No On Government Waste Commitee Praises AIDS Healthcare Foundation For Offering One-Minute HIV Testing

AIDS Healthcare Foundation gala at The Abbey in West Hollywood, CA, celebrates a new program using one-minute INSTI™ HIV test

While guests and celebrities such as Glee’s Dot-Marie Jones and E! Entertainment Television host Charlie David are being feted at a gala party at The Abbey in West Hollywood tonight, the No on Government Waste Committee, opponents to Measure B, the so-called “Safer Sex” initiative on the Nov. 6^th ballot in Los Angeles County, applauded the AIDS Healthcare Foundation for advocating the importance of frequent testing in controlling the spread of HIV.

“We are heartened that AHF has put such an emphasis on frequent testing to help control the spread of HIV. It’s only through the frequent and thorough testing of performers in the adult film industry that we have been able to maintain a zero infection rate on-set since 2004,” said James Lee, communications director for the No on Government Waste Committee. “Organizations from the World Health Organization to the National Centers for Disease Control to AHF have long maintained the importance of frequent testing and counseling in controlling the spread of HIV.”

According to the California Dept. of Public Health, from June 30, 2008 to June 30, 2011, there were 6,447 new cases of HIV reported in Los Angeles County, but only two were adult performers, both of whom did not contract the disease on-set. Since 2004, there have been no documented cases of HIV transmission on an adult entertainment set.  In fact, with the industry’s strict testing protocols – requiring testing at least every 14 and 28 days for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis – adult performers are the most tested workforce in the nation.

“Even though passage of Measure B significantly raises costs to the county and potentially cripples community health programs, we are hopeful AHF would publicly commit to divert more of its ample government-funded resources to better serve African-American, Latino and economically disadvantaged communities where, according to the Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health, sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise,” Lee added. “In fact, maybe they can donate the convertible Fiat 500 being given away by Santa Monica Fiat to a community clinic in Southeast LA that is underfunded.”

Measure B, funded and placed on the ballot by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, would require the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to license and permit adult movie productions in the county and require performers to wear condoms and create an unworkable system of on-set inspections and enforcement by county personnel. The county estimates initial start-up costs for the program to be in excess of $300,000, but acknowledges that regardless of the level of compliance by the adult film industry, there would be significant cost to the Department of Public Health.

No on Government Waste Committee

The Committee is comprised of entertainment companies, local business organizations, community activists, adult entertainment performers and healthcare advocates who oppose Measure B’s plan for creating an underfunded government inspection program diverting badly needed resources from local community clinics and underserved minority communities. For more information, please visit: www.noongovernmentwaste.com.

Valley Industry and Commerce Association Endorses No on Measure B Campaign

(l-to-r) Attorney and FSC Board Chair Jeffrey Douglas, VICA Chair David Adelman, VICA President Stuart Waldman, and adult industry performers James Deen, Stoya and Tanya Tate

This morning, at a press conference held in the Burbank offices of adult company Manwin, the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) gave its formal endorsement to the NO to Government Waste campaign to defeat Los Angeles County Ballot Measure B. The measure, if approved, would require adult film productions to use condoms, gloves, goggles, dental dams, protective gear and other exposure protocols while making adult films.

Measure B, which has been spearheaded by HIV nonprofit organization AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), is an exceedingly irresponsible example of government overreach that will ultimately drive thousands of jobs and up to a billion dollars in annual economic activity out of the Los Angeles area.

In this quote from AVN Magazine, VICA Chair David Adelman said, “In order to stem the tide of businesses that have left our region, and to encourage businesses within our region to grow and prosper, VICA believes that our politicians should be bending over backwards to make Los Angeles County as business friendly as possible.

“Well, the politicians sure have missed the boat with regard to Measure B,” Adelman continued. “Measure B is yet another regulation in search of a problem and will make Los Angeles County even less business friendly than it already is. At a time when growing the economy and growing more jobs is imperative, Measure B is precisely what Los Angeles County doesn’t need. Should Measure B pass, we expect to see thousands more on the unemployment lines, and billions of dollars sucked out of our economy, and as a result, VICA is strongly in opposition to this measure, and is one of the key business organizations who’s now dedicated to promoting the business across Los Angeles. We need to stand up to this overreach of government regulation and oppose Measure B.”

