Condom Use in Pornography may increase due to HIV

Approximately 10 days ago, the Adult Industry Medical Health Care Foundation {AIM}, a nonprofit organization that monthly screens about 1,200 actors, revealed that performer Lara Roxx had tested positive for HIV. This was the first reported incident in the industry since 1999. Reports by the Foundation indicate that she was probably infected by Darren James, who is reported to have acquired the disease during a Brazilian shoot in March. Sixty five other actors, who had recently filmed sex scenes with the two, were placed on an HIV testing quarantined list immediately following the news. AIM founder Sharon Mitchell, a former porn star, said it would take two months for quarantined actors to be cleared. June 8th looks to be the exact date for the results to be finalized. For $145, AIM clients get tested for HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhea, often with next-day results, but with the amount of patients and concern surrounding the issue, the two month period has become the targeted date. AIM was founded in 1998 by Mitchell, who was so alarmed by HIV rates among adult entertainment stars that she took the issue to the California Senate, influencing legislation that required monthly testing among the industry's performers. The clinic is conveniently located in the San Fernando Valley, the so-called "capital" of the Los Angeles pornography industry.

Due to the recent news, health agencies like the Los Angeles county department of health and the California Occupational Safety and Health Association requested wider use of condoms during shoots in order to prevent the transfer of HIV. Pornography industry employees expressed their displeasure regarding the use of condoms, which they said were not preferred by performers. "As a performer, it's very difficult to be condom-only. A condom is a lot to overcome," said porn actor Nick Manning. It is unclear if and when the stricter condom rule will go into effect at this time.