[The following is a series of email exchanges that encompass nearly two years of communication involving the upper management of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Cal-OSHA regulators, Shelley Lubben and her associates involved with the Pink Cross Foundation, and various other individuals, all involving the long-term efforts of AHF to impose mandatory condom usage in all porn shoots in the city of Los Angeles, as will as their attempt in the process to slander and ultimately destroy the AIM Medical Foundation. It shows quite clearly and starkly the true agenda of AHF in their attempt to essentially run porn production out of LA, as well as the seaminess and underlying direct collusion between AHF and Cal-OSHA (which all along has alleged itself to be non-partisan).
These email conversations also give, for the first time, revelations about the central role of AHF in recruiting people like Tim Trich (aka "Joe Blow"), Derrick Burts, and Darren James to the cause. They expose the fact that AHF paid for Burts' legal fees in order for him to avoid legal troubles for his many probation violations, and that they utilized, though held at arms length, Lubben and her Pink Cross Foundation, as a useful tool for their cause. In addition, this exchange reveals the fact that AHF was not immune to using as source material the original Donny Long-led Pornwikileaks (totally unrelated to the now existing The Real Pornwikileaks), as tools for recruiting potential performer testimonials..as the reference to the false claims of HIV infection involving former performer Mercedes Ashley show explicitly.
Another bit of startling revelation is the deep involvement of AHF in the case of Diane Grandmaison (more popularly known under her porn title of "Desi Foxx", and whom performed as a team with her daughter, "Elli Foxx") whom had publically sued AIM after privileged private medical information was published in a PWL-owned forum. Of course, the fact that at the time of the suit, Grandmaison and her daughter were also active sex workers employed at a Nevada brothel, even going so far as advertising themselves as a dual team there, too.
Finally, there is the complicity of the supposedly neutral LA news media, in the form of communication between the upper brass of AHF and reporters from the Los Angeles Times, which has openly endorsed the condom mandate editorially.
All in all, it makes for some fascinating and enlightening reading, and vividly reveals how a vendetta and a concentrated and forceful smear campaign can succeed
For privacy protection's sake, I have redacted and removed some email addresses and personal phone numbers.
The original data dump was released to the Pastebin.com site...it can be found here.]
———————————————————————————————————————-
RE: Tim Tritch
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 3:17 PM
To: [redacted]
Cc: Brian Chase
Dear Tim – We are interested in finding performers who would be willing to participate in filing a suit against AIM for violating their privacy. Do you know anyone? We would cover any legal costs.
________________________________________
From: tritchtm@ca.rr.com [Michael.Weinstein@aidshealth.org> wrote:
> Hi Tim – Brian Chase will prepare a simple contract. You can submit an invoice electronically next week for the first month’s fee. Thanks.
>
> ________________________________________
> From: [redacted]
> Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 2:53 PM
> To: Michael Weinstein
> Subject: Tim Tritch
>
> Hello Michael,
> I am looking forward to being a big part of what you are trying to accomplish. I was very pleased with what I heard in our short phone meeting today. I am anxious to “get moving” and I expect our meeting next week will be a postive, and informative first step.
> We need to, some time in the near future, put our agreement in writing. My schedule is very flexible, so any time that is convenient for you is fine with me. I know you are a busy person, so if you need some time before we finalize any agreement that is completely fine with me. Again, I’m looking forward to helping, and thank-you.
>
> FIGHT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT
>
> Sincerely,
> Tim Tritch
> (818)974-0587
******************
RE: Tritch Contract
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 6:19 PM
To: Brian Chase
The 15th is fine.
From: Brian Chase
Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 5:41 PM
To: Michael Weinstein
Subject: Tritch Contract
Hey Michael,I
I drafted up a contract for Tim Tritch. It’s based on our standard independent contractor agreement. Do you want to review the agreement before I send it to Tim?
Do you have any preference for payment terms? Do we want to make the first payment shortly after the contract is signed (which I am sure Tim would prefer) or do we want to make the first payment after he has started working with us? I have drafted the contract to specify payments on or about March 15, April 15 and May 15. Please let me know if you prefer a different schedule.
Brian Chase
Assistant General Counsel
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6255 W. Sunset Blvd., 21st Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 860-5223 (office)
(323) 208-1289 (cell)
(323) 467-8450 (fax)
www.aidshealth.org
**********************
RE: Stakeholders
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 4:15 PM
To: Shelley Lubben [email address redacted]
Hi Shelley – I don’t see any indication that OSHA agrees that we are not a stakeholder.
From: Shelley Lubben [redacted]
Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 4:05 PM
To: Michael Weinstein
Subject: RE: Stakeholders
Yes, trying to get pro-condom and pro-safe workplace people to support. I am bringing two more former porn actresses. I hope Darren James can come. Boy that’d be perfect.
I was thinking about stakeholders thing more and realize that the FSC first of all is defining who stakeholders are which who are they to do that?
Secondly, what about the neighborhoods where porn is made? I have most of the addresses of the homes where porn is made and aren’t they stakeholders as well?
And also, why would Cal Osha say you are not a stakeholder? I don’t understand that but am guessing it’s due to pressure from the adult industry and FSC.
I’m working on getting lots of physical support from as many as I can. Including current adult film workers who want safety in the workplace and condoms.
I’m not doing it publicly though but privately I’m gathering the troops whose voice will make a difference. The porn industry won’t be able to defend themselves whatsoever.
Shelley
Shelley Lubben
Executive Director, Pink Cross Foundation
www.shelleylubben.com
www.myspace.com/shelleylubben
www.thepinkcross.org
**********************
RE: Speakers & process for Cal OSHA hearing Thurs March 18th @ 10am
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 8:39 AM
To: Ged Kenslea
California Embarks on Setting Condoms in Porn Rules
From: Ged Kenslea
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 8:05 PM
To: Michael Weinstein; Jan Meza (Merritt); Shelley Lubben; Dave Pounder; Brian Chase; Whitney Engeran; sassyrh@ucla.edu; rkimfarley@ph.lacounty.gov; tritchtm@ca.rr.com; Jessie Gruttadauria
Cc: Eileen Garcia
Subject: Re: Speakers & process for Cal OSHA hearing Thurs March 18th @ 10am
All,
Attached and embedded below is a DRAFT of the media advisory for our appearance at Cal/OSHA at 10am on Thursday in Costa Mesa.
MW, please feel free to edit the headline.
Shelley & Jan: I have adapted quotes from your last appearance with us back in August when we filed the separate DVD complaints with Cal/OSHA–please feel free to edit these quotes as you may see fit.
Other speakers: I can easily incorporate a brief quote from you in the release if you wish–I would need a quote from you by LATE MORNING Wednesday at the latest.
We have tentatively set up to do a POST HEARING press teleconference at the nearby Hilton Hotel where some of our speakers are staying.
HOWEVER, If there is media–particularly television and radio–at the actual hearing itself, we may also do a PRESS CONFERENCE right on the steps of the City Hall complex immediately after the hearing.
Any other edits/corrections/suggestions please supply by early AM Wednesday.
Thanks,
Ged Kenslea
Communications Director
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6660 Santa Monica Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles CA 90038
[phone numbers and email addy redacted]
Cal/OSHA Meeting Will Explore Strengthening CA Adult Film Worker Safety Regulations
Former Adult Film Actors, Public Health Advocates to Testify at March 18th Cal/OSHA Standards Board Meeting in Costa Mesa; Board to Consider Creating Advisory Panel to Revisit Adult Film Worker Safety
In December, AHF Filed Petition Seeking Amendment to State’s “Bloodborne Pathogens” Regulation to Better Encompass Adult Film Industry, Expressly Requiring Condoms to Protect Performers
LOS ANGELES (March 17, 2010) California’s Department Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) will explore strengthening adult film worker safety regulations in California during its next regularly scheduled Standards Board meeting (http://www.dir.ca.gov/oshsb/agendaMarch2010.html <http://www.dir.ca.gov/oshsb/agendaMarch2010.html> Item # IV “B”) on Thursday, March 18th in Costa Mesa. The action comes in response to a petition filed in December by AIDS Healthcare Foundation <http://www.aidshealth.org> (AHF) President Michael Weinstein seeking an amendment to broaden the Cal/OSHA’s “bloodborne pathogens” workplace safety regulations to better encompass adult film industry worksites.
At Thursday’s meeting, state officials will consider Cal/OSHA’s own staff’s recommendation to create an advisory panel to determine whether–and how–to amend state health statutes to better protect adult film workers. Several former adult entertainment actresses, a current producer/director/performer as well as several public health advocates will testify at the meeting in support of Cal/OSHA’s creation of an advisory panel as well as ultimately changing state health regulations.
WHAT: PUBLIC HEARING & TESTIMONY–10am
Cal/OSHA to consider creating advisory panel on adult film worker safety
http://www.dir.ca.gov/oshsb/agendaMarch2010.html <http://www.dir.ca.gov/oshsb/agendaMarch2010.html> (Item # IV “B”)
WHEN: THURSDAY, March 18th 2010—10:00 AM Pacific
WHERE: Meeting: Costa Mesa City Council Chambers, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
WHO:
Shelley Lubben, former adult entertainment actress and founder of Pink Cross Foundation
Jan (Meza) Merritt, former adult entertainment actress and member of Pink Cross Foundation
Madelyne Hernandez, former adult entertainment actress and member of Pink Cross Foundation
Dave Pounder, Producer/Director/Performer, President, Dave Pounder Productions
Tim Tritch,
Robert Kim-Farley, MD, MPH, Director, Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Program, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Cristina Hart-Rodriguez, Chair, Adult Film Industry Subcommittee, Reproductive Health Interest Group, UCLA School of Public Health
Michael Weinstein, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, President
Brian Chase, Assistant General Counsel, AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Whitney Engeran-Cordova, Director, Public Health Division, AIDS Healthcare Foundation
CONTACT: Ged Kenslea, AHF Dir. of Communications (323) 791-5526 cell (323) 308-1833 office
Also:
WHAT: POST Cal/OSHA HEARING TELECONFERENCE – 12noon
Advocates respond after Cal/OSHA hearing on adult film health and safety
WHEN: THURSDAY, March 18th 2010—12:00 PM Pacific
Teleconference Dial in information: +1.877.411.9748 participant code #7931503
WHERE: Hilton Hotel Orange County/Costa Mesa, 3050 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Late last week, Cal/OSHA officials released its staff evaluation of AHF’s petition as well as a proposed decision that the Cal OSHA’s Standards Board is expected to evaluate and act on during Thursday’s meeting. In its proposed decision (http://www.dir.ca.gov/oshsb/petition513.html), Cal OSHA officials wrote:
”In light of the evaluations, it is apparent to the Board that serious consideration should be given to the possible amendment of Section 5193 in order to give greater protection to employees in the adult film industry.” (Emphasis added)
”This is a huge step in the right direction toward protecting the health and safety of adult film workers here in California, and I want to thank Cal OSHA officials for their work on this and urge its Standards Board members to vote in favor of convening an advisory panel on this issue,” said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “Although workers in adult films should enjoy protections under the current phrasing of Cal/OSHA’s regulations, the adult film industry has steadfastly refused to take any steps to protect its workers from diseases spread by bloodborne pathogens, resulting in thousands of employees becoming infected with sexually transmitted diseases. AHF filed this petition because adult film industry producers were unwilling or unable to comply with current Cal/OSHA regulations and to take steps necessary to protect performers by providing and enforcing the use of condoms during filming.”
”I was a porn star living the glamorous life. Drug overdoses, herpes, suicide attempts and abuse at the hands of the porn industry,” said Shelley Lubben, former porn actress and founder of the Pink Cross Foundation, an IRS approved 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to offering adult industry workers emotional, financial and transitional support for those who want out of the adult industry. “In my time in the industry, I did some very hardcore movies, and only drugs and alcohol could get me through them. I played a crazy game of Russian roulette with my life. The industry did not and still does NOT enforce condom usage, so STDs and HIV were–and still are–a high risk among porn actors and actresses. While my own life has taken an entirely new and profoundly fulfilling direction and I now work to help performers leave the industry altogether, I wholeheartedly support the call to amend Cal/OSHA regulations to better protect those still involved in the ongoing production of adult films in California.”
”It breaks my heart to acknowledge that during my time as a porn star, I’ve done a scene with 25 men and even though I was assured that all of the STD testing had been taken care of by the producers, in my heart I realize now that this was probably a lie because I never saw the tests for myself,” said Jan (Meza) Merritt, former porn actress and member of the Pink Cross Foundation. “There are thousands of porn stars actively working in the adult industry. How much higher is the risk of getting HIV and other STDs in an industry where you have not only one sexual partner per day, but several or more and condoms are looked at as an unnecessary, negative component of this industry? I urge Cal/OSHA to convene an advisory panel to thoroughly consider amending California safety and health regulations covering the industry.”
Background on AHF’s Petition to Cal/OSHA
AHF filed its petition at the final 2009 meeting of the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Cal/OSHA) in mid-December in Sacramento. The petition sought an amendment to California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 5193 “Bloodborne Pathogens” <http://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/5193.html> and asked Cal/OSHA to clarify protections for workers in the adult film industry and to explicitly include a condom requirement. As reported by the Associated Press at the time, (“AIDS group wants rule requiring condoms in porn” AP, 12/16/09) AHF said, “regulations to prevent the spread of bloodborne diseases in hospitals should extend to adult film sets. The current regulations aren’t clear enough.”
Cal OSHA’s proposed decision on AHF’s petition to amend the state health and safety code to protect adult film workers will also be on the agenda of the next OSHA Standards Board meeting that will be held Thursday March 18th in Costa Mesa. (Costa Mesa City Council Chambers, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 — 10:00 a.m.)
Cal OSHA’s proposed decision also noted:
”In view of the fact that the Petitioner does not represent all stakeholders and in view of the complexity of the issues, the possibly differing approaches to potential rulemaking and possible issues regarding federal equivalence, the Board concludes that an advisory committee would be of great benefit in determining the manner (if any) in which Section 5193 should be amended. Labor Code Section 147.1(c) provides, in effect, that the Division is to take the lead in developing and presenting proposed health standards to the Board, in which case, it is appropriate that the Division take the lead with respect to the advisory committee discussed herein.” (Emphasis added)
”In view of the foregoing, the Board grants the Petition that is the subject of Petition File No. 513 to the extent that the Division is requested to convene an advisory committee representing stakeholders in order to consider possible amendments of California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 5193 as it pertains to employees in the adult film industry. If determined necessary, regulatory language or amendments should be developed for the Board’s consideration at a future public hearing.”
Background on STDs–including HIV–in the Adult film Industry and AHF’s Ongoing Advocacy
AHF’s action was prompted by the ongoing epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in California’s adult film industry. According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH), workers in the adult film industry are ten times more likely to be infected with a sexually transmitted disease than members of the population at large. LADPH documented 2,013 individual cases of chlamydia and 965 cases of gonorrhea among workers between the years 2003 and 2007. LADPH has observed that many workers suffer multiple infections, with some performers having four or more separate infections over the course of a year. In addition, LADPH has stated that as many as 25 industry-related cases of HIV have been reported since 2004. Included in the presentation will be two PowerPoint slideshows created by Peter R. Kerndt, MD, MPH, Director, Sexually Transmitted Disease Program for LADPH detailing the rampant epidemic of STDs in Los Angeles’ adult film industry and the need for condoms to prevent disease transmission.
This past August, AHF filed sixteen worker-safety complaints with Cal/OSHA over the lack of condom use in adult films made in California. AHF supported its complaints with the submission of nearly 60 adult DVDs filmed in California and in which the performers do not wear condoms. The complaints asserted that the films demonstrated unsafe–potentially life-threatening–behavior in a California workplace, as the sexual acts filmed without participating performers using condoms depict the unprotected exchange of bodily fluids.
