Response to Statement by Talent Testing Services
CANOGA PARK, Calif. – The following is a statement issued by Adult Production Health & Safety Services (APHSS.org) in regards to a Talent Testing Services Press release sent to industry media outlets earlier today:
This is the first word we have received from Talent Testing Services that they have chosen to stop sending data to the APHSS database. We regret this decision by TTS since it will have a negative effect on performers and producers. Further, it obviously endangers adult production industry self-regulation protocols, especially at a time when the industry is under fire from outside interests that support mandatory condom legislation.
We have done everything possible to compromise with TTS – despite their objections to participation in APHSS – because we had requests from several producers and agents to include TTS data in the APHSS database. We agreed with producers and agents that including TTS data was the best possible situation for the industry (despite their unwillingness to comply with APHSS policy & protocols), in order to have a complete source of information for active performers.
If TTS is currently in dispute with Manwin over alleged demands placed on them for further cooperation, APHSS cannot comment on these developments as they do not directly involve any negotiations that we have had with TTS. APHSS responded to TTS’ initial demands by providing them with an automated interface to load data into the APHSS system. At that time, TTS agreed to follow APHSS protocols in the event of an STI exposure incident.
However, because of other objections from TTS to APHSS policy, they declined to be included in the APHSS program and so were not able to become an APHSS-recommended facility. It seems that now they have decided to drop out of the program completely, based on their own business interests.
We assume that Manwin has based their company policy on what is most prudent for them, and we commend them for giving serious consideration to establishing health & safety protocols for their company.
The APHSS database was developed by industry stakeholders, attorneys and compliance experts to be a comprehensive source of information, to safeguard self-regulation protocols – as well as providing performers with reliable health services that include doctors and healthcare professionals. The database design was also developed to safeguard user privacy and security.
APHSS-recommended facilities have been chosen from established healthcare providers that have agreed to abide by industry self-regulation protocols, including the presence of on-staff physicians and adherence to STI exposure protocols. Many of those protocols are based on those developed by the AIM clinic. These components are essential to any industry self-regulation – without them, the industry has little defense against mandated regulation by governmental entities. The essence of those protocols have been effective since they were established in 1998.
In addition, the recently-initiated Performer Subsidy Fund is to be administered through the APHSS system, which will subsidize testing for all performers whose testing data is updated through the APHSS system. Without voluntary TTS updates for performers that choose to use their services, we cannot hope to know which performers have tested there, so subsidizing their test fees will be nearly impossible. Most critically, it will also be impossible for APHSS to gather data on performers that test at TTS, in the event of an exposure incident.
Again, we have had little communication from TTS concerning these latest developments and we hope that their representatives will reconsider the potential repercussions that their decisions will have on the entire adult production community.
We encourage producers and performers to consider carefully their own policies toward industry testing and STI protocols, but acknowledge that all are free to choose the services they wish to use. Producers and performers wanted - and have a right - to a system that offers them choice, reliability and, most importantly, cooperation in the event of any STI exposure incident. APHSS will continue to provide those services and more, now and in the future.
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APHSS Proudly Announces New Performer Testing Service
CANOGA PARK, Calif. – Adult Production Health & Safety Services (APHSS.org) is glad to announce a new addition to its network of performer testing facilities. STDStatus.com is currently offering performer-testing services at draw stations located nationwide.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer more options to performers for testing, especially performers that are located outside of the Los Angeles area,” said FSC Executive Director Diane Duke (FSC operates APHSS.org). “To comply with APHSS policy, STDStatus.com works with a national network of doctors and service providers, and they offer the Aptima HIV-1RNA Qualitative Assay test. It’s exciting to welcome them to the program.”
A unique feature of the STDStatus.com website is a “live chat” option where clients may ask general questions about testing and test locations via chat. STDStatus.com can also be reached by phone at 1-866-554-4296, 24 hours a day.
Performers and producers can expect STDStatus.com to return test results within 3-4 business days, with a cost of $149.00 for the performer’s panel of tests. In addition to the industry standard panel of tests, STDStatus.com also will include syphilis testing – free of charge – for performers.
“We are very excited to have partnered with APHSS in helping to maintain reliable health services for performers,” STDStatus.com President Michelle Leone said. “We look forward to extending our professional and convenient testing services to the adult entertainment industry.”
For more information on the APHSS.org program, please contact (818) 348-9373 or
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Manwin Initiates Fund to Subsidize Performer Testing Costs Through FSC-APHSS.org
CANOGA PARK, Calif. – Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has been called upon by Manwin to administer a fund through which performers may receive a monthly subsidy to help with costs of industry-imposed STI testing.
Called the Performer Subsidy Fund, the program will be available to all active performers who participate in the Adult Production Health & Safety Services (APHSS.org) database, even if they do not perform in a Manwin production.
The action follows a recent policy change for Manwin, requiring performers that work on productions for Manwin brands to increase STI testing to every 14 days, instead of the industry standard 28-day testing. Any performer that tests, and is a participant in the APHSS database program can receive a subsidy, even if they test only every 28 days, and do not shoot for any Manwin owned brands.
Manwin Managing Partner, Fabian Thylmann says: “This Fund was conceptualized to alleviate some of the expenses, and financial burden, performers may be facing due to occupational testing. We’re grateful the FSC agreed to support this project, and hope others in the industry will back it as well.”
Manwin has agreed to contribute $50,000 monthly to the Performers Subsidy Fund. Other adult production companies, and producers, also are invited to contribute to the cause.
