‘Nightline’ Discusses Condoms in Porn Debate Tonight

NEW YORK — Tonight’s edition of the late-night news show “Nightline” will discuss the contentious debate over condom use in adult entertainment. The show airs at 11:35 p.m. on ABC.

A news story previewing tonight’s broadcast is posted on posted on ABC.com. The debate, at least in the eyes of the mainstream press, received renewed interest when an unidentified performer contracted HIV in June.

Patient Zero is believed to have been infected outside the industry and did not pass the virus along, according to AIM Healthcare.

However, there is still a vocal minority that is demanding that male performers use condoms while filming adult movies.

“Nightline” begins the piece by interviewing Darren James, the performer who contracted HIV in 2004, which shut down adult film production for a month while performers were quarantined. James believes condom use should be mandatory.

AIM Healthcare Executive Director Sharon Mitchell told “Nightline that she believes industry testing procedures are adequate and that AIM’s role is solely that of a testing facility, not a watchdog.

"We're not the condom police and we're not the set police," Mitchell said. "We do make it possible for everyone to exchange clean bills of health."

Mitchell stands by AIM’s effectiveness given that one HIV positive performer didn’t turn into an outbreak. Through its role at the “go-to” testing facility for adult talent, AIM was quickly able to identify and contact the performers who worked with Patient Zero and get them to re-test.

"The Patient Zero only had one prior test, it wasn't like this performer had been working for six months and had, you know, a whole history of testing, and so we were really able to take a good look at the people that this performer had worked with."

Also discussed are the reasons why almost all adult companies don’t require condom use. It’s widely upheld that adult films with condoms just don’t sell. Requiring condom use would push the industry underground, many industry members suspect.

"The truth is that when people watch adult movies, they're watching for the fantasy, and they don't want to see condoms," Vivid Entertainment co-chairman Steve Hirsch told “Nightline.” "It's been proven over and over and over. Condoms in adult movies just don't sell well. That's just a fact."

Also interviewed in the piece is Vivid production manager Shylar Cobi, Vivid Girl Nikki Jayne and AIDS Healthcare Foundation President Michael Weinstein.

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 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

Lulu Chu, Thea Summers Headline Latest 'Lesbian Sex'

Lulu Chu and Thea Summers topline the 29th volume of "Lesbian Sex" from Girlfriends Films.

Penny Barber, Haley Spades Star in Latest From Brazzers

2025 XMAs MILF Performer of the Year Penny Barber stars with Haley Spades in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Slutty Cheerleader Caught Mid-Plot."

Dan Dangler Is Hustler's 'Cover Honey' for March

Dan Dangler is the Cover Honey for the March issue of Hustler Magazine and appears in a 14-page centerfold spread shot by ThisYearsModel.com.

Shalina Devine Leads Dorcel's 'Open Space'

Shalina Devine headlines the latest release from Dorcel, titled “Open Space.”

Holly Berrys Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Holly Berrys stars with her husband Scott and Damion Dayski in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint WIFEY.

Ameena Green on Delayed Gratification and Finding her 'Synthesis' Moment

In an industry that sometimes moves at breakneck speed, Ameena Green is taking it slow.

Juliana Marie Makes Her West Coast Productions Debut

Juliana Marie has made her debut for West Coast Productions (WCP), alongside Jovan Jordan, in the studio’s latest release, titled “The Monster Tamer.”

Krystal Sparks, Nicky Huntsman & Natalia Starr Front 'Austin Powers' Parody From MYLF

Krystal Sparks, Natalia Starr, and Nicky Huntsman star with Quinton James in a new “Austin Powers” parody from MYLF.

Show More