California Porn HIV crisis

[Pornofan420]

CNN: Positive HIV tests shut down porn movies.

Been watching this unfold for the last day or so. One guy tested positive, then a whole bunch of women he had sex with...the list of HIV positive porn talent grows. Pretty trippy.

I've read in several places that while gay male porn seems to generally have embraced condoms, a lot of smaller porn producers often pay more for non-condom use because find their sales drop when they use condoms. An interesting economic calculus to use.

 

[razor_nut]

Yeah I had heard about this on the radio. I've always wondered how the industry dealt with the threat of HIV and other STD's, and am kind of suprised they aren't more prolific. (Then again, I don't know much, I just like to watch.)

Do they have a list of affected actors anywhere? I'm curious if I happen to be fans of any.

 

[Pornofan420]

Luke Ford, the Porn industry's own Drudge Report, is keeping on top of the story. They've got lists of who's tested positive, who's recently worked with them but not yet positive. Starting to sound like a two month cooling off period is in the works and whomever's screened clean at the end of that period can go back to work.

On the other hand, porn stars seem to have a reputation as spending the huge money they get and going 2 months with no work is a daunting prospect for some of them.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Luke Ford, the Porn industry's own Drudge Report, is keeping on top of the story. They've got lists of who's tested positive, who's recently worked with them but not yet positive. Starting to sound like a two month cooling off period is in the works and whomever's screened clean at the end of that period can go back to work.

On the other hand, porn stars seem to have a reputation as spending the huge money they get and going 2 months with no work is a daunting prospect for some of them.

Going two months without work is a daunting prospect to most of us, even those who live frugally.

-Colly

 

[minsue]

THere's something disturbing about reporting who is infected with HIV and who isn't, even involving porn actors. The thought of 'who's got it, who doesn't' being entertainment for the masses just turns my stomach.

 

[Pornofan420]

THere's something disturbing about reporting who is infected with HIV and who isn't, even involving porn actors. The thought of 'who's got it, who doesn't' being entertainment for the masses just turns my stomach.

In this case, it's imperative to list who's tested positive because they have to be kept from working in order to protect their fellow performers. That's not entertainment, that's the Adult FIlm industry taking a public health precaution. It's not fun, it's not pleasant, but I think it's necessary.

No one's posting lists of who's infected with herpes in the industry. From what I've read, it's pretty rampant. Getting it is a cost of doing business. But there are suppressive drugs one can take and one doesn't work during an outbreak. AIDS is fatal.

I don't see what other option the adult industry has but to list who's tested positive, list who they've worked with recently, quarantine them from working for 2 months, test again and those who come up clear. What else can they do?

CT, you're right. 2 months without work would be really damaging to my household as well. That comment was influenced by another comment on Lukeford.com where the author was saying that he'd been contacted by male actors on the 2nd generation list with the "I've tested clear, take me off the list, I need to work" phone call. The reason for the 2 months is to make sure that when they retest, they've had enough time to convert testing positive with they are in fact positive. HIV has this nasty habit of being infections but hard to detect for a while.

 

[minsue]

In this case, it's imperative to list who's tested positive because they have to be kept from working in order to protect their fellow performers. That's not entertainment, that's the Adult FIlm industry taking a public health precaution. It's not fun, it's not pleasant, but I think it's necessary.

No one's posting lists of who's infected with herpes in the industry. From what I've read, it's pretty rampant. Getting it is a cost of doing business. But there are suppressive drugs one can take and one doesn't work during an outbreak. AIDS is fatal.

I don't see what other option the adult industry has but to list who's tested positive, list who they've worked with recently, quarantine them from working for 2 months, test again and those who come up clear. What else can they do?

CT, you're right. 2 months without work would be really damaging to my household as well. That comment was influenced by another comment on Lukeford.com where the author was saying that he'd been contacted by male actors on the 2nd generation list with the "I've tested clear, take me off the list, I need to work" phone call. The reason for the 2 months is to make sure that when they retest, they've had enough time to convert testing positive with they are in fact positive. HIV has this nasty habit of being infections but hard to detect for a while.

