A three-judge US appeals panel has ruled that an order requiring actors in porn films to use condoms does not violate the industry’s constitutional rights of free expression.
In upholding the Los Angeles County Ordinance, the court rejected the claim by the adult entertainment industry that having actors use condoms would interfere with a film’s fantasy element, by subjecting viewers to real-world concerns like pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
The ordinance, adopted by LA County voters in 2012, was championed by the Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation aimed at reducing sexually transmitted diseases.
However, officials of the porn industry also say the industry’s own safety regulations, requiring actors be tested for sexual diseases every two to four weeks, were sufficient.