Lara Roxx is the stage name of a Montreal, Quebec-born Canadian porn actress, who, in March 2004, became the first known individual in four years to contract HIV while making a US porn video. The film was subsequently released under the title Split That Booty 2 although Roxx's appearance was not included in the film.

Roxx, while 19, was exposed to HIV while doing a double-anal penetration scene with Darren James and another actor on March 24, 2004. She had filmed her first-ever anal scene with Darren James on February 10. Roxx said that she had relied on the industry's HIV standards to ensure she was safe. Because double-anal penetration involves so much stretching and tearing of tissues, conditions were ideal for Roxx to contract the deadly virus. The fact that the scene was her first double-anal increased the risk significantly.

James and Roxx have been banned from any further porn production in the US. At the end of April 2004, it was confirmed that Jessica Dee, after having worked with James, also tested positive for HIV.

Roxx, on learning about James being HIV-positive, said, "It totally made me realize how I trusted this system that wasn't to be trusted at all, because it obviously doesn't work," and "I thought porn people were the cleanest people in the world."

This outbreak, the first in four years, led to a voluntary moratorium on porn production for 30 days (60 days was originally announced), starting in April 2004, while it confirmed all possible contacts among porn performers. No adult video production companies were required to comply.

This also led to the possible regulation of the industry by the government. Most porn industry insiders oppose this regulation, feeling it could seriously jeopardize their business. Some regulations could force the industry underground, which would only expose actors to increased risk. Since this is the first outbreak in four years, many industry insiders feel that the current regulations monitored by the Adult Industry Medical Health Care Foundation are sufficient. Some feel that some further voluntary regulations, such as temporarily quarantining actors who appear in adult films produced outside the US, may be sufficient to prevent further outbreaks.

Adult Video News is collecting donations to assist Roxx. Famous porn star Jenna Jameson spearheaded a fundraising campaign to help porn industry workers suffering financial hardships from both the quarantine and the production moratorium.

Porn Stars & AIDS