FSC Responds to False Accusations by AIDS Healthcare Foundation

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has been falsely accused by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), of obstructing a medical investigation by Los Angeles County Public Health (LACPH), in regards to the latest incidence of the possible HIV exposure of an adult industry performer, in a press release issued by AHF today.

FSC, the adult industry trade association, would like to make clear that this accusation is completely false and that is appallingly irresponsible for AHF to accuse any adult industry members of wrong-doing without any basis in actual fact.

Official statements made today by AHF President Michael Weinstein at an AHF press conference are false and seemingly based on rumor and innuendo gathered from unreliable sources.

During that press conference, Weinstein also falsely accused FSC of witholding information from public health authorities.

FSC has received no contact from LACPH, out-of-state health officials, or AHF.

“This is another prime example of AHF and its President Michael Weinstein’s outrageous grandstanding, which is completely false and baseless,” FSC Executive Director Diane Duke. “AHF has a history of spreading misinformation in order to further their agenda to force government regulation of sexual behavior. Apparently, Mr. Weinstein will stop at nothing, including spreading false information, in order to call attention to AHF’s agenda.”

To FSC’s knowledge, there is no investigation being conducted by LACPH at this time. It is impossible for FSC to obstruct an investigation that, evidently, does not exist. In the event that FSC were to be contacted by authorities from LACPH or elswehere, it would endeavor to cooperate fully, while still protecting the rights of any individuals to medical privacy.

It should also be made clear that at this time FSC does not have authorized information confirming that a performer or any performers have tested positive for HIV. However, after reports received on Saturday were corroborated by various sources, there was enough serious concern regarding the possible infection for FSC to call a moratorium on production.

It also should be noted that the possible infection took place outside of California, and there is nothing to suggest that the Los Angeles adult production industry has been affected by any possible infections. However, adult production companies in Los Angeles have voluntarily agreed to the moratorium in order to eliminate the potential for exposure.

Also, the possible exposure and subsequent events took place outside of the APHSS.org database program and therefore, outside of the authority of FSC to implement industry exposure protocols. However, FSC has reached out to concerned parties and is providing assistance.

The APHSS.org database program was developed in order to fill the gap left by the closure of Adult Industry Medical Healthcare (AIM) that, since 1998, had been the primary testing facility for adult performers. AIM was closed in May, largely due to financial pressure brought on by relentless litigation waged against them by AHF. FSC administers the APHSS.org program, which was launched on August 1, and still in the process of organizing producers, agents and performers for participation in the program.

“AHF’s campaign for mandatory condoms has done nothing but create controversy and, with the closure of AIM, has deprived the adult industry of an important health and safety resource,” Duke continued. “The industry has successfully self-regulated since 1998, due to AIM and the cooperation of the content production industry nationwide. However, without a similar system in place, the issue of industry protocols not being followed by separate testing facilities presents substantial difficulties for maintaining health and safety standards.”

FSC also has consulted with legal advisers in order to issue a demand for an immediate retraction from AHF.

(Photo: Some rights reserved by Brad Gillette)

Information Regarding Possible HIV Exposure of Industry Performer

Free Speech Coalition was made aware of the possible HIV exposure of a performer on Saturday. In order to err on the side of caution and to eliminate any possible risk to performers, FSC called for an industry-wide moratorium Sunday night. This moratorium should remain in place until primary reports of any exposure are confirmed. In the event of the necessity for first and second generational testing, a list of any individuals that may have been exposed will be compiled and the moratorium will then be evaluated by our medical and legal advisers, as well as industry stakeholders. At this point, there is nothing to suggest that any individuals that may have been affected have performed in California.

At this point, FSC does not have an authorized information confirming that a performer or any performers have tested HIV-positive.

The incident occurred outside of California; however, the Los Angeles production community has voluntarily submitted to the moratorium as an appropriate response to the current situation. At this point there is nothing to suggest that the occurrence has affected the Los Angeles-based industry, but producers, agents and performers are cooperating in order to uphold health & safety protocols.

Due to the closure of the AIM clinic in May, FSC developed the Adult Production Health & Safety Services program – which was launched on August 1 – to fill the gap left for performer testing. Because of the newness of the APHSS.org program, FSC was in the process of signing up performers, producers and agents to the program, when the possible exposure occurred. The APHSS.org program implements industry-appropriate standards for exposure protocol and other health & safety guidelines.

