An email from a performer to AHF
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
I have been following the HIV crisis in the porn industry for some time now, mainly due to the fact I was a performer in the adult industry from 2011 to 2012. While I was never directly spoken down to or disrespected, there were many aspects of the adult industry that I experienced to be corrupt in my short time as a performer that caused me to stop filming any scenes in the industry.Please do not release my name, address or any other personal information as I have a few dear friends who work in the industry and I do not want them to know I am writing this letter. I also have a family that means a lot more to me than being known for speaking on this matter. I would love to come out publicly to aid in your efforts promoting condoms in the industry, but it would not be in my family’s or my best interest to do so. I hope you understand. I want to do my best to help.
I performed in 5 scenes, both prior and after the passing of Measure B.
I performed in scenes where the director admitted they did not pull proper permits to film. This came up because I was to sign new paperwork regarding measure B and my “rights.” I can say right now there are many shoots going on where permits in LA County are not being filed for. I remember a report a few months ago that stated the number of permits in LA County for adult filming dropped drastically. They are still shooting. That is why this is so important to me. The industry thinks it can self regulate but it cannot. They think they are invisible, when they are really being ignorant and reckless with the health and well being of those who are part of the team who put food on their table and money in their wallets. The talent. Half of the people on set are drunk, under the influence of drugs, or are there with ulterior motives. For instance, to receive oral sex on set. Actually, this is one of the deciding factors on whether you get booked again.
The fact the moratorium is going to be lifted makes me sick and uneasy. I’m sure you are familiar with how many times talent can shoot and because of that, the amount of performers who have been exposed is almost unfathomable.
While HIV is a big issue in the industry, now more than ever, this is about health in general. Where is the Hepatitis C testing? I would feel that would be more than necessary, considering the amount of recreational drug users and steroid users present and performing actively in the industry.
HSV, especially HSV-2, the strain causing most cases of genital herpes is not tested for. While contracting HSV is not life threatening, I would feel that this should not just be tested for, but prevented as well. When I stepped into the industry, I was naive. Everything was so new and exciting. If I knew only 2 months later I would contract genital herpes, I would have never signed with my agency. This was the major factor in me making a swift exit from the industry.
When I found out I had genital herpes, I called my agent to ask why it is swept under the rug. It’s still an STI and it doesn’t feel good, to say the least. She had no words to explain it. I was told to get some Valtrex and then: business as usual. What if I infected another person? How could I engage in sexual activity with another person and not tell them? Surely, if I told them on set I would be replaced, word would get around that I was “problematic” and I would never get booked again. I told her I refuse to shoot with another person. I refuse to engage in sexual activity with another person who does not know I have it, and I refuse to engage in this type of unethical behavior. It is wrong and dehumanizing. We are people. We are human beings that deserve respect.
I am more than willing to give you any information about the conditions I have experienced on set, non-compliance with Measure B, and will do my best to provide you with any other information I can.
As I stated before, I am no longer shooting. I have had no personal problems with anyone on set or in the industry, so I really have nothing to gain by lying, so I am willing to give you the whole truth, as I am not scared of losing work. This campaign means a lot to me, and this HIV crisis really hits home as a former performer. I have met many good people and their health means a lot. Some of them rely on the money made from pornography and I would assume would be scared to write you the letter I am. So on behalf of all of those, plus the many others in the industry, I write you for them.
The industry speaks highly of its testing, and that they are the most tested group of people, however, what does testing do? It lets people know when they have been infected with something. It doesn’t stop the spread of disease. It is not correct to put people’s lives in jeopardy; especially in the workplace and that is exactly what is happening. There needs to be no more cutting corners with people’s health and just caring about getting the scene filmed, edited and released. There needs to be prevention. There needs to be prevention of disease and the stop of this unethical, unsafe, and immoral behavior.
Yours Truly,
September 19, 2013
47 Responses
A Performer Emails AHF http://t.co/5L21zU1H8X
IT WASN’T ME! 😀
Calling bullshit on this letter.
I call bullshit on your comment. 😉
Call now, operators are standing by
whether ya think its BS or not its making the rounds I was the second place to run it, lots more have now…..personally I believe it because I do know who wrote it. There isnt even anything in it that defies belief its all not just plausible but likely.
