Thursday, January 17, 2013

Today, we talk about porn.



Yes, today we are talking about pornographic films in Los Angeles County, specifically a law suit that Vivid Entertainment has brought against the county for a Measure B, which was passed during the last elections. The measure requires that all actors in pornographic films created in Los Angeles County must wear condoms, and companies must apply for permits in order to shoot sex scenes, which will pay for on-set health inspections. According to Huffington Post and ABC News, Vivid Entertainment and two actors are suing the county, because they state that the measure violates their second amendment rights and will place an unnecessary financial burden on their company. They go on to point out that the sex industry already requires regular STD/HIV testing of their actors, so there is no reason for the condom requirement or for health inspections. They have also stated that should Los Angeles County keep the measure, then the entire pornographic film industry would leave.

A few caveats from me. One, I don’t actually completely hate pornography. I think that it can be a really useful tool for people to use in their sex lives. It can also help explore fantasies. I don’t love the impossible standards of stamina and orgasm that most mainstream films put forth. I also don’t love how women are often used in films. And I find some amateur film to be horrifying, but I am not willing to damn an entire industry for that. 

I am a bit confused by the lawsuit, and I know that I shouldn’t be. If your entire industry is built on people’s bodies, then I don’t understand how you could oppose a measure that further protects them. I understand that we all have bottom lines (pun intended) and money to make, so fine. BUT it’s the pornographic film industry. If one company’s leading actor or actress becomes ill, then they lose money. I would think that the industry would want to protect their assets. Also, the public relations coups alone would be worth it. They could change the image of the industry to one of caring for their actors. AND, from a public health perspective, the pornographic film industry should be promoting condom usage. Period.

What do you think about all of this?

-          Lauren, Frustrated about people placing money over health   

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