AB 332 Stalls After Appropriations Committee Meeting

(l to r) Attorney Karen Tynan and Kink.com director Princess Donna at the state capitol

This morning in Sacramento, proposed “condom” legislation Assembly Bill 332 was presented to members of the House Appropriations Committee. Sponsor of the bill Assembly Member Isadore Hall III (D-Compton) waived his opportunity to speak on the legislation and AB 332 was sent to suspense file by the committee. Free Speech Coalition is pleased that AB 332 legislation has not moved forward today out of committee.

Representing adult industry opposition to AB 332, labor attorney Karen Tynan stood ready to deliver a statement to the legislators, focusing on the financial pitfalls of the regulatory scheme. Tynan also hoped to speak to the process already started with state regulatory agency Cal/OSHA, to establish industry-appropriate regulations for adult film productions.

“My testimony was meant to explain and emphasize the incredible waste of taxpayer money that will result if AB332 is enacted,” Tynan said. “Cal/OSHA has a process where they have stakeholder meetings and attempt to create feasible regulations. We are still in that process with the draft regulations pending revisions. AB332 demands that the state legislature throw out all that work and start over with the AHF plan.”

Testimony would have also outlined the potentially enormous costs to taxpayers if AB 332 is passed, not only administrative costs, but also in a significant loss of jobs and revenue for counties in California as adult producers are pushed to other areas for production locations.

“Committee members with adult entertainment businesses in their districts should be reminded that these businesses create jobs, pay taxes, and should have a voice in this process,” Tynan added.

Kink.com founder and FSC Board Member Peter Acworth also attended this morning’s meeting with a contingent of performers and industry professionals. Acworth also had prepared a statement, but left the meeting without delivering testimony.

“We got here at 5:30am and spent most of the day,” Acworth said. “But we’re happy the bill has been put in suspension. I hope this is the end of the bill. I remain a strong advocate for performer testing and the APHSS.org database system.”

Representatives from AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and other AB 332 supporters were apparently not in attendance at this morning’s meeting.

 

Call to Action: Please FAX House Appropriations Committee to Oppose AB 332

Free Speech Coalition is issuing a call-to-action to all its members and opponents of Assembly Bill 332, the proposed bill to mandate barrier protection in adult film productions in California. AB 332 is scheduled to go before the State Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 8.

Below you will find a letter that can be copied and pasted into a document and then FAXED to the Appropriations Committee representatives listed below. Please, reach out to these legislators by FAX to tell them that you oppose AB 332. We have been advised that FAX is the most effective platform for communication.

Please, send your message before May 8 and help us fight the good fight. Now is the time to come together and voice your opposition to AB 332 – before the industry is driven out of California, or another dime of taxpayer money is wasted on this poorly written law.

For more information on AB 332, or on how YOU can help oppose condom laws, contact info@freespeechcoalition.com or call (818) 348-9373. Thank you for your help!

 

Dear [decisionmaker],

Assembly Bill 332 is being brought before State Assembly Appropriations Committee, authored by Assembly Member Isadore Hall III, (Democrat, 64th District – Compton) and co-authored by Assembly Member Richard Bloom, (Democrat, 50th District – Santa Monica).

This proposed legislation is overbroad and was written without the input of those most affected by it – the producers and performers of the adult film industry. If allowed by California lawmakers, AB 332 will effectively drive the adult industry out of California to areas where responsible, appropriate regulation will be difficult, if not impossible, to enforce.

Mandating barrier protection use will effectively drive adult producers out of California, taking thousands of jobs and billions in revenue with them. A recently reported dramatic drop in requests for adult film permits in Los Angeles County clearly indicates that the adult film production industry does not support the local Measure B “condom” ordinance, and that it absolutely opposes AB 332.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has been the only sponsor of this legislation that is an offshoot of the Measure B legislation passed in Los Angeles in November. Presently, adult producer Vivid Entertainment and two other plaintiffs are suing the County of Los Angeles because of Measure B; at the very least, any decision on state legislation should wait until a decision is delivered in the local case.

