LONDON — Sugarcookie.xxx has released a statement on the recently confirmed positive HIV test in Spain and subsequent European production hold.
“There’s been a lot of misinformation, gossip and rumors, as well as confusing statements coming from the industry itself,” said Harriet Sugarcookie, performer, Sugarcookie.xxx founder and the 2017 XBIZ Awards winner as Web Star of the Year.
“We found that many models contacting us for advice really didn’t know what was going on exactly, or what they need to do to stay safe and informed. The big thing we learned when this situation started is that sexual health testing through the European porn industry just isn’t up to the same standards as it is in America,” she notes. “Testing in the United States can detect HIV a lot faster and there are more robust processes in place for dealing with positive tests.”
The company statement “explains to porn performers what happened, what the risks are and what the industry is doing to improve safety,” a rep notes. “Sugarcookie.xxx strongly believes that all European performers should follow Free Speech Coalition guidelines and stick to the 4-8 week shutdown depending on which HIV tests are available to them — which is what all responsible productions are also following.”
The Sugarcookie team has created an infographic for performers "explaining key dates for getting back to work and which tests they should be asking for from their fellow performers and for themselves,” the rep notes.
“A lot of models in Europe speak very little English, so we wanted to create something simple and visual that models can use as a guide,” Harriet said. “Plus, the sad thing is that many performers have been kept in the dark by their representatives about what is going on. Many people are getting their health information from rumors. We believe performers need to be informed and updated on the situation and we will continue to that as best we can on our site and social media channels.”
Click here for the complete statement and infographic. Follow Harriet on Twitter and the company on Instagram.
In related news, producers Tarra White and Jonathan “JT” Todd, on behalf of an alliance of Czech Republic-based agents, producers and performers, have also issued a statement.
“Porno” Dan Leal, Budapest-based producer and CEO of Immoral Productions, first alerted the industry to a potential HIV-positive test and called for the production hold; click here for his statement.
The U.S.-based Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has also weighed in. Read their statement here.
