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Articles by David Houston

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Oscar B. Goodman

A few years ago, city lawmakers urged Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman to crack down on the legendary Crazy Horse Too, where they claimed prostitution was taking place. Instead, the mayor proposed the strip club be allowed to expand. Goodman also led an effort to lower the legal age for Vegas strippers from 21 to 18, figuring the city should "not make some big fuss as to what some 18-year-old girl is doing to make a living."

David Houston ·
profile

Larry's Point Woman

Liz Flynt looks like a small China doll behind an ornate wooden desk on the top floor of the Larry Flynt Publications' building in Beverly Hills, Calif. She is polite, even sweet. Handing a visitor a bottle of boutique-style Voss spring water, she confides, "It's what Mr. Flynt drinks."

David Houston ·
profile

The Rising Star of Aria

Jarring as it may be to hear the raven beauty with pillow lips and 34Ds discussing market share and corporate diversification, Aria Giovanni is undoubtedly one of adult entertainment's most prolific and industrious stars.

David Houston ·
profile

Porn Boosts L.A.'s Economy

Turner Jumonville has worked as director of photography on feature films, TV shows, commercials and music videos. But when he arrived in Hollywood in the mid-1990s, his first work was in the adult film industry.

David Houston ·
opinion

Buzz Builds Over .XXX

The Commerce Department's June 30 announcement that the United States would retain, and perhaps expand, control over the Internet infrastructure is roiling other countries hoping to see an international body assume that role. But many industry insiders believe the move was a direct response to a series of missteps by the powerful nonprofit ICANN that coordinates the global network, including engaging in a nasty legal fight with VeriSign, the company that manages and assigns the .com and .net names.

David Houston ·
profile

Dance Circuit Stars: 2

In this conclusion of our two-part series on porn stars working the dance club circuit, we'll another look at the fans and the challenges of satisfying their demands.

David Houston ·
profile

Dance Circuit Stars: 1

At 9 o'clock on a recent Saturday night, Usher's "Yeah!" blasted over the sound system at the Spearmint Rhino strip club in Oxnard, Calif., and porn star Nikki Benz strutted onto the stage in a pink plaid schoolgirl outfit.

David Houston ·
opinion

Adult Magazines Shift Pace

Trying to convince advertisers and readers that the medium isn't dying, Magazine Publishers of America recently unveiled a series of print ads depicting what magazines might look like in the future.

David Houston ·
opinion

Broadband for the People: 2

In part one, we looked at the offering of broadband as a public utility and the private sector's opposition to such an idea. Today, we'll examine the use of 'push polls' to influence legislators and the dangers of content regulation:

David Houston ·
opinion

Broadband for the People: 1

A municipal commission in Seattle issued a report on April 24 urging the City Council to immediately begin construction on a taxpayer-funded broadband Internet service network.

David Houston ·
profile

The Birth of Porn Valley: 2

In part one we looked at the origins of the hub of the adult industry in Porn Valley. In today's conclusion, we'll take a closer look at the reasons why the industry moved to the Valley – and where it might be headed next:

David Houston ·
profile

The Birth of Porn Valley: 1

Thirty minutes deep into the San Fernando Valley from Hollywood stands a nondescript, 50,000-square-foot warehouse that churns out a million pieces of merchandise a month for adult film industry giant Metro.

David Houston ·
opinion

HIV Scare In Retrospect: 2

In part one we looked at the origins of last year's industry health crisis and the role that the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation (AIM) played in controlling the outbreak. In today's conclusion, we'll look at what, if anything, has changed and Cal/OSHA's role in the scheme of things.

David Houston ·
opinion

HIV Scare In Retrospect: 1

A year ago, the adult industry's meteoric march toward legitimacy suffered its most devastating setback to date when a porn star named Darren James returned from a shooting assignment in Brazil and later tested positive for the virus that causes AIDS. Four actresses, in short order, also tested HIV positive.

David Houston ·
opinion

Penis Pills in Courtrooms

According to several studies, the average erect penis is just over 5 inches long and less than 5 inches in circumference. But, like the crappie pulled out of the lake on a weekend fishing trip, things seem to get bigger with the telling.

David Houston ·
opinion

Offshore Tax Shelters

Tax shelters, especially the intricate, hard-to-trace, offshore ones, are like pornography: They are best enjoyed in the privacy of one's own home or office, away from the prying eyes of outsiders.

David Houston ·