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from www.contracostatimes.com – A group that represents the adult film industry said in a statement Thursday that a second porn actor has come forward to share that he has syphilis.
Testing and treatment will continue to determine if there is a widespread outbreak.
The Free Speech Coalition has asked the largely San Fernando Valley-based adult film companies and directors to continue to halt all production for safety reasons. So far, studios appear to have complied.
The two people who tested positive came forward to the coalition voluntarily. One man said he worked in gay porn outside of California. Another man who identified himself as Mr. Marcus, an 18-year veteran of adult films, told Adult Video News that he was diagnosed with syphilis in July, but has since received treatment.
More than 1,000 performers are eligible for testing and treatment, which producers have offered to pay for, according to the coalition.
Earlier this week, the coalition was criticized by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation after reports of a possible syphilis outbreak came from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on Friday. AIDS Healthcare Foundation has for years pushed for condoms at all adult film production sites.
The Free Speech Coalition, which runs a program called Adult Production Health & Safety Services (APHSS.org) that allows adult film performers to test for HIV, gonorrhea and chlamydia every 28 days, has said the industry’s own safety regulations have been effective.
“Partner identification is under way and APHSS will ensure that all partners are tested and treated,” said Diane Duke, executive director for the Free Speech Coalition.
“We encourage anyone else who may have tested positive for syphilis to contact us.”
The Free Speech Coalition had no comment on Mr. Marcus or the other actor who came forward with their condition.
Meanwhile, less than a dozen cases are currently being investigated, Los Angeles County Public Health Director Dr. Jonathan Fielding said Tuesday during an interview.
“It’s not surprising that there would be cases in this group, because they have unprotected sex and they often they have multiple partners,” Fielding said.
He said clinicians are required to report all sexually transmitted diseases to the public health department, but not to the Free Speech Coalition.
Meanwhile, it is unclear when production will start again.
“We also do not have a projected date to end the moratorium,” said Joanne Cachapero, a spokeswoman for Free Speech Coalition. “Our primary concern is to make sure any health concerns for the performers have been addressed, before production can resume.”