While AHF would have constituents believe that AB 332 (and Measure B) are based on protocols for workplace health & safety, in fact this legislation threatens to destroy adult film industry self-regulation and a rigorous STD testing program that has proved effective at protecting the health and safety of performers since it was instituted in 1998. AHF has used significant funding (to the tune of more than $5 million by some estimates) and misleading information to sway legislators and the public.

In fact, the adult film industry is a legal and responsible industry. The STD testing program (APHSS.org) was developed to effectively manage risk and has been successful at nearly eliminating “outbreaks” of STDs. There has not been an on-set incidence of HIV infection since 2004. Both producers and performers are voluntarily compliant with the industry-appropriate standards that are currently observed, but that would not be the case if condom (and other barrier protection) use were mandated.

In any case, matters related to workplace safety fall under the jurisdiction of state agency Cal-OSHA; to shift responsibility for enforcement of any workplace safety-related legislation to local municipalities and counties is an unnecessary burden to taxpayers in those locations, who would be charged with providing significant resources and infrastructure in order to provide enforcement of such legislation.

Please, do not support AB 332 – this legislation is poorly written, unnecessarily overbroad and addresses a problem that doesn’t exist. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

 

FAX to House Appropriations Committee Members:

Assembly Member Mike Gatto

300 East Magnolia Boulevard
Suite 504
Burbank, CA 91502
Tel: (818) 558-3043
Fax: (818) 558-3042

assemblymember.gatto@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Diane L. Harkey

29122 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite #111
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Tel: (949) 347-7301
Fax: (949) 347-7302

assemblymember.harkey@assembly.ca.gov

FSC, Industry Members Travel to Sacramento to Oppose AB 332

On Wednesday, Free Speech Coalition CEO Diane Duke was accompanied by former performer Lydia Lee (aka Julie Meadows), producers Mo Reese and Lorenzo Marr, and FSC staff on a day-long trip to Sacramento, to stand in opposition of Assembly Bill 332, the proposed California bill that would require barrier protection use on adult film productions.

The bill was presented to the House Assembly Labor & Employment Committee by its backers Assemblymember Isadore Hall III and representatives of AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

Also in attendance were many adult industry members representing Kink.com, Hot House Entertainment, Factory Video, Naked Sword, and several other Bay Area adult companies. Lee and Marr both spoke before the committee, stating their reasons for opposing the “condom law.”

“It was inspiring to speak with so many industry professionals from Kink.com, Hot House Media and Factory Videos, as well as individuals from the community who care about how much more complicated this is than merely a condom proposition,” said Lee. “The opposition has constantly made demeaning comments that conflate the work I chose to do of my own free will with messages perpetuated by anti-porn propagandists, but I am proud of my participation in this process and exercising the voice I have.”

While attendees’ efforts were valiant, the Labor & Employment Committee unfortunately did clear AB 332 in a 5-0 vote later on Wednesday afternoon. The bill will now be sent to the House Appropriations Committee where it faces its next hurdle.

“The trip to Sacramento was a great experience,” said producer Reese. “Of course I’m not happy about AB 332 moving forward, but it was still interesting to see our political system at work. I appreciate the time and hard work both Lydia & Lorenzo put into their statements. It takes a lot of courage to stand up in front of a room full of politicians & fight for what you believe in.

“The outpouring of support from industry members from San Francisco was amazing – I wish we could have seen more people from Los Angeles,” Reese added. “Our fight against AB 332, Measure B & AIDS Healthcare Foundation is far from over; together we can win this. For people who choose to focus on the negative, or on what others should have done, maybe instead ask yourself what it is that you can do.”

FSC opposes AB 332 because it will drive the adult industry out of California, taking thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in revenue elsewhere. This misguided legislation addresses a problem that doesn’t exist by creating an unneeded bureaucracy that will be paid for with California tax dollars. FSC supports and oversees the industry-appropriate system of STD testing for adult performers that has proved to be effective since 1998; AB 332 actually threatens the health and well being of performers by threatening to dismantle industry standards for self-regulation.

