Porn Stars Return to Work As L.A. Lifts Filming Ban

Cameron Bay, the screen name of a popular porn actress, tested HIV-positive last month, which launched the Free Speech Coalition (FSC), an adult industry trade group, to enact a two-week long filming moratorium. On Thursday, the FSC announced shooting can resume Friday.

This decision resulted from of an industry-wide policy change requiring actors to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases every 14 days rather than 28 days to be cleared for work. The need for increased safety precautions has never been greater as just after the end of the moratorium, Rod Daily, Bay's boyfriend who is also a adult actor, announced on Twitter that he was also HIV positive. Days later, an anonymous third performer also tested positive.

The FSC continues to defend its practices by asserting no performer got infected on set. Critics, however, still demand policy changes and argue that performers should be required to wear condoms.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation President Michael Weinstein calls this problem afflicting the adult film industry "Russian Roulette." When people perform with HIV between long periods of testing, workers are at risk for contracting STI's on the job, thereby potentially throwing any future work out the window.

FSC Chief Executive Diane Duke contends that current testing has impeded transmission on set. Further legislation looking to increase the safety of the porn industry has been the victim of what many call a political agenda. In particular, last year, voters passed a Los Angeles County measure requiring actors to wear condoms during shoots. California State Assemblyman Isadore Hall (D-Los Angeles), the bill's author, watched the bill fall through last week after it was stalled in the California State Senate's Rules Committee for being "too similar" to another older bill previously presented.

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation reacted by launching a robocall campaign Thursday against Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), the alleged brick wall of the bill. Gatto of course denied the claims. The latest news on the bill has followed an appeal to California Assembly Speaker John Perez (D-Los Angeles) to allow the bill to override any stagnation and bring the issue to a vote. 

RELATED: "Cameron Bay HIV is Cause For Reflection, But Not Deeper Regulation of Porn Industry"