WTF?!? LA Times: 16 Previously Confirmed HIV Cases in Porn Industry (Since 2004)

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

(06-11) 20:48 PDT Los Angeles, CA (AP) --

Los Angeles County health officials say there have been 16 previously unpublicized confirmed cases of HIV in adult film industry performers since 2004 when an outbreak shut down porn production for a month.

The county Department of Public Health data was requested by The Los Angeles Times and announced Thursday.

The newly released data brings the number of known HIV cases in adult film performers to 22 since 2004, including a porn actress who tested positive late last week.

The San Fernando Valley-based Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation announced Wednesday that an actress tested positive for HIV last Saturday.

Adult film industry workers had described the new case as the first since 2004.

-----

What the hell?!? Somebody at AIM has some explaining to do...

ADG

[sicone]

Damn... The shit is getting deep now

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

Originally Posted by sicone

Damn... The shit is getting deep now

I'm beginning to wonder if AIM is more interested in protecting their profit center rather than the industry by failing to disclose previous HIV positive test results (assuming they were the testing company).

I've always been generally supportive of AIM, largely because I thought they were operating with transparency and keeping the industry informed, however the most recent case seems to indicate that they are trying to cloak and shield information rather than keep us informed to protect their own financial interests.

Anyone at AIM care to comment?

ADG

[billywatson]

This is troubling, and it could cause some serious, serious problems for all of us.

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

If AIM knew about all of this but stayed silent, I am absolutely appalled.

Time for somebody from AIM to get in here and start confirming or denying, and answering some questions.

ADG

[selena]

16? How on earth did the industry have 16 confirmed cases, and none of them end up on gfy?

That's a hella lot of people keeping their mouths tightly closed.

Going solely on reading alone, and with no first hand knowledge, this doesn't sound good for AIM at all.

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

Originally Posted by selena

16? How on earth did the industry have 16 confirmed cases, and none of them end up on gfy?

That's a hella lot of people keeping their mouths tightly closed.

Going solely on reading alone, and with no first hand knowledge, this doesn't sound good for AIM at all.

If they knew and said nothing, then that is a fucking disgrace!

At least warn people about trends, and help us to protect our performers.

I hate to think that their silence may have caused others to become exposed/infected, if indeed they were aware.

ADG

[applebee]

Are we 100% sure the LA Times reporting is accurate?

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

Originally Posted by applebee

Are we 100% sure the LA Times reporting is accurate?

Let's see...

What does the LA Times gain by falsely reporting this:

Los Angeles County health officials say there have been 16 previously unpublicized confirmed cases of HIV in adult film industry performers since 2004 when an outbreak shut down porn production for a month.

The county Department of Public Health data was requested by The Los Angeles Times and announced Thursday.

What does AIM gain by staying silent (if they in fact knew what was going on, but remained silent)?

Oh yeah, business as usual.

ADG

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

From LukeIsBack.com:

California: AHF Renews Call for ?Condoms in Porn? Legislation after L.A. Actress Tests HIV+ US? Largest AIDS Group Previously Sought Legislation Requiring Condom Use in Adult Film Industry

By: AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Los Angeles, CA - June 11, 2009

After the Los Angeles Times reported today that an actress in the adult entertainment industry recently tested HIV-positive, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) renewed its call for California legislation that would require the use of condoms by actors performing in porn videos produced by California?s multi-billion dollar adult entertainment industry?a mainstay of the San Fernando Valley economy. AHF had previously tried to sponsor similar legislation but had difficulty finding a legislator willing to author and carry the potentially controversial legislation.

?This most recent HIV infection found in an actress working in California?s booming porn business has prompted AHF to renew our call for state legislation requiring the use of condoms in all adult entertainment productions,? said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the US? largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare provider, which operates the largest community-based alternative HIV testing program in California conducting more than 14,000 free HIV tests annually. ?Working is the operative word here. Why shouldn?t people working in California?s multi-billion dollar adult entertainment industry enjoy the same protections as a construction worker protected by a hard hat and other safety gear? Legislators need to put aside their squeamishness and draft a bill as a worker safety provision of California?s Labor Code akin to how the Labor Code currently requires the use of hard hats and other garments and barriers as safely precautions on certain California work sites and locations.?

