Pretty much everyone has a past life or two, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. Life is filled with unexpected twists and turns, career pivots, changes, regrets, and detours.
Roger Montoya is retired gay adult film performer currently running for the state House of Representative. Last week, he publicly addressed his x-rated past after a conservative news organization attacked him for it.
“Thirty-eight years ago, as a 22-year-old struggling college student, I was a modern dancer and performer living in Los Angeles,” he said in a statement before explaining he appeared in two adult films but that he’s “not proud” of it and it was “a very different environment and time.”
“Those experiences do not reflect who I am, and they are insignificant in the scope of my life’s work,” Montoya added, before listing off several of his accomplishments from the past 40 years, like helping people in rural New Mexico deal with life-threatening illnesses during the AIDS epidemic and installing an HIV/AIDS education program in his district’s schools.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
But Montoya isn’t the first aspiring public servant with a gay porn past, and he surely won’t be the last either.
Scroll down for four more political candidates and government officials who used to moonlight in the adult entertainment industry…
Antonio Sabàto Jr.
While running for Congress in 2018, the former Chippendales model issued a statement saying he was “not ashamed” of his softcore gay-for-pay past.
Prior to running for office, Sabàto had appeared in several risqué films, including 2003’s Testosterone, 2005’s Deadly Skies, and 2011’s Balls to the Wall.
“That was a different time in my life,” Sabàto said during his campaign, adding that actors “don’t do every single movie that we’re proud of, it’s just the way it is.”
Sabàto, a staunch Trump supporter who still thinks Obama is secretly a Muslim, ended up losing his primary. He now works in construction to support himself after he says endorsing Trump in 2016 got him blacklisted from Hollywood.
Related: Actor Antonio Sabàto Jr. says he was “blacklisted” for supporting Trump, now works in construction
Juan Melecio (a.k.a. Antonio Biaggi)
The gay adult film star and producer announced he was running for City Commissioner of Wilton Manors, Florida earlier this year.
“I’m from Puerto Rico and I’m a very passionate person,” Melecio, who has appeared in numerous adult films, told the Sun-Sentinel. “When something is right I just go for it.”
Melecio added that, if elected this November, one of his top priorities as commissioner will be to throw more parties in Wilton Manors.
“We should have more festivals,” he said, “not just Gay Pride.”
We hope he means more festivals after the coronavirus pandemic is under control.
Related: Gay adult star Antonio Biaggi gearing up for a political run
Roque M.
The German spy was outed as a retired gay-for-pay adult film performer in 2017 after he was caught logging onto a jihadi chat room and volunteering information to would-be terrorists looking to attack Germany.
The 52-year-old father of four was eventually let off the hook after he told investigators he was only pretending to be a terrorist because he was bored and they didn’t find any actual ties between him and any terrorist groups.
The investigation did turn up other previously unknown information about the intelligence agent, however, including that he was an adult entertainer before becoming a spy, that he had been working in the adult industry until 2011, and that his family had absolutely no idea.
Related: Spy outed as gay-for-pay adult film star and secret Islamist says he was “bored”
Eric Jon Schmidt
The self-proclaimed “performance exhibitionist” ran for West Hollywood City Council in 2018. During his campaign, he talked about his DudesNude.com profile, which featured dozens of x-rated photos and videos of himself with other men.
When asked whether he thought the profile might negatively impact his election chances, Schmidt said he really didn’t think so.
“I do not think it will hurt my campaign any more than it would a candidate’s stamp collecting hobby,” he said. “My hobbies do not affect any other part of my life.”
Schmidt did not go on to win his election and his DudesNude.com profile has since been deleted.
Related: City council candidate vows to run “transparent” campaign, shares his x-rated photos and videos
GBD
HYPOCRISY! While I agree with the sentiment expressed in this article, that everyone makes mistakes and it isn’t always the best idea to judge someone based on their worst moment or life choices. This particular author is notorious for passing judgement on people for old Twitter posts or bad taste jokes. Where is the line here?
Chrisk
Only one person here admitted it was a mistake.
Liquid Silver
Agreed. I wonder if Graham would let us poke around openly in his apparently oh-so-pure past looking for the sort of thing that Graham skewers others for, and for anything one could make minced meat out of?
I betcha not. Hypocrisy at its finest distillation.
I don’t care about a porn past. I care if one is a decent and good human being. If one has been a jerk, this is my personal concern.
BoylesqueBubble
@Liquid Silver
I’m surprised Graham didn’t post anything about how racist and sexist Biaggi/Melecio is, he probably didn’t as I’m sure he’s someone due to having a huge appendage, Graham probably gives him a pass. Biaggi is a reprehensible human being. He slams Antonio Sabato for his being a Trump supporter, yet like all the gays who stan for Aaron Schock because he has a six pack, Graham leaves out (in this post) just how racist Biaggi is. Yep he’s a hypocrite. Always has been.
If you’re needing something to laugh at, go on YouTube and listen to Graham read his “stories”. It’s like listening to nails on a chalk board.
BoylesqueBubble
@Liquid Silver
One more thing. It’s extremely gross how Graham has been drooling publicly (like most of the editors here) over Jaeden Smith, well before he was of age.
Liquid Silver
@BB: I see we have another “not fan” of Graham. I can usually immediately tell an article by the pitch of the whine and without reading the name.
I will, if you don’t mind, take a definitive pass on the YouTube channel. I’ve had enough horror for the month of October.
BoylesqueBubble
@ Liquid Silver
Nope not a fan at all. His obsession with heterosexual men and bisexual men and the stupid “studies” he posts about of human sexuality and articles with roots from Reddit, on the same subjects, borderline on creepy. Actually no, they are creepy as we get to witness what he obsesses over. He makes quite a divisive production over human sexuality, when it comes to people who aren’t gay or those who are curious. It’s gross!
WashDrySpin
Juan Melecio (a.k.a. Antonio Biaggi) is a RACIST
blondinga
Yes he is. Disgusting.
Dymension
Ironic, being that he is not exactly white, but brown.
vinnieboiblue
We all deal with pressures differently. My only regret in Roger Montoya’s response to his past in porn is the wording. I say be proud and own your past. No one knows what your situation was and how would they handle it. One moment in time does not define your life. How you have progressed as a person today and how you deal with it now, does.
*personally I liked the scene he was in with Joe Converse in Falcon’s “Spring Training”.
wangjrming1
Roger Montoya is NOT a “retired gay adult performer”!!! He is a very well-known New Mexican artist, dancer and HIV/AIDS advocate. His artwork is highly sought after worldwide. To falsely characterize him as a former porn star is ludicrous, and insulting to ALL New Mexicans, especially LGBTQIA and Hispanic New Mexicans. Next time do your research before writing an article!
KingAries46
Did queerty not do and article on Juan’s racist behavior? Which party would he represent?
Tombear
Politics is about self interest. All I care about are politicians who will help me make money in the stock market. I don’t care if a politician who will help my interests, financially or socially, I will vote for them.
Tombear
Sorry, I shouldn’t post on Queerty stoned.
ShiningSex
Sabato Jr. is a closet case. Heard rumors of him engaging in sexual activity with men in the fashion industry including male stylist.
cwaigy
Oh my god! I had a super major crush and lust of and for Antonio Sabarto Jr and would have been a willing participant in any aft, medium or hard film with him