In 2005, James sued the AIM clinic and several of its officials, alleging medical negligence and invasion of privacy. His suicide attempt and the turmoil caused by disclosure of his name are among the lawsuit's contentions. James and his attorney said the case settled out of court under terms that they not disclose the amount.
James said he recently started talking to public health officials and young adults about his experiences and is studying to become an HIV counselor. Other than a bad knee and bad back, James said, his health has remained good and his viral count is low.
James, who looks as if he is in his mid-30s rather than his mid-40s, has worked steadily as a security guard since recovering from his suicide attempt. He said his porn past and HIV-positive status have cost him some jobs when he is recognized, but he still wants to speak out. His story, he said, might get the attention of people who could require condom use on porn sets.
"That's why I want to come out and do a little more, if I can. And if it's just to help . . . just to get them to listen. Not to boast up porn, not at all, just to make people be aware that I got caught up, man. I thought I was invincible, and I got shot down so fast. . . . There's some really good people, and they want to change."
Asked whether he felt he was to blame for infecting the three women with whom he had performed, James said: "I don't know what to say on that one. I wish I could just go back and rewind that time. If it was just me and myself in place of them not having it, I would do that. But I can't."
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ron.lin@latimes.com
