The porn industry is notorious for being the center of scandal and controversy. While porn is no longer the taboo subject that nobody would dare speak on, the industry still faces many limitations, both in ethics and in health standards. In recent years, porn has become a way of life for many people.

As a result of the increasing popularity of the porn industry, regulators are now finding new ways to make the industry safer and somewhat ethical…if that is even a remote possibility in a business like the porn industry.

In an effort to increase health standards and improve cleanliness, a new proposed California regulation states that all of the porn actors would be required by law to wear condoms while performing. The overall goal of legislators is to promote safety amongst the actors, while also setting an example for the viewers at home, in hopes that they will take the same precautions. However, researchers have found that with the increasing popularity of porn, comes a tolerance for mediocre content.

The porn industry is ultimately a media business. All of the content that is being created is based upon demand and viewership. The amount of clicks on a specific genre or video will trigger more of that content to be produced. Much like the rest of the entertainment industry, many feel that quantity is greatly surpassing quality, as the need for more content increases.

Ethics comes into play, as many of the professional actors in the porn industry are now being replaced with “amateurs,” or non-professional, average people. However, these amateur actors are paid much less than the professionals. Within a few short months, the popularity of these “amateurs” will rise and fall, and their career will be over. In order to continue making money in the porn industry, these amateur actors must produce even more demeaning and exploitive material, thus, furthering the sleazy reputation of the porn industry.

Filmmakers are also taking financial losses, as many of these free websites steal clips from longer movies, by re-labeling and re-branding these clips as their own. The media only focuses on music and movie piracy; however, these same issues take place in the porn industry. “I can create a film that’s more story-driven and romantic, only to have a clip from it pop up on a tube site, where it’s being called something like ‘big-breasted blonde w#$@&%*! on her knees’,” said adult film director and writer, Jacky St. James. In addition, legislators cannot be certain that the performers are of legal age, and if they have consented to the acts being performed in the videos posted on these free websites.

Proponents believe that the porn industry should be ethically regulated just like every other industry in the world. “Much the way organic produce, cage-free eggs and fair-trade coffee have transformed the way we shop for food, ethical porn is changing the landscape of adult-oriented material, making it easier to enjoy,” reported CNN writer, Ian Kern.

The porn industry has become a way for some to actually celebrate their sexuality. Clinical psychologist, David Ley wrote, “It should be made legally, respect the rights of performers and pay them for their labor, and treat both performers and consumers as consenting, thinking individuals. Also important: Ethical porn celebrates sexuality as a diverse, complex and multifaceted component of being a human being, without judgment.”

Although the porn industry creates much moral and ethical debate, there is no denying that there should be industry-wide regulations to help bring fairness to all of the parties involved in creating and consuming the content. The growing popularity of the industry can no longer be ignored or suppressed deep within the bowels of society, so why not deal with it head-on.

The fatal shooting of Korryn Gaines has been the topic of controversy for some time. However, not many people are aware of the questionably bizarre details leading up to her death.

Gaines had a long history of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and several traffic offenses. Not too long before she was killed by police, Gaines was stopped for having a missing license plate. In place of her license plate, there was a piece of cardboard with the following message written on it: “Any government official who compromises this pursuit to happiness and right to travel, will be held criminally responsible and fined, as this is a natural right to freedom.”

During one of her run-ins with law enforcement, Gaines recorded herself throwing her traffic citation out of the window, badmouthing the police officer that pulled her over, and shouting to her five-year-old son that the police were trying to kill them. Gaines even went as far as to tell the police officer that he would have to murder her before she got out of the car. However, there were no signs of police using force or making any attempt to hurt her at all.

Unlike the rest of the deadly encounters that minorities have recently had with police, the police officer in the video is clearly seen being respectful and polite when dealing with Gaines. It is Gaines who immediately becomes agitated and causes the situation to escalate on more than one occasion.

The final deadly incidence took place a few weeks later when police came to Gaines’ house in order to serve a warrant for the arrest of herself and her boyfriend, Kareem Courtney. According to reports, her boyfriend was wanted for assault.

