Porn and Safe Sex: Does it exist?

I have gotten several questions about people in the porn industry becoming infected with sex related illnesses, and wither or not the industry is safe. This is my attempt to provide information on what I know about the porn industry and their safe sex practices. I hope that you can take this information and decide for yourself if it is safe or not.

When people watch porn they usually are not concerned about the participants having safe sex. Most people are concentrated more on the sex acts. Have you ever watched an adult movie and wondered if the woman was on birth control, if both of them have had a recent STI screening, if they will use condoms, or many other safe sex related questions. Do you take the time to see if there is a condom or dental dam used? Most likely not. I hope that this can provide light to the recent incidents of HIV in the porn industry.

Even in this genre of entertainment we often fail to realize that all that glitters is not gold. Just because we assume these stars are practicing safe sex does not mean that they are. In my research I have found one company, Wikid Pictures, that uses condoms in their films; this is not to say this is the only production that does. So what is the doc trying to tell you?

If condoms are not being used how do the film stars protect themselves from STI's?
Before the 80's there were no regulations on condom use or testing for adult film actors/actresses. Some companies used condoms some did not. During the 80's John Holmes, Mark Stevens, and a few others discovered they were HIV positive. In a way these people opened the door for a positive change in how people in the industry protect themselves. As a result the U.S. passed a law stating that adult film stars must be tested every 30 days for HIV/STI's. Though these laws are in place there is still no sure way that the performers are infection free. Yes, two people may come together for a scene and at that time they may have no infection. What they do after their work is done in their personal sex life, and is up to them. They may engage in behaviors that can expose them to STIs/HIV we really don't know. In 1998 AIM opened its doors. AIm: Adult Industry Medical Healthcare is an organization that offers STI/HIV testing for people in the adult movie industry. They also offer other services for people in the business.


If a person tests positive they are placed on a quarantine list by AIM. Usually the porn industry is placed on hold until further testing is done. The people who were in a scene with the infected person is also tested. If there is a positive test the stars can not perform until they have a negative test. If a person is infected with HIV they are usually not allowed back in the business. Some people resort working in underground films who use less discretion when allowing adult starts to perform in films.

In 2004 actor Darren James was infected with HIV and passed the infection to two other female co-workers. His story about how he got his infection, and his beliefs about the industry are very educational. I encourage you to read the article written about him in the L.A. Times (below is the link to the article).
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/10/former-porn-star-darren-james-speaks-out-about-latest-hiv-case.html

In October 2010 another actor was placed on the quarantine list after testing positive for HIV. One could wonder how this could happen if stars are tested every 30 days. There are many reasons why; the one that I find most important is that stars are not using condoms during scenes. Though cases of HIV seem rare we do not know how often people are infected with other STIs and if the performers are spreading work related infections to their personal sex partners.

Perhaps the taboos associated with porn, especially those that perform in them, make it harder to regulate the safety of those in the business. Porn is often thought of as perfect sex, your fantasy coming true, the ideal way to have sex, the perfect man/woman, maybe condom use dulls these fantasies associated porn. It is also important to note that these risks are the same for gay porn, and all other genres of porn; not just straight porn.

To sum, in some ways there is safe sex in the industry. On other aspects of safe sex there is not. I hope that this information can allow for critical thinking of changes that need to take place in the regulation of safe sex practices. Just because it is filmed does not lower the performers risk of contracting sex related infections. It is also important that we know this information as consumers for often it is hard to separate reality from actuality. No, condoms don't feel good but they are important in protecting one against STI's/HIV. More people watch porn now than ever, often it is the only tool of sex education one has. It can be potentially harmful for society if the industry does not take the steps to model safer sex options. This is especially a crucial element for those that use porn as sex education and those that associate porn sex with sex that is not scripted for entertainment purposes.

If you have any questions about the adult entertainment industry or any other sex related questions please email them to theesexdoc.blogspot@gmail.com

Sex Music

When you think about a saxophone what do you think of? Sex?

