Cameron Bay was the first porn actor to publicly reveal she was infected with HIV, and continues to speak candidly about her experiences in the adult film industry.
In an interview with the Huffington Post, Bay talked about how few male actors used condoms while on set, and how a fellow actress told her their would replace her if she even brought up the subject of protection up to production.
"I learned that there's always someone younger and sexier, willing to do something you're not. It's a dog-eat-dog world," Bay said. "I think we need more choices because of that. Condoms should be a choice."
The adult film actress described being on a porn shoot for Kink.com to HuffPost where condoms were optional, but did not believe they were necessary because her partner had a clean STD test.
There have been campaigns started by both California lawmakers and health organizations to mandate the use of condom in the porn industry, but no laws have been passed to enforce their use, according to NPR.
Bay is the testament that using latex condoms may have prevented her infection. Now, the actress needs pills to control her HIV, which has cost her $2,000 for 30 days worth, HuffPost reports.
"I spent more in one day on medical stuff than I did on rent for two months," Bay said. "I had a safety net of three months of not working and that cut into it a lot."
Bay has no health insurance, and was told by an insurance company she could not receive coverage for two years.
"She told me that if I survive two years, then I'm no longer as much of a risk and to call back then," Bay told the Huffpost.
Bay test for HIV came back negative on July 26, which cleared her to perform until Aug. 26. However, she went to get test early on Aug. 19 due to one of her scene partners possible having Hepatitis C.
"Thank God I went in when I did for hep C. I was scheduled to shoot," Bay told the HuffPost. "I could've been giving people HIV and had no idea."
To read more about Bay's interview with the HuffPost, click here.
A fund was started to help Bay with medical expenses, click here to donate.