For more on AB 332, Measure B or the Los Angeles “Safer Sex” in Adult Film Productions Ordinance – and for info on how you can help oppose it – please, visit StopCondomLaws.com.

(Photo: Courtesy of Ttoolan)

 

FSC Call-for-Action on AB 332 – Write, Call, Email or FAX Legislators

Free Speech Coalition is issuing a call-of-action to all its members and opponents of Assembly Bill 332, the proposed bill to mandate barrier protection in adult film productions in California. AB 332 is scheduled to go before the State Assembly Labor Committee on April 24.

Below you will find a letter that can be copied and pasted into an email or another document format and then sent to the Labor Committee representatives listed below. Please, reach out to these legislators by email, written letter, FAX or phone and tell them that you oppose AB 332.

Please, send your message before April 24 and help us fight the good fight. Now is the time to come together and voice your opposition to AB 332 – before the industry is driven out of California, or another dime of taxpayer money is wasted on this poorly written law.

For more information on AB 332, or on how YOU can help oppose condom laws, contact info@freespeechcoalition.com or call (818) 348-9373. Thank you for your help!

SUBJECT LINE (if emailed): I do NOT support AB 332 – please, stop this waste of taxpayer dollars

Dear [decisionmaker],

Assembly bill 332 is being brought before State Assembly Labor Committee, authored by Assemblymember Isadore Hall III, (Democrat, 64th District – Compton) and co-authored by Assemblymember Richard Bloom, (Democrat, 50th District – Santa Monica).

This proposed legislation is overbroad and was written without the input of those most affected by it – the producers and performers of the adult film industry. If allowed by California lawmakers, AB 332 will effectively drive the adult industry out of California to areas where responsible, appropriate regulation will be difficult, if not impossible, to enforce.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has been the only sponsor of this legislation that is an offshoot of the Measure B legislation passed in Los Angeles in November. Presently, adult producer Vivid Entertainment and two other plaintiffs are suing the County of Los Angeles because of Measure B; at the very least, any decision on state legislation should wait until a decision is delivered in the local case.

While AHF would have constituents believe that AB 332 (and Measure B) are based on protocols for workplace health & safety, in fact this legislation threatens to destroy adult film industry self-regulation and a rigorous STD testing program that has proved effective at protecting the health and safety of performers since it was instituted in 1998. AHF has used significant funding (to the tune of more than $5 million by some estimates) and misleading information to sway legislators and the public.

In fact, the adult film industry is a legal and responsible industry. The STD testing program (APHSS.org) was developed to effectively manage risk and has been successful at nearly eliminating “outbreaks” of STDs. There has not been an on-set incidence of HIV infection since 2004. Both producers and performers are voluntarily compliant with the industry-appropriate standards that are currently observed, but that would not be the case if condom (and other barrier protection) use were mandated.

In any case, matters related to workplace safety fall under the jurisdiction of state agency Cal-OSHA; to shift responsibility for enforcement of any workplace safety-related legislation to local municipalities and counties is an unnecessary burden to taxpayers in those locations, who would be charged with providing significant resources and infrastructure in order to provide enforcement of such legislation.

Please, do not support AB 332 – this legislation is poorly written, unnecessarily overbroad and addresses a problem that doesn’t exist. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

State Assembly Labor Committee Contact Info

Assemblymember Roger Hernandez (D)

100 North Barranca Street
Suite 895
West Covina, CA 91791

Tel: (626) 960-4457
Fax: (626) 960-1310

assemblymember.hernandez@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Jeff Gorel (R)

2659 Townsgate Rd Suite 236
Westlake Village, CA 91361

Tel: 805-230-9167
Fax: 805-230-9183

assemblymember.gorel@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Mike Morrell

10604 Trademark Parkway North, Suite #308
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

Tel: (909) 466-9096
F: (909) 466-9892

assemblymember.morrell@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Luis Alejo