The full text of AHF’s initial December petition to Cal/OSHA can be viewed here <http://www.aidshealth.org/assets/pdf/petition_to_occupational_safety_and_health_standards_board.pdf> .
# # #
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the largest global AIDS organization. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to more than 130,000 individuals in 22 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and the Asia Pacific Region. www.aidshealth.org <http://www.aidshealth.org>
The Pink Cross Foundation is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to offering adult industry workers emotional, financial and transitional support for those who want out of the adult industry. www.shelleylubben.com <http://www.shelleylubben.com>
From: Ged Kenslea [redacted]
Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:36:42 -0700
To: Michael Weinstein, “Jan Meza (Merritt)” , Shelley Lubben , Dave Pounder , Brian Chase , Whitney Engeran-Cordova [all email addies redacted]
Subject: Speakers & process for Cal OSHA hearing Thurs March 18th @ 10am
All,
Here is a list (as of today) of our likely speakers (8 and counting) for the Cal/OSHA Standards Board meeting this Thursday March 18th at 10am in Costa Mesa.
I don’t know if Tim Tritch will also be speaking. If so, I’d need some background info on him (and an email address).
WHO:
Shelley Lubben, former adult entertainment actress and founder of Pink Cross Foundation
Jan (Meza) Merritt, former adult entertainment actress and member of Pink Cross Foundation
Madelyne Hernandez, former adult entertainment actress and member of Pink Cross Foundation
Dave Pounder, Producer/Director/Performer, President, Dave Pounder Productions
Tim Tritch, (?)
Michael Weinstein, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, President
Brian Chase, Assistant General Counsel, AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Whitney Engeran-Cordova, Director, Public Health Division, AIDS Healthcare Foundation
We had discussed possibly having an AHF medical sort available also to testify, if necessary, to counter a Sharon Mitchell white lab coat appearance, but I don’t know where we left that issue.
We will also likely do some press BEFORE and AFTER the hearing; soft, before (a media availability versus a full on press conference) so as to not antagonize the OSHA folks.
Afterward, a possible press teleconference from the nearby Hilton Hotel (approx. 2 miles away).
WHAT: PUBLIC HEARING & TESTIMONY–10am
Cal/OSHA to consider convening advisory panel on adult film worker safety
WHEN: THURSDAY, March 18th 2010—10:00 AM Pacific
WHERE: Costa Mesa City Council Chambers
77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
WHAT: POST HEARING TELECONFERENCE–1pm
Advocates respond after Cal/OSHA hearing
Teleconference Dial in information: +1.877.411.9748 participant code #7931503
WHEN: THURSDAY, March 18th 2010—1:00 PM Pacific
I should have the DRAFT media advisory for this event for you all to review by end of day Tuesday.
Also, Brian Chase contacted Cal OSHA officials re: speaker sign up, and this is what he reported:
I spoke with Cal/OSHA today.
They would appreciate it if we could give them an approximate count of our witnesses beforehand. They do not have any fixed sign-in process. They adjust the process depending on how many people show up. The chair will probably ask for a show of hands to see how many people are there to speak. If there are more than a dozen or so, he will probably instruct speakers to sign in.
They are asking that comments be restricted to worker safety, which should be good for us, because they may shut down FSC speakers who talk about things like the industry leaving CA or the threat that the industry will “go underground”.
Thanks,
Ged Kenslea
Communications Director
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6660 Santa Monica Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles CA 90038
+1.323.308.1833 work
+1.323.791.5526 mobile
gedk@aidshealth.org
*******************************
RE: Condoms in Porn: media coverage
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2010 12:24 PM
To: Agapito Diaz
Cc: Judith Marsh;
…and proud of it.
From: Agapito Diaz
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2010 12:11 PM
To: Michael Weinstein
Cc: Judith Marsh;
Subject: FW: Condoms in Porn: media coverage
Michael,
Like Joey, I heard the story on KCRW. I applaud you and staff, I know you have been working on this issue for a while. However, I can’t resist thinking that you are earning your West Hollywood name, “Condom Nazi”! Agapito
From: Joseph Terrill [email addy redacted] Sent: Friday, March 19, 2010 9:08 AM To: Ged Kenslea; SeniorManagers; BoardOfDirectors Cc: Lori Yeghiayan; Christina McEwen; Whitney Engeran; Brian Chase; Laura Boudreau; Timothy Boyd; Jessie Gruttadauria; Eileen Garcia; Miki Jackson; Terri Ford; Richard Conard Subject: RE: Condoms in Porn: Some of today’s media coverage of Cal/OSHA decision in favor of AHF’s petition to consider changing safety & health regs
FYI- As I was driving from LAX having just returned from three days of advocacy regarding saving ADAP and HIV prevention dollars in South Carolina , I turned on the car radio and the very first news item on KCRW I heard was about the unanimous vote to form an advisory panel and the role AHF had played.
It was a great “welcome back”.
Joey Terrill Domestic Testing Manager AIDS Healthcare Foundation Office (213) 405-5831 Mobile (213) 453-3630
From: Ged Kenslea
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 7:04 PM
To: SeniorManagers; BoardOfDirectors
Cc: Lori Yeghiayan; Christina McEwen; Whitney Engeran; Brian Chase; Laura Boudreau; Timothy Boyd; Jessie Gruttadauria; Eileen Garcia; Miki Jackson; Joseph Terrill; Terri Ford; Richard Conard
Subject: Condoms in Porn: Some of today’s media coverage of Cal/OSHA decision in favor of AHF’s petition to consider changing safety & health regs
All,
As many of you may already know, the Cal/OSHA (California Division of Occupational Safety & Health) Standards Board voted unanimously (6 to 0) earlier today to form an advisory panel to evaluate whether–or how–to amend state health and safety code to better protect adult film performers working on film sets in California.
AHF President Michael Weinstein was the primary catalyst for this action. In mid-December, he’d filed a petition with Cal/OSHA asking that state heath regs be amended to better cover workers in the adult film industry.
Today’s Cal/OSHA hearing took place in Costa Mesa during a regularly scheduled Standards Board meeting.
Embedded and linked below is a a sample of some of the press coverage that have been generated so far from this effort. And ruling.
At present, there are more than 300 news hits on Google on this issue including stories from the Los Angeles Times, AP, The Guardian, Times Online (UK) and Associated Press (AP has both a short brief and a longer article being syndicated).
In addition, cameras and reporters from KABC-TV7 (ABC), KTTV-TV11 (FOX), and radio stations KFI-AM (Heather Scott); KFWB-FM (Ron Kilgore) attended the hearing and will be filing stories. Two local NPR stations–KPCC and KCRW–have also been reporting on the outcome all afternoon.
Thanks,
Ged Kenslea
Communications Director
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
**********************
RE: Tim Tritch
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 5:58 PM
To: [Tim Trich; email addy redacted]
Hi Tim – I am travelling for the next few days so please brief Brian. Thanks.
________________________________________
From:[Tim Trich's email addy redacted]
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 2:44 PM
To: Michael Weinstein
Subject: Tim Tritch
Hello Michael,
I’ve had a few converstions this week with several industry people. I’ve also been called everything, ‘Judas’, ‘backstabber” etc. All this does is let me know that I am doing the right thing. Will we be able to get together sometime next week? I’d like to talk with you about a few of the things I’ve been hearing.
And congradulations on the success at last weeks hearing.
Sincerely,
Tim Tritch
(818)874-0587
********************
RE: Porn Actress in Florida
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Friday, April 16, 2010 2:45 PM
To: Brian Chase
Agreed.
From: Brian Chase
Sent: Friday, April 16, 2010 2:16 PM
To: Michael Weinstein
Subject: RE: Porn Actress in Florida
I don’t think it would confuse our press strategy to go after both AIM and porn companies. I think it would have the opposite effect. If we make the suit it all about AIM, they can try to portray themselves as the little nonprofit clinic that’s just trying to keep the girls healthy. We know that’s a lie, but it is difficult to rebut in a sound byte.
If we go after JM Productions at the same time we attack AIM, we link AIM to JM Productions. Suddenly they aren’t just an innocent clinic serving sex workers - they are scum who are enabling the horrible abuse of women - we can frame the issue and ramp up the ick factor exponentially.
JM produces series like “American Gokkun” where women swallow ejaculate from hundreds of men, and “DP Virgins” where each actress has unprotected anal and vaginal double penetration. They also produce a series called “gag factor” where women sometimes vomit because they can’t breathe while giving oral sex. They have a series featuring women being anally penetrated bareback while the man shoves the woman’s head in a toilet. Let AIM try to defend that.
Check this out this quote from JM Productions’ website:
Watch as faces turn blue from a lack of oxygen in this throat fucking masterpiece. Each whore is brutally throatfucked for your viewing pleasure. Every cock is forced down virgin throats balls deep, and ever cum shot must be swallowed
If we just sue AIM, then it’s all about privacy rights and medical records (yawn). If we go for both, we show that AIM is just another cog in the machine that brutally abuses these girls without any regard to their emotional or physical well-being.
Plus the owner of JM Productions is a lunatic. He fought off an obscenity prosecution a few years back and he loves to shoot off his mouth. When the press goes for the industry’s side of the story, they will probably get some great soundbytes from this guy - which will cut into any efforts AIM makes to defend itself in the press. Sharon Mitchell will have some well-crafted soundbytes from the FSC, but the folks at JM Productions will just say whatever they want, which could be great for us.
Brian Chase
Assistant General Counsel
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6255 W. Sunset Blvd., 21st Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 860-5223 (office)
(323) 208-1289 (cell)
(323) 467-8450 (fax)
www.aidshealth.org
From: Michael Weinstein Sent: Friday, April 16, 2010 12:10 PM To: Brian Chase Subject: RE: Porn Actress in Florida
Press-wise would it be confusing to sue both AIM and the employer at the same time?
From: Brian Chase
Sent: Friday, April 16, 2010 10:44 AM
To: Michael Weinstein
Subject: Porn Actress in Florida
Hey Michael,
Dee Grandmaison is the former adult film actress who now works with the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking. She is the one who is willing to be a plaintiff against AIM.
We may also be able to help Dee sue her former employer directly. The California Private Attorney General law gives employees pretty broad power to sue for breached labor laws - and under some circumstances it allows a single employee to sue on behalf of other employees to recover huge fines (most of which end up being paid to the state). Dee worked for JM Productions, which is a prolific studio that churns out very unsafe gonzo porn. The owner is a real scumbag and he is very outspoken. He would make a great villain. If we can go after JM we could highlight a very unsafe workplace, and possibly get some $$$ for the bankrupt state government.
Dee and her daughter worked with some of the talent agents we complained against yesterday. We might want to have them file complaints as well.
Can we fly Dee out here, or can I fly to Florida to visit her? I think we need to have a face-to-face meeting in the near future.
Brian
Brian Chase
Assistant General Counsel
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6255 W. Sunset Blvd., 21st Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 860-5223 (office)
(323) 208-1289 (cell)
(323) 467-8450 (fax)
www.aidshealth.org
************************
RE: Tim Tritch
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2010 8:34 PM
To: Brian Chase
Good. Thanks.
________________________________________
From: Brian Chase
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2010 8:14 PM
To: Michael Weinstein
Subject: Re: Tim Tritch
We canceled his contract because he couldn’t produce the introductions he said he could.
Brian Chase
Assistant General Counsel
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6255 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323-860-5223
—–Original Message—–
From: Michael Weinstein <Michael.Weinstein@aidshealth.org>
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2010 19:32:06
To: Brian Chase<Brian.Chase@aidshealth.org>
Subject: FW: Tim Tritch
Hi Brian – What is Tim’s status with us?
________________________________________
From: tritchtm@ca.rr.com [Michael.Weinstein@aidshealth.org> wrote:
> Hi Tim – I would like to get a proposal from you before we meet again. Thanks.
>
>________________________________________
> From: tritchtm@ca.rr.com [booking@shelleylubben.com; kbland@hinessmith.com; sassyrh@ucla.edu; Brian Chase; tritchtm@ca.rr.com; jsteinberg@ph.lacounty.gov; dcbleak@gmail.com; ronhattis@beyondaids.org; bjohnson@xbiz.com; Kthompson@Cal-Osha.com; wholt@csatf.org; pcambria@lglaw.com; molly.hennessy-fiske@latimes.com; davepounder@gmail.com; brain.chase@aidshealth.org; pkerndt@ph.lacounty.gov; rkimfarley@ph.lacounty.gov; jsteinberg@ph.lacounty.gov; Whitney Engeran; darrenlsv@aol.com; sl@shelleylubben.com; januaryisback@yahoo.com; Michael Weinstein; jrr@lakeviewpro.com; madelyneh1980@yahoo.com; lila@xbiz.com; Frank.Strona@sfdph.org; dktynan@comcast.net; Mitchell, Tom@DIR; cclark@pointlomalaw.com; classyhaynes@gmail.com; Dan.Wohlfeiler@cdph.ca.gov; johndsmith@imapmail.org; mistressmax@mindspring.com
Cc: Riley, Peter@DIR; Murphy, Gene@DIR; Martin, Amy@DIR; Tran, Tuyet-Van T.@DIR; Woods, Kathryn@DIR; Chasarik, Krisann@DIR; Fryer, Dean@DIR; Monterroza, Erika@DIR
Subject: Cal/OSHA Advisory Meeting — Bloodborne Pathogens in the Adult Film Industry — June 29, Los Angeles
Thank you for your interest in the advisory meeting on Bloodborne Pathogens in the Adult Film Industry. The meeting will be held on June 29, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Cal/Trans Building in Los Angeles, 100 S. Main St. Room 1.040A. The attached preliminary agenda contains information regarding accessibility and disability accommodations.
There is now a webpage for this advisory process, which is at: http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/DoshReg/5193Meetings.htm. It contains a link to Petition 513 to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, which initiated this process. This page will be updated periodically, and will contain minutes from the meeting and summaries of other comments received, as well as any draft rulemaking language. You can find the current bloodborne pathogens standard at: http://www.dir.ca.gov/Title8/5193.html. Copies of any comments that are received prior to June 22 will be made available at the advisory meeting.
We are still in a pre-rulemaking advisory mode. There is no official rulemaking proposal that has been noticed.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me at (510)286-7006, or respond to this e-mail. Thanks again for your participation.
Deborah
<<preliminary agenda for 6-29-10 advisory meeting.doc>>
Deborah Gold
Senior Safety Engineer
Research and Standards Health Unit
Cal/OSHA
(510)286-7006
**********************
RE: LA Times: ” Clinic used by porn actors is subject of federal probe” also, other news articles
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Friday, June 18, 2010 9:55 PM
To: Whitney Engeran-Cordova [Cc: Timothy Boyd; Lori Yeghiayan; Jessie Gruttadauria; Joseph Terrill; Tom Myers; Jessica Reinhart; Jason Farmer; Richard Conard; Brian Chase; Terri Ford; Adela Ramirez; Laura Boudreau; Adam Ouderkirk; Eileen Garcia; Patricia Campos; Driscoll James [email addy redacted] Jorge Saavedra; Michael Kahane; Denys Nazarov; [email addy redacted] Corina Pop
Fantastic coverage.
From: Whitney Engeran-Cordova [ Cc: Timothy Boyd; Lori Yeghiayan; Jessie Gruttadauria; Joseph Terrill; Tom Myers; Jessica Reinhart; Jason Farmer; Richard Conard; Brian Chase; Terri Ford; Adela Ramirez; Laura Boudreau; Adam Ouderkirk; Eileen Garcia; Michael Weinstein; Patricia Campos; Driscoll James; Jorge Saavedra; Michael Kahane; Denys Nazarov; [email addy redacted] Corina Pop
Subject: Re: LA Times: ” Clinic used by porn actors is subject of federal probe” also, other news articles
the Xbiz piece is a hoot!
