November 21, 2016 | The Biz

Adult industry looks to return to Los Angeles

Southern California’s porn biz may experience a Renaissance, now that voters have defeated Proposition 60, a measure that would have mandated condoms on adult film sets statewide.

In recent years the industry has fled to other jurisdictions, such as Nevada and Arizona, to escape what it sees as overzealous condom requirements. There has been a 95% drop in on-location porn permits in Los Angeles over the past four years, following the passage of an LA County bylaw (Measure B) that requires condoms on porn sets. Measure B is still technically in effect, but it is not being enforced after a lawsuit brought by Vivid Entertainment in March argued that it violated First Amendment rights.

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) also declined earlier this year to adopt a different measure that would have mandated condoms on porn shoots.

Those in favor of mandatory condom use contend that condoms are necessary to protect performers from sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV. But opponents say Prop 60 was heavy handed as it would have enabled any California resident to sue producers and performers involved in movies in which condoms weren’t used. They also argue that the industry already has screening measures in place to protect performers.

Welcome home, pornographers!

With the condom law defeated, the porn industry looks to make its return. [LA Times]