APAC, FSC Respond to Cal/OSHA Over Proposed Porn Regs

APAC, FSC Respond to Cal/OSHA Over Proposed Porn Regs

CANOGA PARK, Calif. — The Free Speech Coalition and APAC today submitted a formal response to Cal/OSHA over the proposed regulations that would mandate not only condoms but also goggles, dental dams and other skin protections to would prevent bodily fluid contact.

The final draft of the regulations, titled 5193.1 Sexually Transmitted Infections, not only requires condoms for all filmed sex, but also "barrier protection for eyes, skin, mouth and mucous membranes" where there is possible contact with OPIM (other potentially infectious materials).

Cal/OSHA defines OPIM as not only semen but also pre-ejaculate, vaginal secretions and other bodily fluids, meaning condom and dental dams would be required for oral sex, as well as goggles and gloves if there is a risk of "contamination."

The new regulations were initiated nearly five years ago by Michael Weinstein, head of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. A vote on the final regulations is expected to take place early next year.

"This has been a disappointing and surreal process," said Chanel Preston, president of APAC, formally known as the Adult Performer Advocacy Committee. "In hearing after hearing, Cal/OSHA disregarded the real concerns of performers, producers and infectious disease specialists.

“As a result, we have irrational regulations based in fear and stigma about adult film work that make no sense on an adult film set. If Weinstein's goal was to force the industry out of California, he's succeeded. There's no way to comply with these measures."

Diane Duke, CEO of the FSC, and a co-signatory on the letter, said the process for the new regs was "heavily biased."

"This was a healthcare discussion that devolved into discussion of sexual morality, and it never should have happened. We have a performer population which is tested every 14 days for a full slate of STIs, and we've successfully prevented HIV transmissions on regulated sets for over a decade,” Duke said.

“But because of one man's well-funded moral crusade, we're now talking about goggles and gloves for adult film, and porn stars being sued if they don't use a condom. I suspect even Weinstein knows this isn't reasonable. This isn't about regulation, it's about suppression."

Duke and Preston said the letter details an uneven regulatory process in which adult performers were “displaced by brothel workers, where the pleas of long-time HIV activists were ignored, and where adult filmmakers were compared with criminals.”

They said that after a contentious May hearing with performers in San Diego, Cal/OSHA issued revised regulations in mid-October, leaving the barrier regulations in place and ignoring serious concerns raised by performers, infectious disease specialists and AIDS organizations including the LA County Commission on HIV.

Today was the last day for the adult industry to respond to Cal/OSHA prior to a vote implementing the regulations expected for early 2016.

FSC and APAC's letter to Cal/OSHA

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Justices Alito, Thomas Invoke Victorian-Era Morality Law, Raising Censorship Concerns

Several national publications reported this week on widespread concern among Free Speech advocates after U.S. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas repeatedly invoked during a hearing the infamous segregation-era law the Comstock Act, which was the cornerstone of U.S. censorship of sexual material from the 1870s until the 1970s.

TeamSkeet Releases 1st Installment of 'Ripe for the Taking'

TeamSkeet has released the first installment of its latest feature, "Ripe for the Taking," starring TeamSkeet March AllStar Scarlett Alexis.

Skinfluential Management's FansFuel Acquires Fanwire

Creator stats and affiliate marketing platform FansFuel has acquired creator account management tool Fanwire.

Pineapple Support Taps Kasey Kei as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has named veteran performer and content creator Kasey Kei as its latest brand ambassador.

Nebraska AV Bill Moves Forward Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has given first-round approval to LB 1092, the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Eva Maxim, Katrina Colt Headline 'Cumming to LA' From Cherry Kiss

Eva Maxim and Katrina Colt star with Vince Karter in 2021 XBIZ Europas Female Performer of the Year Cherry Kiss' "Cumming to L.A.," from Evil Angel.

AEBN Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The Adult Entertainment Broadcast Network (AEBN) is celebrating its 25th year in business this week.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still pursue antitrust claims in the future.

Skylar Snow Headlines 'Infidelity 4' From Sweet Sinner

Skylar Snow toplines "Infidelity 4," the latest release from Mile High Media studio brand Sweet Sinner.

Serenity Cox Stars in 'Enjoy It' From MILFY

Serenity Cox stars with Alberto Blanco in "Enjoy It," from Vixen Media Group studio imprint MILFY.

Show More