Adult Performer May be HIV+; FSC Calls for Halt to Production

CANOGA PARK, Calif.—AVN has learned that an adult performer who has performed recently may have tested positive for the HIV virus. However, while the initial information AVN received has since been corroborated by additional sources, according to the information we have at this time the actual health status of the performer in question has not yet been verified. Accordingly, AVN will wait until the current reports have been confirmed before providing additional details regarding this situation.   Meanwhile, the Free Speech Coalition, which is aware of the reported infection, has issued a statement that among other recommendations calls on studios to implement an immediate halt to production until the reports are investigated and first- and second-generation exposures have been identified, and possibly for longer. The FSC statement is, as follows: Free Speech Coalition (FSC), as administrators of the Adult Production Health & Safety Services Program (APHSS.org), would like to address recent reports that an active performer may have tested positive for HIV. FSC was made aware of the purported incident on Saturday by a reliable industry source. Most importantly, FSC would like to make clear that these reports were not involving APHSS.org testing facilities. This fact has limited the information gathered by FSC/APHSS.org and we can neither deny nor confirm specific facts about this incident. Due to legal issues concerning patient privacy, FSC/APHSS.org, as of yet, is unable to implement exposure protocols and procedures. It is the recommendation of FSC/APHSS.org that an industry-wide moratorium on production be instituted immediately and continued for a time period until the primary reports are confirmed, and possible first- and second-generation exposures have been identified. The quarantine can be extended after that point, if necessary. According to the information that is available, the performer in question may have tested positive for HIV at a testing facility that does not appear to have protocols or procedures in place for medical follow-up (including generational testing). However, FSC/APPSS.org cannot act on the behalf of any testing facilities outside the APHSS.org system until we are requested to do so by the performer or any medical advisor authorized by the performer. Again, we have been in contact with concerned parties and have offered to assist them in anyway possible, while still remaining compliant with the performer’s wishes for assistance, in respect to legal constraints that require that the performer’s privacy be protected, as well as other compliance issues. In addition to the moratorium on production, FSC/APHSS.org also recommends that active performers who are concerned about possible exposure (or who would like to take extra precautions to confirm their own well-being) consider being tested as soon as possible. FSC/APHSS.org also recommends that industry members avoid spreading unverified information until the involved parties are able to confirm developments, or until information is received from an appropriate medical authority. We are committed to assisting any industry members who have concerns involving this incident. If you have questions, please contact diane@freespeechcoalition.com or joanne@freespeechcoalition.com. Because this situation has occurred outside of the APHSS.org database program, we are limited with respect to any available information until we are informed of details or allowed to assist in implementing industry protocols. APHSS.org was launched on August 1, two months after the AIM clinic closed due to financial hardship and issues involving litigation that targeted the clinic. As such, FSC/APHSS.org is committed to protecting performer privacy and also to uphold regulations governing compliance with state and federal standards for medical privacy. The APHSS.org database program was developed by legal and medical experts, as well as industry stakeholders, in order to fill the gap created by the closure of AIM. The program not only offers reliable testing facilities to the adult production community, but also upholds the standards and protocols regarding possible exposure incidents. We strongly encourage all performers, producers and agents to support this program. Our first priority is to protect performers with reliable health services and assist producers with protocols that minimize liability, while remaining compliant with state and federal regulations regarding medical privacy. For more information on APHSS.org, please contact joanne@freespeechcoalition.com or (818) 348-9373.