January 5, 2012 | The Biz

AHF extending push for condom use in industry

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is expanding its fight to make condom use in porn mandatory. It has already placed a measure on the June city ballot requiring performers to use condoms on Los Angeles porn sets. It now wants to see a new ballot question on the county level, making sure that any porn productions in LA County are required to obtain a public health permit.

AHF said that if permits are required for bathhouses, sex clubs, tattoo and message parlors, then they should be required of adult film companies. This would force them to take a more active role in protecting their employees, and condom use could then be made mandatory.

"Not one dollar will come from taxpayers," said Michael Weinstein, executive director for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, arguing that the cost of each permit would cover any expenses related to policing the industry.

"For too long, this workplace safety issue has been dodged by elected officials punting from city to county to state, and as a consequence, the health and safety of these workers has been neglected with dire consequences," Weinstein added.

The LA Times released an editorial on Monday in support of the AHF's efforts for the city-wide initiative. It acknowledged that a new bylaw could encourage companies to move just outside the city's jurisdiction, but "sometimes cities must take the lead, even in workplace safety regulation."

"Los Angeles banned smoking in restaurants and bars to protect not merely the comfort of patrons but the health and safety of staff who otherwise were inhaling carcinogens each day. The move pressed the state to finally catch up."

If a city or county measure were passed by voters it would immediately face a legal challenge by the porn industry, since it is the state that has jurisdictiion over occupational health and safety. However it would also force the state government to face the issue head on. 

Safe sex in the porn industry [LA Times]

More rules urged for adult films [Contra Costa Times]