Adult industry performers Stoya, Tanya Tate and James Deen also appeared at the press conference to express their outrage over the proposed regulations.

In this quote from XBIZ Magazine, Deen said, “The idea of restricting our ability to make choices of our own is insulting, it is rude and frankly, it’s unconstitutional,” Deen said. “We’ve had zero HIV transmissions in over eight years. There’s no other community in the entire world where you can find that. Adult industry sex is as safe as you can possibly get.

“You have a group of people, all tested regularly, all engaging in sexual activity with one another,” he added.

Free Speech Coalition opposes Ballot Measure B and the relentless anti-industry attacks carried out by AHF in what they claim is an attempt to “protect performers.” The organization recently launched their own campaign for Measure B, highlighted by TV ads featuring paid actors Darren James and Derrick Burts as their spokesmen.

FSC would like to express special appreciation for Deen, Stoya and Tate, who appeared at this morning’s press conference voluntarily, in order to express their strong opposition of Measure B. There has been a great outpouring of industry support for the No On Government Waste – No to Measure B campaign. FSC would like to urge the voters of Los Angeles to learn the facts about adult industry self-regulation and performer testing, and VOTE NO on Measure B. At a time when necessary programs and services are being cut from the city budget, we know that voters do NOT want tax dollars spent on bad legislation and “condom police.”

To learn more about Measure B, please visit the No On Government Waste website, “like” the campaign on Facebook, and follow @NOtoMeasureB on Twitter.

Stoya and Tanya Tate said that Measure B was “insulting” and deprives them and other performers of choice in matters regarding their own bodies and livelihoods

Deen speaks to the media and members of the public

No on Government Waste Committee Calls on AIDS Healthcare Foundation to Halt Illegal Measure B TV Ads

TV Ads Feature Compensated Actors With Disclaimers That Violate State Campaign Laws

Los Angeles – Blasting a new television ad featuring paid performers, the No on Government Waste Committee called on the AIDS Healthcare Foundation to remove an ad that it calls misleading, erroneous and that violates state election law in the fight over Measure B, the so-called “Safer Sex” initiative on the Nov. 6^th ballot in Los Angeles County.

“This ad featuring Derrick Burts and Darren James does not disclose that both men were well-compensated by AHF for their appearances, nor does the disclaimer meet state requirements for information, location and size in order to allow voters to be properly informed,” said James Lee, communications director for the No on Government Waste Committee. “If AHF does not remove this ad, nor make the necessary corrections, our only alternative is to file a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission and force them to abide by the law.”

The TV ad can be viewed here.

Lee disclosed that Derrick Burts had previously been in discussions with the No on Government Waste Committee seeking compensation of $10,000 in order to not appear in any AHF ads and campaign materials.

“Mr. Burts had previously been in discussions with us in order to be paid $10,000 by the opponents to Measure B. Even though he agreed to the amount and be paid, the Committee eventually decided not to complete the agreement, nor make any payments,” Lee said. “Burts had disclosed to us that AHF had previously paid approximately $7,500 for his support and he indicated he wanted more money. We can only assume that Mr. Weinstein met his demands for increased compensation after shopping himself around to the highest bidder.”

Lee further disclosed the Committee had also been informed that Darren James had been compensated by AHF and that AHF had approached other performers in a blatant attempt to throw money at people in tough economic conditions in order to take advantage of them.

“It’s worth asking if AHF can find a single performer who has not been paid by them to come forward and be a passionate advocate for a measure that taxpayers and the business community, especially outside of the adult entertainment industry, are beginning to seriously question,” Lee said. “This is an industry that requires the latest PCR/RNA Aptima testing for every performer, as well as screening for syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea. It subsidizes those tests for performers and aggressively pursues notifications, retesting and treatment whenever there is a positive test.”

