Porn Industry Being Crippled
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation joined by former porn actresses and Pink Cross Foundation filed official complaints Thursday, asking California state regulators to force San Fernando Valley porn companies to require actors to wear condoms and follow health and safety laws.
The Cal/OSHA complaints will be supported with over 60 porn DVDs where unsafe sex and illegal production of porn is demonstrated.
The film companies to be named in the complaint include Anarchy Films, Backend Productions, Blue Pictures, Critical X, Hustler Video, Heatwave Entertainment, Immoral Productions, Latin Media, Legend, Mayhem, Maverick Entertainment, Raw Flesh, Sin City, Top Dog/Magnus Productions, Vivid Entertainment, and Club Jenna. 58 films from the 16 companies were considered in the AHF analysis. 1
But that’s only a handful of the companies breaking the law as followed:
“The California Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to provide a safe and healthful workplace for employees, and pay the costs of their health and safety program. This same act gives Cal/OSHA jurisdiction over virtually all private employers in California, including employers in the adult film industry. Employers must comply with all relevant regulations, which are contained in Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations.”
Nobody is complying with these regulations. Porn producers could care less about the law. Even the self-professed “doctor” of porn stars doesn’t care. Founder of AIM (Adult Industry Medical clinic) and industry leader Dr. Sharon Mitchell stated in an article in the New York Times, "Honey, this is pornography. People don't pay attention to the Legislature."
The porn industry better pay attention because legislature is about to get involved in a major way. Former porn actresses will make sure of that.
“We aren’t playing around with the porn industry,” stated former porn actress Shelley Lubben and executive director of Pink Cross Foundation who publicly challenged the porn industry to a debate in a press conference held at Sheraton Universal Hotel on Thursday, August 20.
So far no takers for the debate. What, is the porn industry scared of a few former porn actresses with overwhelming evidence of porn companies not following Cal/OSHA standards?
According to the California Occupational Safety and Health Act porn employers are required to offer a safe and healthy workplace for porn workers. These requirements include:
• Following a written safety and health program, known as an injury and illness prevention program, or IIPP, pointing out potential hazards specific to the workplace and ways to protect workers from those hazards.
• Training employees in health and safety hazards
• Protecting employees from electrical hazards, such as those associated with special lighting
• Protecting employees from hazards associated with bloodborne pathogens
• Providing sanitation facilities
• Not discriminating against employees who complain about safety and health conditions.
As insiders of the porn industry know, these standards are NOT being followed at all in the porn industry. Certainly it can be proven and porn companies don’t deny it. Instead the adult film industry cowards hide behind the free speech amendment or make ridiculous remarks like:
"If Los Angeles County chooses to enforce mandatory condoms, what you'll see is all adult production leave California," Vivid Entertainment founder Steve Hirsch told the Los Angeles Times.
The porn industry isn’t going anywhere. First off, keep in mind that California is the ONLY State in which it is actually legally produce adult films due to a 1988 decision of the California Supreme Court (California vs. Freeman).
As a result of that decision, California became the first and ONLY state where a person can be legally hired to have sex for the purpose of making adult films. NO OTHER STATE HAS SUCH A PRECEDENT and it is simply ILLEGAL to make adult films anywhere else in the United States.
Sex in exchange for money (regardless of reason, or circumstance) is considered prostitution in ALL states. California just happens to be the ONLY one to make allowances for adult film production. While it is true there are companies who make films in other states, they do so contrary to law and are subject to arrest and face charges ranging from prostitution to pandering (pimping) if caught. 2
Not to mention, what other health department in another state, knowing the risks the porn industry poses on public health, will allow porn companies to set up shop? And if the health departments aren’t aware of the risks, be assured that porn companies won’t be able to pack fast enough before Pink Cross Foundation and other advocacy groups will be knocking on doors of health departments with evidence in hand.
The porn industry WILL comply or be shut down. They WILL care about the health and safety of workers.
But Hustler’s Larry Flynt is more concerned with porn consumers than he is with the very ones who risk their lives to work in his films. He told The Associated Press, "people who enjoy viewing adult films do not want to see people using condoms." Perhaps Larry needs to think about the fact that his workers don’t want Herpes, HIV, or to live out the rest of their lives on medication, if they live that long. Maybe Larry needs to be forced to have unprotected sex in films for a year and see how he enjoys Genital Herpes or Gonorrhea. Maybe Larry needs to live paralyzed in fear like the porn stars do.
The porn industry has disabled and destroyed thousands of lives and porn companies don’t care. LA Public Health doesn’t care. Cal/Osha doesn’t care. But Pink Cross cares. Yes, the “conservative, religious” according to AVN (Adult Video News) cares more about porn stars than AVN does. That’s for sure.
We care deeply about the thousands of lives risking their health to make a buck. Your life is worth more than that!
