Safe sex vs free choice in the US porn industry

Last week, the Adult Video News (AVN) Media Network opened pre-nominations for the 2014 AVN Awards, known as the “Oscars of Adult”, and announced the inclusion of two new categories: the best safe sex scene and best condom manufacturer. These novel additions were in response to a recent outbreak of HIV in the pornography industry, where four actors had reportedly tested positive for the virus. Although the industry’s trade organisation, the Free Speech Coalition, insisted the virus was likely contracted outside working hours, it imposed a moratorium on filming, pending further tests. This was lifted on Friday 20 September and filming resumed. Industry-imposed moratoriums and awards for safe sex are one thing, but government mandates around condom use remain disputed territory. On September 14, California’s upper house shot down a bill that would require actors to use condoms when filming sex scenes in the state. The legislation is set to be reintroduced in the next parliamentary session. But pushing through such regulations will be no easy feat in a country where civil liberties are fiercely protected.