Of more significant note, Lee also cited a need for the FPPC, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the California Office of AIDS and the California Department of Public Health to open up inquiries into AHF’s use of funds for political purposes.

“The taxpayers of California and the voters, not to mention the thousands of AIDS and HIV patients being served by AHF have a right to know what funds AHF is tapping to pay for initiative qualifications, paying for endorsements and spending for pricey ad campaigns at a time when the state and county health systems are extremely underfunded,” Lee said. “State election law and the rules of the grant awards AHF has received from the government make clear that taxpayer dollars are not to be used for political purposes. And if AHF is making the claim that these ads are part of its AIDS education mandate, then all references to Measure B are to be erased and media advisories and press releases and press events should make no mention of it.”

Measure B, funded and placed on the ballot by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, would require the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to license and permit adult movie productions in the county and require performers to wear condoms and create an unworkable system of on-set inspections and enforcement by county personnel. The county estimates initial start-up costs for the program to be in excess of $300,000, but acknowledges it does not know if permitting fees would be adequate to fund the program’s long-term costs.

According to the California Dept. of Public Health, from June 30, 2008 to June 30, 2011, there were 6,447 new cases of HIV reported in Los Angeles County, but only two were adult performers who did not contract the disease on-set. Since 2004, there have been no documented cases of HIV transmission on an adult entertainment set.  In fact, with the industry’s strict testing protocols – requiring testing at least every 28 days for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis – adult performers are the most tested workforce in the nation.

No on Government Waste Committee

The Committee is comprised of entertainment companies, local business organizations, community activists, adult entertainment performers and healthcare advocates who oppose Measure B’s plan for creating an underfunded government inspection program diverting badly needed resources from local community clinics and underserved minority communities.

FSC Speaks About Launch of No on Government Waste Campaign

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) announced today the launch of a campaign against the AIDS Healthcare Foundation sponsored measure mandating condoms in the adult film industry in LA County — Measure B.

No on Government Waste, a broad-based coalition of business organizations, entertainment companies, community activists and healthcare advocates announced the campaign launch this week to media outlets nationwide.

The campaign has polled likely voters in LA County to determine their position on Measure B.

“There is a clear path to win this campaign,” said Diane Duke FSC CEO and No on Government Waste committee member. “The key will be to educate voters about the harm to performers and the taxpayer expense that comes with this flawed measure.”

Los Angeles County estimates the initial start-up costs for the inspection and permitting program would come to more than $300,000 per year in administration, salary and benefits for county inspectors, but with Film LA, Inc., the film-permitting arm for Los Angeles County, estimating less than 480 permits issued for all adult film shoots, the program could start losing money from its launch.

Measure B also stipulates standards for conduct on sets during filming that could require actors and film crew to wear gloves, goggles and lab coats.

“The people of Los Angeles County can think of a lot better uses for the time of first responders, county health inspectors and other government personnel than hanging around an adult film shoot checking for condom usage,” said James Lee, spokesman for the No on Government Waste Committee. “Measure B is seriously flawed and is going to cost taxpayers money and cost them critical health services.”

No on Government Waste Committee

The Committee is comprised of entertainment companies, local business organizations, community activists, adult entertainment performers and healthcare advocates who oppose Measure B’s plan for creating an underfunded government inspection program diverting badly needed resources from local community clinics and under-served minority communities. The Committee will be launching its online program, which will provide additional information to interested voters.

Campaign to Defeat Measure B Requiring Condoms on Adult Film Sets Launched by Broad Coalition

Ballot Initiative Would Result in Cuts in Healthcare Services and Government Deficits

Citing the potential for deficits in county healthcare programs, a broad-based coalition of business organizations, entertainment companies, community activists and healthcare advocates today announced the launch of a campaign aimed at defeating Measure B, the so-called “Safer Sex” initiative on the Los Angeles County ballot this Nov. 6^th.

“Measure B is a waste of taxpayer dollars, does nothing to promote better healthcare and threatens to add increased costs to the county by creating another underfunded government program,” said James Lee, spokesman for the No on Government Waste Committee. “Measure B will result in deficits threatening community clinics and healthcare services to the poor and minority communities of Los Angeles County.”

