In an interview with the LA Times, Darren James talks about the positive diagnosis that paralyzed the industry for a month five years ago. Darren had tested negative just days before performing — three actresses he worked with subsequently tested positive as well. When the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation (AIM) disclosed his status to the public, his mother discovered that her son was not only HIV positive but also a porn star while watching the news on a TV at church. Darren sued AIM for invasion of privacy.

Now that another straight performer has tested positive five years later, AIM will not to disclose the performer’s identity, a decision that is angering California health officials. AIM must choose between invading a performer’s privacy or demonizing the industry in the eyes of the state. This lose-lose dilemma is worsened by the fact that there is no easy solution to staving off HIV infections. Even a rule requiring condoms on set would not solve the problem.

Just look at the sharply controversial condom-bareback divide in the gay porn industry, with some studios practicing safe sex without HIV disclosure, others opting to sero-sort without protection and a renegade minority choosing to do neither. So while Darren would like things to change in the industry, there doesn’t seem to be any take-away conclusion from his interview other than: it’s complicated.

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Porn star recalls nightmare of testing HIV positive (LA Times)