LOS ANGELES — Measure B proponents may have a tricky time convincing voters to even consider mandatory condoms for the local porn production community, according to a Los Angeles Times article published today.
"Not only is it an issue that's not particularly important to voters, but it's way down the ballot," Darry Sragow, a longtime political strategist, told the Times."Most voters may say, 'This is not an issue I care that strongly about, or this is an issue I don't know much about,' and they may take a pass."
And Sragow, who is unaffiliated with the porn biz and Measure B proponents, specifically the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, also said that warning about a loss of porn jobs may not be persuasive among voters with a "dim view of the porn industry," he told the Times.
Sragow noted that ex-performers may not be the most effective spokespeople for the pro-Measure B campaign, he said.
"The message there could be, 'You can't be too safe about this.' But that has to come from somebody who is not connected with the porn industry," he said.
James Lee, who leads communications for No Measure B, told the Times that "people don't buy porn that features condoms," Lee said.
Christian Mann, general manager of Evil Angel Video, and adult performer Kayden Kross also gave their views in the Times article.
Kross said there's a "huge amount of trust" in the testing protocol, but acknowledged some risk.
So far, the adult entertainment industry has raised $111,375 for its "No on Government Waste Committee."
Funding has come from four adult companies — $75,000 from Manwin and $10,000 each from Vivid Entertainment; LFP Inc.; and Adam & Eve.
Lee, when reached on Monday, told XBIZ that the Times "correctly recognized that Measure B is an ill-conceived, poorly drafted and potentially disastrous government overreach that will stick taxpayers with the bill for condom inspectors and do nothing to improve public health."
"Since we are being outspent heavily by a well-funded Measure B campaign, we are relying on voters using social media and the local media to get our message out and we are finding once voters see these endorsements and hear the arguments and recognize the insignificant health impacts in the adult film industry, they quickly realize what a colossal waste of time and money this entire ballot fight has been and will vote No on Measure B,” Lee said.
The Times article can be viewed here.
