As we all know, male porn stars wear all kinds of interesting costumes-
But you rarely see them wearing condoms.
For years, an organization called the AIDS Medical Foundation has lobbied for the mandatory use of condoms.
Companies that make pornographic films have resisted this step, but there are now signs that change is coming.
San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles is called the center of porn.
There you will find vivid videos, studios that produce titles such as All-Star big ass, Debbie Dallas and better knowing Bureau.
But vivid also makes one
In a famous video, a well-dressed young woman looked at the camera and said: "The staff of the adult film industry are in special danger because the actors have sex within their scope of work ".
No, it's not the sexiest video ever, but all the lively staff need to watch it.
The video continues to explain the rules of the studio: performers must be tested for HIV and other diseases every 30 days;
After one-time use, the sex toy will be disposed;
Condoms will be available to all performers.
But Vivid CEO Steve Hirsch says many performers, both male and female, find it uncomfortable to use condoms to do their job.
"If girls choose to use condoms in their scenes, then obviously we will accommodate them," he said . ".
"Some girls choose to do this, while most do not.
"Hirsch added that most performers appear to be satisfied with the current programme of conducting STD tests through local clinics.
"They put the results online;
We can log in with our password;
"We can see who's testing is up to date and who's not up to date," Hirsch said . ".
But according to Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Medical Foundation, that's not enough.
"We know that testing, while important, cannot replace the use of condoms," he said . ".
Weinstein points out that performers can have sex between being tested and making movies.
This may increase the risk of disease transmission.
Weinstein said HIV testing has been positive for nearly 20 adult film actors in Southern California since 2004.
"HIV is not the only life-long infection," he said . "
"You have herpes in many performers;
Women with chlamydia can lead to infertility.
Or other diseases that may make them vulnerable to cervical cancer.
"Most porn filmmakers think these health risks are serious, but they don't think condoms are a solution.
Hirsch said that vivid videos have been tried in the past seven years.
"When we become mandatory
"Sales of condom companies have fallen by about 20%," he said . "
Hirsch is concerned that the use of condoms will destroy billions of dollars in the region's population.
The adult film industry.
California, with an unemployment rate of up to 12%, cannot lose more jobs, he said.
"People will shoot in Europe;
People will shoot in Mexico.
"People will go to other places to shoot," Hirsch said. "You will see an industry leaving the state.
The foundation retorted that condoms were used in most gay adult films. -
The development of this industry seems to be very smooth.
Weinstein says he can even provide some convenience for straight porn.
"According to the data we have, the risk of oral sex is much lower than that of vaginal and anal sex," he said . ".
"For this reason, I think the regulations will make oral sex condoms optional.
I think this is a fair compromise.
Weinstein says it's clear Americans are watching porn. -
But few people are willing to talk about it.
So far, the foundation has not found lawmakers willing to support legislation that requires condoms. It sued the L. A.
County health department--
But the judge dismissed the lawsuit.
But last winter, the foundation filed a petition with the California Department of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA.
The board of directors of the organization recently took the first step in requesting the use of condoms: it voted in favor of the establishment of an advisory committee to study the issue.
Deborah Gold, a senior safety engineer at Cal/OSHA, says her team's job is to make sure people are "not at risk for their health and safety when they go to work.
This is the same as HIV transmission for lead poisoning.
Gold says the condom mission will support the safety mission for Cal/OSHA-
But it can be difficult to execute.
For example, it may be difficult to track pornographic films;
A lot happens in private places, not big studios.
When Cal/OSHA's new advisory committee meets for the first time, these challenges will certainly come up in June.