SHERMAN OAKS—The AIDS Healthcare Foundation has called on the City of Los Angeles and Film L.A. to halt distribution of film permits to the adult industry and temporarily suspend all porn production after a local adult industry performer tested positive for HIV. The L.A. City Council, however, has rejected the idea of placing a moratorium on film permits.

In a meeting that took place Friday, October 15, L.A. City Council  announced their reluctance to such a mandate, fearing massive lawsuits from porn companies. However, a voluntary industry quarantine has been in full force, and at least five adult film companies have stopped production, including Vivid Entertainment and Hustler Video.

In a press release, Michael Weinstein, the president of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, stated that the voluntary and partial suspension of production was “simply not enough in light of the seriousness of this latest HIV outbreak in the porn industry —certainly not, while it remains unknown just how far the infection may have spread.” Weinstein insists local government officials should “protect its citizens and minimize the damage that could be inflicted in the workplace and beyond.” If this occurred in any other industry he said, “you can be sure regulatory agencies would have stepped in by now, not leaving it up to the businesses themselves to decide if it is safe for their employees to work or not.”

The Los Angeles Times first reported that this was the first case to occur locally in over a year’s time. The infection was confirmed by the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation. The Sherman Oaks-based clinic said they would inform the Los Angeles County health officials, but so far have been accused of not handling the situation properly.

The name or any other personal information of the adult industry performer who has tested positive for HIV has not been disclosed for the time being.