Michael Whiteacre writes-
Last night Danny Wylde and I were honored to organize a meeting of concerned current adult film performers (XXX and fetish) in order to hear their concerns, and help them come up with concise ways to express their own feelings and thoughts about the OSHA action, and AHF. Danny and I provided all the refreshments, print-outs of relevant documents under discussion, etc… This was not done under the auspices of any organization, and no agents and no representatives of FSC were allowed to be present. Two journalists were there, but not to report on the meeting (this was made clear) but only to offer information and first-hand perspective on the process that they have reported on over the years. We wanted the performers to feel free and comfortable to say what they really thought and to ask any questions that wished.
I feel the meeting was extremely productive. There are lot more performers willing to be activist than you’d imagine — they, like anyone else, sometimes need encouragement and a feeling that someone actually cares what they have to say.
I once again encourage ALL adult performers to become more active and to stand up for their rights. Their voices need to be heard. Tomorrow, I think you’ll see the performers THEMSELVES put the lie to the politically- (and financially-) motivated argument that these actions are in the best interests of the performing population, and industry workers as a class.
Thank you for posting this, Cindi.
The performers are sick and tired of having people like Shelley Lubben insult, stereotype and demonize them while claiming to represent their best interests. These are smart, powerful, decent young men and women. And they’re motivated.
Check out Lily Cade’s blog post today if you don’t think these good folks are fired up after last night’s meeting. http://www.lilycade.com/2011/06/porn-stars-hazmat-team/
Hey “Darrah”, hey Shelley — Hell’s comin’ to town and his name is performer activism.
Performer activism…all 6 of em LOL…God you people crack me up….
What do you mean by “you people”, Mike? Do you mean people in LA County who are actually involved in the actual porn industry?
And your number is a LIE. Don’t come here spouting lies, Mr. Integrity.
You’re entitled to your opinion, not your own facts.
Well, it’s about time the performers get to the CalOSHA meetings and speak their truth. Diane Duke and members of AHF aren’t fucking on camera, so they have no right to speak on the behalf of porn performers, nor does anyone el se that has never fucked on camera.
And performers, please remember to remind Cal OSHA if you are allergic to latex, or any other component in condoms, lubes and whatever else they may be trying to force on you. Also remind them that condoms alone are not an acceptable substitute for industry standardized testing. “Patient Zero” claims he caught HIV on a condom shoot, and it was only because of his AIM test that he didn’t infect other performers. The system worked, for crap sake! Whether it’s TTS or AIM or your own doctor, the testing system is still important.
“Patient Zero” claims he caught HIV on a condom shoot.
If this is true, this supports the point I’ve made over and over and over about condoms. Gays are considered a significant HIV risk compared to straights, yet they’re wearing condoms. There’s been a self-imposed “helmet law” in the gay community. AHF and OSHA doesn’t need to “save” us any more than Shelley does.
@jeremy – Hallelujah.
@Sher — Yes, the system worked — which is why they got it shut down. They placed the performers in peril ON PURPOSE to create stress and crisis — now they can come run in and save the day with their ridiculous scheme.
As Ernest Greene asks rhetorically, which would you prefer — sex with a condom with someone who has HIV or whose HIV status is unknown to you, or condomless sex with someone who can demonstrate his or her HIV status then and there.
Michael the last FSC meeting drew all or 6 performers, like it or not its abysmal, even if it drew 20 thats abysmal. Just because your current girlfriend is Joanne doesn’t mean the FSC aren’t a bunch of fuck ups.
You can stick your head in the sand all you want, the FSC has NO performer support to amount to anything, saying it does dont make it so, just like saying the numbers are wrong so the STD rate in porn must be the same as it is everywhere else, even the dumbest performers know that is nonsense.
You want to talk about lies hell the FSC has been doing that for years, my integrity speaks for itself, I tell you something you don’t like to hear….too bad. One of many problems with this biz are all the two faced mother fuckers who say one thing and do the exact opposite.
Look in the mirror pal.
You look first, Mike.
I’ve got no beef with you, Mike. Go ahead and be a hater — I hope that works out for you. It might just be what you are most adept at, if history is any guide. You are consumed by it — hatred of FSC, hatred of Sharon Mitchell. Hatred of the symbols of a porn industry that failed to recognize you as the great Grand Poobah you just know you are.
And, if you were as good at reading as your were hating and demagoguing, you would know that my claim is NOT that performers will show up tomorrow simply to bow a knee in diffident fealty to FSC. I NEVER claimed that — in fact, one should probably draw the opposite conclusion from my call to arms op/ed.
Most performers don’t care about FSC, and/or don’t know enough about them to even consider supporting them. When they turn out they will be doing so to protect their jobs.
LOL you overestimate my feelings on the FSC I don’t hate them, theres very few things I actually hate, contempt, ya I have some of that, enough to voice my opinion on them because they earned it.
As for performers not knowing enough to support the FSC…HA! They know too much to do so is more like it.
@Mike South
I apologize, I really don’t know anything about you, but I’m curious, are you pro or anti the adult industry?
I am largely Libertarian, I have worked in the industry since 1992 and I support the industry. I also support responsible behavior, something this industry has been lacking for the last ten years or so.
I love this industry but I have contempt for the people in it who are essentially parasites.
I identify more with performers than producers generally speaking though I function more as the later.
I have been saying for ten years that if we as an industry cant manage to control ourselves, government will do it for us and now the chickens are coming home to roost and all these dumb motherfuckers are acting like they have no idea why.
I want to see the business do well and prosper and when I see scumbags in the industry who are an impediment to that I point it out.
So you’re pro mandatory condom use I presume?
Oooh this is funny…good debate! God I love Cindi for this blog.
Why not twist the facts and statistics…Shelley Lubben does 🙂
@Volt,
So youre anti health and safety I presume? ridiculous question isnt it?
Danny Wylde is and was a crossover performer, the shitstorm the business is in now is partly cause of crossover and liar Derrick Burts.
Burts was also in attendance. He did not say a word, even when he/”Patient Zeta” was discussed. My guess is it was on advice of counsel.
Ha! Joe, you’re lucky you have your anonymity… I cant imagine anyone would write such uneducated and nefarious statements would want to be known.
Joe, I think I understand why you post here… Somehow it’s theraputic and makes you feel like an adult participating in adult conversations. It’s like when the school for special children goes bumper bowling. Yeah, they get high scores and feel good, but everyone else sees them and feels bad…