5 scenes? It’s something, but i really feel like veteran’s speaking out would hold a lot more weight. We don’t who she shot for, who her agency was, we don’t know much. It really doesn’t help that even the retired decenter’s stay anonymous. We shall see if this presents more info later.
“It lets people know when they have been infected with something. It doesn’t stop the spread of disease.”
I totally understand her point here. Although, it may or may not happen this way, I’d like to point out that finding out can stop the spread. Knowing you have something is certainly more likely to stop the spread than not knowing. There is a positive corollary, but I guess the author meant the corollary would be higher with condoms. I’m assuming.
Is herpes “bad” for you?
This is Jessie Rogers. She can try to stay anonymous but IMHO it makes no sense since she posts online videos all the time explaining her disdain for the adult industry. She did things the wrong way. She did way too much anal too early and that DP scene for Kink (Though my favorite of the year) was very rough and probably mentally screwed with her. I wish Jessie the best, but blaming others for her decisions is not going to help anyone. She needs to stick to her video games and let the Adult Industry handle its business on its own.
Pretty sure Jessie Rogers performed in way more than 5 scenes, therefore this is not her writing this.
BILL MARGOLD SUCKS.
I think honestly the truth is much more simple, and much more difficult for people to accept:
If you tested everyone in the porn business for at STDs and banned those who tested positive for everything from HPV to HIV (including hep C and herpes) you likely wouldn’t have that many people left performing.
Step up testing, and many performers would disappear instantly from the business, plain and simple, and apparently nobody can afford to have that happen.
Oooooh the AHF and their anonymous letters to the press. Remember this one from “Peter”?
My name Peter. First, I would like to commend you on your fight to bring mandatory condoms to the Porn Industry. I would like to tell you my story. I am a married man for over 10 years. About one year ago my wife and I decided to take a break and see other people. This trial separation lasted only two weeks but it forever changed my life. I have a friend who works in the porn industry and he told me, don’t worry, I will take care of you. He booked me a girl through an agency called The Luxury Companion. The girl’s name was A… C….. My friend paid for her to spend the night with me. I picked her up and we went out to dinner. We had a great time and ended up at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood. My friend had apparently bought me a full package with Ms. Take A Chance so I decided to use it. That night we had sex. She told me she was a pornstar and regularly tested so I figured it would be safe to have sex without protection. I know I was clean because I had been married for the past 10 years and only been with my wife and have had regular physicals where I have been tested for all STD’s. Long story short, we had a full night of unprotected sex and said our goodbyes in the morning. I never expected to even think about that night again for as long as I lived. A few weeks later my wife and I reconciled and went to therapy to improve our marriage. A few months later my wife started developing a rash in her pubic region. I took her to the doctor to find out she had been infected with Herpes and Syphilis. I got tested also to find out that I had the same diagnosis. Our family was devastated. It all happened because I decided that the porn industry’s testing procedure would keep me safe, even though I was just what they call a “civilian”. They claim that the diseases that come into their business are contracted by people like me but it’s not true. This girl ruined my family’s life. I came clean to my wife about what had happened and she left me.
Please feel free to use my story however you see fit and good luck with AB332. You have a lot more support than you think.
Peter
1 out of 5 ppl have herpes and I remember reading 80 percent of American population has herpes 1..
1) there is no telling if she had herpes before or after she entered the business simply means she finally noticed or someone pointed it out to her
2) condoms will not protect u from herpes you can simply have the virus on ur inner thigh and still be able to spread it or have her vaginal fluid run down the condom and because u shaved ur balls ur pores are open and will get it
Don’t get me wrong my
Post isn’t about pro or anti condoms
I agree this is a very unsubstantiated example….but im wondering if it isn’t a good example of what to do….the more information the better but sharing anything at this time might help to get the ball rolling…..they may laugh at first.
I want to make it clear to the person that wrote this email that I’m not laughing at your experience or your email….it was very well written…and im sorry this happened to you.
Why sre they keeping problem
People sround like Xander?
Does he really give good head
And ansl sex with him that good?
Lots of scared performers out their who sell their Mothers.
The fact that they state they got herpes after only 5 scenes holds enough weight for me and makes it a serious issue.
I thought it was Jessie Rogers from the start as well.