Whitney Engeran-Cordova
Director
Public Health Division
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
1300 Scott Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Phone (213) 405-5822
Cell (562) 682-1075
Fax (213) 405-5880
On Jun 18, 2010, at 6:27 PM, Ged Kenslea wrote:
All,
Here is some of the news coverage of the federal probe of AIM for alleged breaches of patient confidentiality. AHF prompted this probe with its complaint to state and federal health officials earlier this year.
Outlets:
• LA Times
• LA Weekly
• Associated Press (SF Chronicle)
• XBIZ.com
I also gave a phone interview to KNX Radio, talked about this and the AMA vote earlier this week to support legislation requiring condom use in the industry.
Will continue to monitor for other stories & interview requests over the weekend.
Ged Kenslea
Communications Director
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6660 Santa Monica Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles CA 90038
+1.323.308.1833 work
+1.323.791.5526 mobile
gedk@aidshealth.org
http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/health/porn-healthcare-investigation/
*******************
RE: XXX domain names…
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 1:17 PM
To: Ged Kenslea; Richard Conard
www.safer sex.xxx
From: Ged Kenslea
Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 9:55 AM
To: Michael Weinstein; Richard Conard
Subject: XXX domain names…
Might we want to register any “xxx” domain names–either pro-actively for our campaign or to block squatting on some of our own urls?
It looks like 6-9 months before launch, but already 250K names are registered.
Ged Kenslea
Communications Director
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6660 Santa Monica Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles CA 90038
+1.323.308.1833 work
+1.323.791.5526 mobile
gedk@aidshealth.org
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/26/technology/26domain.html?src=busln
********************
RE: Grandmason Per Diem
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2010 10:24 AM
To: Brian Chase
Cc: Mimi Mihaylov
This is approved
From: Brian Chase
Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2010 9:57 AM
To: Michael Weinstein
Subject: Grandmason Per Diem
Hey Michael,
I just needed an e-mail from you confirming that we would like to pay Diana Grandmason a $50 per diem for her last trip out here.
Thanks,
Brian
Brian Chase
Assistant General Counsel
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6255 W. Sunset Blvd., 21st Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 860-5223 (office)
(323) 208-1289 (cell)
(323) 467-8450 (fax)
www.aidshealth.org
********************
RE: AIM Case
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 4:55 PM
To: Brian Chase
Thanks for the update.
From: Brian Chase
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 4:36 PM
To: Michael Weinstein
Subject: AIM Case
They found a lawyer who put in an appearance at the last minute, which derailed the default. Under the ethical rules, once a lawyer shows up, you can’t default them without giving notice to the lawyer and setting up a hearing.
I talked to Dee and Bess about it over the weekend and they agreed to give them a 30 day extension to reply, which is pretty standard. We could have gone for a shorter time, but I’m pretty sure the judge would just give them the 30 days, and I didn’t want to provoke a hearing on a minor issue this early in the process.
The good news is that the lawyer they found is a Cal/OSHA specialist, who doesn’t appear to be much of an expert on privacy claims or unfair trade and business practices. She is probably somebody the FSC is consulting with on Cal/OSHA issues who agreed to jump in at the last minute.
Brian Chase
Assistant General Counsel
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6255 W. Sunset Blvd., 21st Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 860-5223 (office)
(323) 208-1289 (cell)
(323) 467-8450 (fax)
www.aidshealth.org
************************************
RE: October 25 meeting in Oakland
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Monday, October 11, 2010 5:42 PM
To: Brian Chase
I was not planning on attending. Why couldn’t Laura Boudreau go to the scheduling conference for you?
From: Brian Chase
Sent: Monday, October 11, 2010 5:27 PM
To: Michael Weinstein
Subject: FW: October 25 meeting in Oakland
Michael,
The judge in the Grandmason v. AIM case set a scheduling conference for 8:30 a.m. on the morning of the 25th,, which conflicts with the morning session of the Cal/OSHA meeting I will fly up to Oakland immediately afterward (the conference shouldn’t last all that long). I should be in Oakland at least in time for the after-lunch session.
But since something unforeseen might happen and you will be up there, do you want to handle AHF’s presentation? I am 99% sure I will be there in time, but it might be better to be safe.
Just let me know.
Brian
Brian Chase
Assistant General Counsel
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6255 W. Sunset Blvd., 21st Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 860-5223 (office)
(323) 208-1289 (cell)
(323) 467-8450 (fax)
www.aidshealth.org
From: Gold, Deborah@DIR [whitney.engeran@aidshealth.org [whitney.engeran@aidshealth.org
they did not appreciate our involvement today……. Its really complicated……
Check out this article:
FSC Comments on Cal/OSHA Advisory Meeting in Oakland
*********************************************
*This article can also be accessed if you copy and paste the entire address below into your web browser:
http://www.xbiz.com/news/126711
*********************************************
RE: Another front in the war?
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2010 4:19 PM
To: Whitney Engeran
I think it is a sideline at this point.
From: Whitney Engeran
Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2010 11:46 AM
To: Michael Weinstein; Brian Chase; Miki Jackson; Timothy Boyd; Jessie Gruttadauria; Tom Myers; Terri Ford; Joseph Terrill
Subject: Another front in the war?
Treasure Island Media was at the hearing on Monday. This was on Xbiz. I checked out their site and frankly these folks are way out on the edge. They had a gang bang (unprotected) as a fundraiser and for each person who had sex with the same guy they would donate a dollar to charity. They have come out with this (see below) and on looking at their content and site…..wow. Perhaps there is another front to be opened here….in the conversation about condoms. This really falls more on the HIV side of the conversation and could light a big fire in the gay community….but that may be what we want given that this kind of behavior is more and more common and barebacking is becoming so much more of a factor in the content produced domestically.
Look at tresureislandmedia.com or timfuck.com
Just a thought for today’s conversation.
Whitney
SAN FRANCISCO — Treasure Island Media has signed exclusive contracts with performers Brad McGuire and James Roscoe, extending their exclusive relationship with the company.
The company said the two are a real-life, long-term, promiscuous, bareback couple. Roscoe is HIV positive while McGuire is HIV negative.
Studio owner Paul Morris flew to Chicago earlier this week to personally sign Roscoe and McGuire to represent T.I.M.
“As a community we have a moral and social imperative to demolish the HIV-positive closet,” Morris said.
“We are adults and we are participating in a tremendously vital and important sexual culture that is under attack. We know exactly what we’re doing and we will not allow reactionary individuals and organizations to dictate our behavior. James and Brad are fitting role models for young gay men. They are living their lives with honesty and integrity. I couldn’t be more proud to have them in the T.I.M. family.”
FSC’s Executive Director Diane Duke told XBIZ that such conduct is at the center of the efforts to find appropriate regulations for the adult industry by both Cal/OSHA and the FSC.
“Despite our opposition to a state-imposed mandate for the universal use of condoms, FSC does not endorse the exploitation of potential HIV infection of performers for promotional purposes.”
T.I.M. said it’s currently shooting work that features HIV positive men. The company said that the first of these HIV positive-only bareback titles is slated for general release next spring.
In celebration of the Roscoe and McGuire resigning, the company has released a never-before-seen bareback sex session featuring the two men together.
The scene is currently streaming for free on the studio’s premier site TimFuck.com.
*******************
RE: Info for Monday morning interview on The Current – CBC radio
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2010 11:57 AM
To: JENNIFER MOROZ
Hi Jennifer – I will wait for the call Monday morning. Thanks.
From: JENNIFER MOROZ
Sent: Friday, November 26, 2010 2:20 PM
To: Michael Weinstein
Subject: Info for Monday morning interview on The Current – CBC radio
Hi Michael,
I wasn’t able to secure a studio for Monday morning, so we’re going to go ahead and do the interview via your landline.
Our studio will call you at about 5:20 am your time in LA to check the connection, then the segment will start at 5:30 am. Diane Duke is up first, then we’ll interview you, and then we may go back to Diane to get a quick reaction. You’ll be done by 6 am.
Our host, Anna Maria Tremonti, will be the one interviewing you.
Just so you know, there is a SMALL chance – if there’s breaking news over the weekend – that we may have to bump this segment a little bit …. and tape it at 6:15 am your time on Monday. If that is the case, our Sunday producer, Kevin Robertson, will call/e-mail you on Sunday and let you know of the time change.
But as of right now, we’re on target to call you at 5:20 am Monday.
Thanks again.
REALLY looking forward to the segment!
Best,
Jennifer
Jennifer Moroz
Producer
The Current
CBC Radio
[phone numbers and email redacted]
************************************
RE: Segment on condom use in the porn industry – CBC Radio (TheCurrent)
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 9:47 AM
To: JENNIFER MOROZ [
>>> Michael Weinstein <Michael.Weinstein@aidshealth.org> 12/2/2010 11:57 am >>>
Hi Jennifer – I wanted to give you some feedback about the interview. I felt that unfair advantage was given to the pornographers. Diane Duke went first, was given more time and made many factually inaccurate statements which went unchallenged. There were multiple clips from Nina Hartley, a performer who is opposed to condoms, and one from Darren James, who was infected in the industry.
From: JENNIFER MOROZ [http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/ It’s under Dec. 1, 2010 – Part 3. You can’t miss it.
Thanks again for participating!
-Jennifer
Jennifer Moroz
Producer
The Current
CBC Radio
(w) +001 416-205-6701
(cell) +001 416-992-0699
jennifer.moroz@cbc.ca
************************************
RE: contact with Derrick Burts
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2010 2:42 PM
To: Brian Chase; Gold, Deborah@DIR [www.aidshealth.org
From: Michael Weinstein Sent: Monday, December 13, 2010 1:53 PM To: Gold, Deborah@DIR; Brian Chase Cc: Martin, Amy@DIR Subject: RE: contact with Derrick Burts
Hi Deborah – I have sent along your email to Derrick. Hopefully, he will get in touch with you shortly.
From: Gold, Deborah@DIR [www.aidshealth.org
RE: AIM Story
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2010 6:49 PM
To: Brian Chase; Tom Myers; Ged Kenslea; Lori Yeghiayan; Miki Jackson
Should we send a letter challenging this with the licensing people?
From: Brian Chase
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2010 10:48 AM
To: Michael Weinstein; Tom Myers; Ged Kenslea; Lori Yeghiayan; Miki Jackson
Subject: AIM Story
AIM says it is going to reopen, claiming that they can operate as a doctor’s office rather than a clinic (the Doctor in question is Hamblin, who lives and practices in Marin).
http://business.avn.com/articles/AIM-To-Be-Fully-Functional-In-One-Week-419597.html
They also said that the county was “really mean” and that Sharon Mitchell has a PhD in public health, which is news to me. Last I checked she has a PhD in “sexology” from an unaccredited diploma mill in San Francisco. You learn something new every day.
New crazy conspiracy theory here:
“This all started from [AIDS Healthcare Foundation president Michael] Weinstein and Patient Zeta throwing all of this at us, and [County Health director Dr. Jonathan] Fielding is exhausted and has made so many mistakes, and he’s weary, that every other department just seemed to go wild and corrupt at the same time. Moreover, I’m told that it’s on record at one of those OSHA meetings that the County Health STD Department and AIDS Healthcare Foundation petitioned for a joint grant from the CDC or the National Institutes of Health for the medical monitoring of the industry using the protocols that AIM uses, so apparently they just wanted us out of the way.”
Brian Chase
Assistant General Counsel
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6255 W. Sunset Blvd., 21st Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 860-5223 (office)
(323) 208-1289 (cell)
(323) 467-8450 (fax)
www.aidshealth.org
************************************
RE: Movie about us
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 6:44 PM
To: Shelley Lubben
Hi Shelley – We will be meeting to discuss this tomorrow. It is difficult to organize things during this season.
From: Shelley Lubben
Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 3:20 PM
To: Michael Weinstein
Subject: RE: Movie about us
Hi Michael, did you hear anything about next Tuesday. I need to know soon. Thank you!
You are fighting a powerful fight!
Shelley
Shelley Lubben
Executive Director, Pink Cross Foundation
www.shelleylubben.com
www.myspace.com/shelleylubben
www.thepinkcross.org
FW: Movie about us
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Friday, December 24, 2010 1:21 PM
To: Brian Chase; Ged Kenslea; Miki Jackson
Let’s see if we can make the 4th work. Let’s talk to Derrick. Thanks.
From: Shelley Lubben [www.shelleylubben.com
www.myspace.com/shelleylubben
www.thepinkcross.org
From: Michael Weinstein [http://www.lukeisback.com/?p=15083
Shelley
Shelley Lubben
Executive Director, Pink Cross Foundation
www.shelleylubben.com
www.myspace.com/shelleylubben
www.thepinkcross.org
*********************************
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Monday, December 27, 2010 11:13 AM
To: AHF Advocacy
We didn’t discuss the XBIZ Awards show at the Palladium on Feb. 9th on our last advocacy call. We should start the planning. Should we buy tickets and do something inside? We could get really creative with signage, balloons and costumes.
*********************************
From: Michael Weinstein [alexandramayers@yahoo.com” <alexandramayers@yahoo.com>
Cc: Michael Weinstein <Michael.Weinstein@aidshealth.org>
Subject: FW: the AHF’s affiliation with Shelley Lubben
Dear Alexandra – Thank you for reaching out to AHF. I have had the opportunity to watch the encounter with Shelley Lubben and Michael Whitacre.
First, I am an openly gay man who has been active in gay rights for almost forty years. I obviously strongly disagree with Shelley’s views on homosexuality. I also work closely with members of Congress and missionaries in various countries who share these views.
Secondly, we do not support Pink Cross in any other area than our common position in support of condoms in porn. At virtually every opportunity, I have said that AHfF is not opposed to pornography but only porn without condoms. We consider it a matter of settled law. On the other hand Shelley and Pink Cross want to shut the entire porn industry down. We have agreed to disagree on this and Shelley has honored that by not addressing here overall opposition to porn at press conferences that we have attended together.
AHF position’s on condoms in porn comes from our stand in favor of protecting the public health. We do not believe that the lives of the young people in porn are disposable – just as we did not consider the lives of gay men or African families to be disposable. Additionally, we think that the porn industry is doing a terrible disservice to society in general, and young people in particular, by saying that the only kind of sex that is hot is unsafe.
I hope that this clarifies where we are coming from. People of goodwill can disagree on this issue but character assassination by the porn industry of AHF or myself will not succeed because AHF’s record of saving hundreds of thousands of lives is a matter of historical record.
From: Richard Conard
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2011 12:46 PM
To: Ged Kenslea; Michael Weinstein; Lori Yeghiayan
Subject: FW: the AHF’s affiliation with Shelley Lubben
FYI…
From: Alexandra Mayers <alexandramayers@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: “alexandramayers@yahoo.com” <alexandramayers@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:30:22 -0800
To: AHF Webmaster <AHF.Webmaster@aidshealth.org>, THRIVE Magazine <THRIVE@aidshealth.org>
Subject: the AHF’s affiliation with Shelley Lubben
Hello,
I recently was made aware that your organization is now supporting Shelley Lubben and the Pink Cross (www.thepinkcross.org) and I feel the need to voice some concern.
Shelley Lubben has gone on record numerous times via her speeches and videos that she feels the “gays” (homosexuals” need to be spiritually healed and I take great offence to this.
I recently saw a video interview on http://www.juliemeadows.com/blog (the exact link to the videos is: http://www.juliemeadows.com/blog/2011/01/23/a-chance-encounter-with-shelley-lubben-a-michael-whiteacre-exclusive%E2%80%93part-three/ ) in which Shelley Lubben not only references how much money Michael Weinstein is profiting via the AHF (which I hope is not true), but also references how being in porn and being a homosexual is one in the same. Again I take MAJOR offense to this stance and so do several individuals I know.
