New bill would allow porn studios to be sued by viewers for not using condoms
A new initiative in California could allow porn studios to be sued by any viewer if their actors do not use condoms.
The ballot initiative would allow citizens to take legal action if they see bareback porn.
A similar ordinance, passed in Los Angeles in November 2012, made condom use a requirement for a permit in LA County, and banned the filming of bareback sex in the city, which was traditionally a haven for porn studios.
Applications for porn permits in LA fell by 90% in the first year of the law.
The California bill, pushed by Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), would apply to the whole state.
It intends to allow “whistleblowers and private citizens to enforce the Act when the state fails to do so.”
The proposed bill has been criticised by porn actors however, who say it could be exploited by those opposed to the porn industry generall.
Chanel Preston, president of the Adult Performer Advocacy Committee, said: “This bill puts performers at the mercy of any citizen, including those who misjudge and scorn the adult film industry.
“Any person or group with an anti-porn agenda, anyone with a personal issue with a specific performer, or an overly zealous fan could use this power as a means to attack performers in the industry.”
The law would also affect anyone using webcams or other means to record having sex without condoms.
