With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Clinic For Porn Performers Shuts Doors For Good
Photo by Koga/LAist (more photos here)
()
AIM Medical Associates, formerly Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation, has officially shut down. The clinic, located in the Valley, had been a go-to spot for porn performers to get STI and HIV testing. Founded in 1998, they were known for speedy results and a database that could be accessed by others in the industry to verify a clean bill of health.
News of the closure was reported by well-known porn blogger Violet Blue yesterday, and has been picked up by industry sites XBiz and AVN. AVN reports that clinic owner Sharon Mitchell confirmed that the closure was due to "financial hardship."
There was a clear difference of opinion between healthcare professionals and porn performers about AIM. In a statement released today, Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation had this to say about AIM's closure:
"Testing adult film performers for HIV and other sexually-transmitted diseases is important, but has never been an effective substitute for safer sex and condom use. Performers were poorly served by AIM and are poorly served by an industry that places profits above worker safety."
Support for LAist comes from
In a statement attributed to performer Sharon Shevon and reposted on Blue's blog, Shevon notes:
AIM has been getting hit hard this year with Cal-Osha and The Aids Healthcare Foundation trying to take-over[...]The Aids Healthcare Foundation and Cal/OSHA are not into the best interests of the performers, if they take-over they will make us all use condoms and weaken our testing procedures, we will be forced out of the country and/or underground.
Either way, there's no arguing that AIM has recently come under considerable fire. The clinic was being accused by several performers of privacy breaches, and in March, a website called Pornwikileaks published performers' personal medical information, real names and birthdates online. Many argued that at least some of the information could only have come from AIM.
Performers will likely use Talent Testing for now, another clinic that caters to the porn community.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Immigration raids have caused some U.S. citizens to carry their passports to the store, to school or to work. But what documents to have on you depends on your citizenship. -
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high.
Best of LAist