YNOT – The Performer Subsidy Fund made its first disbursements Tuesday. Established in July with an initial $50,000 contribution from adult conglomerate Manwin, the fund is designed to reimburse adult performers for health-testing and -certification expenses. The fund is administered by adult industry trade association Free Speech Coalition.

The first round of payments reimbursed performers who tested during the month of September. All adult industry performers are eligible for reimbursement by the fund as long as their test data is entered into the Adult Production Health & Safety Services[url] database, also maintained by the FSC.

“We are so glad to be able to offer this first-ever subsidy to performers,” Duke said. “We want to recognize [url=http://www.manwin.com/]Manwin for initiating the program and their ongoing financial support, as well as Evil Angel and Kink.com for their contributions. It is through the generosity of these producers that the subsidy fund is possible. It’s a wonderful example of how the industry can work together to provide needed resources and uphold high standards in the workplace.”

Initially, FSC expected to deliver the first round of subsidies in September, but plans were delayed by a syphilis exposure incident that caused a voluntary production moratorium during August. The Performer Subsidy Fund stepped in right away, assisting nearly 1,000 performers with testing and treatment, if necessary.

The incident also resulted in the addition of the TREP-SURE™ EIA syphilis test to the standard performer testing panel. Most studios require performers who are active in the adult entertainment industry to undergo a complete panel of health tests at least every 28 days in order to continue working. Some studios require health tests as often as every 14 days.

Performers who are not registered with APHSS or who have not provided the organization with a mailing address may [email=Julie@freespeechcoalition.com]email the organization[/email] for help in establishing their eligibility. Subsidies are disbursed monthly. Amounts may vary from month to month, depending upon contributions to the fund and the number of performers eligible for reimbursement.

For more information, [email=info@freespeechcoalition.com]email the FSC[/email] or call 818-348-9373.