The push for ?Condoms in Porn? Background:
In early April 2004 the Southern California adult film industry was sent into a tailspin after the announcement that a Los Angeles based male performer tested positive for HIV. Although the performer contracted HIV while out of the country, he returned to film in Los Angeles and worked without condoms, ensuing in the infection of four other performers. Those infections had been at the forefront of much controversy over whether or not condoms should be legally mandated in the pornographic film industry.

Unlike the gay porn industry, condom use is not currently standard procedure in the straight porn film industry. In 2004, during the previous HIV outbreak in the industry, only two of the approximately 200 adult film production companies in Southern California required their performers to use condoms, and about 17% of adult film actors regularly use condoms, according to industry executives (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 4/22/04).

According to a 2004 op-ed piece in the Los Angeles Times, Larry Flynt, the publisher and figurehead of Flynt Publications (Hustler films), argued that ?market testing?and conventional wisdom?tells us that films that feature actors wearing condoms don?t sell.? AHF argued at the time that that simply did not have to be true, noting that Flynt has been an influential leader in the pornography industry over past decades, and is in a position to change the way that heterosexual pornographic films view condom usage.

AHF will now work to identify a legislator in Sacramento willing to author and carry a ?condoms in porn? bill in this legislative session.

ADG

[Octopus]

I am waiting comments from AIM.

[TheSenator]

This should be a rally call for the radical right.

[SBJ]

damn this is fucked up if it's true.. i wonder if AIM will respond to this

[Mutt]

if California were to legislate condoms had to used the porn biz would leave LA fast - everybody would be moving shop to Miami. guys who watch porn really do hate condoms in their porn.

[NaughtyRob]

Originally Posted by Mutt

if California were to legislate condoms had to used the porn biz would leave LA fast - everybody would be moving shop to Miami. guys who watch porn really do hate condoms in their porn.

Exactly right. "Porn Valley" would cease to exist and Las Vegas, Phoenix and Miami would become more populated with production companies.

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

Originally Posted by Octopus

I am waiting comments from AIM.

Originally Posted by SBJ

damn this is fucked up if it's true.. i wonder if AIM will respond to this

It appears as if AIM has their own agenda, which from what I gather is to force the industry (in the US only) to use condoms, and to continue making money from testing nonetheless.

If forced to use condoms in hardcore scenes, I will (even though any of my male/female performers can currently request to use condoms and I agree to this without condition, while still insisting on testing).

If this becomes the case, then I will certainly seek out testing facilities other than AIM, since I will feel as if they had a hidden agenda, by not disclosing previous cases of HIV positive cases (even though myself and other producers thought that they would).

By pushing for Mandatory condom usage (which conceivably may reduce their liability), while continuing to promote their profit center, without disclosing past positive tests (if that is the case), they will have undermined my trust and faith in their organization, since foreign producers will conceivably continue to shoot bareback (without condoms), and as such, possibly gain a competitive advantage over US producers such as myself.



ADG

[JFK]

Originally Posted by Octopus

I am waiting comments from AIM.

would be interesting to see

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

It's beginning to appear as if AIM might possibly be putting their profits ahead of the general interest of the industry (at least from some perspectives).

Until the most recent case, I certainly had no idea that AIM might be trying to hush-hush what was going on.

I wonder how many of the 16 additional HIV positive tests since the 2004 outbreak, which were reported about today, that AIM was also aware of, but has been publicly silent about.

I'm not sure who all was in the know, but I also did not know that AIM was actively lobbying for mandatory condom testing.

It is highly doubtful that AIM is unaware of the shit storm that they are in the middle of on this and other forums.

And yet, still they CHOOSE to be silent - interesting...

ADG

[Writercindi]

guys besides this story, there is one saying that AIM is not cooperation with the Cali health department, and the reason AIM is giving for not posting names is that they got sued during the last HIV crisis in 2004. I just got word that the lawsuit was brought by Darren James and he recieved a 6 figure settlement. Please comment on what you think. Full stories are at the of my postings on Lukeisback.com

[TDF]

wow..16 people is a LOT of people

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

Originally Posted by Writercindi

guys besides this story, there is one saying that AIM is not cooperation with the Cali health department, and the reason AIM is giving for not posting names is that they got sued during the last HIV crisis in 2004. I just got word that the lawsuit was brought by Darren James and he recieved a 6 figure settlement. Please comment on what you think. Full stories are at the of my postings on Lukeisback.com

Interesting read...thanks for sharing.

I guess I missed the memo where AIM informed people in the industry that they had to pay out a low six-figure amount to Darren James for publicly posting that he was HIV Positive, as the article you cited seemed to indicate.

