"Becca...
Not pointing fingers at anyone in particular but the vast majority of us in the hobby play safely. The fact that BB is done in porn makes anyone crossing over less safe for those of us who never do BB. When AIM was active, 30-day testing was the norm in the industry. A 30-day test couldn't guarantee that nothing is being passed during BB shoots. While you play safe during escorting, can you say that about every other porn star who escorts? Every outbreak I've heard of resulted from sex with an SO or BB adventures outside of the biz just as you said. A lot can change in the 30 days leading up to the newest test. The only way you can know for certain that a partner is safe for BB is if he/she hasn't had sex since the hour that last negative test was taken. So unless the test is fresh on the day of the shoot, you don't really know. In fact, you don't know at all because people don't talk about their private sex lives and that's where most of the spreading starts, just as you said.
Your safety and our safety in the hobby is directly connected to your screening and the services you offer. Because you participate in BB with multiple partners, you must be extra careful about any type of fluid exchanges including BBBJ and DATY. Being a PS provider, cutting off those services would significantly hurt your business. Which is why I think Avy has been right all along in laying down the law and not giving in to BB in the industry. She has plenty of scenes out there, condoms are being worn, and that doesn't make her any less hot or her videos any less exciting. If she can do it and make a living, others can too.
So what is being done for testing now that AIM is gone? How are those of you in the adult industry getting tested these days? For any of us desiring to see PS, this is valuable information and you're in the know."
I fully understand what you're saying here. I personally do not offer PSE, just GFE. There are lots of girls who do condom-only scenes. Wicked is a condom-maditory company and does very well. I would love to see the industry go all condom. As for testing, we are tested every 28 days however, that does't mean that we have to shoot with anyone who has a test 27 days old. Many of us require the test to be newer than that. When you understand that there are careers are at risk here, you'll realize that when escorting, most porn stars play safe. If we get sick, no one will work with us. We don't just show up with a piece of paper that says we're clean, producers either call or go online with Talent Testing (the testing place used now) to verify we're clean. There are the few that will do BB with a client if he's tested, I will not do this. I've been asked to do this lots of times and always said no. I shoot 10 -15 scenes a year. The other things I do besides escorting do not put me at risk (dancing, webcam, selling merchandise, trade shows, etc) I see more clients than that a year. For me, the higher risk group is escorting clients. Testing itself does not prevent anyone from getting a disease however, it's kept us safe to a great extent. We all have 'no' lists, if a performer gets a reputation for being careless in their personal lives, it is harder for them to find work because they end up on so many 'no' lists. I can't speak for any other performers, only myself. I get tested every 28 days and I've never had anything. I know performers that are legends that have never had anything. I know some that just started out and tested positive. When it hits the media, negative sells and blaming it on being in the indusstry is easy and exciting. If the story didn't get your attention, it doesn't sell.
Theres a misconception out there that porn performers are generally more careless with out bodies and health than the general population. We're more cautious because our income and ability to support ourself and our families are at risk. I have been offered work by producers who will take a test from a free clinic, private doctor, etc. I do not work with these guys, their smaller producers, pay less and really don't care about the fact that is someone gets sick on their set, it will be very hard for them to shoot professional performers. No performer wantes to work with anyone that does NOT veirfy tests with Talent Testing or accepts tests from anyone else. I will only work with those that new Talent Testing tests that have been verified.
When it comes to testing, it's more than just a piece of paper that goes along with it. I have absolutely no problem with condoms, the safer the better. Condoms can break so I think even if the industry did make condoms manditory, testing still has it's place and shouldn't be eliminated.
I can honestly say I get tested every 28 days and chances are girls in porn are tested more often than the average escort. That being said, I personally know of escorts that are responsible enough to get tested, how often varies from girl to girl and where also varies. A free clinic is the lowest quality of test and can miss virsuses. Private doctor's tests vary and the higher quality tests are more expensive. Lots of people simply don't know to ask for certain tests and will do what's cheapest. Talent Testing and AIM (before they were shut down by the AIDS Foundation and ignorant politicians) use the highest qualaity of test that will not miss a virus. Their more expensive and take longer.
We are all responsible for our own health and safety. If you are uncomfortable seeing anyone for any reason, don't see them. We all have to live with ourselves after the appointment. No one is 100 percent safe in this hobby, we all decide how much of a risk we want to take. If you are uncomfortable seeing a porn star that does BB, by all mean, don't. In the end, it doesn't matter what I say or what any other performer says the do to stay safe. You're comfort and sense of safety are important and only you are responsible for that.
-- Modified on 9/10/2011 7:29:11 PM
