Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1998. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Reuters NewMedia, Inc.; Tuesday July 28 7:34 AM EDT
David Finnigan

Leading porn producers have collectively agreed to the "all-condoms" policy after five porn stars tested positive for the HIV virus since January. The decision could have huge ramifications for the multibillion-dollar adult video industry, which saw the release of roughtly 7,000 titles last year.

"Recess is over in the playpen of the damned," said porn veteran William Margold of the industry group Free Speech Coalition.

In keeping with the strong individualistic and libertarian bent of the porn industry, performers had until now decided for themselves about condoms, but this year's HIV tests changed all that.

"We are a condom-only company," said Vivid Video president Steven Hirsch, referring to Vivid's production policy that started in April.

"All performers, all men, are wearing condoms," he said. "We are no longer going to allow the performer to make the decisions as to whether condoms are allowed or not used."

In June, trade magazine Adult Video News reported that an April industry meeting in Studio City found major pornmakers including Vivid, Metro and VCA, plus smaller black-porn house Video Team agreeing to produce all-condom videos. Hirsch confirmed this, saying, "We made the decision together."

Hirsch said he and other pornmakers have economic concerns, but, "the distributors are fully supportive of our decision."

"Certainly you're always concerned when you try something different, but at this point you're talking about performers' lives, and we just won't take that chance."

Veteran porn performer Nina Hartley ("Boogie Nights") said there could be some adjustments needed by fans of heterosexual porn because "on the one hand this is fantasy; there's no death or disease."

Unofficially quarantined from sex on camera are one 15-year male porn vet and a quartet of porn starlets. None of the five performers could be reached for comment.

Dr. Steven York, a San Fernando Valley internist working with porn stars, said that performers routinely undergo monthly testing. If a test comes back HIV-positive, a second viral-load test is done.

"That (second test) actually allows us to measure the amount of HIV in someone," York said.

Since the porn industry is based on frequent and numerous sexual partnerings, the stars' HIV status is alarming news to hundreds of others.

"Four out of five of these people have all been with each other" sexually on camera, said retired porn actress Sharon Mitchell, who has tracked testing for Adult Industry Medical (AIM), the Sherman Oaks-based health advocacy group for adult performers.

Hartley said she performed sexually with the infected male star "many, many times." Their last sex was more than a year ago, and she has been testing HIV-negative since then.

Adult Industry Medical regularly updates its list of condom-only or condom-optional companies and performers, and major porn producers generally honor the health group's quarantine list.

But there is "absolutely nothing, no civil or legal obligation" to stop those listed from being hired, York noted.

"The only thing we can do is provide information," he said. "We can let folks know who has tested positive, we can make a recommendation, but no one is required to follow it."

Performers who have worked with HIV-positive actors must test HIV "not detected" before being removed from a temporary quarantine list.

While there are no official boycotts of the HIV-positive performers, Mitchell said that once one has definitely tested HIV-positive twice, "you're on permanent quarantine."

Still, the recent crisis is not enough to deter newcomers from signing on in the porn world. Joining the porn biz soon is a mainstream actress calling herself "Elizabeth X."

After two years of acting classes and no luck landing an agent or getting callbacks, she said she will possibly start shooting sex scenes soon. The 31-year-old said she will demand condoms -- plus fees beyond porn's usual $350-to-400-per-scene wages.

"I just won't do it for less than a grand," she said. "It's just an avenue that's open to me. I'm an actress. I really need money. There you have it." (David Finnigan is a reporter for Video Business magazine.) Reuters/Variety

980728
RE980716

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1998. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1998. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .