Possible Porn Exodus? Production Companies Consider Leaving L.A. Post-Condom Law Approval
L.A. City Council's nearly unanimous vote granting final approval to the condoms in porn ordinance is supported by some members of the multibillion dollar porn industry. Those in opposition, however, may pack up set and head elsewhere.
The City of Los Angeles Safer Sex In The Adult Film Industry Act ordinance, which City Council voted 9-1 in favor of on Tuesday, requires adult film actors to use condoms while on set. Production companies will also be forced to pay film permit fees of an amount yet to be determined, which will in turn fund inspections enforced by the city. Los Angeles, a city that produces 90% of the nation's porn films, is the first city in America to approve such a law.
The measure will go to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who is supportive of the ordinance, for approval. Before the new law becomes effective, the council has requested a committee comprised of police officials, the city attorney, state health officials and others spearhead logistics for proper condom law enforcement.
Steven Hirsch, co-founder and co-chairman of L.A.-based Vivid, says, "Ultimately I think what they will find is people will just stop shooting in the city of Los Angeles. That's a given," reports NY Daily News. Vivid is one of the biggest erotic porn producers and one that will consider leaving should the measure be passed.
Many industry professionals are curious as to how the law will be enforced, funded and manage to be time-efficient. "It's going to be interesting to see how in fact they do try to enforce it and whose going to fund it and all of the time and effort they're going to spend," said Hirsch.
The ordinance is seen by many as political overstepping in a land where such enforcement should not and cannot be achieved. Nina Hartley, an adult film actress and registered nurse, said, "It's pure politics. It's not going to make anybody safer," adding that the condom law will spur more underground filming. Porn industry representatives say that protected sex does not sell as well and is "hard" on performers' bodies during especially lengthy sessions. Los Angeles, specifically the San Fernando Valley, is America's porn capital. But it could soon lose its luster and clever nicknames like "Porn Valley" and "San Pornando Valley."
"The only thing that the city could potentially achieve is losing some film permit money and driving some productions away, but you can't actually compel an industry to create a product that the market doesn't want," said Christian Mann, general manager of Evil Angel, another major porn production player. Mann noted that smaller productions manned by just a few people can most probably elude the new law, but larger scale production companies cannot and may likely leave town.
San Fernando Valley-based nonprofit Free Speech Coalition, a porn industry lobbying group, will not take the law lying down and are prepared for battle. "We're looking at all of our options and talking to the industry heads, said Diane Duke, a member of the group. "The government is intruding into the sexual behavior of consenting adults."
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