References:
1. Examiner
2. All Experts
Comments
The porn industry might simply relocate if things got too hot for them in California. But if they relocated anywhere else in the United States they would be liable for prosecution as pimps and panderers.
This might not stamp out porn altogether, since other forms of pimping prostitution go on across the US despite what the law has to say about it.
Nevertheless, this would draw an important line in the sand as to exactly what society and the law that protects it is prepared to accept. This alone send a powerful message.
Moreover, as with other forms of prostitution and sexual abuse and exploitation, part of the problem is that laws are not properly enforced.
This would allow activists the option of pressurizing law enforcement agencies to take their responsibilities seriously with regard to these laws.
As for outside the US, yes, it is quite possible for porn to be produced in places where it either is not against the law, or where the laws are never properly enforced.
In fact, quite a lot of porn is produced in places like Brazil, Russia, or Thailand.
We can deplore this, publicize what's going in the media, and raise funds for local groups committed to fighting porn, prostitution, sexual abuse and exploitation, and we can pray.
But beyond that, there's not a great deal we can do. As citizens of developed democracies, however, there is a great deal we can do with our votes, our taxes, and our rights under the law to ensure that porn is prosecuted.
Californians have a great deal to say about what happens in California, at the local, city, and state level, and beyond that at the federal level. Britons have a great deal of say about what happens in Britain, Canadians in Canada, &ct, &ct.
We are failing in our duties both as citizens and as Christians if we neglect to make best use of our rights.
patrick1386
An additional factor with regard to places like Brazil, Thailand and Russia is the amount of child and under-age prostitution and pornography which goes on already. At least in California it appears that by and large the over 18 rule is enforced. (I'm open to correction on that point.) So a complete new can of worms would be opened up if the industry re-located from L.A. On the other hand it would not have quite the resources it has in California. No easy answers unfortunately to this global problem nevertheless the fight must go on
Shelley,
I just joined your site this morning and I just want to give you a message of support and encouragement. I live in Ireland and for many years I have been looking at adult sites. Reading and listening to your story and some of the others who have come out of porn I found myself very moved and am resolved to never again play any part, no matter how small, in propagating this vile industry. The work you are doing is nothing short of global in importance and every time someone else leaves the industry is a huge moral victory. Keep up the good work and God bless you
patrick1386
The law can and should be used as a weapon in the crusade against porn and other forms of prostitution and sexual exploitation and abuse.
Heath and Safety is as legitimate a hook on which to snare the 'adult' industry in California. Is there any chance of challenging California vs Freedman in the District or Federal courts?
If the people who run 'the industry' were then subject to criminal charges to do with pimping and prostitution this would send a powerful message not only to the US, but to the whole of the world, as to what this 'industry' is really all about.
Yes, it could then relocate to other jurisdictions, but one of the functions of the law is to lay down lines in the sand as to what the society which the law serves will and will not accept.
If porn is able to present itself as merely being part of the 'entertainment' industry, many people are prepared to accept it. If pornographers are seen as pimps, panderers, and sex abusers attitudes might change. The law can give a lead here.
If the porn industry got sent out of California, couldn't they just set up shop overseas and exploit women in third world countries? Oh wait, that's already happening to a degree(human trafficking).
The law can and should be used as a weapon in the crusade against porn and other forms of prostitution and sexual exploitation and abuse.
Heath and Safety is as legitimate a hook on which to snare the 'adult' industry in California. Is there any chance of challenging California vs Freedman in the District or Federal courts?
If the people who run 'the industry' were then subject to criminal charges to do with pimping and prostitution this would send a powerful message not only to the US, but to the whole of the world, as to what this 'industry' is really all about.
Yes, it could then relocate to other jurisdictions, but one of the functions of the law is to lay down lines in the sand as to what the society which the law serves will and will not accept.
If porn is able to present itself as merely being part of the 'entertainment' industry, many people are prepared to accept it. If pornographers are seen as pimps, panderers, and sex abusers attitudes might change. The law can give a lead here.
Thank you for your reply. Keep up the great work; I know it's not easy. God Bless!
" What you focus on is what you will become. "
Ryan
So what you are saying is that some of the puppies at puppy mills are actually treated better than the human beings who get entangled in the adult film industry. If that's not an indictment against the porn industry I don't know what is.
