LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Adult movie producers agreed to shut down sets for weeks Thursday after two performers tested positive for the virus that causes AIDS.

At least 45 men and women were under voluntary quarantine because they had sex with the HIV-positive performers or their sex partners, said Sharon Mitchell of the nonprofit Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation.

The first performer to test positive, whom Mitchell declined to name, was "conscientious" about having HIV tests every three weeks, she said. On Friday he tested positive for HIV and a follow-up test on Monday confirmed it, Mitchell said.

Mitchell confirmed later Thursday that one of about a dozen women the performer had sex with in films also tested HIV-positive.

A list of quarantined performers was placed on the Web site of the foundation, which screens about 1,200 adult movie performers a month for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

As of Thursday about a dozen adult movie companies had agreed to follow a voluntary moratorium on production until June 8, said Tim Connelly, publisher of the industry news magazine AVN.

Although the quarantine is voluntary, the performers involved won't be working for at least two months, until new tests clear them, Connelly said. It would be "absolutely insane" for companies to hire them earlier, he said.

Dr. Jonathan Fielding, director of public health and health officer for Los Angeles County, said the agency did not consider the HIV case a threat to public health "at this point."

"I think in general, they've done an appropriate job in terms of the quarantine measures taken," he said.

However, the discovery shows that screening programs are not perfect and the only way to prevent AIDS "is not to have unprotected sex."

Mary Carey, an adult movie star who ran for governor of California last fall, said she had not worked with the HIV-infected actor or his co-stars. However, as a precaution she was canceling a lesbian porn shoot even though she did not consider it risky.

"It's very scary," she said. "This is kind of a wake-up call for everybody."

It was unclear how much impact the work stoppage would have on the $4 billion to $13 billion-a-year industry, which is centered in the San Fernando Valley. Some companies have as much as a year's worth of movies ready, said Jill Kelly, a former adult performer turned producer.

Some of the largest players declined to take part in the moratorium, arguing that they already have safety measures in place. Vivid Entertainment Group of Van Nuys said it requires condom use and negative HIV tests within 30 days of the start of production.

The last industry HIV scare was in 1999, when a male performer tested positive for the disease. He no longer performs and no other performers were infected.

Before that, a male performer infected five women in 1998.

Definately not a good time to be a Porn star

Damn, was his name supposed to be a secret? I heard about him on the radio yesterday. He wasn't anyone I had heard of.

Watch out Jenna! Don't let that pretty pussy become infected!

His name is Darren James, and one of the infected was Lara Roxx...

I read that earlier.

Someone post a pic...I can't try to look her up at work.

Guess we'll be hearing more from our favorite orgers!

Anything that shuts that shit down is good. If y'all know what I mean.

That wasn't how my friend John was infected, but... knock on wood, he's still healthy with meds. The worst thing I know is to see the hurt in his eyes when people flinch when he accidentally touches somebody, and he automatically shies away when I touch him. We cuddle a lot when we hang out, because if I can just make him feel better for a little while, I know he's in a better place.

I remember a while back in this place, maybe in the Politics&religion forum, where it was discussed where the virus came from, whether it was developed by humans. If it was, then...then... if those mofos are/were alive that did it, guess what they'd get from me, as a little present...yep, that's it.

CarrieLee said:

I'm not gonna act like I never watch the stuff or anything but when you think about it as a way to make a living & the sheer # of dicks & fluids one has to endure to have a career in it... It truly is disgusting. Maybe all this shit will make people slow their roll for 5 minutes...

CalhounSq said:

Even though I watch them once in awhile.I have to agree it is some scanless shit.

crazyhorse said:

Yea, those bukakke muufuckas better watch out

CalhounSq said:

bukakke muufuckas

This might put a dent in my schedule.

Teacher said:

Don't tell me some people are still that ignorant about aids. Everybody should know by now how you can get infected and that doesn't involve touching or even kissing! Hearing this really pisses me off

spelling edit
[This message was edited Sun Apr 18 2:01:24 2004 by Whateva]

Teacher said:

'that shit' being porn or the virus?

I'm undecided on porn. On the one hand, I understand arguments that it breeds exploitation and nurtures a fixation on prurient sexual titilation for some people. On the other hand, I'd hope the vast majority of us can sift fantasy from real-life sex and gender issues. But maybe we should take up this discussion in P&R.

In any event, it's terrible that anyone gets infected with HIV. I hope they're well taken care of, and I hope that those remaining in the adult entertainment industry at least take this as a wake-up call to be more aware and responsible.

Lammastide said:

Right on, lammastide.

Whateva said:

MANY people are still this ignorant...it's sad but true

'Positive HIV tests shut down porn movies'

that's a damn shame...

why in straight porn they don't use condoms ?

gay porn has used it for YEARS.

dawntreader said:

Some do... depending on the studio... doesn't Vivid Video use them in ALL of their films?