The industry has had a successful system of health & safety self-regulation since 1998, despite any misinformation being spread by our opponents. It is an unfortunate fact that the closure of AIM was, in large part, due to relentless litigation against the clinic (as well as many other industry businesses) by AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

In fact, AHF has done more harm than good by their efforts to force regulations, with no interest in the well-being of adult industry performers. FSC and industry stakeholders have worked to ensure the well-being of any individuals that may have been affected by this latest possible occurrence, and will continue to do so into the future.

Updated 08-31-11

(Graphic: Courtesy of Tokyoship)

APHSS.org Legal Advisor Sends Letter to LA City Attorney Protesting Actions by Cal/OSHA, AHF

APHSS.org Legal Advisor and attorney Karen Tynan has issued a letter to the Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich challenging actions by health & safety regulatory agency Cal/OSHA. The state agency recently sent a letter to the LA City Attorney allowing the city to enforce mandatory condom use through film permit requirements for adult productions.

“When I saw that counsel for Cal/OSHA was advising the City of Los Angeles to jump into this issue, I was appalled,” said Tynan. “I don’t see Cal/OSHA writing to the city council of Bakersfield or Fresno imploring those cities to write regulations on heat illness to protect the field workers, so why is Cal/OSHA taking this position on condoms?  This is another glaring example of the politics, judgment, and discrimination that swirl around the condom issue.

“I certainly hope that the Los Angeles City Attorney and his staff attorneys can cut through the misinformation and propaganda that continues to pour forth from AHF and their allies,” Tynan added.

In the letter, Tynan states clearly that Cal/OSHA’s attempt to hand off regulatory enforcement to local agencies is unprecedented on a legal basis, allowing local agencies to enforce health & safety regulation without clear authority to do so.

Also, Tynan points out several conflicts of interest raised by the relationship between the Cal/OSHA and nonprofit HIV organization AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), including evidence that shows that AHF has provided expert witnesses and its own physicians to give testimony in proceedings regarding adult industry health & safety, while adult industry stakeholders had limited opportunities to present testimony or counterpoints to the data provided by AHF.

FSC, as the adult industry trade association, commissioned a report from respected biostatistician Lawrence Mayer MD, MFA, PhD, debunking the methodology used to analyze the data presented by AHF and showing that statistics used by AHF are inaccurate. That report was entered into record at the most recent Cal/OSHA meeting regarding adult industry health & safety.

“Since 2009, FSC and industry stakeholders have been working cooperatively with Cal/OSHA to arrive at industry-appropriate regulations for health & safety, so we are surprised at the latest developments,” said FSC Membership/Communications Director Joanne Cachapero. “Frankly, it’s shocking that a state agency would take action allowing the issues to become further politicized. The letter from Cal/OSHA to the LA City Attorney seems to indicate bias. It appears as if Cal/OSHA has decided to align their actions with Aids Healthcare Foundation’s continuing anti-industry campaign to mandate condom use on adult production sets.”

FSC recently launched the APHSS.org database program to uphold policies and protocols for health & safety on adult production sets. The program was developed to replace the gap left after the closure of the AIM clinic. The APHSS.org Advisory Committee is made up of performers, producers and agents, with Tynan serving as legal advisor. FSC and APHSS.org continues working toward industry-appropriate health & safety regulations on behalf of its members and industry stakeholders.

For more information on FSC or APHSS.org, contact joanne@freespeechcoalition.com or (818) 348-9373.

Tynan’s Letter re DOSH Revised

Dr Mayer report FSC AFI STI 06-03-11

(Photo: Some rights reserved by Horia Varlan)

APHSS.org Announces Advisory Committee Members

CANOGA PARK, Calif. — Adult Production Health & Safety Services (APHSS.org) is very proud to announce appointees to the APHSS.org Advisory Committee.

The performer representatives are Jessica Drake, Bobbi Starr, Danny Wylde and Steve Cruz. Producer representatives are Dan O’Connell (Girlfriends Films) and Steven Scarborough (Hot House Entertainment). Performer Nina Hartley will serve as Educational Advisor, and attorney Karen Tynan has been appointed as Legal Advisor.

The appointees have agreed to a six-month term, as the APHSS.org program is launched and in its initial stages. The responsibilities of committee members are to provide insight and feedback on policies and operation of the APHSS.org. They also will help develop resources for the program to benefit performers and producers.