It has been rumored that Shelley Lubben and The Pink Cross have been handing out sums in the range of $2000 to $5000 dollars to individuals who refer women currently working in porn to their organization. It is also rumored that The Pink Cross is supporting a website called www.PornWikiLeaks.com ( very racist and anti-gay website of which targets and names the real names (and the names of the family memembers) of many adult industry talents.
In the past I have supported the AHF’s efforts but as of current considering your organizations affiliation with Shelley Lubben, I no longer can or will. I urge your organization to rethink working with Shelley Lubben and the Pink Cross.
Alexandra Mayers (aka Monica Foster)
www.GettingIntoPorn.com
www.MonicaAtHome.com
************************************************************
RE: PP and Condom use in adult films
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 6:28 PM
To: Brian Chase
Either Whitney or you would be fine.
From: Brian Chase
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 6:19 PM
To: Michael Weinstein; Miki Jackson; Whitney Engeran
Subject: RE: PP and Condom use in adult films
I think that would be a great idea. The connection between Planned Parenthood and Dianne Duke might even make it pressworthy. Do you want me to draft something up?
I’m including Whitney on this. I know that he had been in touch with Vanessa Cullins at Planned Parenthood about this issue. I’m not sure if Vanessa ever got back to us, but we might want to bring her into the loop.
I am attaching the first draft of a one-pager that I just finished for Jessica Reinhart. It might serve as a good basis for a sign-on letter.
From: Michael Weinstein
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 5:41 PM
To: Miki Jackson; Brian Chase
Subject: RE: PP and Condom use in adult films
I would be happy to meet with them.
Brian – what do you think about a letter from them endorsing our position?
From: Miki Jackson [Michael.Weinstein@aidshealth.org> wrote:
This is great to know. We can add them to the list of supporters.
From: Miki Jackson [mikijackson@sbcglobal.net>
Date: February 15, 2011 11:22:16 AM PST
To: brianna.tittman@PPACCA.org
Subject: Condom use in adult films
Dear Brianna,
It was very good talking to you this morning. I am including herewith both the article on the AFI that a spoke of and the contact information for Cal/OSHA.
As I said in our conversation, the use of condoms use in adult films is actually the law under the Federal and State blood borne pathogens law. That can be confirmed with Deborah Gold of CAl OSHA. her contact is:
Deborah Gold, MPH, CIH
Senior Safety Engineer
Cal/OSHA Resarch and Standards Health Unit
(510)286-7006
<DGold@dir.ca.gov>
Canadian Medical Association Journal
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February 14, 2011 <ico_adobepdf.gif>View PDF
Public health advocates push for safer sex in pornographic film industry
Sex sells, but can it educate? That’s the crux of debate over a transformation within the pornographic film industry that public health advocates argue is required to promote safer sex in the general population through more extensive use of condoms.
The advocates, and even some pornographers, are urging mandatory condom use on industry sets to promote safer sex practices among consumers of adult films and within California’s multibillion-dollar industry, which has come under increased scrutiny as a result of repeat outbreaks of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among industry “models.”
**********************************
RE: LA Times blog: health clinic under fire for alleged release of porn actors’ personal information
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2011 11:30 AM
To: Ged Kenslea; Brian Chase; Whitney Engeran; Lori Yeghiayan; Tom Myers
I think we should put out a statement on the AIM leak.
From: Ged Kenslea
Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2011 4:00 AM
To: Michael Weinstein; Brian Chase; Whitney Engeran; Lori Yeghiayan; Tom Myers
Subject: LA Times blog: health clinic under fire for alleged release of porn actors’ personal information
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/03/porn-.html
health clinic under fire for alleged release of porn actors’ personal information
Comments (0)
March 30, 2011 | 9:12 pm
A San Fernando Valley-based clinic that caters to the porn industry is under fire this week after patients’ information allegedly appeared on a website.
Pornwikileaks.com posted the names, birth dates and stage names of more than 12,000 current and former porn performers earlier this year, information that some say could only have come from the clinic where many performers are tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases: the former Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation clinic in Sherman Oaks, now known as AIM Medical Associates P.C.
Jeffrey J. Douglas, a lawyer for the clinic, said late Wednesday that officials did not have a statement concerning the allegations but may release one Thursday.
Pornwikileaks is registered in the Netherlands. It is unclear who owns the site, and a possible owner did not return emails Wednesday.
Gawker.com posted an article alleging that information on Pornwikileaks came from AIM. That article was based largely on information from porn industry blogger Mike South and a performer.
South posted some of the allegations Monday and said he has since heard from additional performers who were convinced that the information about them on Pornwikileaks came from AIM. The performer South initially spoke with could not be reached for comment late Wednesday.
Under the porn industry’s voluntary guidelines, performers must have tested HIV-negative within 30 days of filming. Porn producers and directors are allowed to access the AIM clinic’s database to check performers’ test results.
The AIM clinic opened in 1998 but was shut down in December by Los Angeles County public health officials two days after state health officials denied its application to operate as a community clinic based on what regulators called “business-related issues.”
The clinic was sold and allowed to reopen last month as AIM Medical Associates P.C., part of a doctor’s office regulated by the Medical Board of California, according to state officials.
RELATED:
Porn film performer tests positive for HIV
Porn industry clinic comes under fire for its handling of HIV case
HIV-positive porn performer speaks out
– Molly Hennessy-Fiske
Ged Kenslea
Communications Director
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6660 Santa Monica Blvd., 2nd Floor
Los Angeles CA 90038
+1.323.308.1833 work
+1.323.791.5526 mobile
Sent from my iPad
************************************
RE: from xbiz
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 7:27 AM
To: Whitney Engeran; Brian Chase; Miki Jackson; Mark McGrath
Who could we dress up to sneak in?
From: Whitney Engeran
Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 2:06 AM
To: Brian Chase; Michael Weinstein; Miki Jackson; Mark McGrath
Subject: from xbiz
CANOGA PARK, Calif. — Free Speech Coalition is calling for industry members to meet this Friday to discuss current developments with workplace safety protocols and performer STD testing. The meetings will review the current status of workplace safety and performer testing, as well as what is on the horizon for adult film productions.
There will be three separate meetings for producers, agents and performers. The meeting schedule is:
• Producers 10 a.m.-Noon
• Agents 1 - 2:30 p.m.
• Performers 3 – 5 p.m
The meetings will all be held at the Skirball Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, 90049, in the Haas Room.
The meetings are for industry members only so RSVPs are necessary to attend. FSC encourages all producers, agents and performers to attend. To RSVP or for more information, contact FSC Membership Director Joanne Cachapero at Joanne@freespeechcoalition.com.
**********************************
RE: Agenda for the arts and parks committee attached
Shelley Lubben [www.shelleylubben.com
www.facebook.com/shelleylubben
http://www.twitter.com/slubben
http://www.myspace.com/shelleylubbenmusic
www.myspace.com/shelleylubben
www.thepinkcross.org
Get your copy of “Truth Behind the Fantasy of Porn” at
www.shelleylubben.com/products
“You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”
Notice: This e-mail (including attachments) is covered by the Electronic
—–Original Message—–
From: Michael Weinstein [www.shelleylubben.com
www.facebook.com/shelleylubben
http://www.twitter.com/slubben
http://www.myspace.com/shelleylubbenmusic
www.myspace.com/shelleylubben
www.thepinkcross.org
Get your copy of “Truth Behind the Fantasy of Porn” at
www.shelleylubben.com/products
“You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”
—–Original Message—–
From: Mark McGrath [mark.mcgrath@aidshealth.org
www.aidshealth.org
****************************
RE: Agenda for the arts and parks committee attached
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 9:09 AM
To: Mark McGrath; Tom Myers; Adam Ouderkirk; Whitney Engeran
Hi Mark – First, the only thing we agree with Pink Cross on is condoms. They are otherwise opposed to porn in any fashion. Second, Shelley is a lightening rod for criticism and engages in outrageous behavior. I don’t think it is advantageous for AHF to be too closely associated with her. Shelley can be a very effective spokesperson and I appreciate her help but I don’t feel that we have any other obligation here.
________________________________________
From: Mark McGrath
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 8:38 AM
To: Tom Myers; Adam Ouderkirk; Whitney Engeran; Michael Weinstein
Subject: RE: Agenda for the arts and parks committee attached
I think Shelley was having a moment where she needs attention and reaffirming. No doubt we have been more than generous with assisting her organization however it is my understanding she has been under pressure from her board and I suspect a little envious of our professionalism and ability to generate press. The Pink Cross is surprisingly very unskilled in certain matters and often understaffed; driven mainly by Shelley’s charisma and energy. When She’s stressed she tends to react rather defensively and at times not in a rational manner.
As long as our interests coincide we might want to consider a brief media training (one or two days) for her aid Roger Niccum: (1) developing a media message; (2) talking points; (3) drafting and sending out press releases.
________________________________________
From: Tom Myers
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 6:39 AM
To: Adam Ouderkirk; Whitney Engeran; Michael Weinstein; Mark McGrath
Subject: RE: Agenda for the arts and parks committee attached
Perhaps we would be willing to help if they could show that they could stay on our message? We’re allies right now because our interests overlap. They have as much incentive to work with us on the overlap ing parts as we do with them, so they shouldn’t be paid to do what is in their interest. However, they don’t overlap completely, and their interests outisde the overlap are at odds with us. If they would be willing to (and actually do) put aside the other stuff, then maybe mention, support, etc. is warranted.
________________________________________
From: Adam Ouderkirk
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 12:30 AM
To: Whitney Engeran; Michael Weinstein; Mark McGrath; AHF Advocacy
Subject: Re: Agenda for the arts and parks committee attached
Yes, we don’t have to pay for or do everything, even on those causes we work so hard for.
Adam
—– Original Message —–
From: Whitney Engeran
Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2011 09:26 PM
To: Michael Weinstein; Mark McGrath; AHF Advocacy
Subject: Re: Agenda for the arts and parks committee attached
I’m with you, Michael. This is a bit much. I think it is more than
90%….frankly, with man hours, creativity, muscle, focus and endurance.
On 5/10/11 6:45 PM, “Michael Weinstein” <Michael.Weinstein@aidshealth.org>
wrote:
>I find this irritating. AHF has carried 90% of the load. Is Pink Cross
>incapable of sending out their own releases? Also, AHF does not agree
>with Pink Cross’ agenda of outlawing porn. In addition, some of Shelley’s
>antics are not great PR for us.
>
>________________________________________
>From: Shelley Lubben [www.shelleylubben.com
>www.facebook.com/shelleylubben
>http://www.twitter.com/slubben
>http://www.myspace.com/shelleylubbenmusic
>www.myspace.com/shelleylubben
>www.thepinkcross.org
>
>
>
> Get your copy of “Truth Behind the Fantasy of Porn” at
>www.shelleylubben.com/products
>
> “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”
>
>
>
>—–Original Message—–
>From: Mark McGrath [mark.mcgrath@aidshealth.org
>www.aidshealth.org
**********************************
RE: Agenda for the arts and parks committee attached
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 7:58 AM
To: Jorge Saavedra
The ONLY thing we agree with them on is condoms.
________________________________________
From: jorge.saavedra@aidshealth.org [Michael.Weinstein@aidshealth.org>
Date: Wed, 11 May 2011 07:12:53
To: Jorge Saavedra<Jorge.Saavedra@aidshealth.org>
Subject: RE: Agenda for the arts and parks committee attached
They are Christian former porn performers who want to end porn.
________________________________________
From: Jorge Saavedra
Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2011 10:35 PM
To: Michael Weinstein; Mark McGrath; AHF Advocacy
Subject: RE: Agenda for the arts and parks committee attached
Probably because I don´t live in the US, but I did not know about the Pink Cross existence
Jorge Saavedra,
________________________________________
From: Michael Weinstein
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 3:45 AM
To: Mark McGrath; AHF Advocacy
Subject: RE: Agenda for the arts and parks committee attached
I find this irritating. AHF has carried 90% of the load. Is Pink Cross incapable of sending out their own releases? Also, AHF does not agree with Pink Cross’ agenda of outlawing porn. In addition, some of Shelley’s antics are not great PR for us.
________________________________________
From: Shelley Lubben [www.shelleylubben.com
www.facebook.com/shelleylubben
http://www.twitter.com/slubben
http://www.myspace.com/shelleylubbenmusic
www.myspace.com/shelleylubben
www.thepinkcross.org
Get your copy of “Truth Behind the Fantasy of Porn” at
www.shelleylubben.com/products
“You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”
—–Original Message—–
From: Mark McGrath [mark.mcgrath@aidshealth.org
www.aidshealth.org
**********************************
Re: Call with Cal/OSHA
Mark Roy McGrath, MPH [Brian.Chase@aidshealth.org> wrote:
I spoke with Deb Gold and Amy Martin today. They are not at all happy about Alarcon’s motion. They will have a lawyer at the meeting on Wednesday, in case the matter ends up not being continued to next week.
They confirmed that the new Chief is onboard with adding a specific regulation requiring condoms in the production of adult films. Deborah expects to have a draft of the regulations ready to circulate before the June 6 meeting, possibly as early as Friday.
Brian Chase
Assistant General Counsel
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6255 W. Sunset Blvd., 21st Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 860-5223 (office)
(323) 208-1289 (cell)
(323) 467-8450 (fax)
www.aidshealth.org
**********************************
RE: Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens in the Adult Film Industry — Next Meeting June 7, 2011 Los Angeles
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Friday, May 27, 2011 9:27 PM
To: Brian Chase; AHF Advocacy
I spoke to Deb Gold. She assured me this is just CalOSHAese.
From: Brian Chase
Sent: Friday, May 27, 2011 1:39 PM
To: AHF Advocacy
Subject: RE: Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens in the Adult Film Industry — Next Meeting June 7, 2011 Los Angeles
It might not be so bad. I would rather Cal/OSHA propose something a bit extreme and reel it back than have them start with something inadequate. It might bludgeon FSC our of their “no condoms EVER” posture.
Everybody should also check out the AVN article about the FSC’s proposals for a new testing program. It’s wholly inadequate (still only testing for HIV, gonorrhea and Chlamydia), but it has significantly improved privacy protections for workers: http://business.avn.com/articles/video/Adult-Industry-Meets-To-Discuss-Its-Healthcare-Future-437090.html
Brian Chase
Assistant General Counsel
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6255 W. Sunset Blvd., 21st Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 860-5223 (office)
(323) 208-1289 (cell)
(323) 467-8450 (fax)
www.aidshealth.org
From: Michael Weinstein Sent: Friday, May 27, 2011 1:07 PM To: AHF Advocacy Subject: FW: Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens in the Adult Film Industry — Next Meeting June 7, 2011 Los Angeles
This sucks. The provisions on oral sex will confirm the worst fears of the industry and certainly would kill the market for porn.
From: Gold, Deborah@DIR [http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/DoshReg/5193Meetings.htm , where you will also find a link to Petition 513. Some documents submitted to the August 18, 2010 Control Measures advisory meeting, including a draft proposal from the Free Speech Coalition, will be posted next week, and will be available from that page.
Thanks again for your help with this project. If you have any questions, please call Deborah Gold at (510)286-7006 or Peter Riley at (714)567-7100.
Peter and Deborah
Deborah Gold, MPH, CIH
Senior Safety Engineer
Cal/OSHA Resarch and Standards Health Unit
(510)286-7006
**********************************
RE: Quick question
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 3:37 PM
To: Whitney Engeran
This is fine.
From: Whitney Engeran
Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 3:06 PM
To: Michael Weinstein
Subject: Quick question
Want to touch base with you about two things for the hearing next week…..
Shelley Lubben two hotel rooms for folks for one night?
And Diana Grandmason from FL to testify?
