Update: After reading this article, Michael Lucas sent a note to Queerty insisting that Lucas Entertainment never discloses the HIV/std status of its performers.
Previously:
Just three months after caving to market demands and transforming his once “safe only” gay porn studio into one that features scenes both with and without condoms, porn tycoon (and sometimes performer) Michael Lucas has taken the plunge himself. His very first hardcore bareback scene was released this week by Lucas Entertainment (NSFW).
Given the growing trend of gay porn studios going raw, it’s not uncommon to see handfuls of well-known stars opting to shoot sans condoms on a monthly basis. But Michael Lucas has remained a staunch advocate for sex with condoms throughout his career—he only recently had a change of heart after discovering PrEP and singing the praises of the so-called miracle drug in an interview with Out. This is the same interview in which he “came out” as an HIV negative man:
But the more I learn about PrEP, the more shocked I’m becoming that gay men are not shouting from the rooftops about this potential game changer in the fight to prevent new HIV infections, which we’re losing badly.
Lucas has since inspired a number of industry favorites to film their debut bareback scenes with the company, encouraging them to participate in what Lucas Entertainment performer Trenton Ducati calls “informed bareback.” Their logic is that two seroconcordant men may have sex with each other at minimal risk, thus making an “informed” decision based on testing results.
Lucas tells AVN:
It is mandatory for our models to undergo full panel testing no more than two weeks prior to a shoot regardless of the type of scene. A full panel test covers syphilis, gonorohea, chlamydia and of course HIV. We don’t shoot unless the models have a clean bill of health. Models can verify their partners’ results if they desire. In addition, as a second level screen, we provide rapid HIV tests on the day of the shoot if the models request this additional verification.
We don’t discriminate against HIV-positive models. We pair HIV positive models in condom free shoots as long as both are comfortable. Obviously we do not pair sero-discordant models in condom free shoots.
So I guess it’s okay to reveal gay porn stars’ personal health information now too?
Caine
This from the man who blacklisted bareback porn performers 7 or 8 years ago? What a frakking hypocrite. How completely disingenuous. I’ll stick to Treasure Island and Dark Alley thanks.
Stache1
@Caine: Yeah, we now know that was just faux trash your competition kind of concern.
arj
With all Lucas’ pouty pontifications to performers, studio owners, and the general public, he now sells out for the Almighty Dollar. Hypocrite.
Stache1
However, I can’t say I disagree with his new approach. Whether you like what he’s doing or not he’s right about this…”HIV infections, which we’re losing badly”.
Stache1
One more point. With the younger set this is the new reality of prevention. People now want current HIV stats since it’s so easy to get with 30 minute results. Yes there’s that window but it’s still better then not knowing. Bareback is now back in so it’s at least good timing.
Stache1
Ha. Not done yet:) I live near Weho. They have a rapid result van every wknd around the bars. There’s always a line of people there too.
All of this taken together isn’t a bad thing IMO. Just dealing with reality instead of sticking our heads in the sand. It’s a new day for prevention and I think talking about it and being open to new ideas is what’s going to be the game changer.
Btw. I still use condoms because they work for me. However, not everyone is going to use them. At least they now have choices.
DistingueTraces
I would rather hear more about Gladys and her online employment opportunity than hear one more word about this sleazy fucking huckster.
ouragannyc
The guy is seriously inconsistent. What a pity!!!
Everything for da cheddar, babe!
oilburner
I absolutely love Michael Lucas I can’t wait to see his bareback debut
marc sfe
@DistingueTraces: ROFL
Mikey
Oh my GOD Michael Lucas is such a L-I-A-R! Mathew Mason, who did several scenes with Lucas Entertainment this year, said that they NEVER tested him for anything and that they never even ASKED what his status was. Other models have also said that Lucas lies about testing his models. I don’t understand how this grown man can say to impressionable young people with a straight face that the sex they have in his studio’s movies is “safe” and “tested”. Yeah, sure, if by “safe” and “tested” you mean some of the models are already HIV positive (Trenton Ducati’s bareback scene partner) and you don’t bother testing anyone anyways.