Matthew 5 verse 28: I say unto you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Proverbs 26 verse 11: As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly I.E. backsliders who go back
On The Set
The truth about the Porn Set
When I was in the industry, the fear of bodily fluids was absolutely disregarded. It was as though everyone was completely comfortable with the fact that someone else's fluids were on the person were working with. These fluids were on the floor, on the furniture and even on the rags and towels that were thrown to us to use to clean ourselves up during and after a scene. The chance of walking in them was unavoidable. There is no protection or hygiene at all. There was no use of condoms at all. We shared the same bodily fluids that someone else was just exposed to with no fear of getting a disease. The lack of control to keep a healthy environment is not even a consideration in this industry. The constant spreading of germs and disease ridden materials is not even considered by the employees of the production companies. The other ways that these fluids are spread around on the set are from toys and the distribution of them to the workers. They are thrown into boxes and given a once over with a rag containing rubbing alcohol and not thoroughly sanitized and or sterilized. That is unsanitary and completely unsafe. Some people bring there own toy's to "ensure" the safety concern in there own minds. How would that be considered sanitary to other actors/actresses when in the process the toy was set on the couch were fluids are still present from a shoot that had taken place only minutes before? The lack of attention directed toward the sanitary conditions of a porn set is uncontrollable and is not even considered. The simple fact that these actors/actresses have test results from 20+ days ago is a confirmation with the illusion to the rest of the people working on the set that everyone is clean and disease free. They disregard even there own safety for themselves and even the lives and well being of there own families at home. It is supposed to be a code of conduct that the men and women that participate in these activities are "LOYAL" to the business and are trusted by everyone else that they are only having sex with the people in the business. I know from first hand experience that this is not true. On nights off, someone would find a new partner that had no idea that the woman and or man they were about to have sex with was in the porn industry. I wasn't forced to wear a condom when I was having sex with a woman that was trying to get me into the business. This sort of practice is proof that the business and the people in it are not 100% loyal to it and it's so called code of conduct.
I feel that the use of drugs in the industry is and always has been a large part of the problem. The simple fact that I was one of the largest dealers in the industry is proof enough to me. People were openly using cocaine, speed, GHB and smoking marijuana. The ones that were afraid to get caught and possibly have their name spread around as a drug addict, simply hid there drug use and no one knew it. I knew it, because I was the one being called to replenish them with more drugs. If a woman was upset and was having a bad day, they were offered a line and sent back to the set to get the job done and they did.
Most of the time these shoots and or productions were taking place in homes like I lived in. These locations were from every type of home. From the smallest 2 bedroom to the biggest mansions around Southern California. We were called to homes as far away as Lancaster. These homes are all over the San Fernando Valley. Woodland Hills, Hidden Hills, Chatsworth, Northridge, Sherman Oaks, Encino Hills, Sylmar, you name it. Not to mention the numerous apartments and condo's I went to. Using ordinary peoples homes that they lived in on a daily basis, as a porn set. We would receive a payment of $700.00 - $1,000.00 for a 12 - 16 hour day of production. Catering was delivered to the homes and even private chefs were brought in. The whole time the unsanitary conditions and spreading of bodily fluids was present. Actors/actresses would get a 10 minute break in between scenes and would run to the kitchen and grab food without washing. We had our neighbors looking at us funny and the neighborhood kids’ trying to look over fences to see what was going on. With 7 - 15 cars in front of the house, it was difficult to hide that fact that something was going on. There were amateur productions that were taking place in hotels all over the San Fernando Valley. From the smallest Motels to the Marriot on Topanga. It didn't matter. We were told the way to enter so we wouldn't be detected and could pull it off. If security caught on to it, they were handed a hundred bucks and they would let it go on with no questions asked. This conduct and practice of not having a sanitary location is still the same way as it was 15 years ago and is not changing. The only thing that has changed is the fact that younger naive kids that were only 3 or 4 years of age at the time I was in the industry, are being subject to the same disgusting and unsanitary conditions of sharing and spreading bodily fluids amongst each other with the illusion that a few simple tests supposedly confirm the doubts in their minds. This activity needs to be regulated and or made completely illegal.
I thank you for listening to me and allowing me to help you to understand the amount of the unsanitary conditions taking place on porn sets.
Sincerely, Ryan Millay
Ryan Millay "EX-MALE Adult Actor" No one is a Star in that industry! (AKA)Trent Roe Dedicated to "Killing Porn 1 Soul At A Time"
Thank you Ryan..this is the hard truth,everybody must know what is behind the "glamour".Thank you pink cross for opening my eyes..
The Underage Porn thing has been going on for some time it's my understanding that Tracy Lords started out at the age of 16. All thoughs movies where pulled from the shelf when she confessed she was 16 in several of her early films.
Wow Ryan, this is the kind of stuff we need to share with the State. Email me more! We'll talk soon!
Hi Ryan,
Your set description was echoed by Anne Marie Sinclair aka Belladonna, on her own web site. She says that the sets are disgusting, there was no hygiene being followed, and that she disinfects her 'toys' before and after for her own protection and for the next girl.
You take care, ok?
Why is there places where you can click that are no good (porn), after this article? Maybe it's just me, could someone explain? A few examples; Expert- Adult film; How to distibute personal porn. How to break into the adult industry etc.. I didn't want to look further because of the temptations; is it just me?
" What you focus on is what you will become. "
I will remove references. I use these since we quoted someone so normally if you write an article and quote someone you have to put references. But on this site, I'll remove them. Sorry for ANY temptation you went through. I'm sure the Lord will get you through it!!