“This committee is the first of its kind, to allow industry members to have a part in creating a system of self-regulation to uphold health & safety standards for adult productions,” FSC Membership/Communications Director Joanne Cachapero said. “FSC, as administrators of APHSS.org, are thrilled to have the input of performers, producers, agents, as well as legal and medical experts to build a solid program to benefit the whole industry. “The members of the committee are well-known in the adult community and active in production,” Cachapero continued. “We could not hope for a better start to APHSS.org.”

The APHSS.org website went live on Monday; performers, producers and agents can go there to sign-up for database accounts and view a listing of testing facilities. As the database becomes stocked with performer data, performers and producers will be able to go there and verify work availability status.

Producers that are participating in APHSS.org include Wicked Pictures, Hustler, Vivid Entertainment, Girlfriends Films, Kink.com, Kick Ass Pictures, Pink Visual, and many more that have signed up since Monday.

“We are starting from scratch with this database, so we need the support of the industry to sign up for this program and we ask for everyone to be patient as we ramp up,” Cachapero explained.

“What’s important to understand is that without this program in place, there would be no protocols for what to do if there is an HIV outbreak or examination policies for new performers, or policies for medical follow-up for any affected performers,” Cachapero continued. “In fact, without a strong system of self-regulation, the door is open for anti-industry zealots to impose over-burdensome and oppressive regulations on adult performers and the industry.

“Especially with regards to the challenges presented to the industry by organizations like AHF, it is important to be pro-active about self-regulation. It may cost the performers an extra $50 a year, but with that investment, you are supporting your own well-being and the business interests of the industry. So, we are grateful to the Advisory Committee members for volunteering to help with these efforts.”

For more information about APHSS.org or FSC, please contact joanne@freespeechcoalition.com.

(Graphic: Some rights reserved by Lumaxart.com)

Note: Some links for Committee Members posted above are NSFW

FSC Announces Testing Facilities for APHSS.org Program

Free Speech Coalition (FSC), the adult industry trade association, is pleased to announce four testing facilities that will participate in the Adult Production Health & Safety Services program (APHSS,org).

This program has been developed with the help of legal and medical experts, as well as industry members. It will be administrated by Free Speech Coalition as a resource to fill the gap left by the closure of the AIM clinic.

APHSS.org has four recommended testing facilities, locally and nationwide. Performers that test at these facilities will have their work availability results entered into the APHSS.org database. Producers and agents can then verify a performer’s availability status through the database.

Advanced Medical Testing Center (AMTC) has locations nationwide for performers located throughout the United States.

The Healing Wave Center is located at 16742 Stagg St., #109, Van Nuys, CA 91406. This medical clinic can provide testing services to performers, as well as other limited medical services with comfort, privacy and dignity.

Primex Lab is located 16742 Stagg St., #120, Van Nuys, CA, and has draw stations throughout California and Nevada. Performers that have a prescription can go to any Primex facility and request a performer’s panel test.

All of the testing facilities also are open to the public, and have a wide range of testing services. For more information on any of the listed facilities, go to APHSS.org and click on the “testing facilities” tab on the top menu bar. From there, users can follow links to the facilities’ websites.

“FSC has been working diligently since the closure of AIM, to provide the industry with the APHSS.org program, in order to continue health and safety protocols for adult production,” Membership Director Joanne Cachapero said. “Our top priority has been to protect the well-being and privacy of performers, as well as securing the best possible testing services for the industry.

“We’re starting from scratch with this program,” she added, “but with the support of the adult community, we’re sure that APHSS.org will be an important resource for adult productions. We also look forward to developing additional APHSS.org services, such as health & safety education for industry members.”

Currently, the APHSS.org database is undergoing beta testing, and a formal launch announcement will come later this week.

For more information on APHSS.org, or FSC, please contact (818) 348-9373, or joanne@freespeechcoalition.com.

(Photo: Some rights reserved by HeyPaul)

How MUCH is AHF’s ‘Epidemic’ Going to Cost Taxpayers?

Well, AIDS Healthcare Foundation is at it again, and what we would like to know is:

WHY are California taxpayers expected to throw more money at an appeal to the State Supreme Court over a non-issue that AHF has blown up to “epidemic” proportions? Especially at a time when the state budget is being slashed for much-needed programs, including state and local STI programs?