Perpetuating the myth that bareback sex is “safe” now is so dangerous and reckless. If you want to watch bareback porn, go for it, but the studios should be honest about what they’re doing. It’s not even just about HIV, there are tons of other diseases – and they aren’t testing them for ANY of them. Meanwhile, young gays who learned what they know about sex via porn (AKA like most males) see that “bareback is in” and it’s “safe”. I want to smack all of these young people who say “bareback is in” and “get used to it”. It’s so ignorant and sad.
Stache1
@Mikey:Do you have a link to go with your accusation?
KittyLitter
I was wondering when queerty would “report” on this.
They seemed to be more interested in gossip rather than real news.
Sham shame.
Mikey
@Stache1 Mathew Mason’s posts on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/mathew.mason.5 — here is a screenshot of one of the times he talked about how Lucas doesn’t test: http://tinypic.com/r/25p60zd/5
OrwellIsDead
lol @Stache1. Always so loud with the “back that up with a link!” and always so silent when people calmly do just that.
Stache1
@Mikey: I read the article. However, he says he was a “former” model for Lucus. He goes on to say this is a “new” policy.
His main point is that they even do bareback at all and he’s going to start his own company and be better then that. Kind of like Lucus used to be. Therefore, I don’t see this as a smoking gun but more like a rival business.
jimbryant
The whoosh sound is the sound of Michael Lucas opening his mouth as hot air emanates from the bowels of his intestinal recesses. Does this man ever stop promoting his ugly trade?
KittyLitter
@Mikey: Porn companies that use condoms never tested, or asked about “personal” information. In straight porn they only test once a month when they’re going to have unprotected sex. That’s it. Just once.
When gay porn started to transition they started requiring their models to get tested, except for sleazy porn companies like TIM and SX. All those guys are usually POZ anyways.
the other Greg
This is slightly off-topic but maybe someone can answer this. What is the legal system’s “logic” here?:
— Having sex for money in public, in front of a camera, with potentially millions of viewers = pornography = First Amendment protection = perfectly legal.
— Having sex for money in private, without a camera, with no one looking = prostitution = illegal in 49 states!
Why isn’t prostitution legal? If Michael Lucas can make money legally as a sleazy whore, why can’t a young gay homeless guy do the same thing without a camera looking on?
Mikey
What some of you are missing is that Lucas says – and has said for YEARS – they test models for everything before ANY KIND of shoot. He even says in the article that its mandatory. He’s blatantly lying, IMO, given the evidence.
Mikey
“It is mandatory for our models to undergo full panel testing no more than two weeks prior to a shoot regardless of the type of scene.” — LIE.
Lazycrockett
Well as a company you have to give the public what they want. Belami went condom free bout 3 years ago and Sean Cody and Corbin Fischer followed suit. Viewers want bare sex.
Mikey
Only because the viewers are under the delusion that bareback is safe and that the models are clean.
KittyLitter
@Mikey: I rather watch bareback sex than take part in it. Sean Cody tests their models regularly and they even had several behind the scenes moments where the models talked about it.
Porn is all about fantasy.
None of this monkey say, monkey do business for me.
boring
I find the people shouting about hypocrisy and dignity as if money wasn’t the greatest thing in the world TOTALLY adorable.
Fitz
He’s responsible. He’s super fit, and nicely hung, and he is a community leader. I know it’s fun to hate on him and find a way to safely vent your antisemitism, but I think he’s awesome. Not my sexual fantasy, but still awesome. And I will absolutely rent his scene if not the whole film.
CaptainFabulous
@the other Greg: It’s complicated but what it essentially boils down to is what you’re paid for. Pornographic actors are paid to perform, not necessarily to sexually gratify each other. Prostitutes are paid solely to sexually gratify another person. One is considered an expression of free speech the other is considered a lewd act.
I know, it sounds lame, but that’s pretty much what it boils down to as far as the law is concerned.
Stache1
@the other Greg: Interesting point and it does show you the absurdity of having these laws. This country is still very prudish about sex. Pornography I believe is covered under the 1st amendment though.
There was another post about age differences and I was thinking when someone marries for $ what’s the difference between that and someone who does it by the hour? One we celebrate while the other we demonize while it’s two sides of the same coin.
Stache1
@Mikey: As KittyLitter pointed out he was a condom mandatory studio back then. Therefore, why would he test them since most didn’t anyways.
