Voters in California will be heading to the polls on November 8 faced with a bill that would change the porn industry as we know it. On the surface, Prop 60 reads with good intentions to help reduce the spread of HIV and other STIs by requiring performers to use condoms during filming. Not a terrible idea for California — they are the leading producer of pornographic films. So why is it that Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian Party all agree that this is a bad idea?
For the most part, the 13-page bill is poorly written and opens the floodgates allowing any of the 38 million residents of California to file lawsuits directly against adult film performers, production crews, and even companies who distribute the films. The costs of these suits can cost the state millions. With the potential lawsuits from California’s Condom Cops, adult performers would be forced to disclose their private details including their legal names and home addresses. The most bizarre provision in Prop 60 is unlike any other we’ve seen before. If 60 passes and the state does not take on a case to defend it, Michael Weinstein–the author of Proposition 60 and president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation–would automatically be hired to come to the defense of Prop 60 in court. That’s a little self-serving, don’t you think?
There are good reasons why 55 political parties, countless organizations, and the entire porn industry are fearful of this proposition. Its passing will likely result in the industry going underground and putting the performers at even greater risk than they were before. Keeping performers safe is one thing we all want in the end, but is Proposition 60 the right way to go about it? We’ll find out on November 8.