Yesterday, taxpayer supported “nonprofit” AHF announced that it will “vigorously pursue” an appeal on a recently dismissed lawsuit; filed in 2009, the suit seeks to have the courts compel Los Angeles County Public Health (LACPH) officials to take action against the “spread” of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the adult performer population. AHF claims it feels STI rates for adult performers represent a public health threat and they are willing to go to the State Supreme Court to prove it.

The action by AHF follows last week’s judgment by California Appeals Court Justices Richard D. Aldrich, Joan D. Klein and Patti S. Kitching. In his written opinion, Justice Aldrich said specifically that AHF’s claims that LA County is obligated to take action in order to stop AHF’s purported “epidemic” are patently false. Moreover, it is unlikely that any court can grant AHF’s demands because, as it says in the current ruling, the court “cannot compel another branch of government to exercise its discretion in any manner” nor “compel [LA County] to implement [AHF’s] agenda.”

Of course, AHF’s agenda is enforcing mandatory condoms and other barrier protection in the adult industry – because apparently there are not enough legitimate issues facing those affected with HIV/AIDS or populations at risk for HIV infection. Apparently, all of AHF’s attention can now be focused on policing the adult performer population numbering, perhaps, 1,500 people.

Never mind that the adult production industry has successfully self-regulated the safety of its performers with monthly STI testing since 1998. The testing protocol instated by the now-defunct Adult Industry Medical Healthcare (AIM) clinic efficiently prevented HIV-positive individuals from entering the business, and also effectively limited the spread of infection when active performers tested positive in 2004, 2009 and 2010. AIM also served the sexual health needs of other high-risk populations not involved in adult production.

Never mind that another lawsuit, and numerous complaints filed by AHF were instrumental in contributing to the “financial hardships” that finally destroyed AIM.

Never mind that statistical information on STI rates for adult performers, presented by public health officials, has been described as inaccurate and “without basis in science” in a report commissioned by FSC, written by prominent epidemiologist and biostatistician Dr. Lawrence Mayer. That report was entered into record at the June 7 Cal/OSHA meeting, attended by scores of adult performers that wanted their voices heard in a regulatory process that will impact them the most. And never mind that AHF – not performers – has filed workplace safety violation complaints against adult production companies and agents, forcing Cal/OSHA into action.

Never mind that AHF keeps on quoting what they now must know to be inaccurate information; as in its press release, that “as many as 22 porn performers have tested positive in the last five years,” when in fact, the LA Times published that health officials retracted their findings concerning the number of performers that tested positive for HIV. And according to Dr. Mayer’s report, the stats that AHF quotes (as analyzed by LA County Public Health) on Chlamydia and gonorrhea in the performer population ALSO are wildly inaccurate.

And while AHF is busy playing nanny to adult industry performers and the public at large, did you know that a recent study shows that the highest rate of increase in HIV infection in the nation is affecting Asians and Pacific Islanders? When was the last time that we saw an Asian on an AHF billboard, or AHF launching media outreach to that community?

Did you know that HIV rates for gay and bisexual men in California may have been dropping steadily since the mid-2000s, and this may be due to improved treatments for HIV? AHF provides valuable resources for those living with HIV and should continue to do so – at the same time, taking responsibility for the education of at-risk populations about safe sex.  But adult performers – who test 12 times a year or more – are making an informed choice about their health and the work they do; how many average citizens are tested for STIs, even just once?

Citizens of Sacramento – where legislators work every day to try and serve the public’s interests while dealing with never-ending debates over how to fix the budget – did you know that funding cuts to local STI programs in Sacramento have resulted in the capitol now having the fifth largest incidence of syphilis in the state? That’s up from NO reported cases of syphilis in the early 2000s, and due to lack of funding for outreach staffing.

Look, we all know that California is facing a budget shortfall of up to $23 BILLION dollars for 2012. So far, state funding has been slashed to important programs for firefighters, courts, prisons, schools, state parks and the elderly, just to name a few.

Do the state of California, Los Angeles County or even AHF’s contributors need to spend one more red cent on funding or defending against AHF’s  impractical campaign to enforce condom use on adult production sets? For that matter, do state officials (at the behest of AHF) want to encourage the legal, revenue-generating adult production industry to pull up stakes and move out of California, to places where production safety and standards will be virtually impossible to enforce?