CaptainFabulous
@Stache1: Well yeah, that’s it. The law is fuzzy at best and has never really been challenged outside of California.
Pornography is considered free speech, and therefore protected. Prostitution is considered a lewd act and is therefore illegal. Unfortunately when someone marries for money there is no way to prove it, despite it being very obvious to everyone.
And yes, it’s fucked up. We simply do not need laws that try to restrict or control consensual adult activities, regardless of whether money is involved or not. What people do, or charge for doing, in their own private locations is their own business.
Mikey
@Stache1: I already answered that. He said the same thing about testing in the past. And Mathew was working with them when they were doing bareback and they didn’t test him.
the other Greg
@CaptainFabulous: “Pornographic actors are paid to perform, not necessarily to sexually gratify each other.”
Huh. I guess that explains why I’m not into porn. They never really seem to be enjoying it much. Even when they’re good looking, I start to feel kind of sorry for them – like they’re dolphins at Sea World. 🙁
the other Greg
@CaptainFabulous: So another way of looking at it is:
— with prostitution, only one party is really into it.
— with porn, neither party is really into it.
(sigh.)
KittyLitter
@Mikey: But mathew didn’t do a bareback scene.
Stache1
@Mikey: @Mikey: Why would they need to test him if he would never do bareback? None of this makes any sense. I think your filling in the story to make it fit better. I have no love for this guy but stop making shit up.
viveutvivas
@the other Greg, “They never really seem to be enjoying it much.”
To be honest that’s the reason I started watching bareback porn, as opposed to condom porn, some years ago, because they DID seem to be enjoying it. A lot.
Or you can just go to xtube where real people do it for the fun of it, which is much hotter anyway. There is no need to buy porn any more. Honestly I don’t see how porn producers still stay in business these days.
oilburner
@Mikey: Trenton Ducati’s
Bareback sex partner in the Lucas film is an HIV+
Porn “star” named. Blue Bailey from San Francisco
Mikey
@oilburner: Yes, I know. I said Trenton’s scene partner was HIV positive.
Mikey
@Stache1: I’ll quote Michael Lucas one more time for you. I’ll put the important part in CAPS for you.
“It is MANDATORY for our models to undergo full panel TESTING no more than two weeks prior to a shoot REGARDLESS OF THE TYPE OF SCENE.”
Franco C.
This man is such a shallow person who consistenly demonstrates contempt for the people he employs. I wish his performers were more informed about human decency and cared more about their health, rather then listen to the trite that he is advocating.
QJ201
I’m surprised Mr.Lucas has not shown up here to comment. He usually dives right in to defend himself when the comments aren’t in his favor.
Until Michael Lucas himself bottoms bareback and swallows on cam he’s a hypocrite that puts others at more risk than himself in his vids.
Mikey
WTF – he’s saying he doesn’t disclose the status of his performers — but in the article he said that the only pair positive men with positive men for gay porn: essentially outing Trenton Ducati as HIV positive. Whoops!
Mikey
*bareback porn, I meant.
Stache1
@Mikey: He never made that connection. His main point was.. “we do not pair sero-discordant models in condom free shoots.”
Mikey
Trenton Ducati’s bareback scene partner is openly HIV positive. So he just outed Trenton’s status.
MK Ultra
I’m personally tired of hearing about PrEP and how we should all be raving about it. The marketing is so aggressive. Whenever I hear doctors pushing it on various sites, it always sounds like, “you gay men are arupid wh0re sluts and we all know you’ re going to get HIV anywa
MK Ultra
@MK Ultra: …anyway, so take our drugs,
So I will not be shouting anything from the rooftops as I have no intention of taking those drugs. I don’t engage in risky behaviour.
For some gay men this may be something they seriously consider. It may be beneficial to them. I advise them to look very carefully into it.
john
LOL..Lucas says “The more I learn about PrEP, the more shocked I’m becoming that gay men are not shouting from the rooftops about this potential game changer in the fight to prevent new HIV infections, which we’re losing badly” LOL LOL Reall????
