The adult entertainment industry is back to business as usual after a brief but tense production hold was lifted this week. The temporary shutdown, called by the Performer Availability Scheduling Services (PASS), followed a confirmed positive HIV test, but swift action and performer cooperation meant the pause lasted only a few days.
The hold, which began on Thursday, June 6, was officially lifted on Monday, June 10. In a statement confirming the resumption of work, PASS Executive Director Ian O’Brien praised the community’s response.
“We are pleased to announce that the PASS system has reopened and production may resume as normal,” O’Brien stated, according to reports from XBIZ. “All known contacts have been re-tested and cleared, and we’d like to thank them for their diligence and cooperation in helping us resolve this situation so quickly.”
The news was met with relief across the industry, with performers and producers eager to get back on set after the necessary safety measure was concluded.
A Necessary Pause for Safety
The initial announcement sent a ripple of concern through the industry, as PASS called for an immediate stop to all productions involving potential fluid exchange. This is a standard, albeit serious, protocol designed to prevent the spread of STIs among performers.
In their initial statement, the organization laid out the situation clearly:
“PASS is issuing a preliminary production hold, asking all industry professionals, including independent content creators, to refrain from participating in sexual activities involving fluid exchange for production until the hold has been lifted.”
The organization immediately began contact tracing to identify and retest any performers who may have been exposed. This system is the backbone of the industry’s self-regulated health and safety standards, ensuring that any potential outbreak is contained before it can spread.
What a Production Hold Actually Means
For those outside the industry, a “production hold” might sound alarming, but it’s a well-oiled machine designed for exactly these situations. It’s a temporary halt on specific activities to protect the performer pool. While it means a pause on scenes involving intercourse or other fluid-exchanging acts, creativity doesn’t stop entirely.
During the hold, production on other types of content was still permitted. This includes:
- Solo content
- Shoots involving only single-person toy use
- Partner masturbation and kissing
- BDSM scenes that don’t involve fluid exchange
This approach allows creators to continue working in a limited capacity, minimizing the financial impact of a shutdown while prioritizing the health of everyone involved. As PASS explained, the primary goal is always to “reduce risk to the health and safety of the performer pool… all other considerations… are secondary to this aim.”
A Sign the System is Working
While any production hold is treated with the utmost seriousness, its swift resolution highlights the effectiveness of the PASS system. In an industry built on close physical contact, robust and rapid testing protocols are not just a good idea—they are essential. The system is designed to catch potential issues, pause activity, test, and clear individuals to return to work safely.
This recent hold serves as another example of the industry’s commitment to self-regulation and performer safety. The quick turnaround, made possible by cooperative talent and efficient testing partners, reinforces trust in the system that has been protecting performers for years.
With the hold now lifted, the message is clear: the safety net worked as intended. As Ian O’Brien’s closing words on the matter suggest, it was a moment of collective responsibility that paid off. The industry can get back to work, confident that its health protocols are as strong as ever.
* Thumbnail from xbiz.com
