Im in the adult industry i own a production company. That article makes my company sound like saints. We always use condons and  no HIV /std  lab panels the shoot is a no go. And the hole conditions of where these are shot and food and toilets jeez thats nasty.. I mean where shooting beautiful people lets make it a good environment to work in better product..Im sorry to hear the rest of my industry does not follow these rules of opperation ... please stay safe ladys!!!!!!!!!

That's why they make the big bucks!

...I have always heard about the supposed strict monitoring of the industry (testing etc.) but this article contradicts this.  "...dozens of XXX filmmakers have no such [STD testing/condom use] requirements. Even for those that do the rules can be easily overlooked." and "...the only monitering...is  a form of modest self-regulation...but even that practice...is not tightly monitored."  

Makes we wonder...Russian Roulette anyone?

-- Modified on 1/12/2003 1:23:05 AM

The porn industry is self regulating. Talent are treated like the adults they are and are permitted to make decisions for themselves. Condom use is determined by a single "yes vote." (If either the male, the female, or the producer say that a condom will be used, it is.) Statistically this would mean that every combination is available. The effect would be that a single infection would travel through the industry... and it did. Mark Wallace's famous faked HIV test in 1996 catalized the industry.

I know for a fact, personal knowledge, that actors have been told that their job was canceled because they didn't have a valid test. But this cannot be extrapolated to say that it's 100%. But an effort, and I believe a strong effort, is being made to not let past mistakes happen again. Leaving open the door to brand new fresh mistakes, of course! 8-)

But I believe that some talent actually have condom only clauses in their contracts.

Who out there gets tested for EVERYTHING, besides HIV?

Not to be preachy, but I'm glad there's been some response to this article. Usually when the STD topic comes up people run for the hill, while every complaint about prices or the availability of DFK gets a page of responses.

This LA Times article should be a wakeup call to all hobbyists: ASSUME NOTHING. The big assumption is that PSEs get tested in their jobs. No they don't, except for infrequent HIV tests.

One story showed me the intelligence level of a porn star: A male actor was accused of infecting someone with herpes. He swore up and down that he doesn't have herpes, but did have genital warts, which he got burnt off. He claims he's disease-free.

HELLO?! You're STILL infected idiot!

There have been thousands of different porn production companies over the years.  The percentage of producers or companies that care about the health issues are minimal.  They are usually the companies like Vivid, Metro, and Sin City.  There are others yes, but alltogether they are only a minority when compared to the entire porn industry.

I think we fall under the blind eye that porn is an art... it's basically now just a money maker.  Sex sells and it's the money that talks, not the health issues.  There are more companies showing amateur and teen style porn then the mainstream features. You know that those videos never show the use of condoms and I don't think anyone is telling those 18 & 19 year olds in the business that they need to be selective.  Someone is flashing cash at them (not much either) and taking advantage of their naive natures.

I guess what I am saying is... I'm not at all surprised by the article and I am stunned by how many who are.

Watch your own ass... no one else is ever gonna!

Thomas Jenkins

Like anything else in life, I believe in individual responsibility. Anytime you choose to engage in unprotected sex, whether on camera as a performer or in your private life, you take a risk of STD infection. Blaming the producers for STDs is like blaming the tabacco companies for my smoking a pipe...pure horseshit. I have an IQ above a single digit and know that smoking is not good for me. I choose to smoke and therefore know the risk of heart disease and/or cancer is higher for me than a non-smoker. I have spoken to several performers at various events and do not find the majority of these women to be morons...some yes, but not a majority...so, if they don't want the disease, turn down the job unless protection is used. If the money is more important than your health, take the risk, but don't whine when you end up infected...it's your fault for taking the risk. Don't look to the producer, director, OSHA or any government agency to take responsibility, look no further than your mirror for the person in charge of that department.

Once upon a time the Porn Industry was illegal... at least in California. But now it's not and there's two sides to that sword. The industry attracts a certain type that don't make it in traditional jobs and the old "outlaw" aspect of the industry attracts them, still. Even though it doesn't really exist anymore, the myth still lives and a huge portion of the participants are "rebels." On the other hand the agencies, producers, PAW (www.pawfoundation.org) and AIM (aim-med.org) provide a united front to combat the pressure a performer might receive from one of the self styled "outlaws" to not practice safe sex.

The bottom line is... "Who's responsible?" Answer: You are. If you visit a provider, porn star or otherwise, you make the decission along with your partner. It takes two votes against using a condom and only one to use it. You are going to die... HIV may or may not be a factor. Roll the dice.

8-)

" This LA Times article should be a wakeup call to all hobbyists: ASSUME NOTHING. The big assumption is that PSEs get tested in their jobs. No they don't, except for infrequent HIV tests. "

True, but not for the reason you said. PSE's DO get tested and get tested often. But if they are no longer in the Biz, they don't have any reason to do so any longer. Equally, if they took Christmas off, for example, their test could be "expired." In other words YOU don't know if their test is recent or not and thus should ASSUME NOTHING.

I don't think it's fair to all the people getting tested to propagate the myth that they aren't. All it takes is one bad apple, but since you can't tell.. then, you're right: ASSUME NOTHING.