Neither do I recall any change in policy memo from AIM stating that they would not be publishing the names of the other people that subsequently tested HIV Positive, in order to presumably protect themselves from possible lawsuits, even if this meant keeping the rest of the industry in the dark.

If AIM's chronology is correct in the most recent case, and they did not falsely indicate that the most recent HIV person was clear (as has been alleged), then this recent case is proof that some in the industry are susceptible to inadvertently working with performers that may in fact be HIV Positive.

Instead of lobbying for mandatory condoms, shouldn't AIM be lobbying to allow themselves to protect the industry by being permitted to have performers waive their right to privacy if they contract HIV, and publicly announce the name of the HIV Positive performer, if the performer could potentially expose/infect other industry people to the virus prior to notification getting out (especially since it appears that not everyone checks in with AIM each and every time)?

ADG

[Manowar]

does aim have anyone on gfy?

[RayBonga]

I blame it on the tubes

[DWB]

If this is true, then the LA porn machine needs to shut its doors until they can find a solution better than AIM.

[Fletch XXX]

some clinic on the side of a street in California doesnt really have to publicize every disease they find lol

[pornguy]

Originally Posted by AsianDivaGirlsWebDude

I'm beginning to wonder if AIM is more interested in protecting their profit center rather than the industry by failing to disclose previous HIV positive test results (assuming they were the testing company).

I've always been generally supportive of AIM, largely because I thought they were operating with transparency and keeping the industry informed, however the most recent case seems to indicate that they are trying to cloak and shield information rather than keep us informed to protect their own financial interests.

Anyone at AIM care to comment?

ADG

From someone that does the business that you do, I honestly have to say that I am surprised that you said that about the profit.

[Scott McD]

Originally Posted by Manowar

does aim have anyone on gfy?

If they do i'm not expecting them to post any time soon...

[CIVMatt]

That's really sad, this is why I like shooting the amateurs next door

[DWB]

Originally Posted by CIVMatt

That's really sad, this is why I like shooting the amateurs next door

While I also prefer amateurs, lets not kid ourselves by thinking it is impossible for them to also be sick. A dirty girl or boy is a dirty girl or boy, regardless of her/his profession.

[CurrentlySober]

I like HIV poo

[dyna mo]

i don't understand how the county got the info, does aim tell the government but not the industry about the hiv cases?



quite frankly, at this point i do not trust aim, the county health officials or the la times

[Chit Chat]

Very sad news!

[halfpint]

AsianDivaGirlsWebDude you really suprised me

Do you really think that business whether its a health organisation or not is transparent ?

No biz is fully transparent and never will be and especially the health sector in the USA the UK ect.. these guys are out to make money like any other biz and if it means hiding the truth to keep profits thats exactly what they will do.
Its very sad when health organisations play with peoples lifes but it happens over here with the use of certian drugs which in some places our NHS will give out but if you live in the wrong area you wont get it. Money talks and life walks.. its a fact of life

[BFT3K]

I'm not sure what the big deal is here. If Joe Shmoe gets tested and is then told he has HIV, then his test is no good. At that point, Joe Shmoe does not have a good test, and is not allowed to perform. He cannot provide a clean and current test.

Isn't that the point? If that happened 10, 12 or 16 times over the past 5 years, then that's how it went down. Where is the conspiracy?

You want the testing facilities to post Joe Shmoe's name publicly? Why? He did not get a useable test result, so he cannot provide a clean test to producers, so he is not a risk to a production company who is properly checking tests. Isn't that the goal?

If a huge deal was made for every positive HIV test rsult, and potential talent was called out publicly (for no good reason), then how long will it be before people begin faking non-AIM test results, rather than risk the chance of getting called out publicly, should they fail?

I have many problems with AIM (no hepititis, no herpes, etc), but WTF?

What am I missing here?

[Easton]

holy crap... we need someone to name names!

as a producer, i'm exposed to these girls and guys too - body fluids are everywhere on set even when you're not in the scene

this is a real risk to anyone around them

[BFT3K]

Originally Posted by Easton

holy crap... we need someone to name names!

as a producer, i'm exposed to these girls and guys too - body fluids are everywhere on set even when you're not in the scene

this is a real risk to anyone around them

As a producer, aren't you checking test results? If so, then your performers have good tests. Why do you need names of people who failed their tests? You aren't filming those people, and they are not handing you failed tests, so why should names be named?

