Porn Actor Tests Positive, Shuts Down Production in L.A.

Filming for major pornography studios in Los Angeles has shut down across the city, after at least one performer tested positive for HIV.

The Free Speech Coalition, a porn industry trade association, first learned of the positive diagnosis on Saturday, causing them to urge studios to stop production starting Monday. The temporary moratorium will continue until further testing can confirm whether or not he or she is definitely HIV positive.

Diane Duke, the Free Speech Coalition's executive director, told the Los Angeles Times that her group will notify other performers who had sex with the unidentified performer who tested positive for HIV, so they may be tested.

Last year performer Derrick Burts tested positive for HIV after appearing in several adult films. No other performers were publicly declared HIV-positive, but Burts is now campaigning with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation for a ballot measure in 2012 ballot requiring all porn performers to wear condoms in all adult films permitted to film in Los Angeles.

Adult film performers must be tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections every 30 days, as regulated by voluntary industry standards.