I think that they both are important for this, we want to pull out all the stops, but wanted to make sure to check with you,
Thanks
Whitney
–
Whitney Engeran-Cordova
Senior Director of Public Health
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
1300 Scott Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Phone (213) 405-5822
Cell (562) 682-1075
Fax (213) 405-5880
**********************************
RE: FSC report
Mark McGrath
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2011 12:48 PM
To: Whitney Engeran; Michael Weinstein; Brian Chase; Miki Jackson; Tom Myers
Attachments: AFI_Manuscriptfinal.pdf (33 KB)[Open as Web Page]
Attached is an forthcoming manuscript that gives a clearer understanding of disease within the Los Angeles performer population. It address many of the issues raised by the FSC report and provides improved methodology. Please do not circulate outside of AHF….mark
Mark Roy McGrath, MPH
Public Health Policy Consultant
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
+1.323.533.2329
mark.mcgrath@aidshealth.org
www.aidshealth.org
________________________________________
From: Whitney Engeran
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2011 8:46 AM
To: Michael Weinstein; Brian Chase; Miki Jackson; Mark McGrath; Tom Myers
Subject: FSC report
I found this article this morning in XBIZ and this report. I don’t know who this guy is, but we should have a few talking points for tomorrow…
LOS ANGELES — A Free Speech Coalition report commissioned by Johns Hopkins epidemiologist Lawrence Mayer says presentations made by two Los Angeles public health officials targeting adult entertainment industry sexually transmitted disease screenings were faulty and misleading.
The FSC report also called out presentations by UCLA epidemiologist Dr. Robert Kim-Farley and by Dr. Peter Kerndt as inflammatory toward the risk of contracting an STD in the adult film industry.
The FSC plans to present their findings at Tuesday’s Cal/OSHA subcommittee meeting on the adult film industry. At the meeting, Cal/OSHA is gearing up to present a draft of proposed rules
strengthening workplace safety on porn shoots.
“Estimating this risk is a serious issue, it should have been given serious analysis,” Mayer said in his report.
“[M]ost of the analyses reported by Drs. Kim-Farley and Kerndt lack transparency,” Mayer said. “They do not document the methodology used to derive their estimates. In the absence of this detail, it is not possible to confirm the validity of their results.”
In Kim-Farley’s presentation, “STD/HIV Disease and Health Risks among Workers in the Adult Film Industry,” Mayer specifically points to several flaws in the doctors’ data collection, and specifically said that “poor science and inexcusable in epidemiology which can be characterized as the science of estimating risk from counts” when it came to Kim-Farley’s presentation titled.”
Mayer says that Kim-Farley had no explanation on how the data on adult performers were collected.
“Kim-Farley provides no information on turnover or longevity in this industry, the proportion of cases that were re-infections, or multiple testing of performers, so his statement that ‘one-fourth of all performers are diagnosed,’ is unfounded and misleading,” Mayer said. “This calculation is defective. The correspondence between the numerator and denominator are critical to the validity of an epidemiological analysis.
“Consequently the statements based on it are in error and misleading to those who are relying on the analysis.”
Mayer also said that Kim-Farley concludes, falsely, that the annual prevalence of chlamydia and gonorrhea among adult performers is 8.5-to-18 times greater than that in Los Angeles County residents 18-29 years old, and 34-to-60 times greater than that in all county residents, Mayer said.
“He provides estimates of annual prevalence [per 100,000] for chlamydia and gonorrhea among adult performers and the population of Los Angeles County,” he said. “These data suggest that performers are 15.4 times as likely (based on 2000 performers) or 9.9 times as likely (based on 3000 performers) to be infected with chlamydia or gonorrhea as 18-29 year-olds in L.A. County. They are 59.7 times as likely (based on 2000 performers) or 38.5 times as likely (based on 3,000 performers) to be infected with chlamydia or gonorrhea compared to all residents of the county.
“In summary, Dr. Kim-Farley’s estimates of infection prevalence among [adult industry] performers and the comparison of these estimates to other populations are fatally flawed. He does not have accurate counts of the population exposed, and so uses counts of 2,000 and 3,000 performers to derive prevalence estimates.
“These counts are not justified in the presentation,” he said. “Worse, he does not take into account re-infection rates and testing frequency.
“The comparisons to other groups of L.A. County residents are not valid. AFI performers, due to the nature of their work, may be at higher risk for sexually transmitted diseases than the average resident of the county.
“The general population of 18-to 29 year-olds [as well as all ages] in L.A. County comprise a mix of many subgroups, some of which may be at high risk and some of which certainly are not.
“In all likelihood, the vast majority of the persons in his comparison groups is not even tested within any given year for a sexually transmitted disease and may not be sexually active enough to risk re-infection, the two factors for which the counts of performers need to be adjusted.”
Mayer also took issue with Kerndt’s presentation titled “Public Health Issues in the Adult Film Industry: Policy Implications of an Outbreak,” which reports the results of an 18-month pilot study among “straight” adult performers.
Kerndt reports that, during an 18-month period, STDs were 10-fold greater than among a similarly aged L.A. County population: 7 percent vs. 0.77 percent (chlamydia) and 27 percent vs. 0.27 percent (gonorrhea).
Mayer said that “it is clearly not appropriate to compare prevalence rates of adult performers to those of Los Angeles County residents using differing methodologies, as Drs. Kim-Farley and Kerndt have done.”
“Their methods do not take into account multiple tests and re-infections. Their comparison data, based on similarly aged subgroups and all ages do not take into account the fact that many people are not tested each year for sexually transmitted diseases.”
**********************************
Re: Actual AIM Test Positive HIV Results Posted on a Pornstar on PornWikiLeaks
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2011 3:51 PM
To: Miki Jackson
Cc: AHF Advocacy
How do we handle this in terms of the press? Can we reach out to her? Should we put out a statement decrying the abuse of confidentiality while also saying that it is new proof of the need for action NOW by the state, county and city?
Sent from my iPad
On Jun 11, 2011, at 6:48 PM, “Miki Jackson” <mikijackson@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> The site has a filmography of her and there is a link to her own site. Link to page w filmography below:
>
> http://pornwikileaks.com/wiki/Mercedes_Ashley
>
> Miki Jackson
> 323-855-0764
> iPhone
>
> On Jun 11, 2011, at 2:21 PM, Michael Weinstein <Michael.Weinstein@aidshealth.org> wrote:
>
>> Do we know if she is also a performer. Isn’t against the law tom divulge someone’s HIV status?
>>
>> Sent from my iPad
>>
>> On Jun 11, 2011, at 2:10 PM, “Brian Chase” <Brian.Chase@aidshealth.org> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail transmission, and any documents, files or previous e-mail messages attached to it may contain confidential information that is legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of any of the information contained in or attached to this transmission is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify me by reply e-mail and destroy the original transmission and its attachments without reading or saving in any manner.
>>>
>>> —– Original Message —–
>>> From: Dee Grandmason [http://www.pornwikileaks.com/
>>>
>>> It’s on the front page of the website and was posted yesterday. It’s
>>> of a pornstar who tested positive for HIV. It shows the result as well
>>> as all her personal information. It’s an actual test result paper.
>>> They just outed someone else who got HIV.
>>>
>>> Dee
>>>
>>> Posted on June 10, 2011 by porn wiki leaks
>>> Thats right guys!
>>>
>>> Juanita M Torres AKA Mercedes Ashley announced that she was retiring a
>>> little over a month ago and no one knew why. We just found out.
>>>
>>>
>>> Mercedes Ashley is an HIV postive hooker at Chino Hills golf course
>>>
>>> A former AIM Health care employee has just sent us Juanita’s most
>>> recent AIM test which shows her as HIV positive!
>>>
>>> How many Johns she has given HIV to over the last couple months?
>>>
>>> We wonder what the Chino Hills police department thinks about her
>>> hooking, at the Chino Hills golf course, while she is HIV positive.
>>>
>>> Story developing…
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Discuss Mercedes HIV hooker here: Ashley is spelled HIV
>>> <Mercedes_Ashley_hiv_positive_test.jpg>
**********************************
From: mike bonin [bill.rosendahl@lacity.org; John.Gregory@lacity.org
Subject: Re: Proposed Motion for Rosendahl
Michael-
I listened to the message you left for Bill. You indicated I did not seem interested in helping with this motion. On the contrary, I informed you what we need to proceed with this motion: legal authority to do what the motion proposes.
As of now, the City Attorney says we do not have the authority to do it. I understand your staff has heard differently from CalOSHA, and I have asked for a letter from them to that effect. If we get that letter, we may be able to use that to move the City Attorney’s opinion.
I understand you were present at a meeting this afternoon, which John Gregory from our office attended. I understand the legal concerns have still not been satisfied and we have still not gotten a written opinion from CalOSHA. I understand the City Attorney’s office has agreed to continue to research the issue, and look at other avenues you and Brian suggested.
Once we have clearance from City Attorney that we are empowered to implement a policy, we’ll move forward with a motion. But until that happens, I cannot in good conscience recommend Bill submit such a motion.
Mike
On Thu, Jun 23, 2011 at 10:38 PM, mike bonin <mike.bonin@lacity.org> wrote:
Excellent! Thanks.
Sent from my iPad
On Jun 23, 2011, at 10:15 PM, Brian Chase <Brian.Chase@aidshealth.org> wrote:
Hey Mike,
Counsel for Cal/OSHA is working on an opinion letter. I will touch base with them tomorrow to see how it is progressing.
Best Regards,
Brian
Brian Chase
Assistant General Counsel
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6255 W. Sunset Blvd., 21st Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 860-5223 (office)
(323) 208-1289 (cell)
(323) 467-8450 (fax)
www.aidshealth.org
From: mike bonin [bill.rosendahl@lacity.org; John.Gregory@lacity.org Subject: Re: FW: Proposed Motion for Rosendahl
CalOSHA talking with me won’t make much of a difference. But if they send Bill a letter, which we can then share with out City Attorney for analysis, then we might be able to get somewhere. Think they would be willing to do that?
On Thu, Jun 23, 2011 at 6:01 PM, Brian Chase <Brian.Chase@aidshealth.org> wrote:
Mike,
Thanks for the quick reply.
Counsel for CalOSHA has stated that CalOSHA regulations do not preempt the city’s authority to place conditions on permits. If you like, we can have counsel from CalOSHA speak with you about it.
Best Regards,
Brian
From: mike bonin [bill.rosendahl@lacity.org <bill.rosendahl@lacity.org>; Gregory, John <John.Gregory@lacity.org>
Subject: Re: FW: Proposed Motion for Rosendahl
Michael, Brian-
I am happy to meet — but I looked at the draft motion, and it appears that, like the previous motion, it is not something the City is empowered to do. I thought City Atty has opined that only CalOSHA has this authority.
Mike
On Thu, Jun 23, 2011 at 4:50 PM, Michael Weinstein <Michael.Weinstein@aidshealth.org> wrote:
Dear Mike – When I spoke to Bill recently about the condoms in porn question, he asked me to contact you regarding a motion that he would introduce. Attached is the motion drafted by Brian Chase at AHF. We are coming up on the deadline for the committee’s to re-hear the original motion so we could like to be able to move forward with this motion as soon as possible. Thanks. Let us know what you need.
From: Brian Chase
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 10:14 AM
To: Tom Myers; Michael Weinstein
Subject: Proposed Motion for Rosendahl
Here is a draft.
Brian Chase
Assistant General Counsel
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6255 W. Sunset Blvd., 21st Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 860-5223 (office)
(323) 208-1289 (cell)
(323) 467-8450 (fax)
www.aidshealth.org
–
Mike Bonin
Chief of Staff, Office of Councilman Bill Rosendahl
Room 415, City Hall
200 N. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 473-7011
**********************************
RE: Proposed Motion for Rosendahl
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2011 8:09 PM
To: mike bonin [bill.rosendahl@lacity.org; John.Gregory@lacity.org
Mike – The City Council’s action does not have to rest upon the City Attorney’s opinion alone. The Council can get its own opinion and pressure needs to be applied to them. None of the councilmen on the committee agreed with their report saying that the city was preempted. It would also be helpful if your office reached out to CalOSHA. In all of these discussions it seems that the entire burden falls on AHF.
Garcetti’s office seems to mainly be concerned about what Alarcon thinks.
At the end of the day – if there is a will there will be a way. Sorry to be so pushy but we have been fighting this battle alone for years and everyone passes the buck. What we are asking the city to do is minor. We are not going to drop this issue and we are prepared to take it to a citywide ballot if we cannot get timely council action. Please do not interpret this as a threat. Everything we say we are going to do, we do. We are that committed.
**************************
RE: Film Permitting
Michael Weinstein
Great. Send it.
Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 5:04 PM
To: Brian Chase
From: Brian Chase
Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 1:10 PM
To: Michael Weinstein
Subject: Film Permitting
Hey Michael,
Is this the kind of thing you were looking for when you wanted me to draft a memo for Rosendahl’s office? If so, let me know and I can put it in memo or letter format.
Section 12.22(A)(13) of the Los Angeles Planning and Zoning Code authorizes the issuance of film permits. That provision states:
“Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this article to the contrary, property in all zones may be used for the purpose of infrequent filming of commercial motion pictures and still photographs, provided that a permit therefor has first been obtained from the City Council, or whomever the Council by order, resolution or ordinance may delegate such authority. The City Council, or whomever the Council by order, resolution or ordinance may delegate such authority shall adopt such rules and regulations concerning the issuance of said permits as may be necessary to assure that filming will be conducted at such times and in such a manner as to cause a minimum of interference with the enjoyment and use of adjacent property, and consistent with public health, safety and general welfare.”
Accordingly, it seems perfectly clear that the City Council has the direct authority to require FilmLA to condition permits on applicable workplace safety regulations.
If the Council feels that it needs to direct a city agency to instruct
FW: PETITION_FOR_REVIEW_7-25-11
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 2:03 PM
To: Ged Kenslea; AHF Advocacy
Attachments: PETITION_FOR_REVIEW_7-25-11.doc (151 KB)[Open as Web Page]
Let’s put out a release on this tomorrow.
From: Laura Boudreau
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 1:51 PM
To: Michael Weinstein; Tom Myers; Brian Chase
Cc: Sarah Fohl
Subject: PETITION_FOR_REVIEW_7-25-11
Hi – Our petition for Supreme Court review of the condoms-in-porn decision will be filed tomorrow afternoon. Here is the latest draft, which I’m sending for proofreading. Let me know if you have any additional comments or questions before we print and bind.
(Tom, Brian – it’s not very different from the last draft you saw, except for the approach in section I.B.)
Laura
**********************************
RE: Supreme Court Appeal re Condoms in Porn LA County lawsuit
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 5:43 PM
To: Lori Yeghiayan; Tom Myers; Laura Boudreau
Good.
From: Lori Yeghiayan
Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 4:54 PM
To: Tom Myers; Laura Boudreau
Cc: Michael Weinstein
Subject: Re: Supreme Court Appeal re Condoms in Porn LA County lawsuit
So long as porn is in the title, we should be OK.
Here’s what I have for a headline and sub-heads. (see below)
A reporter from the LA Times is - Molly Henessey Fiske - is possibly interested. I will forward her the press release and the final complaint.
Thanks,
Lori
AHF Petitions CA Supreme Court Over Failure to Protect Porn Performers
After Second District Court of Appeals upholds ruling that dismissed a petition aimed at spurring Los Angeles County public health officials to enforce worker safety laws during the filming of hardcore pornography, AIDS Healthcare Foundation asks if the agency “…is immune from judicial review and unaccountable to the public for its conduct?”
Original suit asked the court to order LA County to enforce regulations that require “reasonable steps” to stem the spread of disease, including requiring the use of condoms on film sets
On 7/26/11 3:44 PM, “Tom Myers” <tom.myers@aidshealth.org> wrote:
Petition over county’s failure to protect porn actors.