@richard373
Did u proof read your post before submitting it? That kind of poor and broken grammar just weakens the validity of any argument you make. I would say @mike south and lacey that they take the time to proof read their articles and postings. I am trying to remember the performer who posted what her insurance rates would be thru the health care exchange a couple days ago, but het posts were ten times better written than yours.
Okay I went back and check from a couple days ago and it turned out to be @Brook Tyler who impressed me so much. I would hope as someone who performs on the female side of the industry would chime in more.
You have to call bullshit on any letter that is not signed and owned by the author. Don’t care if it’s Jesse Rodgers or not. Without coming out and saying, “I wrote the damn thing” its just more useless junk with zero new information. I’m sure it’s all true; nobody gives you a hard time about condoms if you say you want to wear them. They simply don’t hire you, or they don’t hire you again. Everybody knows, except people who deny science and still claim the world is flat, if you wear condoms, you avoid most if not all the nasty little bugs. If you don’t wear them, well, at least Obamacare is coming around…maybe. I would say we have enough anonymous letters explaining the painfully obvious to us again and again If you’re going to write it…sign the fucker. Otherwise sit in the corner and watch quietly. Just saying. How about those Indians?
She did 5 scenes between 2011-2012? I call BS. I think she (Jessie Rogers) isn’t the best writer and meant to say she did 5 scenes AFTER Measure B passed. Maybe she is trying to cover herself up more. But the writing on the wall has Jessie Rogers all over it in this letter.
Look when you do a porn movie you have to understand the risks involved. It’s like driving in a NASCAR race or playing in the NFL. Many of those guys sustain big injuries, but they are rare. Some sustain minor injuries. It’s apart of the business, if people don’t want condoms. Now I am personally for the performers choice. I don’t think they should be forced to wear one, I don’t think they should be replaced if they chose to use one. But then again good luck trying to nail down those DP scenes with Condoms. They will surely tear anyways and the actors will continue performing.
The solution is not simple, but people are floating around proper ideas. I hope one day porn is able to return to the glory it once had in the 90’s.
@mdxxx –
To be fair, if you want to compare the porn industry to Nascar or the NFL, the correct explanation would be:
In all of these industries there are risks involved:
This is why the porn industry doesn’t wear condoms.
This is why Nascar drivers do not wear helmets or seatbelts.
This is why NFL players do not wear helmets or any padding.
See how stupid the argument sounds when comparing it to other industries. It makes no sense??
@acftmech –
Don’t look at me, I’ve already tried more than once….
So when you say performer choice, which performer are you talking about? If a female performer says she wants James Deen to use a condom is she violating his first ammendment rights? If a male says he wants to use a condom, can the female object because the condom can cause abrasions or an allergic reaction?
What about Wicked Pirctures? At Wicked it is the company that makes the decision about condoms, are they violating the performers rights? Wicked doesnt allow its performers to have a choice, why is no one getting all up in arms about that?
How can you call it CHOICE when someone else makes the choice for you. Does a female performer get to make the choice whether the male uses a condom or not? As you can see, this whole ‘choice’ argument is full of holes, as is every other excuse the indistry spews when it comes to health and safety. And we all know that their is no choice anyway, other than the choice to not use condoms or not work.
The girls have a choice for their first movie. However, once they have sold their video soul the only way they will continue to get work is to work WITHOUT condoms. Cash Markman went around having the talent sign bogus paperwork claiming they refused to use the condoms provided for them on the set. He also said if we didn’t sign them we wouldn’t work for him again! So the choice the talent have is ,,, work without a condom or do not work at all! THAT IS THE CHOICE TALENT HAVE!!! Producers choose condoms or no condoms, period!
@ lacey blake
I was meaning I have never found a broken or frsgmented sentence or such an odd grouping of words that I am left asking myself WTF (sorry for the acronym) were they trying to say. Yourself, Mike, and brooke are all well spoken or to be more exact written.
No to the idiot talking about comparing porn to nascar or the nfl? Well I guess they forget or want to deny all that gear there is supposed to minize injury and prevent death.
Nascar has the drivers wearing fire suits along with other safety layers below them. Helmets that have cooling air forced through them to prevent heat exhaustion and a strap to prevent neck injuries that killed dale earnhart sr. The design features from the blow up panels in the roof to the thickness, positioning, type of material, and form of release mechanism in the harness is there for the drivers protection in an accident and a safe escape after the car comes to a stop. It is all madatory and uniform to protect lives and the racing company and drivers alike welcome it. Their reason is the drivers are the industries greatest asset and it needs protecting.
