Poll Shows Voters Favor Mandatory Condoms for Adult-Film Performers

Results of a new poll on requiring adult-film performers to wear condoms during productions indicate that the public sides with safety, despite the industry’s threat to leave California over the matter. Sixty-three percent of 1,046 respondents said they would vote for a county-wide ballot measure enforcing this requirement, according to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF).

AHF President Michael Weinstein and other AIDS activists are credited for a Los Angeles regulation - approved by the City Council in January, and instituted last month - requiring porn performers to wear condoms while filming scenes on location. The advocates next hope to have that rule enforced throughout Los Angeles County.

“For too long, elected officials have dodged this workplace safety issue, punting the issue from city to county to state,” said Weinstein. “And, as a consequence, the health and safety of these workers has been neglected, often with dire consequences.”

However, porn industry representatives maintain the laws are unnecessary, since actors are tested regularly for HIV and other STDs, and will be burdensome to the industry.

AHF says it has acquired 235,000 signatures - 3,000 more than required to bring the matter before voters in November - and is hoping for 374,000 signatures by June 5.

Poll results concluded that 83 percent of respondents were familiar with the measure, referred to as the County of Los Angeles Safer Sex in the Adult Film Industry Act. If passed, it also would require adult-film producers to obtain permits from the county Department of Public Health.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.

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