Remember that night in the bar when your courage, fueled by intoxicating beverages, turned you into that womanizing Casanova you deeply wished you really were? That night when your swagger and wit eventually landed you a gorgeous fox in bed? However, you probably knew subconsciously that this was not on the cards when the evening began so you didn’t bother packing protection. Instead you spent a few awkward moments over a glass of wine before you called a cab and went home.

-1x-1

This is not an uncommon scenario and it can happen to the best of men, and women. With a sudden outbreak of HIV in the California porn industry, a campaign to enforce condom use is currently well under way. Derrick Burts, a former actor in the adult entertainment industry, found out three years ago that he was infected with HIV. He now spearheads the drive for mandatory condom use in the industry.

Say it with rubber

Pornographers oppose the proposed changes saying HIV infections aren’t work related, but rather stem from off set activities. They also say the use of condoms would ruin the fantasy and ultimately sales. Furthermore, there are safeguards installed to protect actors in the shape of regular blood tests and health screenings.

Those opposing mandatory condom use in porn also cite other problems such as chafing due to prolonged penetration, causing discomfort for women and making it harder for men to stay, well, hard, and adding again that consumers apparently prefer to watch non-condom flicks.

When a 29-year-old porn actress went public in August 2013, the industry’s advocacy group, the Free Speech Coalition, decided to halt all film production for a week while other actors were tested. But soon after filming resumed, a male actor linked to the 29-year-old announced via Twitter that he had also tested positive for HIV.

“Drumroll please!! I’m 32 years old and I’m HIV positive. Acute HIV, which means I recently was infected. For that I am blessed,” @Rod_Daily wrote.

Several production companies have decided to move their operations from the LA county that would be affected by the new law, and say they will leave California altogether if the law should become state-wide. But Immoral Productions have decided to stick around and say they started shooting condom-only scenes much earlier this year.

One of its producers, Dan Leal, said it was tougher on the performers because condoms are designed for “normal sex, which tend to last for a few minutes,” rather than “porn sex, which could last well over an hour in a single scene and require up to 10 condoms.” He added that he still opposes the law and believes that regular screening and blood tests are better methods to keep HIV at bay in the industry.

Comments are closed.