Watch CBS News

Bay Area Porn Companies Continue Production Despite SoCal Syphilis Outbreak

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - Two Bay Area gay pornography production companies told CBS SF that they will continue to produce films this week despite calls from an industry group for a nationwide shutdown over reports of positive syphilis tests.

An adult film industry trade group known as the Free Speech Coalition has called for a moratorium on adult film production while performers are tested for the STD, which can be fatal if untreated. According to the Los Angeles Times, the move comes after Los Angeles County's Public Health Department launched an investigation into a series of possible syphilis cases within the industry.

In a statement released online, the Free Speech Coalition claims, "a person with an acute infection can be contagious and still test negative. We cannot rely on these tests alone to determine a performer's availability to work. This test only provides our doctors a baseline from which to base further testing or treatment options."

The statement continued, "Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has called a temporary moratorium on production and asks that all producers honor this moratorium."

CBS San Francisco contacted two local adult film production companies, Treasure Island Media and Spunk Video, to see if they planned to honor the moratorium.

"That's mostly on the straight side," a representative from Spunk Video said. Spunk Video produces exclusively gay adult films.

Mitch Mason of Treasure Island Media, another gay adult film production company noted their company is "not affected by it."

It is unclear when the moratorium might be lifted.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.