James Deen and Jessica Drake are fighting the controversial Measure B law in Los Angeles which, if passed, would see porn stars forced to use condoms. Porn producers are required to obtain a health permit in all adult filming, and for health officials to be on set. Violators would be fined and criminally charged.
Deen and Drake are protesting the measure by creating a public service announcement showing a satirical look at the government’s meddling in their industry. Their ad depicts the future of pornography, where performers are wearing safety goggles and protective headgear. The best part is when Deen practically chokes on a dental dam.
Deen makes it clear that they aren’t making fun of safe sex, but that Measure B would be financially devastating for the industry. He cites a similar situation in 1998 where condom use was mandatory for a brief time and business dropped almost 30 per cent. He argues that customers don’t like condom-only porn and will find condom-free porn elsewhere, causing the American business to lose a lot of money.
Performers believe the industry is doing a good enough job self-regulating, with workers required to get tested every 14 to 28 days. The last time someone in the industry tested as HIV positive was in 2004.
A few months ago Mr. Marcus, an adult film actor, tested positive for syphilis and lied about the results to continue working. Although this case would seem to prove that Measure B is necessary, Deen believes it actually proves that the law isn’t needed at all. The industry’s reaction to the case was to shut down from the scare, proving its self-regulation works. The industry’s testing has even gotten more rigorous since.
An earlier ad similar to Deen and Drake’s, filmed by Ron Jeremy and Tera Patrick, suggested that by passing the law, Los Angeles would lose the $20 billion industry and 10,000 jobs while the industry workers would move elsewhere where there are no condom-only rules. Although a few porn stars support the measure, the majority of the industry is against it.
Deen and Drake are protesting the measure by creating a public service announcement showing a satirical look at the government’s meddling in their industry. Their ad depicts the future of pornography, where performers are wearing safety goggles and protective headgear. The best part is when Deen practically chokes on a dental dam.
Deen makes it clear that they aren’t making fun of safe sex, but that Measure B would be financially devastating for the industry. He cites a similar situation in 1998 where condom use was mandatory for a brief time and business dropped almost 30 per cent. He argues that customers don’t like condom-only porn and will find condom-free porn elsewhere, causing the American business to lose a lot of money.
Performers believe the industry is doing a good enough job self-regulating, with workers required to get tested every 14 to 28 days. The last time someone in the industry tested as HIV positive was in 2004.
A few months ago Mr. Marcus, an adult film actor, tested positive for syphilis and lied about the results to continue working. Although this case would seem to prove that Measure B is necessary, Deen believes it actually proves that the law isn’t needed at all. The industry’s reaction to the case was to shut down from the scare, proving its self-regulation works. The industry’s testing has even gotten more rigorous since.
An earlier ad similar to Deen and Drake’s, filmed by Ron Jeremy and Tera Patrick, suggested that by passing the law, Los Angeles would lose the $20 billion industry and 10,000 jobs while the industry workers would move elsewhere where there are no condom-only rules. Although a few porn stars support the measure, the majority of the industry is against it.
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