Don't get me wrong, it's not the industry tracking the test results that bothers me. It is imperative that they do so.

It's the use of the test results as entertainment for the rest of us that makes me queasy. Publishing the list for curious fans, that to me has no value other than a type of entertainment, albeit an odd one.

 

[Pornofan420]

Don't get me wrong, it's not the industry tracking the test results that bothers me. It is imperative that they do so.

It's the use of the test results as entertainment for the rest of us that makes me queasy. Publishing the list for curious fans, that to me has no value other than a type of entertainment, albeit an odd one.

Point taken.

 

[Pornofan420]

Don't get me wrong, it's not the industry tracking the test results that bothers me. It is imperative that they do so.

It's the use of the test results as entertainment for the rest of us that makes me queasy. Publishing the list for curious fans, that to me has no value other than a type of entertainment, albeit an odd one.

Point taken. It's unfortunate that in posting the list, there will be a heavy ammount of "rubbernecking".

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Actually, posting the list publically is unneccessary. In 4 months if your favorite star isn'r working... you can pretty much guess who is and isn'r on the list.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

it's a long one folks......

This is a topic that is very close to me, though I personally know no one who has succumbed to this virus, I have been affected by the loss of many people in the field of Art and Entertainment who have succumbed to this disease.

Let’s understand a few things about it first off. It is simian in origin, contracted by monkeys, possibly through the ingestion of monkey meat. Certain African tribes eat monkeys, something we here may not be able to grasp seeing that we think of them in a whole different perspective, but being said, it is a practice. It was contracted by humans and spread to the human population.

It isn’t a new disease, it has it’s roots:
This text is taken from Avert.org., a very informative guide on Aids/Hiv statistics.



Three of the earliest known instances of HIV infection are as follows:
1. A plasma sample taken in 1959 from an adult male living in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo2. HIV found in tissue samples from an American teenager who died in St. Louis in 1969.3. HIV found in tissue samples from a Norwegian sailor who died around 1976.

Analysis in 1998 of the plasma sample from 1959 was interpreted5 as suggesting that HIV-1 was introduced into humans around the 1940s or the early 1950s, which was earlier than had previously been suggested. Other scientists have suggested that it could have been even longer, perhaps around 100 years or more ago
The majority of us may remember the outbreak and paranoia of the 80’s, when it was still rather unknown and misunderstood. There wasn’t a day that went by were someone famous had died from Aids related illnesses.
Now almost two decades later we are no more educated about this disease. I was prompted a few years back to write a play where the main character had to deal with the disease, I may convert it to a story as I realize I am not a play write. Anyway what provoked me to do so was the fact that I read an article in the paper that people, especially young gay men, were still having unprotected sex. It was a tiny article buried away. I thought to myself how disheartening it was that this topic was swept under the rug and people are still not being educated.
When I started to research, the news was eye opening if anything. It is rampant in many countries, it is still regarded with fear and apprehension, but the bottom line is that it is here and it’s not going away.
Millions around the world are infected daily. Millions. Just a statistic until it hits home.
Last year I read where a major pharmaceutical company was allowed to raise the cost of drugs needed for Aids/Hiv at a cost of 400%. That is stomach churning.
I can lay heavily into statistics and facts, but the bottom line can be summed up in two words, Ignorance and Apathy.
I would suggest anyone interested in knowing more should really look into some of the statistics available. Oddly enough, the new story I’m currently working on touches on someone who’s life was effected by Aids. As I’ve said, I know no one personally that has been subjected to the horrors of this disease, but that ladies and gentleman is where research comes into play.
Knowledge is power.
My two cents.
~A~

 

[ABSTRUSE]

added thought......

we entered the millenium without 36 million people because of Aids/hiv.
Just numbers? not to their families who were with them.
~A~

 

[frustratedpoodle]

Porn Industry

Making a list of HIV infected porn stars public is not something I feel is fair to those suffering from this disease. It serves no purpose, especially given that few or none of us will ever need to worry about catching it from a porn star. That said, it is no question that anyone in the industry that is infected must retire.