Measure B, funded and placed on the ballot by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, would require the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to license and permit adult movie productions in unincorporated areas of the county and require performers to wear condoms and create an unworkable system of on-set inspections and enforcement by county personnel. The measure hopes to fund the program through permitting fees, but makes no allowance should funds prove insufficient to maintain the program.

“The adult entertainment industry has the most aggressive and comprehensive testing and reporting program in the country. It’s an industry that acts swiftly and responsibly in shutting down production nationwide at even a hint of a positive test result,” Lee said. “What this is really about is creating another government bureaucracy regardless of what it means for county healthcare services and drive production-related jobs out of an area with stagnant job growth.”

Los Angeles County estimates the initial start-up costs for the inspection and permitting program would come to more than $300,000 per year in administration, salary and benefits for county inspectors, but with Film LA, Inc., the film-permitting arm for Los Angeles County, estimating less than 480 permits issued for all adult film shoots, the program could start losing money from its launch.

Measure B also stipulates standards for conduct on sets during filming that could require actors and film crew to wear gloves, goggles and lab coats.

“The people of Los Angeles County can think of a lot better uses for the time of first responders, county health inspectors and other government personnel than hanging around an adult film shoot checking for condom usage,” Lee said. “Measure B is seriously flawed and is going to cost taxpayers money and cost them critical health services.”

• Facts about the adult entertainment industry:In Los Angeles County from June 30, 2008 to June 30, 2011, there were 6,447 new cases of HIV reported according to the California Dept. of Public Health, but only two were adult performers who did not contract it on-set;
• There have been no documented cases of HIV transmission on an adult entertainment set since 2004;
• The industry sets testing standards far in excess of virtually any other industry such as local hospitals, pharmaceutical firms or food service. It is also the only industry that orders industry-wide shutdowns of production whenever a threat to performers exists;
• The industry employs over ten thousand workers in production-related jobs such as make-up, lighting, carpenters, transportation, food service, payroll processing, web design, etc. All of which would be in jeopardy should Measure B pass;
• The industry contributes over a billion dollars in local economic impact and tax revenues to local cities and the county that would also be in jeopardy.

No to Government Waste Committee

The Committee is comprised of entertainment companies, local business organizations, community activists, adult entertainment performers and healthcare advocates who oppose Measure B’s plan for creating an underfunded government inspection program diverting badly needed resources from local community clinics and under-served minority communities. The Committee will be launching its online program, which will provide additional information to interested voters.

Update on Production Moratorium, Performer Testing

As a result of a performer testing positive for syphilis, APHSS.org providers are administering the standard RPR syphilis test that is approved by the FDA for preliminary diagnosis. A negative test does NOT mean the performer is approved to work. It is important to note that this test has a large window period — as much as 90 days — and therefore cannot be relied upon to diagnose an acute (recent) syphilis infection. More importantly, a person with an acute infection can be contagious and still test negative. We cannot rely on these tests alone to determine a performer’s availability to work. This test only provides our doctors a baseline from which to base further testing or treatment options.

FSC has called a temporary moratorium on production and asks that all producers honor this moratorium.

Syphilis is easily treatable—it requires treatment with antibiotics. APHSS’ doctors network has determined that prophylactic treatment for syphilis for all performers is warranted. The shots have been ordered from the pharmacy and within the next couple of days, APHSS.org will have set up a network of medical professionals to administer the shots. Locations for performers to get the shots will be announced by tomorrow, August 21. Once the performer receives antibiotics, he or she will be available to work within 10 days.

Finally, our doctor’s network is speaking with expert microbiologists to determine if there is a test that can be utilized to identify the presence of an acute infection of syphilis. If such a test exists, this test will be administered when the performer comes in for prophylactic treatment, in order to provide additional information.

Manwin has agreed to cover cost of the shots for performers. Other producers contributing to cover the cost of treatment include, Evil Angel, Girlfriend Films, Kink.com, Vivid Pictures, and Gamma Entertainment. Still more producers are offering to contribute – this is an industry-wide effort by producers to ensure the safety of the performers. We greatly appreciate the cooperation and contributions of involved parties at this time.

