A porn industry trade group said it has been falsely accused of obstructing a medical investigation by an AIDS advocacy organization after it was revealed an adult performer tested HIV-positive earlier this week.
Porn production companies voluntarily shutdown around Los Angeles on Monday after the trade group, Free Speech Coalition, disclosed a performer may have been infected with HIV during a production in Florida.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation, proponents of mandatory condom use in adult films, said Wednesday it was filing a health and safety complaint against the production company that hired the performer.
The complaints ask the Florida Department of Health and federal OSHA officials to investigate and ensure performers in the industry are protected from sexually transmitted infections.
Additionally, AHF president Michael Weinstein accused FSC of obstructing an investigation in Los Angeles County over the incident and demanded the group to provide "necessary information to health authorities."
But FSC fired back calling Weinstein's statements "false" and "appallingly irresponsible." It said it would consult with legal advisors to demand a retraction.
The group denied there was any investigation being conducted by Los Angeles County Public Health.
"It is impossible for FSC to obstruct an investigation that, evidently, does not exist," FSC said in a statement. FSC said it received no contact from LACPH, out-of-state health officials, or AHF.
“This is another prime example of AHF and its President Michael Weinstein’s outrageous grandstanding, which is completely false and baseless,” said FSC Executive Director Diane Duke. "AHF has a history of spreading misinformation in order to further their agenda to force government regulation of sexual behavior."
FSC said it does not have "authorized information" confirming that performers tested positive but after reports it received on Saturday, it was concerned enough to call a moratorium on production.
Several major companies agreed to halt filming including Hustler and Evil Angel.
FSC noted that the possible infection took place outside of California and there was nothing to suggest that Los Angele's productions have been affected.
The two organizations have been at odds over mandatory condom use in films.
Prior to the news of the infection, AIDS Healthcare Foundation announced that it would put a measure on the June 2012 ballot requiring performers to use condoms in adult films to let voters decide.
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