Although Gaines did not answer the door, police were able to hear a man and a woman’s voice from inside of the apartment, as well as a crying child. The officers then got a key from the landlord and entered her home.

Upon entering the home, the police officer saw Gaines sitting on the floor, pointing a shotgun at him. Her boyfriend, Kareem Courtney then attempted to flee the apartment with his child, however police were able to capture him. Courtney informed policed that Gaines had a mental illness and was unstable.

Police spent hours attempting to negotiate with Gaines, and begging her to surrender. They event brought in her family to help talk her down, but all attempts were unsuccessful.

In her final moments alive, Gaines pointed her shotgun directly at a police officer standing in her doorway, causing the officer to fire a shot. Gaines fired a shot in return, prompting the officer to fire the last three shots that fatally killed her.

Upon hearing of this incident, the Black Lives Matter movement was in an uproar. Although Gaines was fatally shot by a police officer, was this really a case of police brutality against blacks? It is clear that Gaines had some type of mental issues, as she had many clearly documented run-ins with police, where she continually provoked them, and constantly egged them on for no apparent reason.

In the videos that she posted before her death, Gaines was uncooperative and disrespectful to the police officers who pulled her over. There was no sign of police brutality or discrimination during these encounters. After investigations into the Baltimore County Police Department were completed, it was decided that no charges would be filed against the officer that shot and killed Gaines. As a result, the Black Lives Matter movement was incredibly upset over this decision, as they felt that police were unjustified in shooting and killing her.

At what point is it necessary to gain control over an impossible situation and take matters into your own hands? Gaines was armed and was reportedly pointing her shotgun at her five-year-old son, as well as at police. With all that is going on in the world, is it too difficult to decipher between self-defense and deliberate killing?

The stigma surrounding HIV continues even into the 21st century, all over the world. Although this virus has been mostly under control for several years, there are still many skeptical people. While people tend to associate HIV with homosexuality and unprotected sex, there are actually an exceptional amount of cases that are not sexually related at all. According to the United States Department of Health & Human Services, 36.7 million people worldwide are currently living with HIV/AIDS. Of these people, 1.8 million are children, most of whom were infected by their HIV positive mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

One young adult in South Africa by the name of Sabelo Chonco detailed his experience with HIV and the challenges that he has faced because of the disease. Chonco most likely contracted the virus from his late mother who never disclosed the status of her health before her death, out of fear of being judged. He explained that because of the virus, he was unable to participate in the conventional behaviors that teens partake in. Things like dating and sex were all off-limits to Chonco, as he was unknowingly carrying around the HIV virus until the age of fourteen. As non-diseased individuals who have never suffered from an incurable disease, we take these seemingly normal activities for granted. Chonco noted that he was afraid to interact with those of the opposite sex, or even go to the clinic to get in medicine out of fear of being judged.

Although Chonco has never been sexually active, he still faces the stigma that goes along with being HIV positive. Because of the poor information that is given to those in his country regarding HIV/AIDS, Chonco and his community are faced with many unaswered questions. He feels that the more people he can speak with and educate, the less stigma there will be surrounding the virus.

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The Church of Scientology is notorious for being the center of scandal and controversy. Members of scientology are known for being wealthy celebrities who donate considerable amounts of money to the “church.” There is much debate as to whether or not the church of scientology is even, in fact, a church at all. Scientology is defined as a religion that is based on a set of scientific beliefs and practices; many of which are in direct conflict with modern day science.

Because of her new show on A&E, King of Queens star, Leah Remini is under fire for her ousting of the Church of Scientology. She has been revealing the deepest, darkest secrets of the “church” and all of those that are involved in it. While scientology is known for its extremely secretive nature, the most common factor that seems to come to light is the physical, mental, and sexual abuse experienced by the members of the church. Throughout the series, Remini makes the point that a true “church” should not, and does not use religion against its followers, or for any kind of abuse. This raises the question, what constitutes a legitimate religion? Is there such a thing as a true and legitimate religion? Who has the power to establish these rules?