1 AIDS and the U.S. Adult Film Industry Maria Salas Nov. 29, 2001

2 “Why the adult film industry?”  Commercial sex workers with risks very similar to prostitutes…  …but it’s legal!  Mass distribution!  Billion dollar industry!  Close-knit and tight-lipped community

3 Some questions…  What is the risk?  Is the industry protecting its workers?  Social responsibility of media?  What is the future of adult films in the age of AIDS?

4 The business of sex on film  20,000 jobs in San Fernando Valley each year  $800 million in video sales in the US alone  75% of video stores sell pornography  Obscenity laws vary throughout regions of the US; most censorship is self-regulatory  The Screen Actors Guild has not represented adult film actors since the 1970’s  No mandatory drug testing

5 “ In the age of AIDS, nothing could be more crazily chancy than the multiple-partner unsafe sex practiced by porn stars (who are also often substance abusers and/or bi). The Meese Commission may not have to make a move. The porn industry seems intent on sodomizing itself into extinction.” Vanity Fair March 1987

6 Risks: the 1970’s  Organized crime dominated the pornography business - little regulation  Increased production of unprotected “hardcore” films  Experimentation with…everything!  STD’s accepted as part of the job  High incidence of drug use among actors  Many actors also worked as prostitutes

7 Porn stars and AIDS  How many adult film actors have died from AIDS?  “LOTS”  No reporting system until 1998  Did they get AIDS from working in porn?

8 Porn stars and AIDS  John Holmes  >2500 adult films  HIV+ in 1986  Died March 13, 1988  “There is absolutely no evidence AIDS is rampant"

9 Reactions: the 1980’s  Don’t ask, don’t tell: voluntary testing  "AIDS testing is pretty common, but it's not mandatory."  Clinics were for-profit, tests were unstandardized, and no reporting system

10 Reactions: the 1980’s  Condom use  "Anal sex scenes are less common now, and if a woman won't do it without a condom, it's OK with the producers. We also use spermicides (which contain an anti-viral chemical) in every scene. Also in sex films, men never ejaculate internally.“  Long-held belief that condoms on film won’t sell  Mandatory condom use equated with censorship  Voluntary prevention and reporting remained the standard until the 1990’s

11 Changes: the 1990’s 1998: Reports that 11 hardcore actors were HIV+  Several major adult film companies make pact to make condom use mandatory  Condoms can be used discreetly and not seen on film…but should they?  Why only condoms??

12 Changes: the 1990’s Adult Industry Medical (AIM) Health Care  Non-profit health care foundation for adult entertainment employers and workers  Provides standard HIV testing every 30 days and SURVEILLANCE  AIMS sees sex workers each month

13 Changes: the 1990’s  AIM introduced HIV DNA PCR testing to replace antibody testing  Ab ELISA is sensitive 3-6 months post infection  DNA PCR is sensitive 2-4 weeks post infection

14 Changes: the 1990’s  AIM clients also have the opportunity to participate in the development of new forms of protection, including condom and microbicide studies  Phase II trials  Market studies

15 The future of adult films: The good news…  Agreement to enforce condom use  Industry-specific health care and surveillance  AIM  St. James Infirmary (SF)  Unions and advocacy

16 The good news… Safer sex educational films:  Gay Men’s Health Crisis  French Ministry of Health Adult films promoting safer sex:  Behind the Green Door remake  “Feminist pornography”

17 Feminist pornography Pro-sex feminists?  Created by female filmmakers  Aimed at couples and women  Dominant female roles and female-focused storylines  Almost always show safe sex!  Belief that, like safe sex, there in no market

18 …and the bad news:  Video and internet revolution expanded the market and reduced regulation  Not all adult film companies went “100% condom” – rely on testing every 2 weeks  “Barebacking” trend in gay pornography  “Gonzo Porn” introduces new risks

19 Some questions…  What is the risk?  Is the industry protecting its workers?  Witch hunts accompanying surveillance?  Social responsibility of media?  Should pornography be used as a tool?  What is the future of adult films in the age of AIDS?  Can government regulation work?