YNOT – Adult Production Health & Safety Services has named five performers, two producer representatives and an attorney to its advisory committee. The group will provide insight and feedback about the organization’s policies and operation and help to develop resources the program can provide to producers and performers.
APHSS, which operates under the auspices of adult industry trade association Free Speech Coalition, was developed to replace the health screening-and-reporting services formerly provided by AIM Medical Associates PC. AIM closed earlier this year. which closed earlier this year.
Each advisory committee member has agreed to serve a six-month term while APHSS fine-tunes its initial operations.
Performer representatives are Jessica Drake, Bobbi Starr, Danny Wylde and Steve Cruz. Producer representatives are Dan O’Connell (Girlfriends Films) and Steven Scarborough (Hot House Entertainment). Performer Nina Hartley will serve as educational advisor, and attorney Karen Tynan was named legal advisor.
“This committee is the first of its kind to allow industry members to have a part in creating a system of self-regulation to uphold health and safety standards for adult productions,” FSC Membership and Communications Director Joanne Cachapero said. “FSC, as administrators of APHSS.org, are thrilled to have the input of performers, producers and agents, as well as legal and medical experts to build a solid program to benefit the whole industry.
“The members of the committee are well known in the adult community and active in production,” Cachapero continued. “We could not hope for a better start to APHSS.org.”
The APHSS.org website went live Aug. 1. Performers, producers and agents may visit the site, sign up for database accounts and view a list of testing facilities. Once the database has been populated, performers and producers will be able to verify work availability status via a secure log-in.
Producers participating in APHSS include industry stalwarts Wicked Pictures, Hustler, Vivid Entertainment, Girlfriends Films, Kink.com, Kick Ass Pictures and Pink Visual.
“We are starting from scratch with this database, so we need the support of the industry to sign up for this program,” Cachapero said. “We ask for everyone to be patient as we ramp up.
“What’s important to understand is that without this program in place, there would be no protocols for what to do if there is an HIV outbreak, or examination policies for new performers, or policies for medical follow-up for any affected performers,” she added. “In fact, without a strong system of self-regulation, the door is open for anti-industry zealots to impose over-burdensome and oppressive regulations on adult performers and the industry.
“Especially with regards to the challenges presented to the industry by organizations like [mainstream advocacy group AIDS Healthcare Foundation], it is important to be proactive about self-regulation. It may cost the performers an extra $50 a year, but with that investment you are supporting your own wellbeing and the business interests of the industry. So, we are grateful to the advisory committee members for volunteering to help with these efforts.”
