This is another tough one. Prop 60 is a state measure which strengthens current federal laws requiring porn performers to wear condoms while engaging in sexual intercourse. California law has required condom use in porn films since 1992, but is rarely enforced. Another bit of information: Los Angeles County voters passed Measure B in 2012, which is considered the template for this year’s statewide proposition.
It seems as though the “teeth” in this proposition is that it allows ANYONE to sue a person who has financial stake in the production of pornography which violates the condom law. Proponents of the measure say this means the producers – not the performers – are liable. However, after listening to a heated debate on KQED between a female porn star, who is against the proposition and the Communications Director for the Yes on Prop 60 campaign, John Schwada, I learned this may not be what it seems. The porn star says that most performers are producers de facto, because they record their own performances themselves. And by using stage names, most performers are able to maintain their private lives without public judgement over their profession. However, if subject to lawsuit, this anonymity could be stripped away.
Opponents of the measure say that the porn industry is safer than ever, with mandatory blood tests every two weeks, and the fact that no one has contracted HIV on screen in more than 10 years.
There is a majority of organizations and news publications who have voiced their opinion against this proposition. Opposition has also brought together strange bedfellows with both the state Democratic and Republican parties publicly opposed to the proposition.
For more information, please start with the state’s Legislative Analysts’ Office: http://www.lao.ca.gov/BallotAnalysis/Proposition?number=60&year=2016
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