The porn industry sells us sex in all its legal forms, and with that, must come responsibility. The two month shutdown is the best action they could have taken for everyone's sake, however much it costs.

Maybe condoms aren't sexy. I certainly never liked the things. However, in a world where sex has the potential to kill you, and in a high risk industry, it might do everyone well to utilize them more. It would send the subtle message to viewers too, that being irresponsible is dangerous.

Whether it be HIV, herpes, or some other form of venereal disease, you don't have to be a porn star to get sick. It is unfortunate that the porn industry has been so affected, but it should be a reminder to everyone that just because it's not in the news like it used to be doesn't mean you can let your guard down.

 

[NoJo]

I know this is slightly off-topic, but I'm looking forward to seeing frustratedpoodle's avatar.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I know this is slightly off-topic, but I'm looking forward to seeing frustratedpoodle's avatar.

Me too!!!!

 

[sweetnpetite]

Even w/ out condoms, pornstars are infected at a miniscle rate compared to the rest of the sexually active population. Yes, I know for those infected. statistics don't matter. As the same goes for the rest of the population. Considering how many adults are in the porn industry as 'tallent'- they are obvously doing something right when only a small handful get affected. Obviously, since everyone is tested, the virus was brought in by non-porn sex partners.

I think making the list public is pretty tasteless and unnecessary as well.

As to working, what if the Positive actors/acresses who were in otherwise good health formed there own company? That way they could still work and wouldn't infect anyone else.

 

[gauchecritic]

Two things have struck me here.

As I understood it, actors in the porn industry work to a rule of 'exchanging clearance' with each person they are to 'engage' with. These were something like 1 month clearances. I know this doesn't rule out other sex partners but I would imagine that a test would be obligatory after sex with untested partners in order to indemnify the clearance. Seems to me that the rules weren't strict enough or someone somewhere infringed. But that is pure speculation, as is my next point.

Well it's more of a personal conspirac theory really.

Abstruse's research doesn't mention (no reason for it to) the pharmaceutical industries creation of a drug which prohibits rejection of transplanted organs and is necessary for the life of the transplant. Interferon. A drug which drastically reduces the efficacy of the human immune system.
I'll say now that this is all off the top of my pointy little head and has no research behind it whatsoever.
Interferon, whilst immensely useful in its application appeared on the market at approximately the same time as AIDS. As all good conspiracy theorists know, all modern nations, however much they deny it, do research into biological and chemical weapons. A biological weapon, vectored by sexual activity, would be mighty powerful, and it's not always foreign countries who are considered to be enemies. Probably bollox but enticing for all that.

Gauche

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Two things have struck me here.

As I understood it, actors in the porn industry work to a rule of 'exchanging clearance' with each person they are to 'engage' with. These were something like 1 month clearances. I know this doesn't rule out other sex partners but I would imagine that a test would be obligatory after sex with untested partners in order to indemnify the clearance. Seems to me that the rules weren't strict enough or someone somewhere infringed. But that is pure speculation, as is my next point.

Well it's more of a personal conspirac theory really.

Abstruse's research doesn't mention (no reason for it to) the pharmaceutical industries creation of a drug which prohibits rejection of transplanted organs and is necessary for the life of the transplant. Interferon. A drug which drastically reduces the efficacy of the human immune system.
I'll say now that this is all off the top of my pointy little head and has no research behind it whatsoever.
Interferon, whilst immensely useful in its application appeared on the market at approximately the same time as AIDS. As all good conspiracy theorists know, all modern nations, however much they deny it, do research into biological and chemical weapons. A biological weapon, vectored by sexual activity, would be mighty powerful, and it's not always foreign countries who are considered to be enemies. Probably bollox but enticing for all that.

