November 8, 2012 | Sex & Society

Condom law passes in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County voters have decided that porn companies must start using condoms in all their scenes. The measure, which was on the local ballot in Tuesday's election, passed with 55.9 percent support.

This means that producers of XXX material will now have to pay for a public health permit from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health; the fee will, in turn, help cover the cost of enforcement (which will include on-site inspections).

John Stagliano, who works under the name 'Buttman' and owns Evil Angel, doesn't expect the law to result in much change in how the industry currently operates. "The effect would be simply to have no scenes, or much, much fewer scenes shot in Los Angeles," he said.

"My general manager pointed out that it’s far more dangerous to play Little League baseball than it is to perform in porn without condoms. And it’s true," he added.

Of course, supporters of the mandate are overjoyed that the measure has passed, saying it will help protect workers in the industry from sexually transmitted diseases. 

“This is largest vote ever on the safer sex issue. We expect interest far beyond L.A.,” said Michael Weinstein, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the group that pushed for the measure. He promised that his group would be making sure the law is enforced by health officials.

Supporters of Condoms in Porn Plan Victory Party [NBC]

L.A. County Voters Approve Condom Mandate for Adult Films [The Advocate]