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

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.