Gauche

In reply to the first part of your post, I wonder if it's more of a matter of money and ignorance? That idea of being invincible may hold true here.

I've never heard of the drug you are talking about, but I will look into it, thank you. Conspiracy theory? maybe. All very interesting.
If you come across something will you let me know?

~A~

 

[Pornofan420]

One purpose in releasing the list, as I understand it, was to protect other actors from accidentally working with those who tested positive. From the passing notice I've taken of the issue, I get the impression that it's common practice.

The official "Do Not Work with these people" list is maintained by the Adult Industry Medical Health Care Foundation. They're the ones who perform the test. It seems understood that they'll release your name if you test positive. That's just a condition of working in the industry. They also do counseling and provide other services to industry workers. It's run by Sharon Mitchell, a former acress herself.

It kinda sucks, but this seems to be how the industry protects itself. So this quarantine list is not something being inflicted from the outside. .

EDIT: My apologies if I gave the impression earlier that it was some outside force keeping this list. Just got clear on the fact m'self. Wondering how much this changes peoples feelings about the quarantine list.

<snip>
I think making the list public is pretty tasteless and unnecessary as well.

As to working, what if the Positive actors/acresses who were in otherwise good health formed there own company? That way they could still work and wouldn't infect anyone else.

 

[gauchecritic]

I've never heard of the drug you are talking about, but I will look into it, thank you. Conspiracy theory? maybe. All very interesting.
If you come across something will you let me know?

~A~

I was forced into research and found out that inteferon is an anti-cancer treatment

However, there are several drugs (corticosteroids) which will suppress the immune system some of which I've had experience of through my son in attempting to curb epilepsy.

One live antibody, which I must have got mixed up somehow is know as OKT2 (monoclonal antibody) here's one link..

Maybe I should do the research thing more often.

Gauche

 

[frustratedpoodle]

*wink*

I'll be sure to make it an interesting avatar, y'all.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I was forced into research and found out that inteferon is an anti-cancer treatment

However, there are several drugs (corticosteroids) which will suppress the immune system some of which I've had experience of through my son in attempting to curb epilepsy.

One live antibody, which I must have got mixed up somehow is know as OKT2 (monoclonal antibody) here's one link..

Maybe I should do the research thing more often.

Gauche

Thank you Gauche, I read the link, makes sense, OKT2 supresses the T-cells..and the virus attaches itself to healthy cells and restructures it's dna....Hmmm You got me wondering here...may have to do some deeper digging into this.
~A~

 

[sweetnpetite]

Adult Industry Medical Health Care Foundation. .[/I]

I went to this site, and found something interesting:

The new school semester is nearly here, and with it comes a new opportunity for former adult entertainers and former sexworkers to begin a new career and a promising future with the help of AIM's Life After Porn/Life After Sexwork scholarship program. The LAP/LAS scholarship fund is designed to provide a college education to individuals who have the desire to move forward with their lives during and after leaving the adult entertainment industry.

http://aim-med.org/scholar.html

 

[juanjsojr]

they should of use it

they should always use condoms doing porn videos if they don't they get hiv doing alot of women HIV has killed many over the years I feel sorry for those porn stars I hate how I hate cnacer and so many stuff that killed people

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I went to this site, and found something interesting:

The new school semester is nearly here, and with it comes a new opportunity for former adult entertainers and former sexworkers to begin a new career and a promising future with the help of AIM's Life After Porn/Life After Sexwork scholarship program. The LAP/LAS scholarship fund is designed to provide a college education to individuals who have the desire to move forward with their lives during and after leaving the adult entertainment industry.

http://aim-med.org/scholar.html

Did you see where Jenna Jameson and her husband have set up a fund to help out of work actors at this time?

Juan, so glad to hear you say something positive for a change. Glad to see a man speak out on condom use with out getting defensive.

~A~