[Easton]

Originally Posted by BFT3K

As a producer, aren't you checking test results? If so, then your performers have good tests. Why do you need names of people who failed their tests? You aren't filming those people, and they are not handing you failed tests, so why should names be named?

of course i check tests and make sure the talent also check each other's paperwork and IDs for themselves

but my understanding here is that the infected MILF shot while her HIV results were indeterminate - so therefore she could have worked with guys/girls that i subsequently shot, because they wrongfully assumed she was good to go

[Si]

I don't see the big deal with the whole "we don't want condoms in porn" bullshit.

I've seen Vivid do it a lot.

I even watched a lesbian DVD yesterday where they even used condoms on the strap-ons to protect against regular STDs.

It all makes perfect sense.

And if porn buyers don't respect the need to use protection to protect peoples lives then they are even bigger idiots that are probably having un-protected sex with hookers and sluts and will probably catch it themselves.

Porn should lead by example and start using protection for all scenes. it will also lead to viewers and youngsters who manage to watch porn into seeing that you should use protection and protect yourself.

Porn in these times I believe is a major cause for the spread of infections and teenage pregnancy. Obviously there are a lot of other factors. but by not using protection in porn production people out there are thinking:

"hey this girl has been in over 100 scenes fucking guys and she doesn't catch anything! why should I wear a condom"

[Mutt]

Originally Posted by BFT3K

As a producer, aren't you checking test results? If so, then your performers have good tests. Why do you need names of people who failed their tests? You aren't filming those people, and they are not handing you failed tests, so why should names be named?

because just because somebody has a clean test doesn't mean they don't have HIV - it can take up to 30 days from the date of infection for HIV to show up on the test. Somebody could get infected with HIV today, 3 days later decides to enter the porn biz, goes to LA and gets tested at AIM, test is negative, he/she goes on to shoot 20 scenes, next AIM test he/she tests positive for HIV.

[Easton]

Originally Posted by Mutt

because just because somebody has a clean test doesn't mean they don't have HIV - it can take up to 30 days from the date of infection for HIV to show up on the test. Somebody could get infected with HIV today, 3 days later decides to enter the porn biz, goes to LA and gets tested at AIM, test is negative, he/she goes on to shoot 20 scenes, next AIM test he/she tests positive for HIV.

exactly

which is why it would be good to have the names of this quarantine group

i think i'll just start shooting with surgical gloves on

[BFT3K]

Originally Posted by Easton

my understanding here is that the infected MILF shot while her HIV results were indeterminate - so therefore she could have worked with guys/girls that i subsequently shot, because they wrongfully assumed she was good to go

So who's fault is that? Who filmed her without proper test results? AIM doesn't film scenes. As talent, you owe it to yourself to double check the test results of those you are performing with, and as a producer, you need to make sure all of the talent on the set is clean. Again, how is this AIM's fault, and where does naming names of failed test people come in to any of this?

I am not defending AIM, and it seems like there was some sort of cover-up in this case, which AIM would have probably prefered to keep quiet, but this thread topic seems to be about what a scandal it is that there were 16 HIV positive tests over the past 5 years, but no names were made public. I just don't understand why the names of people who have failed tests need to be made public. They shouldn't pose a risk, as they cannot present a clean test anyway.

[Easton]

Originally Posted by BFT3K

Again, how is this AIM's fault, and where does naming names of failed test people come in to any of this?

this is why:

Originally Posted by Mutt

because just because somebody has a clean test doesn't mean they don't have HIV - it can take up to 30 days from the date of infection for HIV to show up on the test. Somebody could get infected with HIV today, 3 days later decides to enter the porn biz, goes to LA and gets tested at AIM, test is negative, he/she goes on to shoot 20 scenes, next AIM test he/she tests positive for HIV.

[BFT3K]

Originally Posted by Mutt

because just because somebody has a clean test doesn't mean they don't have HIV - it can take up to 30 days from the date of infection for HIV to show up on the test. Somebody could get infected with HIV today, 3 days later decides to enter the porn biz, goes to LA and gets tested at AIM, test is negative, he/she goes on to shoot 20 scenes, next AIM test he/she tests positive for HIV.

So who's names do you propose naming? The people who have clean tests? I still don't get the naming of names thing here.

Your gloomy scenario is accurate. A girl gets tested for EVERYTHING on January 1st. On January 2nd she does a bareback anal gangbang with 100 bi-sexual guys. On January 3rd her test are perfect. She then escorts bareback for 3 more weeks, including anal, and groups. On January 29th her test is still good, as it's under 30 days old. You feel safer now?