Porn should be just as good as condoms to grab attention.
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail transmission, and any documents, files or previous e-mail messages attached to it may contain confidential information that is legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of any of the information contained in or attached to this transmission is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify me by reply e-mail and destroy the original transmission and its attachments without reading or saving in any manner.
From: Lori Yeghiayan
Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 03:32 PM
To: Tom Myers; Laura Boudreau
Cc: Michael Weinstein
Subject: Re: Supreme Court Appeal re Condoms in Porn LA County lawsuit
Here is an alternate headline that doesn’t emphasize condoms:
AHF Petitions CA Supreme Court Over LA County Public Health Dept. Ruling
I am open to other suggestions.
Lori
On 7/26/11 3:20 PM, “Tom Myers” <tom.myers@aidshealth.org> wrote:
People don’ read the release, they read the headline.
Even though we have a small chance of acceptance, it makes it hard to tell the court this is not about condoms, when we say it is.
From: Lori Yeghiayan
Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 03:02 PM
To: Tom Myers; Laura Boudreau
Cc: Michael Weinstein
Subject: Re: Supreme Court Appeal re Condoms in Porn LA County lawsuit
Hi Tom -
Most of the release focuses on the failure of DPH to act and quotes the petition directly highlighting that angle.
I thought we should keep the headline focused on condoms in porn to alert journalists who have been following/writing about it.
Hi Laura -
Thanks for your edits. I have cut the LA Times quote as you suggested.
Lori
On 7/26/11 12:44 PM, “Tom Myers” <tom.myers@aidshealth.org> wrote:
Says me, this case is not about condoms, and focsing on it misses the mark. “porn” and “codoms” always generates press, and if that is the primary point, then fine.
However, what we’re talking about here is the failure of DPH to comply wiht the law, and to protect the public health. As a result of DPH’s refusal to act, there are thousands of STD infections every year, both inside and outside of making adult films, and numerous cases of HIV/AIDS.
While condoms would prevent a lot of infections, and while DPH knows it would, and knows they could require it, AHF would be fine with any thing that prevented infections. The main issue is the DPH has done nothing to fulfill its mandate, which is protecting teh public health. I would focus on that, not condoms.
From: Laura Boudreau
Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 3:36 PM
To: Lori Yeghiayan
Cc: Tom Myers
Subject: Supreme Court Appeal re Condoms in Porn LA County lawsuit
HI Lori — I made some edits to conform the quotes to the latest version of the brief and I filled in the blank. My only question is whether you need the July 15, 2011 LA Times article — I ask because technically our lawsuit didin’t try to force DPH to mandate condoms — that is DPH’s spin. It was trying to get DPH to take some meaingful action. Since DPH had acknowledged condoms were effective at stopping the spread of STD’s in the porn industry, we requested an order for that if DPH could not demonstraet any other effective actions.
–
Lori Yeghiayan
Associate Director of Communications
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Office: (323) 308-1834
Cell: (323) 377-4312
E-mail: loriy@aidshealth.org
AHF Worldwide
6660 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
**********************************
RE: Today’s Press Release
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2011 3:49 PM
To: Lori Yeghiayan; Brian Chase; Ged Kenslea; Laura Boudreau; Tom Myers
He is a porn distributor and directed spots for FSC.
From: Lori Yeghiayan
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2011 3:04 PM
To: Michael Weinstein; Brian Chase; Ged Kenslea; Laura Boudreau; Tom Myers
Subject: Fwd: Today’s Press Release
FYI
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Michael Whiteacre <michaelwhiteacre@mac.com>
Date: July 28, 2011 2:55:46 PM PDT
To: Lori Yeghiayan <Lori.Yeghiayan@aidshealth.org>
Subject: Today’s Press Release
You people are absolutely shameless.
You know full well that these STI numbers have been thoroughly debunked as without basis in science, yet you continue to promote them.
Shame on you and on your soon-to-be-unemployed comrade in arms, Dr. Peter Kerndt.
BTW you will soon lose again in court, when the CA Supreme Court either denies cert or slaps you down ONCE AGAIN in your latest appeal. It must be embarrassing to lose in court that many times when you could just ho back to shaking down big pharma like you usually do.
The real shame is that all these frivolous lawsuits are costing CA taxpayers money, over and over again. And for no good reason.
I would ask, “How do you sleep,” but I really don’t care.
Cordially,
MW
**********************************
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Saturday, July 30, 2011 2:59 PM
To: AHF Advocacy
I would like to issue a press release next week on the CalOSHA opinion that State law does not pre-empt city jurisdiction over the permit process. Tuesday or Wednesday would be good. A teleconference might be good for this. It would set up nicely for the bigger story the following week on the ballot initiative.
**********************************
RE: Press conference on City Ballot Initiative
Brian Chase
Sent: Monday, August 01, 2011 12:26 PM
To: Ged Kenslea; Michael Weinstein; AHF Advocacy; AHF Media; Miki Jackson
That’s correct. The petitions can’t be printed until we have the final form of the petitions approved. That doesn’t happen until ten days after we get the title and summary back.
Brian Chase
Assistant General Counsel
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6255 W. Sunset Blvd., 21st Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323.860.5223
323.467.8450
From: Ged Kenslea Sent: Monday, August 01, 2011 12:23 PM To: Michael Weinstein; AHF Advocacy; AHF Media; Miki Jackson Subject: Re: Press conference on City Ballot Initiative
Michael, Checking Starlight room @ Univ. Sheraton availability for the date. Aug 8th is a Monday, may not be great for wider press attendance first thing in the morning, first thing in the week, also any out of town performers (Diana & dtr, Jan Meza, etc.) would have to travel in on a Sunday. We can also feed it ahead of time to Molly @ LA Times now that she’s back on the beat (or Shaya @ AP if you prefer). As for printing petitions by then, Brian can clarify, but I don’t think they can be done by then, as there is a second ten-day window review period in the approval process and it is possible that something could be tweaked/changed during that window. Ged Kenslea Communications Director AIDS Healthcare Foundation 6660 Santa Monica Boulevard, 2nd Floor Los Angeles CA 90038 +1.323.308.1833 work +1.323.791.5526 mobile gedk@aidshealth.org www.aidshealth.org
From: Michael Weinstein <Michael.Weinstein@aidshealth.org> Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2011 14:53:53 -0700 To: AHF Advocacy <AHFAdvocacy@aidshealth.org>, AHF Media <AHFMedia@aidshealth.org>, Miki Jackson <mikijackson@sbcglobal.net> Subject: Press conference on City Ballot Initiative We didn’t discuss the press conference we are planning on having on the porn ballot initiative. I am thinking we should do it on August 8th at the Universal Sheraton on the top floor at 10am. We should have performers there and great graphics. Any public health people would also be great. We should start thinking about a logo as well. Brian – I assume that we will have the title and summary back by next Thursday since we submitted it last Monday. If possible it would be great if we had the petitions printed by that time.
**********************************
FW: Campaign name ideas – Any ideas?
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Monday, August 01, 2011 3:26 PM
To: Jason Farmer
From: Miki Jackson [Michael.Weinstein@aidshealth.org> wrote:
How is, “FAIR is Fair” as the campaign slogan? Isn’t it fair to protect adult industry performers like we protect other workers and citizens?
From: Miki Jackson [http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/sexual-health-database-protects-porn-actors-privates-privacy/story?id=14203907
–
Whitney Engeran-Cordova
Senior Director of Public Health
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
1300 Scott Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Phone (213) 405-5822
Cell (562) 682-1075
Fax (213) 405-5880
**********************************
FW: Press conference on City Ballot Initiative
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2011 4:29 PM
To: Ged Kenslea
From: Miki Jackson [Michael.Weinstein@aidshealth.org> wrote:
A blow-up of the petition is a great idea.
From: Miki Jackson [Ged.Kenslea@aidshealth.org> wrote:
Michael,
Checking Starlight room @ Univ. Sheraton availability for the date.
Aug 8th is a Monday, may not be great for wider press attendance first thing in the morning, first thing in the week, also any out of town performers (Diana & dtr, Jan Meza, etc.) would have to travel in on a Sunday.
We can also feed it ahead of time to Molly @ LA Times now that she’s back on the beat (or Shaya @ AP if you prefer).
As for printing petitions by then, Brian can clarify, but I don’t think they can be done by then, as there is a second ten-day window review period in the approval process and it is possible that something could be tweaked/changed during that window.
Ged Kenslea
Communications Director
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
<image.png>
6660 Santa Monica Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles CA 90038
+1.323.308.1833 work
+1.323.791.5526 mobile
gedk@aidshealth.org
From: Michael Weinstein <Michael.Weinstein@aidshealth.org>
Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2011 14:53:53 -0700
To: AHF Advocacy <AHFAdvocacy@aidshealth.org>, AHF Media <AHFMedia@aidshealth.org>, Miki Jackson <mikijackson@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Press conference on City Ballot Initiative
We didn’t discuss the press conference we are planning on having on the porn ballot initiative. I am thinking we should do it on August 8th at the Universal Sheraton on the top floor at 10am. We should have performers there and great graphics. Any public health people would also be great. We should start thinking about a logo as well.
Brian – I assume that we will have the title and summary back by next Thursday since we submitted it last Monday. If possible it would be great if we had the petitions printed by that time.
**********************************
RE: Need some help…
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2011 11:00 AM
To: Brian Chase
I would be willing to front the money personally on a temporary basis.
From: Brian Chase
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2011 10:16 AM
To: Michael Weinstein
Subject: FW: Need some help…
Hey Michael,
The update on Derrick is that he is out of jail, but needs to come up with $515 by Sunday to pay the bail bondsman. Derrick claims that he will be able to repay the funds out of money from his last paycheck, which was mailed to him (he forwarded an e-mail confirming that it was sent).
There is no way I would be able to clear this expense past the First National Bank of Husband. He doesn’t have a code in our financial spreadsheets for “bailing twinks out of jail.”
Is this somewhere that AHF can/would want to help him out? Just let me know.
Brian
Brian Chase
Assistant General Counsel
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6255 W. Sunset Blvd., 21st Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323.860.5223
323.467.8450
From: Derrick Burts [Brian.Chase@aidshealth.org> wrote:
Hey John,
Do you have any update on when a motion might be introduced? Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help the process along.
Brian
Brian Chase
Assistant General Counsel
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6255 W. Sunset Blvd., 21st Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323.860.5223
323.467.8450
—
John Gregory
Legislative Deputy
Office of Councilmember Bill Rosendahl
City of Los Angeles, 11th District
(213) 473-7011
john.gregory@lacity.org
**********************************
LA Times WILL cover ballot press conf. first–FW: Possible LAT exclusive on the condoms in porn saga–LA City Clerk’s Title & Summary for Condoms in Porn ballot initiative; also embargoed very prelim DRAFT of AHF press release
Ged Kenslea
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2011 12:52 PM
To: Michael Weinstein; Brian Chase
Cc: Arlette Delacruz; Lori Yeghiayan; Mark McGrath [email addy redacted], Whitney Engeran; Timothy Boyd; Sarah Fohl; Gay Meixel; Miki Jackson
All,
Success!–LA Times will cover ballot initiative first–and as an exclusive–(so please don’t talk this up outside AHF yet).
I let Molly know that Michael and Derrick (and Brian) can do a conference call Monday, but Darren James is working Monday during the day (in FL) and then flying out here Monday night, so he may not be able to join on a group call.
MW & Brian (and Derrick, please Brian), please check your schedules for a Monday morning conference call (assuming she’ll want to get an early start on the interviewing) and let me know times that work for you.
Thanks,
Ged Kenslea
Communications Director
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6660 Santa Monica Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles CA 90038
+1.323.308.1833 work
+1.323.791.5526 mobile
gedk@aidshealth.org
—— Forwarded Message
From: “Hennessy-Fiske, Molly” <Molly.Hennessy-Fiske@latimes.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:25:03 -0700
To: Ged Kenslea <ged.kenslea@aidshealth.org>
Subject: RE: Possible LAT exclusive on the condoms in porn saga–LA City Clerk Title & Summary for Condoms in Porn ballot initiative; also embargoed very prelim DRAFT of AHF press release
I checked with the editors and we are interested in blogging it and running something in print–thanks for the heads up!
Is there any way I could chat–maybe conference call?–with Michael, Derrick and Darren Monday about the ballot initiative project?
From: Ged Kenslea [gedk@aidshealth.org
EMBARGOED UNTIL TUEDAY, AUGUST 16th 8:00am
Media Contacts:
Ged Kenslea
Telephone: (323) 308-1833, Mobile: (323) 791-5526
E-Mail: gedk@aidshealth.org
L.A. City Ballot Initiative Launched for Condoms in Porn Effort
Former adult film performers, including two infected with HIV while working in the industry, join advocates from AHF in petition drive for Citywide ballot initiative that will allow voters to weigh in on measure that would tie the issuance of adult film permits by the City to condom use in adult films
AHF and the initiative’s five named proponents will also launch FAIR (For Adult Industry Responsibility), a corresponding campaign to shepherd signature gathering and the entire ballot initiative process
WHAT:
Press Conference
Former adult performers join AHF to launch City of Los Angeles ballot initiative for condoms in porn effort tying adult film permits issued by the City to condom use in adult films
WHEN:
TUESDAY, August 16th 2011—10:00 AM Pacific
WHERE:
Sheraton Universal Hotel
Starview Room (21st Floor)
333 Universal Hollywood Drive
Universal City, CA 91608
WHO:
Darren James, former adult performer who contracted HIV while working in the industry
Derrick Burts, former adult performer who contracted HIV while working in the industry
Shelley Lubben, former adult entertainment actress and founder of Pink Cross Foundation
Jan (Meza) Merritt, former adult entertainment actress and member of the Pink Cross Foundation
Jenni Case, former adult entertainment actress and member of the Pink Cross Foundation
Michael Weinstein, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, President
Brian Chase, Assistant General Counsel, AIDS Healthcare Foundation
CONTACTS:
Ged Kenslea, AHF Dir. of Communications (323) 791-5526 cell (323) 860-5225 office
Lori Yeghiayan, AHF Assoc. Dir. of Communications (323) 377-4312 cell (323) 860-5227 office
B-roll:
The Starview Room offers spectacular panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley, home to California’s adult entertainment industry; the room also provides a bird’s eye view of Vivid Entertainment, a large adult film producer and an outspoken opponent of condom use
LOS ANGELES (August 15, 2011)–As part of its ongoing campaign to require the use of condoms in porn films shot and produced in California in an effort to reduce the spread of STDs including HIV, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) together with five former adult film performers–two of whom contracted HIV while working in the industry–will host a press conference tomorrow, Tuesday, August 16th at 10:00 AM Pacific at the Universal Sheraton Hotel (Starlight Ballroom, 333 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, 91608) to announce the launch of a City of Los Angeles ballot initiative that would allow Los Angeles voters to weigh in on a measure that would formally condition the issuance of adult film permits by the City of Los Angeles to condom use in adult films shot and produced in Los Angeles, including collection of a fee from adult film permit recipients to allow for periodic inspections of sets in order to monitor for compliance.
”As a global HIV and STD medical provider also operating treatment clinics and prevention facilities here in the City of Los Angeles, we see it as our duty to pursue action on the issue of safety in the workplace–in this instance, unprotected sex acts taking place every day in albeit non-traditional workplaces–the porn sets located throughout the San Fernando Valley that are churning out billions of dollars of adult fare each year that violates state health statutes and puts performers at risk,” said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation and one of the five named proponents of the ballot initiative. “This is why we are spearheading this ballot initiative: to take this crucial safety issue directly to City voters and formally tie the distribution of City film permits for adult film production in Los Angeles to the subsequent use of condoms in the films.”