“I always appreciate how our industry comes together in a time of need,” said FSC Executive Director Diane Duke. “Clearly our industry’s priority is the health and well-being of our performers. Thank you to all of the producers who have and will contribute and thanks to all of you for honoring the moratorium.”

The APHSS.org (Adult Production Health & Safety Services) program is operated by FSC. For more information on APHSS.org, please contact Joanne@freespeechcoalition.com.

(Graphic: Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration)

 

The Los Angeles Condom Mandate: A Radio Debate with FSC’s Diane Duke and AHF’s Michael Weinstein

Controversy over the Los Angeles Safer Sex in Adult Films “condom” ordinance is heating up. The mandate, which is already in effect as an ordinance in the City of Los Angeles, is also up for a countywide vote in November. If passed, the County of Los Angeles will create a new agency to enforce mandatory use of barrier protection (condoms, eye protection, dental dams, gloves, et al) on adult production sets. A report outlining possible enforcement plans for the ordinance was submitted to the City Administrator on August 15th. These are the latest developments in the campaign for condom legislation, waged by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) since 2009.

FSC Executive Director Diane Duke debated AHF President Michael Weinstein this week, live on KPCC. Listen here. Also interviewed in this piece on Airtalk; City Administrator Miguel Santana.

Free Speech Coalition has led the opposition against this ordinance, which is overly broad, impossible to enforce and faces constitutional challenges. The legislation is the brainchild of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the world’s largest HIV nonprofit – as well as a deep-pocketed, outside entity that has relentlessly attacked adult industry businesses on behalf of “protecting the performers.” AHF’s legal actions were a direct factor in the closure of the AIM clinicin 2010, the adult industry’s nonprofit resource for STI testing. In fact, AHF’s misguided campaign has endangered the performers.

There have been more than 6,000 new cases of HIV in Los Angeles since 2008; there have been two documented cases of adult performers contracting HIV since 2008 and neither was reported to be in relation to work on an adult production set. The industry has implemented health & safety protocols and complied with self-regulation successfully since 1998.

FSC has worked with industry stakeholders, compliance experts, attorneys, representatives of Cal-OSHA to try and develop industry appropriate standards. FSC also operates the Adult Production Health & Safety Services (APHSS.org) program, to offer reliable monthly STI testing for performers and uphold industry self-regulation standards based on the work of the AIM clinic. Our system is a secure information database that safeguards user privacy, working with a network of established healthcare providers nationwide.

At a time when the state of California and the county of Los Angeles face serious budgetary reductions, we believe it is irresponsible to support or approve of a legislative mandate that will only result in a poorly written law and more funds spent in litigation when the ordinance is challenged.

Lastly, when an activity is outlawed, it is not eliminated but driven underground, where regulation and cooperation become near impossible. The twisted efforts of Weinstein and AHF to eliminate the adult production industry – under the guise of working for the greater good – is dangerous grandstanding based on stereotypes and scare tactics. AHF vilifies adult industry producers as exploitive, the same way that people once stigmatized HIV+ individuals as vectors of disease. Which group will they attack next, in their zeal to “protect” by mandating sexual behavior?

Please, support our efforts to say NO to this ballot initiative; its ballot identification number is to be announced.

If you would like to learn more about the Los Angeles condom ordinance, contact joanne@freespeechcoalition.com.

(Photo: Courtesy of Nickpo)

Los Angeles “Safer Sex in Adult Films” Working Group Submits Enforcement Plan to City Administrator, Media

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) today received a copy of the 47-page report outlining recommendations for enforcement of the mandatory condom ordinance for adult productions.

“In a time when multiple California cities are going bankrupt, LA itself has a significant budgetary problem and city services are being cut drastically, I find it unconscionable that the City would create a new bureaucracy to monitor condoms on adult film performers,” said FSC Executive Director Diane Duke. “What’s even more ridiculous is that there hasn’t been a transmission of HIV on an adult set—nationwide—in over eight years.”