Salinas Office:
100 West Alisal Street
Suite 134
Salinas, CA 93901

Tel: (831) 759-8676
Fax: (831) 759-2961

Hollister Office:
Briggs Building
365A 4th Street
Hollister, CA 95023
Tuesdays
10am-5pm
Tel: (831) 638-3228

Watsonville Office:
275 Main Street
Suite 104
Watsonville, CA 95076
Every Wednesday
9am-5pm
Phone: (831) 761-7428

assemblymember.alejo@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Ed Chau

205 South Chapel Avenue, Suite B
Alhambra, CA 91801

Tel: (626) 382-0049
Fax: (626) 382-0048

assemblymember.chau@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez

1910 West Sunset Boulevard
Suite 810
Los Angeles, CA 90026-3350

Tel: (213) 483-5151
Fax: (213) 483-5166

assemblymember.gomez@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Chris Holden

600 N. Rosemead Blvd, Suite 117
Pasadena, CA 91107

Tel: (626) 351-1917

assemblymember.holden@assembly.ca.gov

FSC Thanks Opposition to AB 332 Volunteers

(l to r) Attorney Karen Tynan, FSC CEO Diane Duke, director Eli Cross, performer Alana Evans, former performer/blogger Lydia Lee

Free Speech Coalition would like to express gratitude to the industry members and experts that volunteered their time to speak in Sacramento, on opposition to Assembly Bill 332 in front of the Arts & Entertainment Committee at the state capitol. AB 332 was presented to lawmakers on Tuesday.

Current performer Alana Evans, former performer/blogger Lydia Lee (aka Julie Meadows), producer/director Eli Cross and attorney Karen Tynan accompanied FSC CEO Diane Duke to Sacramento, to send a message to legislators that adult film producers and performers oppose mandated barrier protection regulations and, instead, support the current system of STD testing and industry-appropriate regulations.

Ultimately, the proposed bill was passed by the Arts & Entertainment Committee; it may go before the state Labor Committee as early as April 24. If passed by the Labor Committee, AB 332 still has several hurdles to clear – it would then be sent to Appropriations for budgetary approval before being presented to the State Assembly and Senate for final votes.

FSC will continue to lead industry opposition to mandated barrier protection laws and appreciates the efforts, on behalf of their industry, of Evans, Lee and Cross. We encourage all industry members to join FSC and actively support efforts to confront challenges to the industry. For more information on how you can help, please contact  info@freespeechcoalition.com or (818) 348-9373.

FSC Responds to Complaint Filed by AHF Against Immoral Productions

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) denounces actions taken by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) as another misguided attempt to monopolize public health policy by demonizing adult industry businesses

At a press conference today, AHF announced that it has filed a complaint against adult production company Immoral Productions. In response to the latest developments involving AHF’s relentless attacks on the adult industry, FSC CEO Diane Duke has issued the following statement:

“There hasn’t been an on set transmission of HIV since 2004 – nationwide. Adult film industry protocols are highly effective, which is why it is so preposterous that AHF has spent millions on a problem that doesn’t exist. Moreover, AHF has yet to bring forth performers who are not on their payroll and now, an ‘anonymous’ letter? Countless adult film performers have come out against AHF’s crusade as detrimental to their health and their livelihood,” Duke said.

“The bottom line is that AHF’s efforts will only diminish performer safety, drive jobs out of LA and California and spend valuable tax dollars on a non-issue,” Duke added.

As the adult industry trade association, FSC has opposed AHF’s special interest campaign for barrier protection use in adult productions since 2007.

In 2010, after a lawsuit brought by AHF delivered a crippling financial blow to the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare (AIM) clinic, which had been the primary source of healthcare services for industry performers. At that time, FSC stepped in to uphold industry-appropriate standards and protocols for production safety and developed the APHSS.org database program, to oversee performer STD testing.

In 2012, after an estimated $6 million dollars in campaign expenditures by AHF, county voters passed the Los Angeles ‘Safer Sex’ Ordinance for Adult Productions (aka Measure B) by a margin of 57% to 43%. Language on the ballot scarcely stated to voters the proposed barrier protection use, which includes condoms, dental dams, goggles and gloves. Soon after the election, Vivid Entertainment and two performer co-plaintiffs filed suit against the County of Los Angeles, in an effort to strike down the regulation. The case is ongoing.

