Quote:
Originally Posted by dyna mo
(Post 17600621)
what does the fsc have to do with such matters?
not to mention that quote from them provides zero to the story.
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The Free Speech Coalition?s mission is to, ?Lead, protect and support the growth and wellbeing of the adult entertainment community.? As the trade association for the adult entertainment industry we do this by, being the legislative watchdog for the industry; lobbying; public education and communication; member education and communication; collective bargaining, and as a last resort, litigation.
FSC has been working on the subject of workplace safety for over two years. In January of 2009 FSC provided to its members FSC?s Health and Safety Manual, an overview of OSHA regulations for companies in the adult entertainment industry. Throughout the year, FSC has worked with industry attorneys, producers, performers, workplace safety specialists, and physicians to develop a bloodborne pathogens plan for production studios.
A number of complaints have been filed with CalOSHA against adult producers. Ironically the vast majority of these complaints come from an outside political entity, NOT performers. This entity--AHF (AIDS Healthcare Foundation)--has a track record of targeting industries with complaints and lawsuits until they finally settle. AHF?s biggest donor is Abbot, a pharmaceutical company that AHF sued for raising their drug prices. AHF settled; Abbot never dropped their prices, but they now donate $350,000 to AHF annually. Among their other revenues, AHF brings in over $89 million a year through their pharmacy. AHF has set their sights on the Adult industry and is using CalOSHA as their weapon, proposing onerous regulations with which even the MOST safe-sex focused studios in our industry would not be able to comply.
FSC is working with a number of producers, attorneys who specialize in workplace safety, physicians, AIM, and other clinics to develop industry appropriate regulations for CalOSHA. We have hired an attorney/lobbyist who specializes in creating and changing CalOSHA industry regulations. We have held meetings for producers in San Francisco and Los Angeles regarding CalOSHA and bloodborne pathogen issues. We have presented at the CalOSHA Standards Board meeting and CalOSHA?s Adult Film Industry subcommittee meeting. BTW, some of the AVN reporters were at those meetings--probably why they called me.
At this time, it is impossible to know if the patient acquired the HIV virus from private conduct or on-camera activity. Upon completion of testing that cohort, in about ten days or two weeks, as well as highly sophisticated analyses of the genetic components of the infection, the nature of the exposure will be determined. It would not only be irresponsible for me to speculate on the case, but also any comment on the individual involved is a violation of his or her privacy and a violation of law. Of course the media will want something sensational but, all I could tell them was that we don?t have the facts yet.
To sum it up, when our industry is being attacked by an outside political interest, we will step in. We are the trade association and thus the watchdog for the adult entertainment industry. When FSC members need resources (e.g. workplace safety manuals and bloodborne pathogen plans), we do our best to provide them or at least bring the people together who can. As the trade association we provide resources and support to our members. Finally, when an entity that knows NOTHING about our industry attempts to come in and determine what is best for us through onerous regulation, we are going to do what we can to make sure that we are represented and heard, as your trade association we are a voice for the industry.
Why FSC? Because it?s our job.
On a side note, before coming to FSC I was Senior VP for a Planned Parenthood with numerous clinics, so I know a little bit about the subject. While I?m not a doctor, rest assured that I can hold my own with California bureaucrats.
