Since its inception, pornography provides its fans a chance to escape their hectic lives, a fantasy world where dreams come true and a land of golden opportunity. But now, fans are about to receive a jarring jolt of reality.
Amid tireless congressional efforts to enact employer-provided contraceptive coverage laws, Los Angeles is doing its part to stay safe.
In the wake of numerous adult film production suspensions regarding suspicion of HIV transmission among performers, the Los Angeles City Council adopted a city ordinance on March 5 stipulating male pornographic film actors must wear condoms at all times during filming.
While seen as a glowing achievement by safe-sex proponents, the “City of Los Angeles Safer Sex In The Adult Film Industry Act” has some adult film executives in an uproar, with many threatening to move their multibillion-dollar operations elsewhere.
If successful porn studios go elsewhere, Los Angeles stands to lose a sizeable number of jobs and revenue.
“Clearly, the viewing public doesn’t want to watch movies with condoms,” said Steven Hirsch, the founder of Vivid Entertainment, in a recent New York Times article. “If they mandate condoms, people will shoot in other locations.”
Hirsch’s sentiments are echoed by some adult film actors who have long believed condoms in porn are a surefire sales hindrance.
Adult film actor weighs in
“Guys don’t watch straight couples having sex with condoms,” said Brandon Wilde, a Los Angeles resident and gay porn actor.
But Wilde said he was amazed the city adopted the ordinance and that the industry needs condoms.
“It’s about time,” he said. “Diseases are always a risk.”
However Wilde said most gay porn studios in California he has worked for, such as Channel 1 Releasing and Stag Boys, already mandate condom use and the gay industry has yet to see any link between condom usage and declining sales.
“This change will affect the straight industry more than the gay industry,” he said.
So why does the straight industry feel threatened?
Expert testimony
Some experts, like Milton Wendland, a lawyer and visiting assistant KU professor of Women, Gender and Sexuality studies with a Ph.D. from KU, says safe-sex practices are important in real-life, but many viewers may find them distracting.
“Condoms may disrupt the fantasy flow of the film, much as if the actors all stopped to shower themselves clean or female performers stopped to insert contraceptive sponges,” he said in an email.
He said this could be considered a government over-reach and limit filmmakers’ artistic expression and free speech, and that the industry has already taken sufficient precautionary measures against sexually transmitted infections.
“Clearly, protecting people from possible STIs is a concern,” he said “The adult film industry has in place industry standards dictating STI testing for all performers every 28 days and maintenance of a master database of all performers who are or are not eligible for work.”
Better safe than sorry
As gay men are more prone to HIV and AIDS, two diseases the ordinance hopes to help prevent, Wilde says has always makes a conscious effort to stay safe.
“Some companies are specifically known for their bare-backing,” he said. “I won’t work for them because personally I always wear a condom.”
He said studios usually have gloved technicians on set to ensure proper condom application and sanitation.
“It’s a simple enough process,” he said. “But it’s worth it to be 99 percent safe.”
Local business not worried
But how will the ordinance affect pornography sales elsewhere? For Lawrence, it seems, not much.
Christina Clark, manager of Cirilla’s, a Lawrence porn shop, was pleased with Los Angeles’ decision and is certain her business will go un-phased.
Clark said the promise of safe sex may even attract more actors to the porn scene who were previously reluctant to sign up.
University of Kansas students give their takes on this year’s best picture winner, “The Artist.” Individuals praise and critique the film and offer thoughts on the Academy Awards themselves.
Days after announcements of this year’s Oscar winners, specifically the best picture winner “The Artist,” KU students offered their personal takes on the Academy Awards.
This year, the French film “The Artist” stole the spotlight, taking home five Oscars including best picture, and becoming only the second silent film in the Academy Awards’ 83 years to score the coveted award.
The film also won Oscars for male actor in a leading role, direction, musical score and art direction.
Casey Bear, a junior from Baldwin City, Kan., said she was pleased when she heard the film won best picture, especially because of its off-beat qualities.
“I think it’s really cool that they brought back all those classic aesthetics,” Bear said. “It’s cool that something that’s not completely computer generated can still win an Academy Award.”
Bear was referring to the signature style of “The Artist,” which broke the usual Hollywood mold with its black and white presentation and lack of dialogue.
But, despite all of its hype, some students were not thrilled with “The Artist” win.
“I heard it from at least four people that I had to go see this movie and then I wasn’t impressed,” said junior Marit Ehmke of Amy, Kan.. “I was kind of bored in the middle and I remember feeling anxious for it to be over.”
Ehmke added that she still felt the film was good but it didn’t deserve all of its awards.
“I thought the plot was a little contrived and predictable,” she said.
For some students, the plot was the last thing on their mind.
Senior Kyle McRae of Iola, Kan., criticized the Academy Awards, saying decisions on nominees and winners are too political and bureaucratic.
“The Oscars have a history of having movies that in popular opinion should win an award that don’t,” McRae said. “It seems something else has a play in it.”
The Kansas View 