AHF’s anti-adult industry attempts continue with Assembly Bill 332, which was to be introduced in committee today in Sacramento. The bill has been tabled by the Arts & Entertainment committee, but was handed over to the Labor Committee for further consideration.

FSC will continue to oppose AB 332 and the Los Angeles ordinance as unconstitutional and a burden on both adult industry and California taxpayers. If you would like to find out more about the Los Angeles ordinance, AB 332, or how YOU can help fight AHF’s big money, special interest campaign, contact info@freespeechcoalition.com and follow us @FSCArmy.

HotMovies Resurrects FreedomStreams to Fight Measure B

From AVN.com  - Video-on-demand site HotMovies.com announced today it will reinstitute its FreedomStreams benefit for the Free Speech Coalition (FSC) this year on April 15. On that day, all participating HotMovies studios will dedicate their one-day earnings to FSC. HotMovies will match all donations up to $10,000 to help fund the legal challenge and attempted repeal of L.A. County Measure B.

“We are elated to bring this important event back to life,” said HotMovies director of business development James Cybert. “Now is the time to do it, as our industry is entrenched in a crucial fight. We need the FSC on the front lines more than ever. We want every single content provider we work with to participate. We are now strongly encouraging them to send us permission to support our efforts.”

The first FreedomStreams fundraising event occurred in 2006. For three years, the annual event raised tens of thousands of dollars for FSC, which lobbies in Washington and other key battlegrounds to protect first amendment rights on behalf of the entire adult industry.

Cybert said the most important such battleground in 2013 is Los Angeles County. In November 2012, county voters passed Measure B, an initiative funded and supported by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). The measure, designed to suppress adult filmmaking in greater Los Angeles under the guise of worker safety, requires that all adult performers use protective barriers such as condoms and dental dams when performing any act likely to generate bodily fluids. It creates the need for oversight by already taxed law enforcement and government agencies.

“Their idea of safer sex and a safer workplace would seem to mandate that all performers wear hazmat suits or goggles while working on set,” Cybert said. “Worse, it creates an enforcement issue. Who will be responsible? Potentially it takes officers off the streets where their presence is badly needed and directs them instead to invade porn sets where nothing nefarious happens. It completely ignores all common sense and, perhaps most importantly, the overwhelming desire of the performers themselves. This organization, AHF, which purports to protect sex workers, is the very same one that recently shut down the most reliable test facility to protect these individuals.”

In 2011, AHF president Michael Weinstein took the first major step in what Cybert termed “his personal crusade against the adult industry.” By funding and encouraging a series of legal complaints, Weinstein successfully perpetrated a campaign to shut down AIM Medical Associates, the testing facility with an undeniably successful track record that kept the adult industry healthy and working for more than 13 years.

Marci Hirsch, Vivid Entertainment’s vice president of production and licensing and newly elected to FSC’s Board of Directors, served as a catalyst in renewing the FreedomStreams fundraiser for FSC.

“We all know how vitally important it is for the industry to succeed in overturning Measure B through our lawsuit. This program enables us to unite and pull together and I know we are going to see great success when we do,” she said.

Studios already slated to participate in FreedomStreams include Vivid, Ed Powers, Girlfriends Films, ErosArts, Porn Pros, Homegrown Video, Forbidden Fruits Films, Mile High Media, Combat Zone, Brandon Iron, Evil Angel, New Sensations, Kink.com, West Coast Productions, Zero Tolerance, Private, Adam & Eve and CWoody Photography.

Any HotMovies content producers who wish to participate in this year’s FreedomStreams benefit can email support@moviedollars.com or contact the HotMovies studio team at (800) 611-MOVIE.

Anyone else wishing to contribute need only to log into HotMovies or FreedomStreams.com on or before April 15, to buy minutes and watch some porn on tax day.

