A group of California-based officials responsible for workplace safety rejected a proposal on Thursday that called for requiring the use of condoms on porn actors. Their rejection answers the call of the industry officials who fought for such restrictions, stating that enforcing them on these actors would lead to films that nobody would want to watch.
According to Chicago Tribune, spokeswoman Julia Bernstein explained the rejection of the measure, since there only three of the members of the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health's Standards Board voted in favor of the proposed requirement. In order to be passed, there should be at least four yes votes. As a total, the vote was 3-2 in favor, while the board had one absent member and another board position open.
This led to the rejection of the 21-page set of standards requiring porn actors to use condoms whenever they shoot their scenes, along with other safety measures. The decision came about after dozens of representatives from the porn industry filed to the dais at a public hearing held in Oakland, California. These individuals worked both in front and behind the camera of the industry. They politely argued how the adoption of the condom requirement would force the industry to go underground or would destroy it completely. Once they go underground, it would be more dangerous for the actors as safeguards in the industry would be eliminated. Currently, actors are tested every 14 days for any sexually transmitted diseases.
The hearing, which went on for over five hours, led the board to consider the proposal of using so-called engineering controls to be required by actors performing sexual acts so they could minimize the risk of contracting HIV and other diseases of the kind. In addition to this, CBS Local shares that the producers would have also been required to pay for the treatments, medical visits, and other healthcare costs for each porn actor.
Several speakers stood to explain their stand stating that a large number of viewers tend to lose interest in a film once they see an actor wearing a condom. A sex worker also admitted that there was a "very real market demand" for sex without the use of condoms. A porn actress shares that once sex is criminalized in any way, the board would make it more dangerous.
Another issue that would have arisen, if ever the rule would be imposed, is that Cal/OSHA inspectors would eventually require actors to use dental dams and safety goggles. AIDS Healthcare Foundation head Michael Weinstein shares that this is something that's "pure fantasy on their part." For years, Weinstein has pushed for the workplace to adopt safety rules aimed specifically at an industry such as this. Weinstein also pointed out that several people have already suffered serious consequences because the industry lacked this regulation.
The Wrap reports that while there was no mention of the use of dental dams or goggles under the provisions, it would require sex workers to ensure that their eyes were protected from the risk of blood-borne pathogen infections.
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation has long been fighting for the requirement to be imposed. Although the condom requirement might not prevent transmission of all STDs, it would be a far more effective approach than the current 14-day STD testing requirement practice. One such person in favor of it is former porn actor, Derrick Burts, who claims he was infected with HIV while shooting porn films. Burts says that he was infected despite complying with the testing protocol.
