CANOGA PARK, Calif. – Adult industry trade association Free Speech Coalition called for an immediate halt to production of explicit adult scenes late Friday following a report that another performer has tested positive for HIV.
“There was a positive test at one of [the] testing centers [participating in the Performer Availability Screening Services program],” FSC Chief Executive Officer Diane Duke said. “We are taking every precaution while we do research to determine if there’s been any threat to the performer pool.
“We take the health of our performers very seriously and felt that it was better to err on the side of caution while we determine whether anyone else may have been exposed,” Duke said.
The research will require additional tests, determination of a timeline and identification of any first-generation partners, Duke explained.
“We want to make sure all performers are protected,” she said. “The performers’ health and safety is the most important thing.”
Duke did not predict a timeline for the investigation, instead asking all studios to honor the voluntary production moratorium until further notice.
Updates will be posted to the FSC-PASS website and the FSC blog.
Performers and studio personnel with questions may email FSC Membership and Communications Director Joanne Cachapero.
UPDATE: On Dec. 7, FSC said all first-generation sexual partners of the allegedly infected performer had been tested. FSC expects to know the results of the tests early this week. The moratorium will remain in effect indefinitely, an FSC spokesperson said.
The performer whose positive HIV test sparked the Dec. 6 moratorium remains anonymous. In a post on the organization’s blog, FSC strongly cautioned adult industry members to resist engaging in speculation and witch hunts.
