HIV Case Hits California Porn Industry Hard

That the majority of movies made in the U.S. come out of California is no secret. Lesser known to the masses, however, is that California, and specifically the San Fernando Valley, is also the U.S. porn-film capital of the country, and perhaps the world. After multiple cases of HIV were reported and put a scare into the industry in 2004, it appears that another case of HIV has been reported. California state health officials are looking into the case, with an eye to improving the practices on the sets of such films to avoid the spread of HIV in the industry and among the public in general.

It was revealed late last week that a woman working in the industry tested positive for HIV almost immediately after filming an adult movie scene. An investigation by California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health will be launched as soon as the filmmaker is identified. Said a spokesman for the state agency, "Our concern is that we need to quickly get to the employer so that we can work with them to change their practices to ensure the proper safety measures are being taken to prevent the additional spread of HIV."

At present, the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation, known as "AIM," tests hundreds of adult film actors each month and dispenses certificates to those who pass tests, allowing them to work. In total, 22 confirmed cases of HIV have been reported in porn-industry performers since 2004, though the AIM foundation has noted that all reporting procedures have been complied with in the latest case of HIV. Many adult film companies have moved to make condoms mandatory as a result of past outbreaks, but Steven Hirsch, co-chief executive of Vivid Entertainment Group, noted, "What happened was the talent didn’t want to use condoms. As a result, we decided to go condom optional."