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New law requires condom use during porn shoots, porn stars fight back

Industry comes together to condemn new legislation.

By Matt Bradwell
UPI/ Phil McCarten
UPI/ Phil McCarten | License Photo

SACRAMENTO, May 27 (UPI) -- California passed a law Tuesday requiring Adult film actors working in the state to wear condoms while filming unsimulated sex scenes, a move drawing criticism from the adult industry and praise from public health advocates.

"This industry has been largely self-regulated and has done an inadequate job of protecting its employees," said Democratic state Rep. Isadore Hall, who introduced the legislation. "We need to begin to treat the adult film industry just like any other legitimate, legal business in California."

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"Legitimate businesses are required to protect employees from injury in the workplace."

Public health advocates praised the law, saying it affords a necessary safety-net for adult film stars.

"It's not private activity; it's commercial activity," said Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. "I don't know why people who work in that industry shouldn't be afforded the same protections as people who work on a construction site, or on a regular movie set."

The adult industry has come together against the bill, with porn stars making public statements against the new law.

"Condoms are made for home environments, normal sex and normal time frames," testified actress Kayden Kross last month.

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Others in the adult industry say the bill is a violation of their free speech. In a statement released on her Tumblr, adult actress Stoya condemned the legislation saying, "'Career sex workers shouldn't have their jobs used as excuses to strip them of rights."

Two years ago, during a prior attempt by Hall to pass this legislation, high-profile adult actor James Deen starred in an advocacy parody video [slightly explicit content] claiming the industry has successfully self-regulated itself and requiring condom use would compromise the artistic freedom of adult scripts.

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