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5 Former Sex Stars To Advocate For Condom Use In Porn After Contracting HIV

LOS ANGELES   (CBSLA.com) — Five former performers who contracted HIV while working in the adult-film industry over the past decade will host a news conference Friday to propose a statewide ballot measure that will require condom use for adult films shot in California.

Several companies threatened to pull production out of California last year when similar legislation was proposed for the San Fernando Valley, the unofficial Hollywood of adult films and videos.

At the news event, the five former performers will also announce the formation and kickoff of For Adult Industry Responsibility, or FAIR, a formal campaign committee that will lead signature gathering for a ballot-initiative process. Advocates aim to have the measure on the November 2016 ballot.

"The adult-film industry exposed me to blood on set because they just wanted to finish a scene. I did everything the adult-film industry told me to do, and now I am HIV-positive," said Cameron Adams, who worked in porn as Cameron Bay.

Adams said she tested HIV-positive in August 2013.

"I contracted HIV in 2004, and I can tell you, even a decade later, the adult-film industry hasn't changed. Every month, we hear about a new exposure or infection in the industry," said Darren Edwards, who appeared in films as Darren James.

"The adult-film industry doesn't want performers using condoms. They make up ridiculous excuses. They say things like testing is more effective than a latex barrier. But testing isn't prevention. Condoms are prevention," said Joshua Rodgers, who worked in films as Rod Daily.

Rodgers said he tested positive in August 2013.

In addition to Adams, Edwards and Rodgers, the former performers include the actress Sofia Delgado and Derrick Burts, who appeared in straight porn as Cameron Reid and in gay porn as Derek Chambers.

The performers are working in tandem with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a group that provides outreach and medical services to 357,388 HIV and AIDS patients in more than 35 countries.

For more on AIDS Healthcare Foundation, click here.

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Porn Industry Challenged Condom Law Following Prop 8 Ruling

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