The Free Speech Coalition meeting this Thursday is of the utmost importance to members of the adult industry, particularly for talent. In recognition of that, talent can come to the meeting for free by showing a "free ticket" flier that can be obtained by calling the FSC.
FSC president Scott Tucker urged members of the adult entertainment industry, especially talent, to attend, saying, "It's important because talent should know what's going on in their industry."
The meeting will provide an open forum between members of the adult entertainment industry, AIM, and the Los Angeles County Health Department and California legislators or their staff who are considering regulation of our industry.
The event will feature reports by Sharon Mitchell, Executive Director of AIM Health Care Foundation, and Dr. Peter R. Kerndt, Director of the L.A. County Health Department's Sexually Transmitted Disease Program. A representative from California state Assemblyman Paul Koretz's (D-West Hollywood) office, Rebecca Tadin, is expected to attend as an observer on his behalf.
"The industry needs to know how important the addition of the STD testing has been to our model," Mitchell told AVN.com in a previous interview. "We want to eradicate the spread of STDs in porn. I believe by monitoring the industry we could do that - or come darn close. I also want to let everyone know about legislation that could coming in the future regarding additional STD testing.
"As of now, there is a way to pick up results of through a password in the AIM database. We're going to level the playing field. We're going to have the right to disclose results to people that ask for them. If a girl is working on the set with 'Actor A' and she asks if he's negative on both HIV and STD tests, we can tell her 'Actor A's' status.
"Gone are the days of not disclosing STD results. People used to go ahead and perform on a set, knowing they had STDs thinking that they could just give me a list of who they worked with and I'd give everyone a pill. Gone are those days," said Mitchell.
The meeting will be held from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys. Registration is $20, payable at the door. For more information or to reserve space, email Neva at the FSC offices or call her at (818) 348-9373.