[Easton]

Originally Posted by BFT3K

So who's names do you propose naming? The people who have clean tests? I still don't get the naming of names thing here.

Your gloomy scenario is accurate. A girl gets tested for EVERYTHING on January 1st. On January 2nd she does a bareback anal gangbang with 100 bi-sexual guys. On January 3rd her test are perfect. She then escorts bareback for 3 more weeks, including anal, and groups. On January 29th her test is still good, as it's under 30 days old. You feel safer now?

now we're all arguing on the same side

[amacontent]

Originally Posted by Writercindi

guys besides this story, there is one saying that AIM is not cooperation with the Cali health department, and the reason AIM is giving for not posting names is that they got sued during the last HIV crisis in 2004. I just got word that the lawsuit was brought by Darren James and he recieved a 6 figure settlement. Please comment on what you think. Full stories are at the of my postings on Lukeisback.com

Darren James is the one who caused the HIV incident, how the hell an he sue

[Easton]

so no wonder they can't name names then... scared of a lawsuit

i guess anyone with access and LOTS of time can just go thru the database results one by one until they find out who the people are

[amacontent]

Originally Posted by Chit Chat

Very sad news!

Is it any sadder than a cop shot in the line of duty or firmean injured . We choose the biz we are in freely knowing all the risks that are involved. All of these people making statements here , that are not in LA who want thier content shot on time, done at cheaper prices, shot nastier than ever, all of a sudden are the leaders of the lets be safe coalition. I feel real bad for the person/people infected, as did I Jessica Dee who is a very close friend of mine, and still is alive living a very normal life i should say.

Ill say this also, all of you who are making comments, or thinking of making comments, most are rightly just . But how many of you party and have a few drinks and drive home. How many of you dont drive because of DUIs. Tell me thats not more idiotic than fucking without a condom where you put peoples lives at risk that you dont even know. I see alot of people at these tradeshows shitfaced drunk.

There is a risk, definitely is, but me as a performer also its one I take and I protect myself as best I can to deliver product that people want. This is all just my humble opinion.

[amacontent]

BTW I am also not happy AIM hasnt immediately released names.

[BFT3K]

Unprotected sex is dangerous, period. As it has been stated before, so is driving, so if flying, so is giving your kids toys made in China, and on and on it goes. Basically, life is dangerous, and you have to weigh out what risks you care to involve yourself in. Motorcycles are dangerous, but they are fun, so the decision is yours.

As far as the sex industry goes - testing is safer than not testing, but it is far from 100% safe. In order to make it totally safe you would have to test talent for EVERYTHING, and then forbid them to have any sex with anyone who is not in the testing database, and then register every scene with the testing facility, so if an STD breaks out, the registered talent that the positive person came into sexual contact with is immediately informed.

You would practically have to run a sex jail compound of some sort, to prevent any breach in this disease free fantasy world that would be required to make sex safer. As that is never going to happen, you might as well just buy a Harley and have some fun while you are still breathing - or hide in a sexless room, safe with your boring existence.

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

Getting a good night of sleep is refreshing...as are some of the comments being made here.

If Patient Zero shot two scenes without a clear test result, that is on Patient Zero, the producer, and the other performer(s), for going outside the established protocol which necessitates a clear (negative) test prior to doing a scene. One cannot fault AIM for that.

Among my issues with AIM are that I understood that they would identify anyone with a positive test result, and all whom may have been exposed to the virus, and were under quarantine, since that is how the issue was previously handled, and to my knowledge there was no public notice that their policy had changed.

If they had done so, then we all would have to deal with the change in whatever way we saw best fit for our individual company.

Here is but one example of why I think public notification is important for the adult industry...

The majority of my shooting involves solo or glamour nude projects, which typically do not require an AIM test result. Therefore, a performer that tested positive, but was not publicly identified, could get hired, do a solo toy scene and potentially spread the virus to anyone handling the toy, etc.

When you go to your private physician and get an HIV test, and if your test comes back positive, more tests are conducted, and you are required to disclose all of your other partners, and they are privately notified, they are in turn interviewed and tested, etc.

I thought that AIM was doing more than that for our industry which is why in the past I have supported and used them as the de facto standard. In light of what has come out over the past few days, I seriously need to rethink some issues.

As a few others noted, this is yet another wake up call for an industry which is too often complacent and disorganized.

ADG