Activists push for condoms-in-porn vote
(Reuters) — A campaign to require condom use in pornographic film productions in California has submitted enough signatures (557,138) to election officials to put a ballot measure before state voters in 2016, organizers said.
"Unlike most politicians, voters are not squeamish about this issue, seeing it as a means to protect the health and safety of performers," said Michael Weinstein, president of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). "It’s only fair that adult film performers be afforded the same safeguards as other Californians in their workplaces."
In 2012, the foundation successfully backed a voter-approved measure in Los Angeles County to force the use of condoms in local porn productions. Porn producers fought that measure in U.S. District Court, arguing it went against their clients’ right to freedom of expression. But in December, a regional U.S. federal appeals court upheld the requirement.
The new proposal, if approved by voters next year, would mandate that state and municipal officials ensure condoms are used on pornographic film sets statewide.