FSC has been working with Cal/OSHA, industry stakeholders, compliance experts and attorneys to develop industry-appropriate regulations. As the industry trade association in the U.S., our agenda is to promote and protect the well-being of the adult industry community and businesses.

We’ll leave it to you to figure out what AHF’s agenda is, and how much it’s costing taxpayers. – jc

Photos from CalOSHA Subcommittee Meeting, June 7

FSC Executive Director Diane Duke addresses the subcommittee

Performer Sarah Shevon speaking to the assembly

Industry members, with 'Patient Zeta' Derrick Burts in the foreground (green shirt)

Director Eli Cross queues up to voice his opinion

Performer Kara Price makes her point

Agent Shy Love is not shy, as Directors/Performers Brad Armstrong and Jessica Drake look on (l to r)

Performer Nina Hartley talks about her concerns for the industry

Director Ira Levine asked tough questions

The room was so crowded with industry folks that they had to bring extra chairs and open an adjacent room

The CalOSHA Subcommittee heard comments from many performers, agents and producers

(Photos courtesy of Percy Leon)

 

Study Finds LA County Health Dept Reports on Adult Industry STI Data Flawed, ‘Without Basis in Science’

Dr. Peter Kerndt, Director of STD Programs for LA County Public Health Dept

Free Speech Coalition (FSC), the trade association for the adult entertainment industry in the U.S., today announced it has received a report from nationally renowned epidemiologist Lawrence S. Mayer MD, MS, PhD, that establishes that data presented by the L.A. County Public Health Dept (LACPH) on rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for adult industry performers is “poorly documented” and “without basis in science.”

Dr. Mayer currently is a professor at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health and School of Medicine, as well as a Professor of Biostatistics at Arizona State University and Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Arizona. Since 1998, he has served as a detective in the District Attorney’s Office of Maricopa County, AZ.

“Early in this process, CalOSHA’s Standards Board emphasized the need for an epidemiological analysis of the data surrounding the adult film industry and sexually transmitted infections. To date CalOSHA has had to rely on the inaccurate findings provided by LA County. Now we have information the Standards Board requested using the same scientific methodology that the Center for Disease Control utilizes,” FSC Executive Director Diane Duke said.

In the report, Dr. Mayer analyzes data given in presentations by LACPHD officials Robert Kim-Farley MD, MPH (who also is professor-in-residence at UCLA) and Peter Kerndt MD, MPH on estimated prevalence of gonorrhea, chlamydia and other STIs in the performer population within Los Angeles County, compared to statistics for infection in the general population.

Kim-Farley and Kerndt’s findings suggested that rates of STIs for performers vary from as much as 8 to 60 times more prevalent, in comparison to rates of infection for groups from the general population in Los Angeles County.

However, Mayer’s report concludes that the data presented by Kim-Farley and Kerndt is “fundamentally flawed” and that the methodology used by the doctors to arrive at the estimated rates is invalid. Mayer points out that the statistics calculated by Kim-Farley and Kerndt also contradict each other’s presentations, as well as data contained in other reports on STIs released by LACPH.

Mayer claims that, since the vast majority of persons in LACDPH’s comparison groups are not even tested within any given year for any STIs (and may not be sexually active enough to risk infection), a much better comparison group would be comprised of persons who are frequently tested for infection, similar to adult performers. Utilizing this methodology, the rate of infection in sexually active young people in LA County may be up to ten times higher than Kerndt and Kim-Farley suggest, and not much higher than the supposed rates of adult performer infection.

Mayer’s report goes further to state:

• Kim-Farley and Kerndt did not reveal the methodology employed to derive the estimates they used in their calculations, and provided little or no citation for their data.
• Kerndt suggests, based on anecdotal evidence from “industry sources” that there are 1200 adult performers in LA County, while Kim-Farley places the number at 2000-3000.
• Kim-Farley’s purported chlamydia rate of 1.8% for LA County stands in sharp contrast to other rates reported by his own agency, such as the 11.3% rate published in LACDPH’s 2008 STD Clinic Morbidity Report.
• Kerndt and Kim-Farley’s reports take into account neither re-infection rates nor performer re-testing.
• Kim-Farley’s method of estimating prevalence rates diverges sharply from that recommended by the CDC.
• Kerndt and Kim-Farley’s data, based upon similarly-aged subgroups and all ages, do not take into account the fact that many LA County residents are not tested each year for STIs.

