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 during our fall member drive.
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.
XBIZ Awards 2011: Red Carpet, Part 1

Ivan and Asa Akira on the XBIZ Awards red carpet -- also see photos from last year's event (Koga/LAist)
Earlier this month, the local adult business publication XBIZ held its ninth annual XBIZ Awards at the Hollywood Palladium.
Hosted by Jesse Jane and comedian Whitney Cummings, the show awarded 106 prizes in five categories (Movies & Production, Web & Tech, Pleasure Products, Retail & Distribution, and Special Recognitions). Big winners included Digital Playground (Studio of the Year), Wicked Pictures (Feature Studio of the Year and Feature Movie of the Year - Speed), Elegant Angel (Gonzo Studio of the Year), and New Sensations (Parody Studio of the Year and Parody Release of the Year - The Big Lebowski: A XXX Parody). Other winners included Andy San Dimas (Female Performer of the Year), Kayden Kross (Female Acting Performance of the Year - Body Heat), Chanel Preston (New Starlet of the Year), and Riley Steele (Crossover Star of the Year), as well as Tommy Gunn (Male Performer of the Year), Keni Styles (Male Acting Performance of the Year - Malice in Lalaland), and Flash Brown (New Male Performer of the Year).
To be continued.
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.

-
Metro officials said it will be able to announce an opening date “soon.”
-
While working for the county, the DA’s office alleges that 13 employees fraudulently filed for unemployment, claiming to earn less than $600 a week.
-
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to declare immigration enforcement actions a local emergency.
-
Tens of thousands of workers across Southern California walk out over pay and staffing issues.
-
People in and around recent burn scars should be alert to the risk of debris flows. Typical October weather will be back later this week.
-
Jet Propulsion Laboratory leadership says the cuts amount to 11% of the workforce.