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AHF: While Porn Industry Wraps Itself in First Amendment, Industry Mag 'XBIZ' Rejects AIDS Group's Ad

"XBIZ's rejection of AHF's open letter to the adult film community about our public health campaign to require the use of condoms in the production of all adult films is the height of hypocrisy given the fact that the industry continues to wrap itself in first amendment and free speech arguments to head off a requirement that condoms be used in all adult film productions," said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation. "This ad is a straightforward letter from AHF to all those working in the adult film industry that explains our reasons and details our specific efforts to require condom use in adult film productions to address high rates of STDs among performers to better protect those performers from risk to their lives and health. We are saddened and outraged that XBIZ has chosen to blacklist our ad and block our ability to speak directly to their readers who may work in the industry with our message on this important issue."

The text of AHF's Open Letter advertisement to the adult film community read in part, "...We believe that the health and safety of performers is important and that the control of STDs is crucial to the public's health, including yours. We do not believe that getting paid to do a job means that performers have to risk their lives or their health." It also stated, "Now that the process is underway, no one knows to what degree regulators may insist on protective barriers in the making of adult films. Therefore, we strongly urge leaders in the adult film industry to begin the process of instituting the necessary changes to make the industry safe. AHF, whose primary interest is the enforcement of on-set condom use, could be your best ally on the road to reasonable safety regulations."

However, in an email dated July 19th, the advertising manager for XBIZ informed AHF's media planner, "Unfortunately, we (XBIZ) aren't able to run the ad since this case is still open-we would be happy to run it for you after the case is closed. I hope you understand our position."

The XBIZ official did not identify what particular "case" she might have been referring to, nor why that would be at all relevant to AHF's purchase and placement of a paid advertisement in the print version of their publication, as AHF does not have any "cases" pending against or disputes with XBIZ. "Clearly, XBIZ's bogus reason for rejecting the ad is an attempt to hide its real motive-the desire to curry favor with those in the industry who may be angered by AHF's ad," said Tom Myers, Chief of Public Affairs and General Counsel for AIDS Healthcare Foundation. "XBIZ likes to see itself as a journalist, using its magazine to defend the free speech rights of the adult film industry. In this instance however, XBIZ has abandoned that pretense, and clearly decided to take sides with the industry by shutting down AHF's freedom of the press and our free expression. This is wrong."

"Now that the process of stepped up regulation, including the likely requirement of condom use is on the horizon, we really wanted to let the community know that we are willing to work with the industry to develop reasonable safety regulations," said Whitney Engeran-Cordova, Senior Director of Public Health for AIDS Healthcare Foundation. "It is unfortunate that XBIZ has shut off their readers from our message; however, we are grateful that its chief competitor, AVN, had the common sense to run our ad."

Full Text of AHF's Adult Film Industry 'Open Letter' Advertisement

Headline:
An Open Letter to Producers, Crew, Studios and Performers in the Adult Film Industry from AIDS Healthcare Foundation

Body Text:
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has been advocating for and working towards the requirement of condoms in the making of adult films. We have been compelled to do so because of evidence of high rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among performers.

We believe that the health and safety of performers is important and that the control of STDs is crucial to the public's health, including yours. We do not believe that getting paid to do a job means that performers have to risk their lives or their health.

Results of AHF's and our partner organizations' efforts to date include:

• California OSHA voting to hold advisory hearings regarding changes to workplace safety regulations.
• The American Medical Association voting to endorse legislation to require the use of condoms in adult films.
• The Federal Office of Civil Rights opening an investigation of the AIM clinic for potential violations of privacy laws.
• The Florida Department of Health opening an investigation of adult film work conditions.
• Suits being filed against the County of Los Angeles and the AIM clinic to plead for worker safety and privacy.

To be clear, AHF has no objection to adult films. It is AHF's commitment to the health of our patients, clients and our community, including adult industry performers, that drives us. As the largest global AIDS organization, we serve over 137,000 patients and clients in 24 countries around the world. In LA County we help to identify, through community based testing, and link over 25% of all newly identified persons living with HIV annually. We will not stop advocating on this issue until it is resolved in favor of safety and good public health.

Now that the process is underway, no one knows to what degree regulators may insist on protective barriers in the making of adult films. Therefore, we strongly urge leaders in the adult film industry to begin the process of instituting the necessary changes to make the industry safe. AHF, whose primary interest is the enforcement of on-set condom use, could be your best ally on the road to reasonable safety regulations.

Real action on your part will also send a strong message that you care about your employees and that you are willing to comply with measures to ensure performers' safety and protect their health.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the largest global AIDS organization. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to more than 139,000 individuals in 23 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. www.aidshealth.org

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AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Ged Kenslea
Telephone: (323) 308-1833
Mobile: (323) 791-5526
gedk@aidshealth.org