Manwin is providing a separate amount to the FSC, to cover all administration costs of the program.
Performers that are currently participating in the APHSS.org database system will be asked to submit a mailing address in advance of the first round of funding subsidies. The first dispersal of funds is scheduled to take place in early September; performers that wish to receive the September subsidy must be signed up with APHSS.org by August 31.
Performers testing history will be tracked through the APHSS.org database, in order to compile needed information that will determine monthly subsidy dispersal. All funds will be divided equally among performers and performers will be subsidized per test for each test that they have taken in a given month.
Subsidy amounts will vary from month to month according to the number of tests identified in the APHSS database for a given month. Test subsidies will not exceed the average price of an industry-standard performer’s test panel ($120). If there are any surplus funds left after performers receive monthly subsidies, the excess will be put into a separate account that will be reserved for use in the event of an on-set HIV exposure incident. One hundred percent of the funds contributed to the subsidy will be designated to the performers and/or the emergency fund.
“When Manwin called and told me that they wanted to help all performers by subsidizing the cost of test, we were thrilled. They put up the funds and we will implement the program. The program is open for other producers to contribute as well — the more money that comes in, the more we will be able to send to performers,” said FSC Executive Director Diane Duke.
For more information on Free Speech Coalition, APHSS.org or the Performers Subsidy Fund, please contact
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APHSS.org and TTS Agree to Incorporate TTS Results into APHSS Database
CANOGA PARK, Calif. – Adult Production Health & Safety Services (APHSS.org) today announced that it will start to receive Talent Testing Service, Inc. (TTS) data into the APHSS database via an electronic transfer protocol. While TTS is a non-APHSS provider, FSC and TTS have agreed that a comprehensive information source for performer availability is critical to support industry protocols.
Earlier it was reported that TTS did not meet all of the APHSS qualifications for performer care and therefore did not qualify as an APHSS provider. Moreover, TTS stated that they were not interested in being an APHSS provider.
This conflict posed a problem for performers and producers who wanted to utilize both APHSS and TTS. After a number of discussions, TTS and APHSS have come to an agreement. “The electronic transfer of TTS data into the APHSS database as a non-APHSS provider seemed like the best compromise for the good of the industry,” explained Diane Duke FSC Executive Director.
“Although we (TTS) will continue to provide results via our own web portal, providing accessibility in the APHSS database benefits the industry as a whole.” said Sixto Pacheco, CCRC, President & CEO of TTS.
Currently, APHSS and TTS are working together to coordinate the technical steps for data compatibility. As soon as those steps are worked out, TTS information will be available on the APHSS database.
FSC is holding a meeting to go over the APHSS program, industry protocols, what to do in the case of an HIV positive result, and an update on mandatory condom ordinances. The meeting is Tuesday, July 10, 1pm PDT and will be held at the Majestic Plaza, 18341 Sherman Way, Ste 207 (upstairs), in Reseda, CA (Parking available in the back).
For those who are unable to attend in person, a video broadcast of the meeting will be streamed live to industry members on July 10 at 1pm PDT, on XBIZ.net. If you would like to access the live broadcast, sign in or register at XBIZ.net. A link to the broadcast will appear inside XBIZ.net on the date of the meeting along with a pre-broadcast email notification.
For more information about APHSS.org, or the meeting contact
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Additonal links:
https://aphss.org/
http://xbiz.net/index.php?c=home.welcome&next_page=%2Findex.php%3Fc%3Dhome.updates |
APHSS.org Meeting to be Streamed Live on XBIZ.net
CANOGA PARK, Calif. –Adult Production Health & Safety Services (APHSS.org) will hold a meeting on July 10, at 1pm PST, for industry members to discuss the topics of performer testing and the Los Angeles condom ordinance.
The meeting will take place at Majestic Plaza, 18341 Sherman Way, Ste 207, Reseda, CA, 91335. Industry members are encouraged to attend in-person, if possible. For more details of the meeting, click here.
http://fscblogger.wordpress.com/2012/06/27/aphss-will-hold-meeting-addressing-performer-testing-condom-legislation/
However, for those that are unable to attend, the meeting will be streamed live for members of XBIZ.net’s adult industry forum. If you would like to watch the meeting online, please, go to XBIZ.net and sign up.
Once signed up, members will be able to access the XBIZ forums and watch the meeting live. A link will appear on profile home pages, on the day of the meeting that will allow viewers to watch via computer.
http://xbiz.net/index.php?c=home.welcome&next_page=%2Findex.php%3Fc%3Dhome.updates
For those watching the stream that would like to ask questions, please email them to
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prior to or during the meeting. Time permitting, as many questions as possible will be answered.
“We want to thank XBIZ for all the help they provide to FSC,” FSC Executive Director Diane Duke said. “This meeting is very important to anyone that works in content production - we will discuss how APHSS.org works; how the program was developed to reduce liability for producers and agents; standards for HIV testing; and the importance of supporting a system that upholds protocols for industry self-regulation. We also will update everyone on the L.A. condom ordinance.
“In the interest of industry unity, XBIZ has graciously offered to make it possible for those that can’t make it to the meeting to be informed,” Duke added.
Speakers include: Industry and workplace safety attorneys Jeffrey Douglas and Karen Tynan; Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Peter Miao; Kink.com CEO Peter Acworth; and FSC Executive Director Diane Duke.
This meeting will be open to producers, directors, performers and agents. If you need more information, please contact
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