“Break out the lube and indulge yourself for a great cause on April 15,” Cybert said. “With your pleasure, you’re saving porn in L.A. and rescuing a hugely underappreciated portion of the Southern California economy. This might be the one issue where most Americans can actually agree these days. If these rules are strictly enforced, production companies will either leave Los Angeles or go out of business. That isn’t good for anyone.”

HotMovies.com adds new titles every day to its inventory of more than over 170,000 legally licensed movies, available for streaming on any device in a totally safe, anonymous and hassle-free environment.

FSC Responds to Proposed Statewide Legislation to Mandate Condoms in Adult Productions

Despite strong opposition from the adult entertainment industry, a new bill proposing a statewide mandate for barrier protection (condoms, gloves, goggles and dental dams) to be used in adult film productions was announced yesterday by the L.A. Times.

In response to the proposed legislation, Free Speech Coalition (FSC) CEO Diane Duke has released the following statements:

“Tragically, this law – if passed – will not only waste taxpayer dollars and compromise the effective performer health protocols already in place, but also compromise funding for critical HIV programs by diverting program funds to create an unnecessary condom-police bureaucracy,” Duke said. “Additionally, this regulation would force an industry vital to the San Fernando Valley and to California’s economy out of the area.”

The proposed bill, which has been tagged as AB-332, follows the passage of the Los Angeles “Safer Sex” Ordinance for Adult Production, which mandates barrier protection for adult productions shot in L.A. County. The new legislation is being sponsored by Assemblyman Isadore Hall III (D – Compton), who held a Valentine’s Day press conference to announce that he will introduce the bill to California lawmakers.

“While other legislators are focused on gun safety, improving our schools and reducing crime, Assembly Member Hall has chosen to use his taxpayer funded salary and staff to focus on adult films,” Duke added. “We look forward to Assembly Member Hall visiting with adult film stars in the coming weeks to learn more about the exhaustive safety precautions already used by the industry.”

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) have been the sole backers of mandatory condom laws in Los Angeles since 2004; the organization has relentless spread misinformation and vilified adult industry performers and businesses as vectors for sexually-transmitted infections that AHF President Michael Weinstein has claimed are a threat to public health.

“In LA County alone, between June 30, 2008 and June 30 2011, 6,447 new cases of HIV were reported by the California Department of Public Health,” Duke explained further. “Out of the 6,447; two were adult entertainment performers. Both of those performers contracted HIV off-set and no transmission of HIV occurred during that time period on set. In fact, NO transmissions of HIV have occurred on an adult set since 2004…. NATIONWIDE!”

As the trade association of the adult entertainment industry, FSC will continue oppose ineffective legislation that will grievously harm the business interests of its membership and the adult industry community, as well as waste funds of taxpayers. FSC also upholds the right of choice for performers in regards to use of barrier protection.

Background on Adult Industry Opposition to Mandatory Condoms

Adult movie production has existed as a legal industry in California since 1989 and has grown over the years into a tight-knit community of businesses, many of them family-owned and operated. The hub of U.S. adult movie production is in Los Angeles County, especially in the San Fernando Valley. The “adult industry” in L.A. employs thousands of people, contributes to local economies, and generates more than $1 billion in revenue locally.

Since 2004, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) – the world’s largest HIV advocacy nonprofit organization with a budget of nearly $200 million annually – has been waging a campaign of misinformation and costly litigation on the adult industry, in an effort to mandate the use of barrier protection (condoms, dental dams, gloves, goggles) on adult production sets.

By 2009, AHF stepped up their campaign, actively filing complaints with Cal-OSHA against adult companies and talent agents. AHF also sued Adult Industry Medical Healthcare (or AIM Clinic) on behalf of two former performers that claimed their medical privacy had been violated by the clinic. AIM, which had been the primary healthcare resource for adult performers and industry-sanctioned STD testing since 1998, became a target for AHF’s protests and media stunts. The clinic eventually closed, due to financial hardship.

