California: Porn Filmmaking Shut Down After Performer Tests HIV-Positive

Another adult-film performer has tested HIV-positive, and the industry is temporarily shutting down productions in the Los Angeles area to allow for further testing, a trade group said Monday.

"Until we know for sure, we've asked the industry to have a moratorium on production," said Diane Duke, executive director of Canoga Park-based Free Speech Coalition, which is setting up a database to coordinate STD testing of performers on a routine basis. The pornography industry's voluntary standards require that performers get tested every 30 days and show producers proof of a negative test. Duke said the adult-film companies she contacted have agreed to the suspension.

"Retesting and confirmation is underway, as is the process of identifying and testing first- and second-generation partners," said Duke. The further testing will likely take another week, she said.

The performer tested HIV-positive at an out-of-state facility, so the new HIV diagnosis has not directly involved Los Angeles County health officials, Duke said. A county health spokesperson did not respond to requests for a comment. The out-of-state provider who tested the infected performer "does not appear to have protocols or procedures in place for medical follow-up (including generational testing)," according to a statement by Duke.

"How many performers must become infected with HIV and other serious STDs before the industry will clean up its act and government will do the right thing?" asked Michael Weinstein, president of Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), referring to previous reports of porn industry-related infections.

AHF is collecting voter signatures for a June ballot initiative that would mandate condom use for films produced under permits issued by Los Angeles. The foundation has until Dec. 23 to collect at least 41,138 eligible signatures.

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