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Los Angeles- Derrick Burts, known as ‘Patient Zeta’ in the most recent HIV case in the adult film industry, and others will speak in favor of conditioning porn film permits issued by the City to condom use on sets

During a City Council Jobs & Business Development Committee hearing Tuesday April 26th at 1pm, an LA City Attorney’s report on condoms in the adult film industry will be on the agenda; a December motion led by Councilman Bill Rosendahl gave LA City Attorney 45 days to report back on feasibility of conditioning porn film permits on condom use

What: LA City Council Jobs and Business Development Committee Hearing;
Los Angeles City Attorney to Report on Tying Adult Film Permitting to Condom Use

WHEN: Tuesday, April 26th 2011—1:00 PM Pacific (Agenda Item #3)

WHERE: LA City Council Jobs & Business Development Committee
Room 1010, City Hall, 200 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Committee Members: Councilmember Richard Alarcon (Chair); Councilmember Paul Krikorian and Councilmember Bernard Parks

WHO: Derrick Burts, ‘patient zeta;’ former adult film performer found to be HIV-positive in October 2010

Shelley Lubben, former adult film actress and founder and President of the Pink Cross Foundation

Brian Chase, Assistant General Counsel, AIDS Healthcare Foundation

Adam Carl Cohen, Reproductive Health Interest Group, Adult Film Industry Subcommittee, UCLA School of Public Health

Jim Clark, an attorney with Cal/OSHA

Derrick Burts, an adult film actor who became known as ‘Patient Zeta’ in the most recent HIV case in the adult film industry, will speak in favor of conditioning porn film permits issued by the City of Los Angeles to condom use on the sets during a public meeting of the City Council’s Jobs & Business Development Committee set for Tuesday afternoon April 26th at 1pm. In addition, other speakers will include Shelley Lubben, the President and founder of the Pink Cross Foundation and a former adult film actress; Brian Chase, Assistant General Counsel, AIDS Healthcare Foundation; Adam Carl Cohen, Reproductive Health Interest Group, Adult Film Industry Subcommittee, UCLA School of Public Health; and Jim Clark, an attorney with Cal/OSHA.

The speakers will address agenda item #3 in the committee meeting, a report from the City Attorney in response to December City Council Motion (Rosendahl – Reyes – Garcetti – Koretz), relative to the mechanisms necessary to enable the City’s film permit process to require workplace safety in the production of all adult films.

In mid-December, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously on a motion to instruct the City Attorney to explore the feasibility of conditioning the issuance of film permits granted under City authority to the use of condoms in adult film productions. The motion, introduced by Councilmember Bill Rosendahl at a Council meeting in mid-December, now directs the city Attorney to, “…report back within 45 days to explain the mechanisms necessary to enable the City’s film permit process to require workplace safety in the production of all adult films.” When introduced in December, Rosendahl’s motion was seconded by Councilmembers Ed P. Reyes, Eric Garcetti and Paul Koretz. The motion then went to committee and was placed on the agenda for Friday’s full City Council meeting.

At the time, Michael Weinstein, President of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation said, “We commend Councilmember Rosendahl and the entire City Council for their unanimous vote in favor of this legal study to explore making adult film permits conditional on the use of condoms in adult films. Under existing California law, condoms are already required in the production of adult films, yet the industry remains convinced it is above the law. This City Council action is a step toward better enforcement and oversight to safeguard the health and safety of adult film workers. Tying condom use to adult-film production permits is absolutely the responsible thing to do, protecting adult film industry performers who—under the current system of testing—are routinely asked to risk their lives and health in order to continue working.”

Rosendahl’s introduction of the motion in December came on the heels of explosive news that L.A. health officials closed the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation (AIM)—a Sherman Oaks clinic funded by and serving the adult film industry—after California state officials denied AIM a community clinic license on December 9th. AHF had called for County health officials to shut down the clinic after Derrick Burts, a 24 year-old adult film performer who tested HIV-positive on October 9th spoke out in December regarding the ill-treatment he received by AIM.

The Rosendahl motion (full text below) concludes: “The producers of adult films are required by California Code of Regulations Title 8, Section 5903 et seq. to employ barrier protection, including without limitation condoms, to shield performers from contact with potentially infectious material during the production of adult films.

I THEREFORE MOVE that the City Council request the City Attorney to report back within 45 days to explain the mechanisms necessary to enable the City’s film permit process to require workplace safety in the production of all adult films.”

Here is the full text of Councilmember Rosendahl’s December 2010 motion:

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has documented widespread transmission of sexually transmitted diseases associated with the activities of the adult film industry within the City of Los Angeles.

The producers of all films within the City of Los Angeles, including adult films, are required to obtain permits issued by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and administered by FilmL.A., Inc. under certain contracts between FilmL.A., Inc. and the City of Los Angeles. Such permits for film production within the City of Los Angeles may include conditions to protect public safety and health.

The producers of adult films are required by California Code of Regulations Title 8, Section 5903 et seq. to employ barrier protection, including without limitation condoms, to shield performers from contact with potentially infectious material during the production of adult films.

I THEREFORE MOVE that the City Council request the City Attorney to report back within 45 days to explain the mechanisms necessary to enable the City’s film permit process to require workplace safety in the production of all adult films.