In the NFL teams, owners, and players are more than willing to accept new and kodified safety equipment that alloes greater mobility andn player comfort while at the same time as prividing greater safety from injuries. Again because it is in everyone’s best interests since the players are the teams greatest asset and it is in their greatest interest to assure player have long healthy careers. A worthy note is finally the league has accepted the long term effects of head injuries and settled to create a multi million dollar trust to care for players after retirement.
I guess ur point is the porn industry producers and directors don’t give two shits about performers and consider them as disposable as the baby used to wipe off the cum shot off the girl after he yells cut. If they considered talent their greatest asset they would be paying for test, providing condoms amd requiring their use, and establishing a fund to care for them when tragedy strikes and they get sick instead of weasling out when a girl tries to get workers comp and claiming infection happened off set.
Oh, and I am NOT anonymous, and I am a veteran of adult films since 1990 and am an AVN Hall of Fame member!!! AND I AGREE WITH THE LETTER TO A TEE! Now someone make sure to come along and bash my reputation even though I appeared in over a thousand movies by the best companies out there (and a few of the worst) and watched first hand as the talent were coerced into more and more risky behavior over time!!! The industry is NOW downright SKANKY and I wouldn’t touch a porn actor or actress without gloves on, let alone a condom!!! They are floating in STD’s and seem to be okay with the general public thinking ‘ewwww’ when they think of todays performers!!!
If the performers of today had any sense, they would start using condoms if simply to diffuse the general conception that they carry disease and are SKANKY!!!
A male talent recently told me “it’s safer than going to the bars and picking up a woman there.” I thought, ‘at least with a woman you pick up at a bar, YOU CAN USE A CONDOM!!!’
@acftmech –
Oops.. haha. Yeah, I read your post wrong. I thought you were saying that we should proof read posts before they post which is why I said I’ve already tried… and so have many others on here…
I’ve pretty much given up at this point. I’ve just accepted the fact that I can’t read them no matter how hard I try…. meh.
@lacey blake
I am wondering why after I make post commenting on the comparing porn safety to Nascar or the NFL. Why the discussion thread goes silent? I wonder if some supports of no condoms have no responses what so ever. Was it that compelling am argument? @mike south or @brooke tyler any insigh?
Jessie Rogers has done FAR more than five scenes. It can’t be her.
Exactly.
@acftmech Persnally I believe the whole condom issue is way more about justifying your preferences than it is about arguing safety…on the part of the no condom crowd anyway. In all seriousness I dont think anyone with any sense would argue that condoms are much safer than non condoms.
I have more respect for the guy that says if you go all condom I will never buy your product again than I do for someone like Nina Hartly who claims to be an RN trying to convince people that bareback is safer than condoms, thats simply dumb.
I can empathize with those who dont like condoms but in the end for me the safety issue far outweighs any selfish desire I may have to see bareback porn. I have people in the industry that I dearly love, like kayden Kross, felicia Foxx, Tim Case, Vicky vette and dozens of others and I would not want them to catch so much as a single crab
Yes, but regulation should match risk. The risk in those other industries is on site death or life altering injury. It has happened multiple times. The risk is higher and more immediate. That is why the rules/regulations are higher. An STD is bad. It is not death. There are certainly other factors, but these industries risks are not equal. You are also picking out 2 of the most high profile, visible, talked about sports and comparing them to porn. They aren’t equals in many ways.
But Kayden has been fighting it? The part I don’t understand completely is the idea that being paid for sex is like a right that we all start with. Is that not where the choice comes in? Some industries present higher risk and more reward. If safety is the #1 concern then you plan accordingly. Office work or Service industry work offers less risk. Condoms will lessen risk, to what extent I can’t say for sure. It feels weird though when people say “I just don’t want anyone taking those risks or potentially getting hurt”. If that is the main concern of the consenting adult, then don’t do the scene. That would certainly force the industries hand. There is choice, if your health is less important than the check, you just made a choice. I don’t actually buy that they are at a much higher risk than people in the general public. But, if they as performers think they are at great risk then they have to choose to act in a way that reflects that priority. Don’t do a scene you are okay with.