So if you are “Gay” now you should have to buy and take a medication just because you are gay because it will what?? Allow you to have a microscopic way to have sex?…(Bareback or its not enjoyable???) Please Please tell me that other people out there see how bizarre this is becoming. If i wasn’t so against the conspiracy theorist who see layers in everything I would think someone is trying to $ell the LGBT community a product(PReP), Quick get yours now before its sold out,only a limited supply left. If you order within the next 24hrs we will include a hot Video. OH?? whats that you ask??? Herpes? Genital Warts? Well we cant help you there we are still trying to figure out how to make money off of that also.
*Note to self buy as much stock as I can in any Pharmaceutical Companies making PReP…LOL
jdannybf
Oh Please! Horseshit smelled a thousand miles away. He did all that PrEp talk just because he knew he was going to do this. No other reason about it. And the funny thing is that he finds forums that publicize him. That’s what’s ridiculous about this story. The attention this attention-whore gets.
And his work is boring. Enough said.
Stache1
@Mikey: By a very round about way. If he’s choosing to work with someone openly positive and everyone knows what the policy is then I don’t see how that’s Lucus’s fault for just saying their working together. People will find out anyways.
Mikey
@Stache1: Nobody knew the policy (and, thusly, Trenton’s status) until Lucas brought it up. That’s clearly why he asked Queerty to post an update – because he’s trying to cover his ass for outing someone’s status.
viveutvivas
@john, condoms do not prevent herpes or genital warts. If you are gay or straight, you should get the HPV vaccine to prevent (most of) the latter.
seaguy
Hypocrite where are all the condom queens who usually launch into thier sermons attacking anything bareback. They must be furious about this?
Mikey
“Condom queens”? You mean “responsible men”?
jimbryant
Michael Lucas seems to have lost a lot of weight lately.
jimbryant
The best way to avoid STD’s and AIDS is to find a healthy partner and be monogamous with him. You don’t need to wear condoms.
Of course, if you’re not doing it with a healthy partner or if you are taking your chances on the meat market, you’d be stupid not to wear a condom if you’re planning to get intimate.
Mikey
“You don’t need to wear condoms.” — I nominate this for worst Queerty comment of 2013.
People lie. Guys make mistakes (thinking with the wrong head). A lot of people get HIV from what they THOUGHT was a monogamous relationship. And long term ones, at that. It only takes one mistake, one heat of the moment affair. It’s so incredibly naive to think that it couldn’t happen to you, like you know for certain that someone wouldn’t cheat on you.
AuntieChrist
First of all..Eww.!..Second..Gross..! I wouldn’t use jimbryants d**k to have sex with Lucas..
Bozen
Yeah. Pretty gross. That guy looks like a lesbian.
AuntieChrist
@Bozen: Now sweet pea. Be nice to our lesbian sisters. After all their Misandry is completely justified..Whereas I who may have only seen a vagina and all the other stuff when I came from there…Am quite happy to embrace womyn as the fount of all things good in this world…The rest we men F**KED UP.
Kangol
@jimbryant:
Do you mean “get tested to ensure you do not have HIV” and then have sex with someone who also has gotten tested? “Healthy” is very vague, and many HIV+ are “healthy.”
You keep moralizing this, so please, stop.
Michael Lucas is too much, and his pro-pharmaceutical PrEP push is so disturbing. PrEP can work, but why isn’t he also talking about the side effects of the drugs?
Why don’t advocates of raw sex talk about the risks and possible negative side effects alongside the pleasures and joys of condom less sex? HIV is not the only STD/STI you can get, and Hep C, herpes, etc. are no joke either.
the other Greg
@john: Yeah, I really don’t think I ever shouted from the rooftop about anything. Maybe one time on acid or something.
I agree with you, the whole PrEP thing just seems so complicated, aside from anything else about it.
It’s like someone thought up a great way to make a “grilled” cheese sandwich in the microwave. Maybe it’s possible, but is it really necessary?
MK Ultra
@john: Completely agree, bro.
Something very, very creepy about the whole thing.
Polaro
I usually disagree with many of you, nothing new here. Michael Lucas is not bad looking. I know no lesbians that look like him. Just proves how petty so many of you are.
