Trade group lifts production hold on adult film industry

A trade association for the adult film industry on Monday lifted a production hold that had been prompted by concerns that a performer had been exposed to HIV on an out-of-state film set.

The Free Speech Coalition said tests revealed that the “performer pool has not been compromised.” The group had called for a three-day hold Wednesday, but later extended it to Monday.

The performer who was thought to have been exposed, as well as anyone that person had performed with, were tested, Dian Duke, executive director of the coalition, said in a statement.

Duke acknowledged that production holds and moratoriums are difficult for the industry, but they are integral to the safety of the performers.

“We also realize that the lack of information in these situations can also be frustrating” Duke said. “However, it’s crucial that we maintain medical privacy for the performers involved.”

The Free Speech Coalition did not name the state where the film set was located or the production company.

Performers are generally required to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases every two weeks when actively performing, according to the coalition. The industry group has vigorously opposed a Los Angeles County law passed in 2012 that mandates condom use by porn actors.

The coalition put on a two-day moratorium on porn filming in August after receiving a report of a performer testing positive for HIV. The moratorium was lifted after it was determined that the HIV test was a false positive.

Critics say the only reliable way to prevent transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases on set is by mandating condom use.

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