With the recent passing of World AIDS Day, there have been numerous discussions on how to decrease HIV transmission rates. While the majority of sexual health activists focus on traditional methods of prevention, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation is applying pressure to the city of Los Angeles for new regulations that would force pornography productions in L.A. to require male porn stars to wear condoms. Admittedly, adult film is a business that profits off people’s fantasies of sex and sexuality. But would it really ruin the imagination or storyline to see a condom being used in action? Perhaps, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation is onto something. After all, adult film continues to serve as an educational reference for many on sex.

It’s rare to see an adult film with a man using a condom. Instead, it’s more likely to see unprotected sex as an unspoken requisite for fantasy. Millions of adult films make raw sex look like the most enjoyable experience without any reference to the consequences that can result from it. And millions of consumers watch for tips and tricks to apply to their personal sex lives. Perhaps, it’s problematic for a society to depend on contemporary pornography as instruction for something as basic as human sexuality. But it is an unfortunate reality, and one that impacts more than just adults.

How many children have discovered pornography either through their parents’ collection or surfing the Internet? Before they’ve even seen a penis or vagina other than their own, pornographic content captures their curiosity and begins to instruct them with an unrealistic view of human sexuality. Between the racial stereotypes, plastic-surgery-induced bodies, and gender performance dynamics, there are so many harmful aspects of popular pornography that could give children a skewed educational foundation when it comes to sex. At the very least, it would be helpful if popular pornography reinforced the importance of safe sex. Beyond the eyes of minors, it would also be a subconscious reminder for sexually active adults.

But the importance of sexual health will only go so far under forced regulations. While the AIDS Healthcare Foundation should be applauded for their efforts, they’d get better results investing in adult film that does provide a well-rounded education of sex, sexuality, and sexual health. There will always be a part of the adult entertainment industry that caters to unrealistic scenarios and unsafe fantasies. Even if the government imposed new laws, the demand for this content would simply seep into the black market. But if like-minded people banded together and created more entertaining, sensual, educational, and safe adult entertainment, perhaps it would outsell and reach more people with better lessons on pleasure and sexuality. Is it too radical to expect change to come through competition instead of suppression?

The truth is that even with all the sexual health education available to human beings, there is still the element of choice. The body belongs to the individual, and unprotected sex, both visually and physically, is an appealing option to many for various reasons. But the collective also can influence the individual, as communities do have the power to reposition and redefine pleasure using art, music, and film.

Perhaps, it’s time for more AIDS activists and artists to collaborate on redefining pleasure, making safe sex more sensual, sexy, and appealing to the wider public. It’s not enough to pass out condoms, and show pictures of people infected with STDs. It’s better to focus on positive, creative approaches to changing social norms and attitudes toward unprotected sex.

How do you feel about adult film being used as an educational tool for sexual health awareness? Should the government require men in the adult entertainment industry to perform with condoms? Or would it be better to provide tax cuts or foundation funding to adult filmmakers who promote safe sex? Weigh in.