This ordinance will be known as the ‘City of Los Angeles Safer Sex In The Adult Film Industry Act.’ Last Thursday, August 11th, Arlene P. Taylor, Chief of the Election Division in the City Clerk’s office provided the following preliminary ‘Official Petition Title and Summary’ for the proposed ballot measure as set forth below:
Adult Film Industry; Use of Condoms; Film Permits; Initiative Ordinance.
The proposed ordinance would require any person or entity directly engaged in the creation of adult films who is issued a permit under the authority of the City of Los Angeles (City) for commercial filming of an adult film to maintain engineering and work practice controls, including the provision of and required use of condoms, sufficient to protect employees from exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials consistent with state law. The proposed ordinance also would require that any film permit issued under the authority of the City of Los Angeles (City) for commercial filming of an adult film be conditioned on the compliance with this requirement and include language regarding the obligation to comply with applicable workplace health and safety regulations. The proposed ordinance also would require the City to charge applicants seeking permits for production of adult films a fee sufficient to pay for periodic inspections. The proposed ordinance would amend the Los Angeles City Municipal Code.
MOLLY–NOTE: Press release drafting to be continued Friday morning…
# # #
—— End of Forwarded Message
**********************************
Re: Promise to Pay
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2011 2:36 PM
To: Derrick Burts [derrickburts@gmail.com> wrote:
> Michael,
>
> I wanted to keep you updated with things on my end in regards to paying you back the $500.00 you let me borrow. I was planning on paying you back once I received my final paycheck from my past employer. I am not sure if Brian has kept you informed but I have yet to receive my check from them. I have forwarded several emails to Brian and I have talked to him about this issue over this past week, I expressed that I felt like my past employer was kind of bullying me around with this entire issue.
>
> As soon as my money is received I will be sure to pay you back what you let me borrow. I do apologize that this is taking so long, I really hate having to borrow money from anyone. Again, I thank you for helping me in my time of need and if there is anything I can do to help please let me know.
>
> I look forward to the press conference on Monday and I hope to see you Tuesday.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Derrick Burts
**********************************
Re: Copy of Karen Tynan (APHSS Legal Advisor) letter to LA City Attorney Attached
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Sunday, August 14, 2011 6:02 AM
To: Brian Chase
If terse was the worst thing that anyone said about you as a lawyer you would be doing pretty well.
Sent from my iPad
On Aug 13, 2011, at 3:44 PM, “Brian Chase” <Brian.Chase@aidshealth.org> wrote:
> Here is the letter. She doesn’t actually cite any law. She does call me “terse”.
>
> Brian Chase
> Assistant General Counsel
> AIDS Healthcare Foundation
> 6255 W. Sunset Blvd., 21st Floor
> Los Angeles, CA 90028
> 323.860.5223
> 323.208.1289 (Cell)
> 323.467.8450 (Fax)
>
> —–Original Message—–
> From: Mark McGrath
> Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2011 8:30 AM
> To: Brian Chase
> Cc: Ged Kenslea; Whitney Engeran; Miki Jackson
> Subject: Copy of Karen Tynan (APHSS Legal Advisor) letter to LA City Attorney Attached
>
> Attached is the letter retrieved off AVN….mark
> ————————————
> Mark Roy McGrath, MPH
> Public Health Policy Consultant
> AIDS Healthcare Foundation
> +1.323.533.2329
> mark.mcgrath@aidshealth.org
> www.aidshealth.org
>
> <Tynan LA City Attorney Letter 8-8-2011 www.xbiz.com_docs_xbiz_news_137464_Letter re DOSH Revised.pdf>
**********************************
Ballot Initiative Messaging
Brian Chase
Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 3:53 PM
To: Timothy Boyd; Michael Weinstein; Michael Kahane; Tom Myers; Whitney Engeran; Dale Gluth; Philip Reh; Eileen Garcia; Jessie Gruttadauria; Jessica Reinhart; Joseph Terrill; Azul Grasso; Sal Guillen [gedk@aidshealth.org
EMBARGOED UNTIL TUEDAY, AUGUST 16th 8:00am
L.A. City Ballot Initiative Launched for Condoms in Porn Effort
Former adult film performers, including two infected with HIV while working in the industry, join advocates from AHF in petition drive for Citywide ballot initiative that will allow voters to weigh in on measure that would tie the issuance of adult film permits by the City to condom use in adult films
AHF and the initiative’s five named proponents will also launch FAIR (For Adult Industry Responsibility), a corresponding campaign to shepherd signature gathering and the entire ballot initiative process
WHAT: Press Conference
Former adult performers join AHF to launch City of Los Angeles ballot initiative for condoms in porn effort tying adult film permits issued by the City to condom use in adult films
WHEN:
TUESDAY, August 16th 2011—10:00 AM Pacific
WHERE:
Sheraton Universal Hotel
Starview Room (21st Floor)
333 Universal Hollywood Drive
Universal City, CA 91608
WHO:
Darren James, former adult performer who contracted HIV while working in the industry
Derrick Burts, former adult performer who contracted HIV while working in the industry
Shelley Lubben, former adult entertainment actress and founder of Pink Cross Foundation
Jan (Meza) Merritt, former adult entertainment actress and member of the Pink Cross Foundation
Jenni Case, former adult entertainment actress and member of the Pink Cross Foundation
Michael Weinstein, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, President
Brian Chase, Assistant General Counsel, AIDS Healthcare Foundation
CONTACTS: Ged Kenslea, AHF Dir. of Communications (323) 791-5526 cell (323) 860-5225 office
Lori Yeghiayan, AHF Assoc. Dir. of Communications (323) 377-4312 cell (323) 860-5227 office
B-roll:
The Starview Room offers spectacular panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley, home to California’s adult entertainment industry; the room also provides a bird’s eye view of Vivid Entertainment, a large adult film producer and an outspoken opponent of condom use
LOS ANGELES (August 15, 2011)–As part of its ongoing campaign to require the use of condoms in porn films shot and produced in California in an effort to reduce the spread of STDs including HIV, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) together with five former adult film performers–two of whom contracted HIV while working in the industry–will host a press conference tomorrow, Tuesday, August 16th at 10:00 AM Pacific at the Universal Sheraton Hotel (Starlight Ballroom, 333 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, 91608) to announce the launch of a City of Los Angeles ballot initiative that would allow Los Angeles voters to weigh in on a measure that would formally condition the issuance of adult film permits by the City of Los Angeles to condom use in adult films shot and produced in Los Angeles, including collection of a fee from adult film permit recipients to allow for periodic inspections of sets in order to monitor for compliance. In addition, the group will formally unveil, ‘For Adult Industry Responsibility’ (FAIR), a campaign that will shepherd signature gathering and support the entire ballot initiative process.
”At present, animals working in film & TV productions in Los Angeles enjoy more safety and health protections than adult film performers do. There are laws and state statutes to protect adult performers–but there is no real enforcement. Fair is fair: these performers deserve the health and safety protections already afforded them under existing law,” said Michael Weinstein, president of AIDS Healthcare Foundation and one of the five named proponents of the ballot initiative. “All levels of government need to be involved in this workplace safety–State, City, County, Federal & local municipal bodies–including in the albeit non-traditional workplaces: the porn sets located throughout the San Fernando Valley that churn out billions of dollars of adult fare each year that violates state health statutes and puts performers at risk. To date, the City of Los Angeles and the City Council have been unwilling or unable to put forth a motion tying adult film permits to condom use in the productions, or County, to enforce state statutes. This is why we have spearheaded this ballot initiative: so the people–the voters in Los Angeles–may decide on this important health and safety issue affecting adult film performers.”
INSERT BILL ROSENDAHL QUOTE HERE
”…,” said Bill Rosendahl, Los Angeles City Councilmember representing District 11, “…”
This ordinance will be known as the ‘City of Los Angeles Safer Sex In The Adult Film Industry Act.’ Last Thursday, August 11th, Arlene P. Taylor, Chief of the Election Division in the City Clerk’s office provided the following preliminary ‘Official Petition Title and Summary’ for the proposed ballot measure as set forth below:
Adult Film Industry; Use of Condoms; Film Permits; Initiative Ordinance.
The proposed ordinance would require any person or entity directly engaged in the creation of adult films who is issued a permit under the authority of the City of Los Angeles (City) for commercial filming of an adult film to maintain engineering and work practice controls, including the provision of and required use of condoms, sufficient to protect employees from exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials consistent with state law. The proposed ordinance also would require that any film permit issued under the authority of the City of Los Angeles (City) for commercial filming of an adult film be conditioned on the compliance with this requirement and include language regarding the obligation to comply with applicable workplace health and safety regulations. The proposed ordinance also would require the City to charge applicants seeking permits for production of adult films a fee sufficient to pay for periodic inspections. The proposed ordinance would amend the Los Angeles City Municipal Code.
# # #
“Producers of adult films are required by California Code of Regulations Title 8, Section 5193 to use barrier protection, including condoms, to protect employees during the production of adult films,” said Brian Chase, Assistant General Counsel for AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “However, many producers of adult films in Los Angeles consistently violate the worker safety provisions of this Code. In addition, pursuant to Section 12.22(A)(13) of the Los Angeles Planning and Zoning Code, producers of all films within the City of Los Angeles, including adult films, are also required to obtain film permits. Such permits issued may contain conditions ‘consistent with public health, safety and general welfare.’ We believe the city already has the authority to tie film permits to condom use–this ballot measure will allow Los Angeles voters to weigh in and make certain this happens.
According to the ballot petition language, “The City or any person or entity acting on its behalf to issue or process film permits may charge permittees fees in conjunction with the issuance of film permits. Such fees may include fees to provide for inspectors to ensure compliance with conditions on film permits.”
According to information gleaned from the Los Angeles City Clerk’s office, AHF and members of the ‘For Adult Industry Responsibility’ (FAIR) campaign must gather 41,138 valid City of Los Angeles voter signatures in 120 days in order to qualify the measure, which would then likely appear on the June 2012 election ballot.
AHF is hosting its press conference in conjunction with five former adult film performers including Darren James and Derrick Burts, two male performers who became infected with HIV while working in the adult industry as well as with Shelley Lubben, Jan Meza and Jenni Case, former adult actresses who are now members of the Pink Cross Foundation. The performers will announce their support for the ‘City of Los Angeles Safer Sex In The Adult Film Industry Act.’
”We are honored to be joined today by several former actors in the adult film industry as we continue our push to require the use of condoms in all adult films shot in California,” added AHF’s Weinstein. “As they share their stories today, each will put a compelling human face on the dark side of the industry. Over the past few years, AHF has been spearheading a multi-pronged campaign pressing for condom use in adult films, and we are grateful that these courageous men and women are lending their voices and speaking out on this voter initiative.”
“I was a porn star living the glamorous life. Drug overdoses, herpes, suicide attempts and abuse at the hands of the porn industry,” said Shelley Lubben, former porn actress and founder and president of the Pink Cross Foundation, an IRS approved 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to offering adult industry workers emotional, financial and transitional support for those who want out of the adult industry. “In my time in the industry, I did some very hardcore movies, and only drugs and alcohol could get me through them. I played a crazy game of Russian roulette with my life. The industry did not and still does NOT enforce condom usage, so STDs and HIV were and still are a high risk among porn actors and actresses. While my own life has taken an entirely new and profoundly fulfilling direction and I now work to help performers leave the industry altogether, I wholeheartedly support this ballot initiative that would allow Los Angeles residents and voters to weigh in on tying film permits to condom use in the ongoing production of adult films in California.”
”I was brutalized, traumatized and victimized for a buck by an industry that could care less if I lived or died. I contracted Chlamydia and herpes, which is a non curable STD from my time in the porn industry. The porn industry collectively employs thousands of male and female porn actresses monthly. How much higher then is the risk of getting HIV and other STD’s in a transient industry where you have not only one sexual partner per day, but several or more and condoms are looked at as an unnecessary, negative component of this industry?,” said Jan (Meza) Merritt, former porn actress and member of the Pink Cross Foundation. “Enough is enough! How many more HIV incidents must occur in the adult industry before changes are made once and for all? I fully support the ‘City of Los Angeles Safer Sex In The Adult Film Industry Act’ that will allow Los Angeles voters to weigh in on the safety of those individuals who remain working in the porn industry.”
Background on AHF’s Adult Film Worker Safety Efforts and STD Infections in the Industry
AHF’s move to spearhead this ballot initiative was prompted by two outbreaks of HIV in the industry and an ongoing epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in California’s adult film industry. As part of its ongoing campaign to require the use of condoms in adult films shot, AHF has undertaken high profile advocacy efforts directly targeting the industry, including key players like Hustler’s founder Larry Flynt and Vivid Entertainment’s Steve Hirsch; it has also publicly pressed Los Angeles County political and health officials to comply with the law as far as legal reporting of HIV and STD cases–including those found among performers in the industry–and to require the use of condoms on film sets in Los Angeles.
In addition, multiple organizations committed to protecting the public health have called for mandatory use of condoms in the production of adult films, including the American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association, the California Conference of Local AIDS Directors, the California STD Controllers Association, the National Coalition of STD Directors, the National Association of City and County Health Officials, AIDS Healthcare Foundation and the California Medical Association.
STDs in the Adult Film Industry in Los Angeles County
According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH), workers in the adult film industry are ten times more likely to be infected with a sexually transmitted disease than members of the population at large. LADPH documented 2,013 individual cases of chlamydia and 965 cases of gonorrhea among workers between the years 2003 and 2007. In the period April 2004 to March 2008 there have been 2,847 STD infections diagnosed among 1,884 performers in the adult industry in LA County. LADPH has also observed that many workers suffer multiple infections, with some performers having four or more separate infections over the course of a year. In addition, LADPH has stated that as many as 25 industry-related cases of HIV have been reported since 2004. County health officials attribute the epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases in the porn industry to a lack of protective equipment for partners, including condoms. The agency recommends condoms be used during production, but has never taken steps to ensure their use, or to protect the performers who are essentially required to endanger their health in order to remain employed.
”This is not just about one industry, but about our entire community, as the spread of disease among adult film performers endangers themselves as well as their sexual partners in and outside the industry,” added AHF’s Weinstein. “This is why we are bringing the question directly to voters here in Los Angeles.”
# # #
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the US’ largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare provider. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to more than 180,000 individuals in 27 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and the Asia Pacific Region. www.aidshealth.org
The Pink Cross Foundation is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to offering adult industry workers emotional, financial and transitional support for those who want out of the adult industry. www.shelleylubben.com
**********************************
FW: Here is our FINAL press advisory for tomorrow–ON HOLD until you publish tonight
Ged Kenslea
Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 6:37 PM
To: Michael Weinstein; Brian Chase; Derrick Burts [shelley.lubben@gmail.com; Jan Meza (Merritt) [http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/08/condoms-in-porn-la-ballot-initiative-petition-effort-underway.html
Ged Kenslea
Communications Director
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6660 Santa Monica Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles CA 90038
[phone numbers and email addy redacted]
—— Forwarded Message
From: “Hennessy-Fiske, Molly” <Molly.Hennessy-Fiske@latimes.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:05:35 -0700
To: Ged Kenslea <ged.kenslea@aidshealth.org>
Subject: RE: Here is our FINAL press advisory for tomorrow–ON HOLD until you publish tonight
Thanks! Post is up:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/08/condoms-in-porn-la-ballot-initiative-petition-effort-underway.html
From: Ged Kenslea [gedk@aidshealth.org
—— End of Forwarded Message
**********************************
RE: News Alert: FSC Asks for Porn Moratorium After Possible HIV Exposore
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Monday, August 29, 2011 10:45 AM
To: Tom Myers
I am prepared. I suppose we are also responsible for the Porn Wikileaks debacle also. Mike South is reporting that this person tested in Florida.