I am very aware of what Kayden thinks, both in private and in public but the love that I have for Kayden isnt based on ideological agreements, she is family to me and we can disagree on something without it effecting the personal relationship. Contrary to what many may feel I dont want everyone to think exactly the same as I do, If they did I’d kill myself…the world would be a sucky place because I wouldnt have anyone to learn anything from.
Now, for me the condom issue is pretty simple, Id love for a truly condom neutral policy to be viable but I have come to the conclusion that is simply unrealistic. This business has a massively high rate of STD transmissions, in any other business we’d have been regulated years ago. We refuse to even address the fact that we have a problem, we have boneheaded sociopaths like Diane Duke telling performers that we are the most tested workforce on earth, that our testing works and all the rest of that complete bullshit. So yes I tell the people that I love, hey….we should be using condoms because it IS a LOT safer. I’m not going to lie to them and I am not going to lie to myself like Nina Hartley does. Personally I’m not a big fan of condoms but I’m less of a fan of being a part of the problem instead of the solution and since we as an industry wont even acknowledge the problem condoms are the closest thing we have to a solution. Now when someone grows the common sense and the balls to show Diane Duke the fucking door and start some realistic efforts to address the problem Im all in, until that time I am for the safety and well being of the performers by using condoms.
“I can empathize with those who dont like condoms but in the end for me the safety issue far outweighs any selfish desire I may have to see bareback porn.”……words of wisdom….Its as simple as that…Hands Down im willing to sacrifice my desires for performer safety…and for those that want to continue being more risky then necessary… like the Harley rider that thinks its cooler and more fun to ride without a helmet and is pissed that rules/laws changed….over time and with growing maturity im hoping will be glad that people cared….especially if a close call presents itself….and perhaps like what we see now in biker world ..will think its the cool thing to do too….
Certainly I can see the part about whether or not it works being questionable. Was this, “most tested workforce on earth”, not true though? Not necessarily the effectiveness, but the amount. Just want to make sure I understood that point. I understand the rest of your statement completely.
Just to edit, I guess someone had said the Nevada brothels were also very tested. Nevermind.
P.S. Not sure if you meant anything between the lines here, “I am very aware of what Kayden thinks, both in private and in public”. Could be read as a hint that she actually thinks differently. Maybe I’m reading too much into it. If she did think different privately, it would be an odd decision to choose to have unprotected sex with Manuel, who has unprotected sex in scenes. Point being it seems that action or lack of deep concern echoes her public sentiments. Just to be clear, that isn’t a diss. I have heard her, Manuel and them together on interviews and they seem like good, happy people. I like them both.
Here is the problem with the whole ‘CHOICE” issue. Condoms are meant to protect both parties involved in the act. So who gets to decide. Do I have the right to say I dont want a condom, and put my partner at risk? Does my partner have the right to insist that I use a condom, is so, its not MY choice. Does a female have the right to say I dont want my male scene partner to wear a condom, but what if the male thinks he needs to be protected.
I hear everyone say it should be a choice, but nobody knows whose choice it should be. In my opinion, the choice argument falls apart just like every other ind ustry excuse when you delve just a little beyond the surface Choice sounds great, until you try to impliment it.
I call bullshit on your bullshit…Billy.
Exactly. Good points, Jilted.
Exactly Mike…The safety and well being of the performers comes first… use condoms. Good points.
You’re AWESOME, Nick!!!
And here is the problem with the “Most tested workforce” bullshit. It may very well be a true statement, but how come they never tell you the RESULTS of those tests. The testing program from AIM alone reported THOUSANDS of stds to the county, and that doesnt include West oaks urgent care, or any of the other dozen clinics that performers often use.
The industry will NEVER put out any stats as to the number of performers who test positive for gonnoreah, chlamydia, HPV and any other diseases. The testing program is all the proof you need that condoms should be mandatory.
Yes, you have the right to not wear a condom and then the female would have to choose if she wants to do the scene. Or the female could say that she won’t work with condoms and the male has to decide if that is okay. This is usually probably decided ahead of time. The weird assumption these points makes is that there has to be a sex scene. If one party doesn’t want to do it, it won’t happen. If the male wants to wear a condom, but the director/company doesn’t and he relents, that relenting is a “Choice”. Consenting to something you don’t think is the best option is a “Choice”.