Condoms Now Required on L.A. Adult Film Sets
A new ordinance signed in January by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa went into effect Monday will require actors in adult film movies to wear condoms in order for producers to receive a film permit in Los Angeles.
Porn industry leaders say the regulation could drive them away from the nation's porn capitol. An estimated 90 percent of U.S. adult films are filmed in Los Angeles with most filmed in the suburban San Fernando Valley.
“In surveys taken in every major city in America, there’s a majority that don’t want to watch porn if it has a rubber,” said adult film actor Ron Jeremy. “It kills the fantasy for people.”
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has lobbied for the regulation for years saying that it will protect adult film actors from contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The group is collecting signatures to put the regulation on a November ballot measure. If approved, the ordinance would require condoms to be worn on sets countywide.
"I don't think you can have a multi-billion dollar industry that simply refuses to protect its at risk workers from the spread of disease at work," said AHF lawyer Brian Chase.
And while producers will be forced to comply with the ordinance to get a film permit they could opt to film on a soundstage or backlot where film permits are not necessary for filming.
With the new law in effect in Los Angeles, the city of Simi Valley is hoping it can pass a similar ordinance as well. A decision on whether or not to pass the ordinance will be voted on by the Simi Valley City Council on February 13th.
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