From: Tom Myers
Sent: Monday, August 29, 2011 10:39 AM
To: Michael Weinstein
Subject: RE: News Alert: FSC Asks for Porn Moratorium After Possible HIV Exposore
we should be prepared to have this blamed on us – this woldn’t have happened if AIM were still around (although it did when they were around), etc. – our efforts have made it more dangerous for peoole, etc.
From: Michael Weinstein
Sent: Monday, August 29, 2011 1:23 PM
To: AHF Advocacy
Subject: FW: News Alert: FSC Asks for Porn Moratorium After Possible HIV Exposore
When Will It End
There is yet another suspected case of HIV infection in the Los Angeles porn industry and another moratorium on film production. This latest outbreak underscores the urgent need for immediate action by government to stop this occupational health hazard from continuing. The claim that HIV testing is an adequate substitute for condom use has once again been proven false. The question remains how many performers must become infected with HIV and other serous STDs before the industry will clear up its act and government will do the right thing. This outrageous disregard for the health and safety of the performers and the community at large is a shameful blot on the reputation of Los Angeles. We call for immediate action by the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County. The temporary moratorium on filming should become a permanent one until condoms are mandatory. We request an immediate cease and desist order be issued by the County as a public health protection and that all permits for adult films be cancelled by the City until these productions certify that they are using condoms in the production of porn.
From: Whitney Engeran
Sent: Monday, August 29, 2011 8:49 AM
To: Michael Weinstein
Subject: FW: News Alert: FSC Asks for Porn Moratorium After Possible HIV Exposore
From: XBIZ News <newsletter@xbiz.com>
Reply-To: <newsletter@xbiz.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2011 08:11:28 -0700
To: Whitney Engeran <whitney.engeran@gmail.com>
Subject: News Alert: FSC Asks for Porn Moratorium After Possible HIV Exposore
News Alert:
FSC Asks for Porn Moratorium After Possible HIV Exposore
CANOGA PARK, Calif. — Adult industry trade group Free Speech Coalition has asked for an industry-wide moratorium on porn production after reports indicate that an active performer may have tested positive for HIV.
**********************************
RE: FSC
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Monday, August 29, 2011 3:23 PM
To: Whitney Engeran; Ged Kenslea; Brian Chase; Mark McGrath
The reports are that the test took place in Florida and therefore is reportable to local authorities.
From: Whitney Engeran
Sent: Monday, August 29, 2011 12:09 PM
To: Michael Weinstein; Ged Kenslea; Brian Chase; Mark McGrath
Subject: FSC
I am wondering if we should add to our comment or statement, that reports of STIs are to be made to the County Health Department for follow up. Whether someone uses their testing service or not, they are not the health department and seem to intimate in their statement that they are the authority and have the system….they do not.
And notice that they are concerned about minimizing liability…….they have a conflict of interest.
CANOGA PARK, Calif. — Adult industry trade group Free Speech Coalition has asked for an industry-wide moratorium on porn production after reports indicate that an active performer may have tested positive for HIV.
The FSC, as well as its performer testing unit, Adult Production Health & Safety Services Program (APHSS.org), said that a moratorium be “instituted immediately and continued for a time period until the primary reports are confirmed.”
The moratorium would continue until possible first and second-generation exposures have been identified. A quarantine could be extended after that point, if necessary.
The FSC said it was made aware of a “purported incident” on Saturday by a “reliable” industry source.
“According to the information that is available, the performer in question may have tested positive for HIV at a testing facility that does not appear to have protocols or procedures in place for medical follow-up (including generational testing) ,” the FSC said in a statement.
The FSC said that it wanted to make clear that these reports were not involving APHSS.org testing facilities and that it can’t deny nor confirm specific facts about the incident.
“Our first priority is to protect performers with reliable health services and assist producers with protocols that minimize liability, while remaining compliant with state and federal regulations regarding medical privacy,” the FSC said.
–
Whitney Engeran-Cordova
Senior Director of Public Health
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
1300 Scott Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Phone (213) 405-5822
Cell (562) 682-1075
Fax (213) 405-5880
From: Matthews, Teresa C. [http://www.brazzers.com).
Talent had a “positive test” but convinced producer it was a “false positive.”
at least 13 primary female exposures and an unknown number of primary male exposures.
————————————
Mark Roy McGrath, MPH
Public Health Policy Consultant
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
[phone number redacted]
mark.mcgrath@aidshealth.org
www.aidshealth.org
________________________________________
From: Ged Kenslea
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 10:36 AM
To: Brian Chase; Mark McGrath; Michael Weinstein; Whitney Engeran
Cc: Lori Yeghiayan
Subject: FW: update on HIV casein adult industry
Guys,
(From Molly)
—— Forwarded Message
From: “Hennessy-Fiske, Molly” <Molly.Hennessy-Fiske@latimes.com>
Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2011 09:27:02 -0700
To: Ged Kenslea <ged.kenslea@aidshealth.org>
Subject: update
I’ve seen a performer name circulating, and some details about a previous HIV positive test. Have you all heard anything else?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
She is NOT referring to Tucker Slain/Nelson Martin. Have either of you heard anything on this?
FYI, today’s hard copy of LA Times ran yesterday’s piece by Molly on page AA3 WITHOUT the final four paragraphs (which included Michael’s quote); however, about one hour ago, Molly posted the following piece online that focuses on the ballot initiative:
Thanks to AP, we are also up to about 260 hits on this story (with inclusion of AHF and/or a Michael quote).
Dennis Romero had his usual snarky LA Weekly post yesterday, and another up today:
http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2011/08/hiv_porn_shut-down.php
http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2011/08/porn_hiv_out_of_state.php
[cid:3397545362_250199]
# # #
Ged Kenslea
Communications Director
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
[cid:3397545362_242126]
6660 Santa Monica Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles CA 90038
+1.323.308.1833 work
+1.323.791.5526 mobile
gedk@aidshealth.org
—— Forwarded Message
From: “Hennessy-Fiske, Molly” <Molly.Hennessy-Fiske@latimes.com>
Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2011 09:27:02 -0700
To: Ged Kenslea <ged.kenslea@aidshealth.org>
Subject: update
I’ve seen a performer name circulating, and some details about a previous HIV positive test. Have you all heard anything else?
—— End of Forwarded Message
**********************************
RE: Press teleconference
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 8:51 AM
To: Brian Chase; AHF Advocacy; Jennifer King; Elizabeth Nash
Cc: Miki Jackson
You could ask James Vellaquette, Jason King and Jennifer King or Liza Nash.
From: Brian Chase
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 8:51 AM
To: Michael Weinstein; AHF Advocacy
Cc: Miki Jackson
Subject: RE: Press teleconference
We need three Floridians to sign the sanitary nuisance complaint. I would appreciate any suggestions.
Brian Chase
Assistant General Counsel
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6255 W. Sunset Blvd., 21st Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323.860.5223
323.208.1289 (Cell)
323.467.8450 (Fax)
From: Michael Weinstein Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 12:42 AM To: AHF Advocacy Cc: Miki Jackson Subject: Press teleconference
Since Brian is leaving on vacation on Thursday, I would like to have a press teleconference tomorrow in the early afternoon to announce that we are filing a sanitary nuisance complaint and a letter to Federal OSHA against Brazzers, who are being reported as the company where the infected performer was employed. Whether or not Brazzers is the source of the infection or not they are flagrantly admitting that they film without condoms.
In addition, we are calling on the Free Speech Coalition to stop obstructing the investigation in Los Angeles County and provide all of the necessary information to the public health authorities. We have it very good authority that they are withholding information from the County.
FSC is an advocacy group, they are not authorized to do these investigations and they are not qualified. The pattern of non-cooperation that has characterized the industry and led to the current situation is continuing. It is the responsibility of Los Angeles County, which has not issued any statement to this point, to demand cooperation from the industry. Even though the initial exposure took place in Florida, the shutdown in LA constitutes a major public health event under the law.
We are also reaffirming our call on the City to stop issuing new permits.
RE: FANTASTIC
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 12:42 AM
To: Terri Ford; Whitney Engeran
Thanks. Gratefully, I am feeling better.
________________________________________
From: Terri Ford
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 12:30 AM
To: Whitney Engeran
Cc: Michael Weinstein; AHF Advocacy; AHF Media
Subject: Re: FANTASTIC
I agree with Whitney. Great job even with being sick.
Nice piece overall and it really showcased AHF as the leader on the issue.
On Aug 30, 2011, at 11:47 PM, “Whitney Engeran” <Whitney.Engeran@aidshealth.org> wrote:
> I just saw the Nightline piece on condoms in porn. Couldn’t be better!!! Great lines, Michael….crisp and to the point:)
>
> Congratulations!! The ballot initiative came in, they looked like greedy people putting their workers at risk.
>
> Whitney
**********************************
RE: Link to Nightline video and story
Michael Weinstein
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2011 6:10 AM
To: Tom Myers
Cc: Mark McGrath
Mark – Do you know anyone at Wicked?
From: Tom Myers
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 8:59 AM
To: Michael Weinstein
Subject: RE: Link to Nightline video and story
Well done. Although I’m sure you said much more, ABC managd to do two quotes, about porn, where you referred to animals and pedophilia! Nice.
Bythe way, have we had any contact with, or offered any praise to, Wicked? The story says they do condoms only. If so, (1) it gives the lie about no one will watch – they prove there is money to be made. Condom-less people’s argument cannot be that there is no money, but that there simply is not enough money – greedy bastards.
And (2), Wicked presumably has an interest in seeing the industry go to condoms, as it levels the playing field (if condom-less is more profitable, they are leaving money on the table, which will change if everyone goes condoms). In fact, they may have a competitive advantage, since they have been using condoms, and may have some insight how to film so that it is minimized, hotter, etc. Could we possibly draft them to our side?
From: James Vellequette
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 9:16 AM
To: AHF Advocacy
Subject: Link to Nightline video and story
**********************************
HIV porn crisis: finally facts‹raising far more questions, says AHF
Ged Kenslea
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2011 5:32 PM
To: AHF Advocacy
Attachments: Condoms in porn Marwin and~1.doc (90 KB)[Open as Web Page];
HIV porn crisis: finally facts–raising far more questions, says AHF
Luxembourg press release from adult film company Manwin,
and separate legal letter to AHF help to establish three facts:
1) Florida is the location of this latest reported adult industry-related HIV case,
2) the performer in question reportedly participated in adult film production for www.mofos.com, which shares most of the same corporate addresses as Manwin’s Brazzers.com website, and
3) the discovery of a preliminary HIV positive test in a working adult film performer.
These new facts raise also alarming questions as to industry advocacy group, the Free Speech Coalition’s qualifications for, control of, and pace of what should be a public health investigation,
as well as if on-camera sexual partners of the performer have been notified and tested, and if public health authorities have been notified, to the extent required by law
LOS ANGELES (September 1, 2011)–Nearly one full week after an adult film performer was reported to have tested HIV positive and the industry responded with a self-imposed moratorium on shooting new adult films, facts have emerged in the case that raise far more–and far more alarming–questions on the incident and the handling of the case by the industry as well as the required public health follow up and investigation. In response to this latest reported HIV case–thought to be the 23rd adult industry-related HIV case since 2004–AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) filed health and safety complaints yesterday with federal OSHA officials and the Florida Department of Public Health to prompt industry compliance with employee health and safety regulations and to spur proper and thorough public health investigations of this alleged incident.
A press release posted on the website www.avn.com datelined today from Luxembourg from the adult film conglomerate Manwin (owner of the website www.brazzers,com), and a separate legal letter sent to AHF helped to establish three facts in the case: 1) Florida is the location of this latest reported adult industry-related HIV case, 2) the performer in question reportedly participated in adult film production for www.mofos.com, an adult film production company that shares most of the same corporate office addresses as Manwin’s Brazzers.com website, and 3) the legal letter sent to AHF on behalf of Manwin confirms the discovery of a preliminary HIV positive test in a working adult film performer.
”These new facts raise several alarming questions on this latest incident of HIV exposure in the adult film industry and as to both the industry’s and public health officials’ response,” said Michael Weinstein, president of AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “Key questions include what the adult industry’s advocacy group the Free Speech Coalition’s qualifications are for conducting what should be a public health investigation? Why do they seem to be controlling it, and why is it taking so long to confirm or refute the initial suspected case? Have on-camera sexual partners of the suspected HIV-infected actor have been notified and tested, and have public health authorities have been notified of the initial individual’s infection to the extent required by law?”
In its press release from earlier today, Manwin officials state:
”We are currently waiting for a final and clear result on whether or not ‘Patient A’ has tested positive for HIV,” the press release concludes. “This process and its corresponding privacy implications means that we cannot comment further until the full results have been legally transmitted and disclosed.”
Manwin, as reported in the Miami News Times, Sept. 1, 2011
“Nearly one full week has gone by since the initial HIV test was likely done and this positive test was first reported by the Free Speech Coalition,” added AHF’s Weinstein. “We–and the public–want to understand the following questions:
• Why has Free Speech Coalition’s ‘investigation’ have not been completed?
• How much longer will it take?
• Why is any ‘investigation’ needed, when two rapid tests that would take 40 minutes, are sufficient to determine if someone is positive?
• What qualifies FSC to conduct an ‘investigation?’
• Have the sexual partners of these performers been notified and tested?
• Has notification of the initial positive test result been reported to authorities, to the extent required by law?”
Multiple organizations committed to protecting the public health have previously called for mandatory use of condoms in the production of adult films, including the American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association, the California Conference of Local AIDS Directors, the California STD Controllers Association, the National Coalition of STD Directors, the National Association of City and County Health Officials, AIDS Healthcare Foundation and the California Medical Association.
# # #
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the US’ largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare provider. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to more than 182,000 individuals in 26 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and the Asia Pacific Region. www.aidshealth.org
Ged Kenslea
Communications Director
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6660 Santa Monica Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles CA 90038
+1.323.308.1833 work
+1.323.791.5526 mobile
gedk@aidshealth.org
www.aidshealth.org
**********************************
FW: Demand for Retraction
Ged Kenslea
You forwarded this message on 9/2/2011 2:53 PM.
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2011 11:53 AM
To: Michael Weinstein
Cc: Tom Myers
Attachments: 2011-09-01 Mayer Ltr to AH~1.PDF (40 KB)[Open as Web Page];
Michael,
Big guns with Mitchell, Silberberg!
At minimum this seems to confirm the fact the current patient zero did, in fact, work for Brazzers.
I have forwarded to Tom for his review.
I’ll defer to Tom & you, but I could incorporate our receipt of this demand for retraction (and presumed confirmation that a Brazzers employee is at the center of the current controversy) in the short FSC press statement that I’m working on now.
Ged Kenslea
Communications Director
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6660 Santa Monica Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles CA 90038
[phone/mobile numbers redacted]
gedk@aidshealth.org
—— Forwarded Message
From: “Gaines, Jennifer” <jda@msk.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Sep 2011 11:32:18 -0700
To: Michael Weinstein <Michael.Weinstein@aidshealth.org>, Ged Kenslea <ged.kenslea@aidshealth.org>
Cc: “Mayer, Marc” <MEM@msk.com>
Subject: Demand for Retraction
Please see the attached correspondence sent on behalf of Marc Mayer. You can reach Mr. Mayer directly at mem@msk.com or by telephone at (310) 312-3154.
<<2011-09-01 Mayer Ltr to AHF re demand for retraction (4066222).PDF>>
MS&K | Since 1908 | Lawyers for the 21st CenturyTM
Jennifer Gaines
Assistant to Marc Mayer
Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP
11377 West Olympic Blvd.| Los Angeles, California 90064
direct: 310 312-3238| fax: 310 312-3100 | jda@msk.com www.msk.com <file://www.msk.com>
