Dennis RomeroAs the porn industry flees Los Angeles in search of a better life, one free of condoms, it's also simultaneously battling a proposal that would make prophylactics the law on adult video sets across California.
The industry lobbying group known as the Free Speech Coalition reached out to supporters this week to ask that they urge Sacramento lawmakers to say no to condoms:
L.A. area state Assemblyman Isadore Hall has introduced legislation that would require performers to use condoms on-set.
The rule mirrors one approved by voters in November that requires prophylactic use in adult video for most of L.A. county, where much of the industry is based.
That rule has prompted a near shutdown in production in L.A.
Now the Free Speech Coalition is urging its followers to fight against Hall's proposal. It has issued a “call to action” ahead of the bill's consideration next week by the state assembly's Labor Committee:
Credit: A performer at AVN via Nate 'Igor' Smith for LA Weekly.
Please, send your message before April 24 and help us fight the good fight. Now is the time to come together and voice your opposition to AB 332 – before the industry is driven out of California, or another dime of taxpayer money is wasted on this poorly written law.
The industry says its monthly testing for performers works, that consumers don't want to see condoms, and that mandatory prophylactics will only force the business underground, where things would be even less safe.
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which has championed the legislation, says federal law already requires that workers be protected from blood-borne pathogens.
[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]
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