AHF gathered enough petition signatures to put the “mandatory condoms” issue on the Los Angeles city ballot in 2011. In response, the L.A. City Council preempted a vote on the issue by approving an ordinance requiring use of barrier protection on adult production sets. Then, after another costly petition drive, the condom issue was placed on the L.A. County ballot in November 2012. Measure B, the L.A. County “Safer Sex” in Adult Film Productions ordinance was approved 57% to 43%.

During the Measure B campaign, Free Speech Coalition (FSC) led industry opposition to mandated barrier protection regulations. We believe that AHF’s actions represent an example of a big money, special interest group leveraging local politics to create publicity for their nonprofit, while spending millions of their own funds and the funds of local taxpayers in costs related to the election and continued litigation. AHF is not a stakeholder in the adult industry and actually disrupted attempts between FSC and state officials to arrive at industry-appropriate regulations.

Measure B opposition also was endorsed by every major local newspaper in Los Angeles County, including the L.A. Times, and supported by 44 local Chambers of  Commerce.

FSC’s mission is to protect and promote adult industry businesses. Since AIM clinic closed in 2010, FSC has developed and operated the APHSS.org database program, which allows industry stakeholders to continue to uphold health & safety protocols for adult production, including the extensive monthly performer testing for STIs.

For more information about FSC , any of our programs, the Los Angeles County “Safer Sex” in Adult Production or AB 332, the proposed statewide mandatory barrier protection legislation , contact Joanne@freespeechcoalition.com.

AHF Comments on Steamray Studios CalOSHA Fines are Predictably Inflammatory

Recent comments by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) on a Cal-OSHA case involving adult producer Steamray Studios are predictably inflammatory, said Free Speech Coalition today.

“Yet another attempt by Weinstein to cloud the issue and cause concern for adult producers and performers, in order to garner more media attention for his organization and its anti-adult campaign to drive adult film businesses out of Los Angeles County,” said FSC CEO Diane Duke.

Any complaint filed with state workplace safety agency Cal-OSHA should not be confused with enforcement of the Los Angeles “Safer Sex” in Adult Productions ordinance, the recently passed law that was funded solely by AHF.

Two weeks ago, adult production company Vivid Entertainment, performers Kayden Kross and Logan Pierce filed suit challenging the L.A. County “Safer Sex” Ordinance in federal court.

Interestingly the Cal-OSHA complaint supports the adult industry’s stance that the State has jurisdiction over such issues—not the County.

FSC advises concerned adult producers to consult with their legal counsel on issues related to health & safety compliance. FSC members can obtain a copy of the FSC Bloodbourne Pathogen Plan for Adult Producers by contacting Joanne@freespeechcoalition.com

Adult Entertainment Industry Files Suit Challenging Measure B

Lawyers for the adult entertainment industry filed suit today in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California challenging the recently passed Measure B which makes it mandatory for adult actors to wear condoms while shooting adult films in LA County.

The complaint states that Measure B is unnecessary because of rigorous and effective self-regulation by the adult industry and that it imposes an unconstitutional system of prior restraint in violation of the First Amendment.  Numerous provisions of Measure B are excessively vague and burdensome, and thus place an intolerable restriction on freedom of expression.  The lawsuit also challenges the County’s jurisdiction to regulate adult production on performer health and safety.

The adult industry plaintiffs include adult production company Vivid Entertainment along with adult performers Kayden Kross and Logan Pierce.  “Overturning this law is something I feel very passionate about.  I believe the industry’s current testing system works well, said Steven Hirsch, founder/co-chairman of Vivid.  “Since 2004 over 300,000 explicit scenes have been filmed with zero HIV transmission.  The new law makes no sense and it imposes a government licensing regime on making films that are protected by the Constitution.  Measure B will have vast unintended consequences which may undermine industry efforts to protect the health of our actors and actresses.”

Attorneys Paul Cambria of Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria, Louis Sirkin of Santen Hughes, and Bob Corn-Revere of Davis Wright Tremaine are representing the plaintiffs.  Mr. Cambria stated that this Law not only infringes on free expression but rather than protect performers as it currently does it will drive production overseas or off shore where no protection exists.