The Performer Availability Screening Services (PASS) has issued a preliminary production hold, effective immediately, after a performer in the adult entertainment industry tested positive for HIV.

The hold applies to all forms of adult content production involving fluid exchange, including work by independent creators, and will remain in place until further notice.

PASS is actively collaborating with its industry testing partners to conduct contact tracing and retesting of individuals who may have been exposed. The production hold is expected to last only a few days, provided exposed performers are promptly retested and cleared. However, it may extend up to 14 days if additional risk or delays in retesting arise.

What the Production Hold Means
All productions involving semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk, or blood exposure must cease immediately. This includes:

• Penetrative sex scenes
• Oral sex involving ejaculation
• Shared toy use between performers
• Any other acts involving bodily fluid exchange

Permitted activities during the hold include:

• Solo scenes
• Toy use (on a single individual only)
• Masturbation next to a partner
• Kissing
• Non-fluid-exchange BDSM content

PASS emphasizes that while these activities are permitted, all performers should be informed of the production hold, and any who decline to work must have their choice respected.

Production holds are a routine but critical part of the industry’s health protocol, designed to prevent further transmission of infectious diseases and ensure the safety of performers. While infrequent, these holds are enacted with urgency and caution when a significant risk is identified, typically in the case of positive HIV or STI test results.

“The goal of a production hold is to reduce risk to the health and safety of the performer pool by containing potential exposures before transmission can occur,” PASS stated.

PASS will provide daily updates and notify the community as soon as the hold is lifted. For questions or concerns, industry members can contact PASS directly at [email protected].

Until then, all professionals are urged to comply fully with the hold and prioritize safety above all else.