Source: Adult Industry News
By: Rich Moreland
Condom Talk with Tommy Pistol and Jenna J Ross by Rich Moreland. It’s now time for on-screen folks to find their political voice. Michael Weinstein’s campaign to create a statewide latex-dependent industry is right outside the door, allergic reactions be damned!
Among performers, opinions on condoms vary in intensity, but not in content.
My recent conversations with Tommy Piston and Jenna J Ross epitomize performer attitudes as they are at the moment.
Let’s start with Jenna.
Though she is concerned about the possible 2016 referendum, her preference is to avoid political discussions and politics in general.
“I believe that society’s view [about condoms] is not necessarily the correct one. I think people [performers] should be able to make their own choices for themselves.”
Jenna doesn’t like condoms for the reason many girls cite: they irritate membrane lining, particularly during lengthy shoots. Her solution is “A higher regiment of testing” along with an industry-wide push to “promote a more safe environment.”
Echoing what health professionals already know, Jenna mentions that condoms are only as safe as the person using them and knowing how can’t be assumed.
The implementation of mandatory condoms presents its own set of problems. The petite brunette believes monitoring “multiple sets a day” to ensure enforcement will adversely affect the ability of authorities to protect the public from crime. In truth, the issue is really about the most effective use of the taxpayers’ money. More practical, she believes, is this: “We can write into our paperwork [agreements] to shoot without a condom” so that each performer has a choice.
Finally, Jenna retreats to the constitutional argument of free expression, the issue that riles performers the most. “I don’t think it’s fair to tell me what I can and can’t do with my own body.”
Tommy Pistol’s expresses concern that borders on resignation. If the condom law is enacted, porn’s flight from California is likely, he believes.
But the ball is still in the public’s court. It’s not too late.
“We need people [the taxpayers and voters] to step away and realize we [the industry] do everything we can to be responsible,” Tommy says.
However, he adds, the message from the AIDS Health Foundation is just the opposite. “We’re going to think for you. How can you possibly know what you want… let us make that decision.”
Where does this lead? The native New Yorker’s reply is point blank. “People start making rights for you and then you have no say. It’s scary!”
Of course, STDs can always slip through the industry’s testing regiment because, Tommy admits, “You can’t stop whatever someone is going to do off-set.” The after-hours risk taken by those who escort or have impromptu sex with untested civilians is a common complaint among performers. But there’s little anyone can do except hope they take precautions.
When pressed to predict the future, Tommy believes an out-of-California migration will be devastating for the state due to the loss of jobs and income. It’s going to be stressful on families who depend on adult film for their livelihood.
Anticipating the battle ahead, Tommy praises APAC for “speaking up, it’s the best thing we can do.” Signing petitions that declare, “‘We’re responsible, we don’t want this,’ is at least a start,” he says.
A politically reluctant Jenna J Ross and a pragmatic Tommy Pistol illustrate where many in the industry currently stand. But attitudes must move forward with more determination and speed because condoms in adult film is a no brainer for many voters.
