HIV Scare Prompts LA Porn Industry to Shut Down After Star Tests Positive

An HIV scare shut down porn sets across the San Fernando Valley today after producers learned that a performer tested positive. Critics say the news will likely rekindle debate about health and safety within the adult entertainment industry.

Diane Duke, head of a porn industry trade group, asked for the moratorium and said the unidentified performer is being retested while first- and second- generation partners are contacted, the Los Angeles Times reports.

“Until we know for sure, we’ve asked the industry to have a moratorium on production,” Diane Duke, executive director of the Free Speech Coalition, a Canoga Park-based porn industry trade group, told the Times.

Free Speech Coalition, the porn industry trade group which reported the incident, was made aware of the test results on Saturday and asked for the immediate shutdown by Monday morning, MSNBC reports.

In California, adult performers must be tested every 30 days and must show proof of clean tests before they can perform. Although, Los Angeles County health officials and state health regulators were not notified of the tests earlier because they were performed out of state.

Duke told reporters that the unidentified person tested positive at an out-of-state facility that does not appear to have protocols or procedures in place for medical follow-up [including generational testing].

The group has yet to release information on the performer's name, age, or gender.

It's unclear exactly what procedure the group is following, but Duke says, retesting and confirmation is underway as is the process of identifying and testing first- and second- generation partners.

Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation to get a measure placed on the city's June 2012 ballot that would require adult film performers to use condoms in order for porn filmmakers to obtain L.A. city film permits.

In order to accomplish this, they must submit a petition with at least 41,138 qualifying signatures by Dec. 23 to place the measure on the June ballot.

Los Angeles Times reports that Michael Weinstein, president of the foundation, said the latest HIV case shows why testing is not an adequate substitute for condoms. Weinstein called on Los Angeles city officials to pull all adult film permits until they can require performers to use condoms.

The question remains how many performers must become infected with HIV and other serous STDs before the industry will clean up its act and government will do the right thing? Weinstein said.

The porn industry was shut down similarly in late 2010, after porn actor Derrick Burts was diagnosed as being HIV positive, Brisbane Times reports.