FSC will present the report at the CalOSHA Advisory Subcommittee meeting scheduled for June 7, to be held at the CalTrans Bldg, 100 S. Main Street, in downtown Los Angeles. The meeting was called to discuss possible recommendations to be made to the CalOSHA Standards Board regarding workplace health and safety regulations for adult industry productions. FSC has been working with CalOSHA officials, regulatory compliance experts and adult industry stakeholders to develop industry-appropriate standards in order to protect the well being of the industry and its performers.

The actions follow last week’s announcement by LACPHD Director Dr. Jonathan Fielding in which he proposed a reorganization of the County’s Sexually Transmitted Infection program, headed by Kerndt. According to the L.A. Times, Fielding said that he hopes to improve the program’s efficiency and effectiveness.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has waged a two-year campaign to mandate condom use on adult production sets. AHF has made allegations of “epidemic” STI rates among performers, purportedly based on LA County health department statistics.

In 2009, after a performer referred to as “Patient Zero,” tested positive for HIV, LACPH was forced to retract statements that alleged that up to 18 performers had tested positive for HIV since 2004. LACPH later admitted that it did not know whether these individuals had ever been performers or if they had merely been tested at Adult Industry Medical Health Care (AIM), a clinic that catered to adult industry clients but also served the general public. Long-targeted by AHF, AIM closed in April due to financial hardship.

“It’s time to put political agendas aside and to tell the truth about the adult entertainment industry, and that is that our performers are valued, protected and safe,” Duke said.

Dr Mayer report FSC AFI STI 06-03-11

 

FSC Rolls Out Plans for Adult Production Health & Safety Services

(l tor) Dr. Richwald, Diane Duke and Christian Mann

Yesterday at a meeting for industry stakeholders, Free Speech Coalition rolled out plans for Adult Production Health & Safety Services (APHSS). The program is being developed to fill the gap left by the closure of the AIM clinic earlier this month.

The meeting opened with comments from FSC Board member and Evil Angel general manager Christian Mann, who explained the components of APHSS, and how the program would address important issues, including setting up sexually-transmitted infection testing protocol and standards; providing a choice of facilities for reliable testing and follow-up healthcare for performers; and the creation of a secured database, with limited access for producers and talent agents in order to ensure user privacy as much as possible. The swift implementation of the APHSS program will provide services that were provided by AIM, and build from there, for an improved system of self-regulation and increased resources for industry members.

Mann cited several adult producers that have agreed to support the APHSS program, including Wicked Pictures, Reality Kings, Evil Angel, Jules Jordan, Vivid Entertainment, Hustler and Girlfriends Films.

Mann urged industry unity – noting that with an opportunity to rebuild the former STI testing system, development of APHSS would result in positive change for all industry members, while also confronting the challenges to the industry that have resulted from scrutiny by CalOSHA, as well as anti-industry entities that have long questioned the ability of the industry to provide self-regulation.

“Everyone has a stake in this,” Mann said. “We are stronger if we are united to protect performers and our businesses.”

FSC Executive Director Diane Duke then gave an overview of the APHSS program set-up.

APHSS Program features include:

• Creation of a database for producers and agents to verify performers’ availability. The information to be shared with producers will include ONLY legal names, a membership number, and availability status indicated with a “yes” or “no.” There will be no medical records contained in the database. PERFORMERS CAN PRE-REGISTER FOR THE DATABASE NOW BY GOING TO http://www.freespeechcoalition.com/aphss/
• Performers’ personal medical records will be available to performers from APHSS-recommended testing facilities/healthcare providers and will be accessible electronically or in hard copy.Protocol for follow-up medical treatments will be established, with attention given to standards for proper ethical treatment of the performers.
• The costs for performers to use the APHSS database will be $50 annually; FSC member-producers will pay $150 monthly, non-members can access the database for a $250 fee. All database user will be vetted for security clearance through the FSC.
• STI testing fees for a performers’ panel are expected to range from $130-$150, in locations available nationwide.
• APHSS will have an advisory committee made up of a medical consultant, a legal consultant (attorney Karen Tynan has been designated for this position), a producer representative, a talent agent, and three performers. Their function will be to provide feedback and guidance in addressing production health and safety issues.
• In Phase Two of APHSS Program implementation, an educational component will be added, to ensure that the overall performing population is well-informed on STI information, and industry related health & safety concerns and protocol.

