California to vote on whether porn actors should wear goggles and gloves
The US State of California will next year vote on a measure which would require porn actors to wear protective gear such as goggles and gloves.
The proposed regulations, which have been pased for a ballot in November 2016, have been years in the making.
Heavily criticised by campaigners, they would require “barrier protection for eyes, skin, mouth and mucous membranes”, if there is ever possible contact with semen, pre-ejaculate, vaginal secretions and other bodily fluids.
The proposals were made by Michael Weinstein, executive director of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, who said he was confident the measure would pass next year.
“It’s another milestone — the qualification of this initiative,” he said.
“We’ve taken polls that show, statewide, 71% support [for the guidelines]. We’re very confident that we will be successful on Election Day.”
Weinstein previously argued that producers were able to circumvent laws meaning porn actors must wear condoms.
The regulations aim to stop actors from passing sexually transmitted diseases to one another, and also include the requirement for producers to pay for medical tests and hep B vaccines for actors.
Diane Duke, the CEO of the Free Speech coalition, however, said the regulations were not appropriate to be applied to adult films.
She told LA Daily News: “These are regulations designed for medical settings, and are unworkable on an adult film set – or even a Hollywood film set.”
Those within the porn industry have complained that the new regulations would damage business by limiting production.
Others have said producers will leave LA for other states with less stringent regulations.
Michael Weinstein, executive director of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, wrote a letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration saying producers were able to circumvent laws requiring actors to wear condoms.
“Getting to this point is a necessary part of the process, and we’re pleased that this has been completed,” said Weinstein.
“The process is designed to give everybody a say. I think it was conducted fairly.”