Why is the saxophone a representation of sex in musical form? Why do we play soft jazz with a saxophone when we are trying to set a romantic sensual mood? Why is the sax associated only with romance and not other forms of sexual expression?

Saxophone: A woodwind instrument made of brass. It is played by blowing into a single-reed mouthpiece. It was first created by Adolphe Sax in 1841. It was originally designed for military bands, later it became common in concert band and big band music. Also, it is common in jazz music.

I was hoping to have an answer for these questions after doing research, but I don't. There is not much info on why people like saxophone music as a background for a romantic date, sex, or whatever sensual sexual expression they are engaging in. I believe the saxophone is a symbol for sex for many reasons, but these reasons are unconscious connections we have made from several sources. For one, when we see sex in the media or something sensual there is usually some soft jazz, most likely a sax solo, playing in the background. Someone is moving slowly in a sexually suggestive way, engaging in a sex act, or even kissing to soft saxophone jazz. Even romantic moments depicted in media include jazz music. So, on some level one has been socialized to associate the saxophone with sexuality. Another factor that may affect the association of the sax and sex is its close name association. By simply changing one vowel you can turn the name of an instrument into the name of coitus. This association may have some implications as to why the two seem so related. Lastly, music can be a great tool for facilitating a connection with one's body. When we have a strong connection with our body we are often more free as a sexual being. Most cultural dances relate to a fertility dance, and they help one get in contact with their sexual self. For example, the hip movement of the hula dancers are directly connected with the same muscles used in sexual intercourse and orgasm. By learning to identify and isolate the muscles in the pelvic area the dancers are inadvertently strengthening and learning to use their pelvic muscles. Thus, giving them better control than a non-dancer when using these same muscles sexually. Have you ever notice yourself becoming aroused after dancing to a favorite song or a sultry mix with someone you are attracted to, or even while dancing by yourself.

When we think of jazz we think of slow, sensual, soft, intimate, loving sexual expression thru music. Most people know and love jazz for helping convey this mood. This is a great mood it is a great feeling, but I would like to invite you to look at jazz in a new light.

What if I told you jazz could be used for a background for any and all sex acts; ranging from a romantic wedding celebration to a night in the dungeon. Sometimes music can set the tone completely different than you expected. Does it sound sensual and soft because that is the context the music is in? Perhaps. What if we took this same saxophone jazz and used it as the background of a BDSM scene. Would it then make the sex act more sensual, soft, intimate, arousing? Or would it still have the rough, dark, hardcore appeal with jazz awkwardly playing in the background.


I ask that you read further with a blank slate an open mine and take an exploration with me. I met a saxophone player one day and I was drawn to his work. His music has classical sounds of the saxophone mixed with a new school twist. Mixing his sax with drums and other elements mad his album Saxual Healing great for all moods and ages. He describes this album as "mellow and sultry, smooth and relaxing". Perfect for a romantic night out, light bondage, maybe some spanking or even a round of tantric loving.


Let us explore the concept of jazz in non traditional settings. The following is a film created from footage from the 2010 Folsom Fair. The fair is known for its displays of bondage, flogging, and paddling demonstrations. Men and women walking around in leather chaps, cock rings, slaves, and sex swings. People in latex outfits and human ponies provide something for everyone in the world of Kink. Usually hardcore rock, dungeon music, rock, or metal music accompanies these events making for a hardcore scene. Its musical element adds fear, suspense, interest, and other things. But what if soft jazz was playing, would it be more interesting, would it interest you more, would it allow you to look past the chains and whips? Would it portray a loving couple engaging a sensual expression of their sexual self? As you watch the following clip keep that in mind and be open to the mood the music and the visual media is setting for you.

Presenting Folsom 2010 in "Blue Light" music by Mark Maxwell




For more information on "Saxual Healing" and other music by Mark Maxwell log onto http://markmaxwellmusic.com/
You can follow him on twitter @MarkSaxMaxwell. He is also on Facebook become a fan Mark Maxwell Music.

To buy "Saxual Healing" Log onto his website or you can purchase from itune

For more info about this blog post, sex and music, or BDSM contact theesexdoc.blogspot@gmail.com