January 12, 2012 | The Biz

LA City Council says yes to condoms in porn

The push for condom use in porn productions got a boost this week when LA City Council took the first step in forcing adult companies to use rubbers in their videos.

Eleven councillors voted in favor of the policy and only 1 opposed it. A final vote on the measure will take place next week.

A discussion group will also be established, comprised of both law enforcement officials and state occupational specialists, to determine how best to enforce the new ordinance.

 “We can spend literally millions of dollars on an unnecessary election or we can do the right thing for free,” Councilman Paul Koretz said. “For better or worse, the city of Los Angeles is nationally known as the capital of the adult film industry. We should be nationally known, also, as the home of a safe adult film industry.”

Voters are expected to vote on the issue in June, but if the City Council approves the measure next week, the ballot question will not be required..

Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich initially filed a lawsuit against the ballot, arguing that the issue fell under state jurisdiction. He has agreed to drop the lawsuit in face of the Council's decision.

Free Speech Coalition's Executive Director Diane Duke said the government should keep out of this, as the industry has been successful in monitoring itself. Getting the government involved was, she said, a recipe for disaster.

"This approach betrays our Constitution; it betrays the hard lessons we've learned in the 25-year fight against HIV/AIDS; and it betrays aggressive health and safety efforts in place that are proven and effective," Duke said.

This is not the end of this particular fight. Not by a long shot.

LA votes to force porn actors to wear condoms [AFP]

L.A. Votes to Enforce Condom Use in Porn Industry [ABC News]

L.A. City Council Tentatively Approves Condom Measure, FSC Responds [XBiz]