Proposed medical consultant Dr. Gary Richwald also spoke at yesterday’s meeting. Dr. Richwald MD, MPH is a clinical virologist and communicable disease expert, and served as Director and Chief Physician of L.A. County STD program from 1989-2000. His goal is to bring an extensive background in social medicine to the APHSS program, serve in his role as a mediator between the industry and public health organizations, and also develop appropriate sexual health protocols for the adult community.

“Cooperation and collaboration are what create good health,” Dr. Richwald said.

FSC Board member and Kink.com founder Peter Acworth addressed database technology and security, with expertise from operation of his adult online business since 1998. He explained the database interface and structure through a slide presentation.

After the presentation, the floor was opened to questions from attendees. The discussion was lively, with comments from director Brad Armstrong, Girlfriends Films owner Dan O’Connell, respected performer Nina Hartley and her husband and director Ernest Green, and agent Mark Spiegler.

Development of APHSS has been carried out as quickly as possible, since the closure of AIM less than four weeks ago. The launch date for the database and announcement of recommended testing providers is projected to be mid-June, and appointments of the APHSS advisory committee should be announced by June 30.

FSC would like to thank industry members that have contributed to help with the APHSS program. Our appreciation goes out to both Christian Mann and Peter Acworth for generously giving their time, as well as the services of Kink.com and Evil Angel staff. XBIZ.com owner Alec Helmy also has been instrumental in helping to develop the soon-to be launched APHSS website. Attorneys Karen Tynan and Jeffrey Douglas also have contributed their hard work to program development. We appreciate the work of IT specialist Tanguy de Courson and graphic artist Jason Harter, in helping with the database design and structure.

Special thanks to Wicked Pictures and Girlfriends Films for their continued generosity.

Performers can pre-register for the APHSS database now by going to http://www.freespeechcoalition.com/aphss/ and following the directions. The data gathered in the pre-registration period will be used to populate the database once it is launched. Producer pre- registration will be announced as soon as possible.

From more information on APHSS or FSC, please contact joanne@freespeechcoalition.com.

(Photo courtesy AVN.com/Mark Kernes)

FSC Will Outline Production Health Database, Services at Thursday Meeting

Free Speech Coalition will outline details for Adult Production Health and Safety Services (APHSS) at an industry-wide meeting scheduled for this Thursday. The new program has been created to fill the gap left by the closure of the AIM clinic earlier this month.

Producers, performers and any industry members with concerns about production health and safety issues are encouraged to attend. FSC Executive Director Diane Duke will explain the APHSS rollout, and FSC Board members Peter Acworth (Kink.com) and Christian Mann (Evil Angel) also will discuss aspects of the new database, APHSS advisory board, testing facilities and health protocols. Performer privacy issues will be addressed.

“We encourage industry members to attend Thursday’s meeting and learn about the new program, as well as ask questions. Performers and producers will have a chance to fill out applications for the database,” FSC Executive Director Diane Duke said.

“This meeting is also important because we will have information on the CalOSHA Advisory Committee meeting to be held in Los Angeles on June 7,” Duke added. “That may be the last public CalOSHA meeting to discuss adult production health and safety, before the committee makes suggestions for new regulations that are expected to be handed down in September. We encourage industry members to attend that meeting, also.”

The APHSS meeting is to be held this Thursday, May 26, at 1pm, at the Sportsmen’s Lodge located at 12833 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604. This meeting is for industry members only and is not open to the general public.

Following the meeting at 3:30pm, a press conference will be held in the same location.

Media representatives will have an opportunity to interview Gary A. Richwald, MD MPH, who has been proposed for APHSS Medical Consultant.

Dr. Richwald is a public health and communicable disease expert. For 12 years from 1989 to 2000, Dr. Richwald served as the Director and Chief Physician of the Los Angeles County STD Program, the largest provider of sexual health and disease prevention-related services in California.

Attorney Karen Tynan will be available at the press conference. She will serve on the APHSS Advisory Board as its workplace safety attorney. Tynan has extensive expertise in the area of OSHA litigation and has been working with adult production companies, agents, and other entertainment companies to defeat subpoenas, appeal citations, and litigate injunctions during the past two years.

Duke, Acworth and Mann will also be available to answer questions at the press conference.

If you are an industry member and would like to attend the meeting or need more information, please, contact joanne@freespeechcoalition.com.