September 5, 2011 | The Biz

False positive in recent HIV case

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) announced on Saturday that a new HIV test had been administered to the adult performer who recently tested positive. The conclusion: the performer did not have HIV, and there was no risk to the adult production community.

Straight productions, which do not use condoms, had stopped filming until the HIV scare was investigated. Since most queer companies require condom use, gay shoots were largely unaffected.

"This is good news for the primary patient, the industry will continue to be abundantly cautious as we try to nail down the reasons for what now appears to have been a false positive result on a previous test,” FSC Executive Director Diane Duke said. “After discussion with our medical expert, he has advised that it would be appropriate for production to resume and the focus of attention brought to those who had worked with the performer. That group is already receiving care.

“Our prayers and utmost empathy go out to the performer in what has been a very difficult period,” Duke added.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) used the incident to push for mandatory condom use in porn productions. The false positive, it said, does not change the group's position.

"I'm happy it’s a [false positive]," said Ged Kenslea, Director of Communications for AHF. "But our whole thing is testing is not prevention."

Duke countered, however, that the recent situation highlighted that the industry was successful in protecting performers. “Industry self-regulation and best practices are alive and well in the adult entertainment industry – and they work. We fully understand that it is vitally important for the adult performers have a place to go that is safe, trusted and transparent.”

Update on Possible HIV Exposure of Adult Industry Performer [FSC Blog]

Porn Production to Resume After HIV Scare [NBC]