RECENT DPH REPORT ADDRESSES NON-COMPLIANT OUT-OF-STATE SHOOT IN SEPTEMBER

Yesterday, the California Department of Public Health released information about an incident this past September concerning a performer with HIV working on a non-compliant adult film set in Nevada. This is, however, not a ‘current threat’ as stated in the press release.

At the time of the incident, the Free Speech Coalition immediately cooperated with the Department of Public Health, and called a moratorium to determine if there was any risk of transmission to performers on PASS compliant adult sets. Non-complaint shoots are one of the chief dangers of pushing the adult industry out of state, and outside the established testing protocol.

The shoots in question did not adhere to the PASS testing protocols and were shot outside of the PASS testing database used by adult performers. Not only did this leave those who participated at risk, it made it much harder to track scene partners once the possible infection was discovered.

While the set did use a degree of HIV testing, it fell below the standard set by PASS protocols, including the use of an ELISA HIV tests, rather than the highly sensitive RNA tests required by the industry. The ELISA tests have large window periods that delay how early an infection can be detected, and have not been accepted within the adult industry for over a decade.

Neither did the shoot utilize the PASS database. However, once alerted by the DPH to the incident, the Free Speech Coalition worked swiftly to shut down production within the larger industry and help track any possible exposures in or out of the PASS database. While performers in the PASS database were not affected, participants on the non-compliant shoot may have been exposed.

The adult film industry has been working with government agencies including Cal/OSHA to bring remaining producers shooting outside of the PASS protocols into compliance. The PASS system utilized by the industry is a proven testing protocol that has been effective in preventing any on-set transmission of HIV for more than ten years.

For more information about industry protocols, moratoriums and testing:

https://fscblogger.wordpress.com/2013/12/08/an-faq-about-stis-testing-and-moratoriums/

FSC Congratulates Winners of 2015 Board of Directors Election

FSC is proud to announce recently elected members to its Board of Directors. These are the results of the 2015 FSC Board of Directors election results, for the voting period that ended on Friday, December 12.

Incumbent board members that were re-elected include Kink.com founder Peter Acworth, attorney Jeffrey Douglas, XBIZ Magazine founder Alec Helmy, Vivid Entertainment’s Marci Hirsch, Good Vibrations owner Joel Kaminsky, industry legal analyst Mark Kernes, attorney Reed Lee, and Classic Erotica’s Lynn Swanson.

“We had a great turnout for voting, so we wanted to thank every member that took the time to fill out the ballot,” FSC CEO Diane Duke said. “Now, more than ever, the industry needs strong representation to legislators and the public. FSC is proud to be able to work with leading professionals in the industry, both with our board members and our supporters. These are the people that take an active role in leading, protecting and supporting the growth and well being of the adult entertainment community.”

Members of the board in good standing include Adam & Eve’s Bob Christian, ElDorado’s Larry Garland, MOXXX Productions Mo Reese and ATML’s Mark Schechter and NakedSword’s Tim Valenti, bring the total number of board members to 13.

Measure B Decision will Hurt Performers

The 9th Circuit Court of California announced today that it would decline to issue an injunction to stop the Measure B, the 2012 ballot measure which seeks mandate condoms in adult film produced in Los Angeles County. This latest decision is not a ruling on the constitutionality of Measure B, but rather a decision declining to enjoin the rest of the statute at this time. Previous courts have struck down the enforcement component of the law; this latest ruling does not change that decision.

“While this intermediate decision allows that condoms may be mandated, it doesn’t meant they should be,” said Diane Duke, CEO of the Free Speech Coalition. “We have spent the last two years fighting for the right of adult performers to make their own decisions about their bodies, and against the stigma against adult film performers embodied in the statute. Rather than protect adult performers, a condom mandate pushes a legal industry underground where workers are less safe. This is terrible policy that has been defeated in other legislative venues.”

Los Angeles County has seen a 95% drop in permits since the passage of Measure B, as adult film production has moved into neighboring counties, and out of state, most notably to Las Vegas.

Under standards enforced by the industry, in order to work, adult film performers must test every fourteen-days for a full-slate of STIs, including HIV. There has not been a transmission of HIV on a regulated adult film set in over a decade.

“This decision will hurt performers,” said Duke. “That’s why a broad coalition that includes doctors, public health advocates, performers and performers rights groups came together to defeat similar legislation this summer.“

Plaintiffs in the case are considering all options for moving forward and will make a decision in the coming weeks.

FSC Congratulates Sex Party Victory in Victorian Elections

Free Speech Coalition congratulates the Australian Sex Party (and its sister organization adult industry trade group Eros Association) on recent victories in gaining two seats in the Victorian Parliament. The victory represents the first time that pro-adult industry political party representatives have held legislative seats in Australia.

“We are so happy and proud for Fiona Patten and the Australian Sex Party,” said FSC CEO Diane Duke. “This marks an important development for the progress of pro-adult politics, not only in Australia but all over the world. With the help of their industry partners, the Sex Party has achieved a very significant victory.”

For more information on results of the Victorian election, please follow this link.

FSC Congratulates UK Protestors

Free Speech Coalition applauds the efforts of Charlotte Rose, Jerry Barnett, Sex and Censorship and the coalition of free speech advocates that protested on the steps of the Parliament today. The protestors fought to protect the personal liberties and free speech of British citizens in light recent amendments to existing legislation that places a stranglehold on adult content created in the UK and viewed by British citizens.

“Rose’s face-sitting protest was not only the first of its kind, but also courageous and brilliant,” commented Diane Duke, FSC CEO. “She got her message across and managed to bring unwanted and embarrassing media attention to the prudish British Parliament. BRAVO!”

Rose’s protest was organized on Facebook after the legislation changed to outlaw the distribution of movies featuring sex acts including spanking and whipping and face-sitting, if filmed in the UK.

“I suspect that this is just the beginning of the backlash,” said Duke. “These free speech advocates not only have our full support, but also our undying gratitude for free speech is a global issue and impacts us all.”