US porn movie makers have suspended production after an actor reportedly tested HIV positive, the latest AIDS scare to hit the multi-billion-dollar industry, a trade body said Wednesday.
The California-based US adult film industry is voluntarily complying with a call for a moratorium, even though the new HIV case -- which follows that of another actor last year, triggering a shut-down -- has not been confirmed.
The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) said it learned of a possible HIV exposure at the weekend, and called for an industry-wide moratorium "to err on the side of caution and to eliminate any possible risk to performers."
"We have no authorized information confirming that a performer or any performers have tested HIV positive. However, there was enough of a concern for us to call a moratorium," Coalition spokeswoman Joanne Cachapero told.
The trade body noted that the latest reported incident occurred outside of California.
"However, the Los Angeles production community has voluntarily submitted to the moratorium as an appropriate response to the current situation," it said in a blog update Wednesday.
"At this point there is nothing to suggest that the occurrence has affected the Los Angeles-based industry, but producers, agents and performers are cooperating in order to uphold health & safety protocols," it added.
Porn film producers including industry leaders like Vivid Entertainment referred media queries about the suspension to the LA-based Free Speech Coalition, which counts them as members.
The trade body would not forecast how long the filming suspension would last, saying the moratorium "should remain in place until primary reports of any exposure are confirmed.
"In the event of the necessity for first and second generational testing, a list of any individuals that may have been exposed will be compiled and the moratorium will then be evaluated by our medical and legal advisors," it said.
Last year at least four major film producers suspended filming for several weeks from October after a porn actor, 24-year-old Derrick Burts, tested positive for the HIV virus which causes AIDS.
In December, a clinic for actors in the lucrative industry, based in the San Fernando Valley north of Los Angeles, was ordered closed after Burts blasted it for failing to help him properly.
The Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation (AIM) lacked the correct license to operate as a medical clinic, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
The Free Speech Coalition lamented the clinic's closure, which it blamed on pressure from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a group which has long campaigned for tighter standards including mandatory use of condoms in porn films.
"It is an unfortunate fact that the closure of AIM was, in large part, due to relentless litigation against the clinic (as well as many other industry businesses) by AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
"In fact, AHF has done more harm than good, by their efforts to force regulations with no interest in the well-being of adult industry performers," said its latest blog.
"FSC and industry stakeholders have worked to ensure the well-being of any individuals that may have been affected by this latest possible occurrence, and will continue to do so into the future."
Last year's HIV case was the first in over a year in the industry, and comes six years after up to 14 actors tested HIV positive, forcing several film firms to close.
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