California: Third Porn Actor to Test HIV-Positive Puts Pressure on Industry

After a third adult-film actor tested positive for HIV in one month, the California HIV advocacy group AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) launched a robocall against Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), who it says is holding up legislation for state-wide mandatory condom use in adult films. The mandate was approved by Los Angeles county voters last year, but is on hold in the state senate because it is similar to a bill introduced earlier by Gatto.

"We lay complete blame for this outbreak at the feet of Assemblymember Gatto, the pornographers, and Los Angeles County," Michael Weinstein, AHF President, said in a statement. "How many more before we act?" Gatto denied he is blocking the bill.

The adult-film industry instituted a voluntary weeklong halt on shooting after an actress tested positive last month for HIV. Last week, another adult-film actor, who is romantically linked to the aforementioned actress and performs mainly in gay films, tested positive for HIV. Late last Friday, a third actor was confirmed to test positive for HIV, prompting the AHF to call for an additional moratorium on filming and appealed to California Assembly Speaker John Perez (D-Los Angeles) to move the bill forward.

Free Speech Coalition, the trade association representing the adult-film industry, said the actress who tested positive last month has not appeared in a film since the first moratorium. "While we don't have evidence to suggest an on-set transmission as opposed to a transmission from non-industry (off-camera)-related activity, we are taking every measure to determine the source and to protect the performer pool," the coalition said in the statement.

Back to other news for September 2013