Adult Performers, Performer Groups Announce Vehement Opposition to Condom Bill

AB1576 “shows a total disregard for performers’ autonomy”

Nearly 500 adult performers have signed a petition asking legislators to vote no on AB1576, a bill that many performers say violates their privacy, and is so restrictive that it would push a legal industry underground. For the first time, AB1576 would establish criminal penalties for not using a condom in an adult film, require producers to keep a log of a performer’s sexual activities, and force performers to waive their right to medical privacy.

Independent groups representing adult film stars, including the Adult Performers Advocacy Committee and the Erotic Service Providers Union, have joined the 463 petitioners and the Free Speech Coalition, the adult industry trade group, to oppose AB1576. The petition will be presented in Sacramento on Wednesday at an Assembly Appropriations hearing.

“This is an insulting and paternalistic bill,” said Lorelei Lee, a performer and one of the bill’s most vocal opponents. “This shows a total disregard for performers’ autonomy and threatens a vital safety infrastructure that we have spent ten years building. AB1576 squanders resources addressing a problem that doesn’t exist. If the bill becomes law, it will, in fact, harm the people it claims it will protect.”

California State Assembly Bill AB1576 is the collaboration between Michael Weinstein, the controversial head of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and Assemblymember Isadore Hall, a Baptist minister. It is the third time they have attempted to advance such a bill.

“Performers shouldn’t have to give up control over their bodies,” said Diane Duke, head of the Free Speech Coalition. “We are a small community, and not always the most political, but outrage has come from all areas of the industry — gay, straight, trans, fetish, studio and independent — to fight against a bill that criminalizes sex between consenting adults. More performers are signing this petition every day, and we look forward to presenting it Wednesday.”

Nina Hartley, a performer and registered nurse, called AB1576 “a solution in search of a problem,” during testimony before the state Assembly in April and has been vociferous in her opposition to the bill. “There has not been a single case of HIV transmission between performers on a regulated adult film set in over ten years, and yet they treat us like a threat to public health, using shame, sexism and fear-mongering to dismiss our concerns about privacy, discomfort, rights and safety.”

A delegation of performers, including Lee, will be heading to Sacramento on Tuesday to present the petition to legislators in advance of Wednesday’s hearing.

Winners of the 2014 FSC Award Winners Announced

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) is honored to announce the winners of the 2014 FSC Awards, to be presented at the XBIZ 360 conference on January 22, in Hollywood, Ca.  The awards are in recognition for excellence in business and outstanding service to the adult industry business community.

The recipient of this year’s Legacy Award – which recognizes innovation, successful business practices and contributions to the industry as a whole – will be presented to Vivid Entertainment founder Steven Hirsch.

The Positive Image Award is presented to performers that have helped to dispel negative stereotypes and misconceptions connected to work in the adult industry. This year’s award goes to performer James Deen.

Man and Woman of the Year Awards are given to business professionals that have shown exceptional leadership in building solidly established businesses, as well as within their communities. 2014 Woman of the Year is Honey’s Place owner Bonnie Feingold, and Man of the Year is Pipedream’s Nick Orlandino.

Novelty Company of the Year will be presented to California Exotic Novelties for their many years as a leader in the pleasure products sector, and for their continued innovation, high standards and ethics.

Retailer of the Year will be presented to the Lions’ Den chain of adult stores for many years as a leading retailer of adult products, innovative marketing and ethical standards for customer service.

Production Company of the Year goes to gay studio Hothouse Entertainment. Founded by Hall of Fame director Steven Scarborough, Hothouse exemplifies creative innovation, high standards and ethical conduct.

Internet Company of the Year will be presented to Gamelink. The award recognizes excellence, innovation and contributions made to the adult industry overall.

Benefactor of the Year has been awarded to Wicked Pictures. The recognition is for unwavering support, through philanthropy and advocacy, of adult industry and mainstream causes. As well as setting a good example, the company also has diligently attempted to protect the adult industry business community from legal challenges, business risks and critics.

Finally, the Leadership Award – to be presented at the XBIZ Awards gala on January 24 – is given to an individual or individuals that have demonstrated leadership by example. This year’s award will be presented to performer Nina Hartley and director Ernest Greene for their outstanding work in advocacy, education and community service.

The FSC Awards presentation will be held at 6pm, on January 22, at the W Hotel in Hollywood, CA, in conjunction with the FSC Summit and XBIZ 360 conference. For more information on these events, contact info@freespeechcoalition.com or (818) 348-9373.

 

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)