The report, which is extensive, was developed from information supplied by the “Safer Sex in Adult Films” Working Group, which was made up of representatives from various local governmental agencies, including film permitting bureau Film LA, the Los Angeles Fire Department, LAPD, L.A. County Public Health (LACPH) Department, City Attorney’s office, County attorneys, and Cal-OSHA, among others.

• Compliance with current state regulations for blood-borne pathogens exposure, which includes use of condoms and other barrier protection (eye protection, gloves and dental dams).
• Requiring either a Fire Marshal or licensed healthcare professional to be present on adult production sets to confirm and verify compliance with a signed affidavit.
• For the City of Los Angeles to initiate an RFP process, to accept bids from outside agencies that would provide inspection personnel.
• Additional fees for film permitting (anywhere from $2,500 to $3,500 each), to cover the cost of inspectors.
• Producer must provide company staff with health & safety training and education specific to blood-borne pathogen regulations.

While the report has been sent to the City Administrator’s office in time for yesterday’s deadline for submission, it could be it will be sent for further revision once the City Council has reviewed it.

Currently, an initiative requiring condoms to be used in adult productions will appear on the November Los Angeles County ballot. If passed, it would require a revision of City enforcement protocols to accommodate enforcement throughout all of Los Angeles County.

FSC, the adult industry business alliance, has led the opposition to the adult film condom mandate and will continue to represent the best interests of its members and adult industry businesses.

To view the report, click here: 20120815_CAO_IMPLEMENTATION_OF_SAFER_SEX_IN_ADULT_FILM_INDUSTRY_ORDINANCE

(Original photo: Courtesy of Public Domain)

So, What Is the Los Angeles County Condom Initiative, and What Happens if It’s Passed?

Earlier this year, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) spent an estimated $2 million on paid signature gatherers to get a mandatory condom initiative for adult productions on the ballot. Their efforts were successful, and on LA County’s 2012 November ballot voters will have the option of voting on this misguided ballot measure. The ballot measure goes FAR beyond just requiring condoms for adult productions.

If this ballot measure passes, producers (defined as any entity that produces, finances or directs adult films) will be required to:

• Obtain a public health permit from LA County Department of Public Health (LADPH).
• Pay a permit fee set by the LADPH sufficient to cover the cost of enforcement – LADPH has estimated permit costs for producers of $12,000-$60,000/permit annually. (Note: This figure only includes the cost of permitting and does not include enforcement personnel and related costs so the actual fees will be much higher).
• Have a company Exposure Control Plan that complies with Title 8 California Code of Regulations section 3203 and 5193 – the same plan medical clinics have to follow for blood-borne pathogens – with goggles, gloves, lab coats and other barrier protection.
• County health officers may inspect any location without notice, as often as they would like. Permits can be revoked for failing to comply with LA County code or any of the CalOSHA’s bloodborne pathogen requirements. Failure to comply is punishable by a fine of $1,000 or six months in the County jail, or both.

The “Safer Sex” Ballot Measure is a Bad Idea

It won’t work – 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 services.

Government cannot compel an industry to create a product for which there is little to no demand.Demand for non-condom movies drives the market, which is distributed worldwide. An industry based in LA County will not be able to survive when competition from other states and countries can provide the product the consumer wants, while LA producers are prohibited from supplying what is in demand.

It will take jobs and revenue out of California – the adult industry in California employs many thousands of individuals, as well as ancillary businesses and services. It creates a “made in the USA” product that can only be “outsourced” if producers are driven out of state. Large and small adult industry businesses also pay millions in taxes, which benefit local communities.

It will hurt performers – If condoms were mandatory existing testing protocols would likely disappear. The protocols that are in place are here to protect the performers and successfully do so. The California adult production industry is one of the most regulated; if producers are forced into other areas or to go “underground,” it will make it difficult – if not impossible – to impose existing industry standards for performer testing and health & safety protocols, which have been proven to be effective in preventing the incidence of STIs.

