Archive for June 15, 2009

Most say they believe that the industry’s testing guidelines are enough to keep performers safe despite the news that an adult film actress has tested positive for HIV.

By Kimi Yoshino and Rong-Gong Lin II

June 13, 2009

Porn actresses paraded in stiletto heels, wearing itsy-bitsy skirts and bikini tops that overflowed. Guys eagerly snapped pictures and collected autographs. As Erotica LA got underway Friday at the Los Angeles Convention Center, it was business as usual.

Adult film stars and producers who gathered for the three-day expo said they continue to believe the porn industry’s testing guidelines are enough to keep performers safe despite this week’s news that an adult film actress had tested positive for HIV.

via Porn stars at L.A. convention defend HIV tests – Los Angeles Times.

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• SoCal Porn Actress Tests HIV Positive (abcnews.go.com)

As much as I enjoy getting academic about smutty topics I m often bummed out by feminist debates about the pervasiveness of pornography. That isn t to say that I m unconcerned with mainstream porn s chest-pounding misogyny unrealistic physical aesthetics or any of the other anti-female offenses identified in women s studies classes the world over. It s just that instead of griping about how these unhealthy visions of female sexuality affect us non-porn stars I d like to talk about the health of the actual women in the films. Yes the porn stars — remember them “I don t know of any other industry where people are subjected to that kind of risk” Unfortunately some sad news out of Porn Valley has made that particular feminist and humanist angle especially relevant Last week Los Angeles County officials revealed that there have been at least 16 previously unreported cases of HIV among porn performers in the past five years. That amounts to a total of 22 cases since 2004 when five porn stars tested positive. The explanation is simple As anyone who has ever caught a glimpse of an X-rated film knows condoms are entirely optional. Sure there s an industry standard requiring performers to get tested for STDs every 30 days but it can take two weeks for signs of HIV infection to show. Just consider the 2004 outbreak: Porn star Darren James tested negative just a few days before going to work and transmitting it to three female costars.

via Debbie does HIV – Broadsheet – Salon.com.

Related articles by Zemanta

• SoCal Porn Actress Tests HIV Positive (abcnews.go.com)