Dennis RomeroThere's another campaign battle going on out there, and it definitely doesn't involve Big Bird. (Or maybe it does).
The porn industry is fighting a county ballot initiative, Measure B, that would force performers to use condoms on sets in most of L.A.
And the smut biz has one thing that the pro-condom contingent doesn't:
Real, live working porn stars! Well, not exactly. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation has enlisted some former performers in its campaign to get the industry to play safe.
But, the biz does have real live porn stars at a party you can actually attend next week.
The official industry No on Measure B campaign is organizing a fund-raiser Monday night at Hamburger Mary's Bar & Grill in West Hollywood.
Interesting venue given that the pro-condom AIDS Healthcare Foundation has its roots in West Hollywood's gay community.
In any case, the party promises vintage porn star Amber Lynn and rocker-turned-reality adult performer Phil Varone.
Director John Stagliano of Buttman fame (he was unsuccessfully prosecuted by the Bush administration for obscenity) as well as reps from such adult endeavors as Evil Angel Video, Vivid Entertainment, Adam & Eve, Topco Sales will be there, organizers say.
It's $20 — funds will support the campaign — but there will be “naughty gift baskets” and a year's membership in the industry lobby known as the Free Speech Coalition.
Party organizer Mara Epstein:
… We are fighting for performers' right to choose whether or not they use condoms on-set …
The AHF says it's simply trying to get porn to do what federal and state law already requires: Protect its workers from blood-borne pathogens.
The industry says condom porn won't sell and that it's monthly STD testing protocol works. You'll get to weigh in at the polls next month.
The party starts at 8.
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[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]
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