstitutional,” and will waste taxpayer money -

A lawsuit was filed yesterday by the City of Los Angeles challenging the constitutionality of AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s (AHF) ballot initiative. The initiative, if passed, would force local officials to enforce mandatory condom regulations on adult production sets. Named as defendants in the suit are various AHF personnel, including AHF President Michael Weinstein.

“Clearly AHF has chosen to squander its donors’ resources by filing frivolous lawsuits and ballot initiatives instead of providing valuable resources toward the prevention and treatment of HIV,” FSC Executive Director Diane Duke said. “It is heartening to know that the City of Los Angeles will draw the line on AHF’s political grandstanding when it comes to wasting taxpayer dollars.

“History has shown us that regulating sexual behavior between consenting adults does not work. The best way to prevent the transmission of HIV and other STIs is by providing quality information and sexual health service, all of which are successfully provided through adult industry protocols and best practices,” Duke added.

The city’s complaint argues that the ballot proposal is preempted by state regulations that require barrier protection on adult sets and that enforcement of those regulations falls under state jurisdiction. There have been two previous rulings in complaints filed by AHF, where the judge decided that L.A. County officials are not compelled to enforce regulations on behalf of state health & safety agency Cal/OSHA.

The city also states that the process involved in bringing the ballot measure to the voters would be a “waste” of taxpayer money. The complaint went on to say that the ballot initiative is potentially unconstitutional; if passed by voters in June, the city raised concerns of more money being spent if the initiative was overturned on constitutional grounds.

“The City of Los Angeles has acted responsibly to protect the taxpayers from enacting an unenforceable measure preempted by State Law. The adult industry has been extraordinarily successful in preventing HIV infections through its testing protocols and self-regulation,” Free Speech Coalition (FSC) Board Chair Jeffrey Douglas said.

FSC has worked with industry stakeholders, compliance experts and legal advisers to develop the FSC Bloodbourne Pathogen Plan, and other policies for industry appropriate regulations.

In April, when Adult Industry Medical Healthcare (AIM) clinic was closed, largely due to legal attacks by AHF, FSC stepped up to provide Adult Production Healthcare & Safety Services (APHSS.org) as a resource for performer testing and production protocols.

“Thankfully, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office is acting in an abundance of caution and not simply marching to the tune called by Michael Weinstein,” attorney and APHSS.org legal adviser Karen Tynan commented.

“The industry is working with the state toward adopting industry specific and industry appropriate safety standards, and these efforts by AHF and Michael Weinstein are an attempt to interfere in that process,” Tynan said. “The Los Angeles City Attorney is correct that the ballot initiative would be a complete waste of taxpayer money.”

A PDF of the filing can be seen here: LA v. AHF

(Graphic: Courtesy of Dark Evil)