It will hurt the Los Angeles economy – If the ballot measure passes many producers will likely leave the area and take their taxes and jobs with them. The industry has been approached by leaders in other states offering tax incentives for us to move there.

It will waste valuable resources – HIV funding in LA has already been significantly reduced.  Diverting valuable dollars from existing programs to this program will only hurt those already infected with HIV and will reduce the resources to prevent others from contracting the disease.

The County can’t afford this regulation – fees charged will in no way cover the extensive bureaucracy that will have to be created to implement this regulation. With massive cutbacks in county resources, tax dollars going for “condom police” when there have been no transmissions of HIV onset nationwide in eight years is a serious waste of valuable resources.

Despite outrageous claims, flawed data and misinformation generated by AHF, forcing a condom mandate on the adult production industry is dangerous grandstanding on AHF’s part. This campaign by AHF also is not in line with their supposed mission to help low income HIV patients with access to services and medication. In communities where HIV rates are increasing, studies show that this may be due to lack of outreach and education, which can be directly tied to lack of state and county funding for HIV programs.

Now, AHF – with its $187 million dollar annual budget – wants taxpayers to spend their scarce funds to force government agencies to regulate an industry that has successfully (and voluntarily) implemented health & safety protocols that have been effective for more than a decade.

Free Speech Coalition asks its members, other industry members, the local business community and the citizens of Los Angeles County to oppose the condom initiative on the ballot in November. For more information on the condom issue, or to help us say “NO” to this misguided, unwarranted proposed legislation, please contact info@freespeechcoalition.com.

(Photo: Courtesy of NASA)

A Special Thank You from APHSS.org

FSC and Adult Production Health & Safety Services (APHSS.org) would like to show appreciation to all that attended the APHSS.org meeting held on July 10, which addressed issues around performer testing, as well as updated information on Los Angeles’ pending mandatory condom legislation in the city and county.

Special thanks to XBIZ Magazine, XBIZ owner Alec Helmy and his crew, that provided resources which enabled the meeting to be broadcast via live stream on industry forum XBIZ.net. More than 30 industry members that were unable to attend in-person watched the proceedings online.

To everyone that took time out of their schedules to attend, we thank you. Some industry members that attended included: Nina Hartley & Ira Levine; Wicked’s Brad Armstrong; Vivid’s Marci Hirsch & Shylar Cobi; Girlfriends Pictures’ Dan O’Connell & Moose; Adam & Eve’s Bruce Whitney; New Sensations Renae Englhart; Alia Janine; Sean Michaels; Kimberly Kane; Nate Liquor; Sarah Shevon; Miles Long; Will Jarvis; director Kevin Moore; All Media Play’s Scott David; AVN’s Theo Sapoutzis & Mark Kernes; XBIZ’s Dan Miller; AINews’ Steve Nelson; blogger Julie Meadows; sociologist Chauntelle Tibbals, among others. Members of agents’ organization LATATA including Chris from 101 Modeling, Type 9 Models’ Kevin O’Neal and ATMLA’s Shy Love also were present, among other attendees.

The meeting was a huge success. Complicated issues were discussed in an open forum by industry stakeholders, which brought more clarity to the current situation involving performer testing and the condom ordinance/County ballot initiative. Speakers at the meeting included Kink.com founder Peter Acworth; infectious disease expert Dr. Miao (Cutting Edge Testing); labor attorney Karen Tynan; industry attorney Allan Gelbard; and FSC’s Executive Director Diane Duke.

A video of the meeting can be viewed by clicking this link.

In related news: The same day of the APHSS meeting, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted to continue their discussion of approval of the L.A. County condom ballot initiative for the county ballot in November.

Going forward, FSC and APHSS.org will continue to keep an open dialogue with industry stakeholders, concerning these important issues. If you need more information on FSC, APHSS.org, performer testing or the condom ordinance, please contact joanne@freespeechcoalition.com.

Please, remember to support FSC and the APHSS.org performer-testing program – we fight the good fight on your behalf, but we can’t do it without YOU! Thank you.

(Photo: Some rights reserved by VistaMommy)