"I don't think anyone is telling those 18 & 19 year olds in the business that they need to be selective.  Someone is flashing cash at them (not much either) and taking advantage of their naive natures."

Actually, PAW does.. or tries. They try and "intercept" every porn wannabe and give them the standard speech.

Since the tests are done under their real names, it's unlikely that they would show you their test result. Equally, I bet you've never seen one and wouldn't be able to detect a fake test.

Do you carry your test results around to assure the PSE's??

This is a "Glass half empty or half full" situation. The fact that the effort is being made should be commended and every effort made to encourage it's expansion. Articles that give people an out are not solutions.

Do you carry your test results around, PacketInspector? In fact, where are any of your reviews, and which PSEs have you even met with?

Some people do, some people don't. No need to get a notarized copy -- just tell me (and I will tell you) if there are any issues. Now, like in any commercial transaction, there could be obfuscation, so no matter what somebody says (myself or a provider) use protection.

I have no idea what the gobbledeegook in your last paragraph means, but I don't see any effort made by anybody to address this STD situation in the porn industry. Producers don't care, some performers don't care. The politicians are hypocrites, and don't want to go out on a limb to regulate the industry, but I'm sure they take advantage of video rentals and PSEs themselves.

We as hobbyists SHOULD care, as fans and initimate contacts of these PSEs. These PSEs are not getting tested for everything. Some don't know that they have damaging diseases. Same for some of the hobbyists who do  BB French and Asian and believe they're impervious to disease, don't get tested, and ruin the lives of providers, other hobbyists and the families of both groups.

Okay then, what the fuck are we suppose to do?? Should we all start getting tested before booking encounters with pornstars?
Should we demand to see their tests? How often should they be done?

I don't see anyone offering any practical advise here.. I guess we should be doing everything covered, no DKF, no DATY, etc.
Right???

I didn't bother to read the article, I just read everyone's responses and wanted to add my thoughts.
 the truth is that the industry does treat people as adults on the condom issue. Some companies will only work with condoms, other absolutely will not and still others give the performers the option. That is why you will see certain performers in only certain videos.
  Aids tests are mandatory. I personally have had shoots cancel because the other performer was untested or because my test wasn't back from the lab in time. Full std screens are not mandatory, but any organization such as AIM or PAW encourages performers to get tests for everything else. I personally get tested for everything else every couple of months and can truly say that I am disease free.
   Yes, it's true that performers (genreally speaking) do take chances and that any hobbyist should be aware and make their choices carefully. But then again so does the regular joe when he goes out to meet partners. Who in porno or real life really asks for a full STD screen beofre the bedroom play? My advice to any hobbyist or performer would be to think about the amount of risk you are willing to take and make your play rules accordingly. While having "rules" may seem like a buzz kill, they are a necessary part of a great experience.

Gentlemen and ladies...I have no argument with anything that has been said in principle. My problem with the article was the assertion by a former performer that she should be entitled to damages under worker comp regulations and/or civil litigation against the production company through OSHA. Unless these performers have exclusive written contracts (or other documentation such as an employment application or W-4) with a certain producer, it will not be easy to assert the employment relationship being anything other than an "independent contractor" basis under Federal or State employment law. Since there is no OSHA regulation I know of mandating the use of condoms in porn films, she should have no recourse since as an indpendent contractor, it is she who decides what her performance limits will be. Should OSHA regulate this industry?...that's another discussion in itself.

Reo you?

I'm really sorry that my gobbledeegook comes out as such... it's so clear when I write it. It's such a lucky thing that writing isn't my career. 8-)

Yes, I do carry it around, but more because I forget to put it away than because I need it so often. 8-)

We seem to be in violent agreement. But from differing vantage points... Assume that the provider you meet has not been tested and act accordingly. At the same time, I don't like the idea that the ENTIRE porn community is being tarred with a "they don't care" brush. This is because the corner of the porn industry that I know DOES care, and each would repeat Kiki's words.


-- Modified on 1/13/2003 8:48:44 PM

but it does seem to be unwelcome advice and thus hard to hear. 8-)

Porn stars have no special immunity from disease of any variety, including colds. You can catch stuff from other people, including porn stars. Be Careful. Choose wisely. Be an adult and decide for yourself what is and isn't safe for your situation.

If ya can't, then may I suggest: Covered=yes, DFK=no, DATY=no.

Demand to see the tests?? Sure... if you have one to show as well. PAW and AIM mandate a 30 day testing schedule... meaning the most recent test should be no older than 30 days. As I said before though, the tests are under real names and I would bet that you'll meet some resistance to revealing that information. Plus, you don't know their real names, so how can you confirm the validity? So the practical answer is "no, don't bother asking." But it certainly can't hurt to ask... you've been told no before, right?? 8-)

I hope this reads better than my previous "gobbledeegook."

the article is a 5 year old story being rehashed,the girl is brooke ashley if memory serves,she did a 30 guy anal gangbang and even admited knowing not everybody had been tested,this while acamera crew followed her to her dancing gigs.i might have the performers name wrong but its the same girl.the story makes good points,but its a sex sells story thats why its in there.