AIDS Healthcare Foundation official Ged Kenslea told XBiz that nearly 35 protesters will surround its headquarters at La Cienega and Wilshire boulevards in Beverly Hills beginning at 10 a.m., holding “Do the Right Thing, Larry Flynt” and “Condoms Save Lives” placards. Some protesters will be holding oversized, 3-foot high rubber condoms on broom handles as well, Kenslea said.
The Los Angeles-based nonprofit contends that porn film producers should voluntarily agree to 100 percent condom use during filming.
Flynt's Hustler label is considered a "condom optional" production house, but those in the business know what this really means, Kenslea said. "Condoms allowed, but if you demand to use one you probably won't be asked to work again," he said.
“The gay porn companies are almost 100 percent condom-only, and it hasn’t put a dent on their profits,” Kenslea said. “It doesn’t have to be a death knell for actors.”
Kenslea said the foundation is targeting Larry Flynt because of his influential leadership in the adult industry and an opinion piece he wrote in the Los Angeles Times, saying that “market testing — and conventional wisdom — tells us that films that feature actors wearing condoms don't sell."
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation argues that this simply does not have to be true and AIDS advocates plan on going to his doorstep to tell him this, Kenslea said, noting the group has sent a letter to Flynt asking him to create a condom-only policy at LFP Inc.
LFP officials did not return phone calls from XBiz.
The foundation’s timing coincides with this weekend’s Erotica LA convention at the Los Angeles Convention Center, which is expected to draw thousands, and the debut of Flynt’s new book, "Sex, Lies and Politics," which is set to be released Friday.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation has scheduled a press conference at 10:30 a.m. Thursday outside the Flynt headquarters, with the group’s president Michael Weinstein and Rebekka Armstrong, an HIV-positive AIDS activist and former Playboy bunny.
