Has the HIV crisis reached the UK industry??

[one eyed jack]

No. Apathy.

There were people there at the meeting prepared to break their cheques books out myself, Jay K, Harmony (Blue Bird rep didnt even bother turn up and promised to be the biggest donor)

The evidence to its outcome is actually on that link

[one eyed jack]

We think it wouldnt work because a large part of the industry dont want to pay for tests so yes. Partly financial and also there are those who dont get enough work to warrant paying and we really had the medical reps over a barrel on it and stil there wasnt enough support

If everyone turned up in force like the meeting in Sadlers Wells in 2005 the outcome could have well been differernt but lets just say right now this is not a guarantee against HIV but a more controlled enviornment we need in place in case of things like this happening here

If HIV breaks out in the UK you can bet it wil be utter chaos because everyone is tied up with data protection, selfish people will continue working and will demand "danger money"

I've seen this practice in effect in Europe. All it tells me is why should I bother but I do, for the sake of the many whose lives are on the line if I don't give a shit.

Ive already seen a friend die horribly from cancer in the business. I dont want to see anyone die from AIDS especially whenit could have been avoided under my watch

[justincyder]

American Industry - multi billion dollar, tens of thousands of performers, companies and other people affiliated with it.

Consequence - far more affected by this type of incident despite being better regulated


UK Industry - worth a few grand I'm sure, a few handfuls of performers all whom seem to know each other, even less amounts of serious companies.

Consequence - Actually less risk but as OEJ put it, people running about panicking without actually giving it much thought.

[Love_Byter]

Terry, thanks for your contributions on this - it's been an education.
Given that you're well acquainted with the issues, probably more so than most people on this board, if we start today with a blank canvas, what needs to be done and how does the industry go about doing it?

Brian

[one eyed jack]

Thanks for your understanding Love Byter

For this to work, all producers and performers should agree to having a central health system in place where through a password issued by the performers that we can inspect a genuine health cert.

This has been discussed already that if endorsed buy a medical official, the test will either show up as green or red (thereby getting past the data protection issues)

I consider this more importan than the condoms issues because everyone forgets that condoms split and whipping them off for the money shot negates the point of even wearing them.

We need a system in place that is effect as AIM has proved in stemming the panic by isolating those who are affected because panic is the first thing that causes problems in our business plu si t gives everyone a bit more peace of mind.

Condoms are not necessarily the way forward because we all know that reneaged producers will seize the opportunity thing it will give them that edge over the competition and that is precisly why it wont work even though it is the most obvious solution and al this has already been discussed on the link I posted

There are so many other things I can suggest but it requires a concerted effort with all on board to play ball which is an impossible task in itself and to be fair to those that warned memay never happen until we do get an HIV case.

Sorry to say it but its true. People inthe US have told me the only reason they have a system in place is because it happened as a resultof being too late and thats when people attempt to do something about it.

Justincyder made a good point about the UK industry being a lot smaller but if a few people did contract HIV from working in the US it would spell disaster on more people if it did affect people here because it is a smaller community

Relatively speaking the statistics would be higher compared to the US

[KazB]

I remember a Bristol clinic (clinic express I think) offering performers a discounted cert for private testing with a fast turn around. It was met with a huge amount of negativity despite all the hard work that Clinic Express had done setting up the database. I can understand why OEJ was so frustrated and disheartened by the lack of concern back then.

I truly hope it doesn't reach the UK or effect anyone we know, but if it did we have no one else to blame.

[Danny D]

Hey Everyone

I have added this on another post to, but thought I'd repeat it!!
So I have just returned back from America filming for my Whitezilla line, and just before I came home this HIV news came to light, firstly my thoughts are with anyone who is affected in this whole thing! As soon as I found out I went to get tested at AIM and very grateful to say i got a negative result, but it was a scary time after all my scenes to hear of this, I'm now back in the UK with Fresh Clean Certs tested at AIM which use DNA testing for HIV to get an immediate response, I felt it was my duty to write on here for fellow performers to know that this issue is being taken very seriously by myself and everyone else who has been working abroad.
I urge anyone who has recently been working abroad to get re-tested regardless of when it expires!!!!

We as performers choose to take the risks, HOWEVER we all owe each other the right to be safe at work!!
DONT BE A FOOL, WRAP YOUR TOOL!!!!!!

Danny D