The Free Speech Coalition has been incredibly active today, releasing two announcements on separate matters, both of which could have repercussions for the entire industry.
First was the announcement of an FSC general meeting to discuss adult industry health care practices on May 8. 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. "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, contact Neva at the FSC offices, (818) 348-9373.
In the other action alert sent out by the FSC, Bill Lyon, the executive director of the FSC, requests that people email,fax, or phone their Senators to block President Bush's nomination of Priscilla Owen and Jeffrey Sutton to the federal judiciary. Both nominees are widely held to be right-wing judicial activists.
"I know it takes some effort, but our future is up for grabs. If our senators do not hold the line through debate and filibuster, we will suffer years of harassment and persecution. None of us want that, so we must continue to take strong stands against the Bush Administration’s efforts," wrote Lyon in an email sent to FSC members.
To get contact info for your senators, click here.
The FSC invites you to copy and paste the following to send to your elected representatives:
The Honorable (Insert legislator's name here)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator (Insert legislator's name here):
As a voter who helped elect you, I am concerned to know that you are opposed to the nomination of extreme conservative political ideologues to our federal courts. I believe in the value of an experienced, politically independent, and diverse judiciary.
President Bush's nominees to critical Circuit Courts of Appeal positions appear to be selected on clear ideological motives that include are in opposition to the decisions of our courts over the past 50 years. Often they are in contradiction to the clear intent of the United States Constitution. The Bill of Rights must be protected at all costs. That is the only real protection the individual citizen has against a tyrannical government that could set our country back to the time of British rule. Please fight with all of your strength to keep our government balanced between legislative, judicial and administrative branches of government. Do not allow one ideology to rule all three branches.
I am particularly concerned with the nominations of Priscilla Owen and Jeffrey Sutton. I urge you to carefully examine their judicial track record and vote against them. If necessary, I urge you to support a filibuster while urging Mr. Bush to nominate a more diverse and balanced group of nominees.
Please let me know how you intend to proceed on this issue.
Respectfully,
(Insert your name)
(Insert your home street address)
(Insert your city, state, and zip code)
(Optional: Insert your e-mail address)