He has tried for a long time to make people aware of the risks of HIV. Bravo for him. And, now that there is ways to have bareback sex with reduced risks, it makes sense to talk about it. Testing is important. PrEP takes care of the mistakes. There are no side effects, in my case, and the drug is covered by my medical plan (Kaiser) and costs me $120/year. I was concerned about side effects. I have experienced none. I think it is a great idea. A simply fucking great idea. I am a Michael Lucas supported in this case. For those of you who really do not have a clue…STFU. Your misinformation does not help.
MK Ultra
@Polaro: Misinformation?
Why don’t you take a look at your own hilariously bad pitch?
Polaro
@MK Ultra: Be specific. What did I say that is wrong? You know nothing. Since I am taking the drug, I actually know what I am talking about. You, on the other hand, are just typing BS.
MK Ultra
@Polaro: Why don’t we start with you?
What misinformation do you think you see?
Polaro
@MK Ultra: None. You’re real tool.
Stache1
@MK Ultra: Was attacking Polaro really necessary. He’s just talking from his own experience. Not to mention for anyone interested it’s good info to have. You obviously have zero to add to this other then just being an ass.
MK Ultra
@Stache1: How did I attack him. He gave a personal anecdote that he could have easily made up. He accused others of spreading misinformation, so I asked him to clarify. He couldn’t produce any, then called me a tool, then you called me an ass.
Can you read, you stupid faggot?
If some gays want to take this poison drug, good for them. But people are allowed to have a different opinion and express it. I know you don’t like that faggot, as you’ve know used two accounts to attack me, but it’s reality.
Stache1
@MK Ultra: Sweety I’d like to see things from your point of view but I could never get my head that far up my ass. I don’t use multiple screen names to attack you. Don’t need to. You make yourself look like a dumb twat without any intervention by me.
.
MK Ultra
@Stache1: Aww why thanks, darling.
I’d like to see things from your point of view, but I don’t want to get AIDS <3
Nice old tired insult at the end there. I'd same the same about you but why waste time on a miserable old faggot?
Enjoy Christmas and AIDS XOXO
AuntieChrist
@MK Ultra: My doctor says that safe sex is the best way not to get HIV…I have had HIV since the early 80s I was tested in 85 or 86 but I may have had it before that time. I was in a relationship for three years and he was messing around I was not. I have been with the same man for almost 25 years and he is still HIV negative..We have a healthy sex life… Here is some info from MY DOCTOR who specializes in the treatment of HIV….Among men who have sex with men who were given PrEP medication to take, overall they were 44% less likely to get HIV infection than those who took a pill without any PrEP medicine in it. This was an average that included men who didn’t take the medicine every day and those who did. Among the men who said they took most of their daily doses, PrEP reduced the risk of HIV infection by 73% or more, up to 92% for some. I would NEVER risk the health of my husband just so I would not have to use a condom.
AuntieChrist
@Polaro: 8 percent is 8 percent honey and if you want to risk getting a mutated form of HIV because there is more than one strain be my guest but from where I sit condoms are just peachy…I side with MK Ultra.
KDub
@Mikey: I agree that airing someone’s status would be a mean thing to do, except that’s not exactly what Lucas did. He was explaining his company’s procedure in reply to a question he was asked during an interview. Models that do BB scenes with openly positive performers out themselves. ML is still a self-absorbed sellout, but not because of this.
MK Ultra
@AuntieChrist: Now that’s some good information. Thank you.
That was a way better response than some of the aggressive idiots on here whose comment was, “I know everything about this drug and if you challenge me, you are a stupid ass”.
Personally I still find something not quite right here about this whole thing, from the aggressive advertising to the aggressive testimonials in the comments. As I mentioned before, I personally will not be taking this drug, nor shouting about it from any rooftops. If others want to take it, that’s their choice to make. But, like you, I would do my research carefully If I were them.
AuntieChrist
@MK Ultra: Also ANY HIV medication is very expensive I take one pill a day and it cost almost 1000 dollars per month. 782.56 to be exact.
trusgold
@Caine: what a great idea watch bareback, it’s only ok if you never had the correct concept of safe sex. I find this whole bareback fad disgusting and so dangerous for tde young guys tht will do anything to try and become a famous porn sex toy only to be washed out after they have been used up. The supply is limitless which is one of the reasons gays are bashed is the obsession of indiscrminate sex. I seee these 18 year olds doing bareback and hope they are being safe at least in their personal life. Look at what happened to nick (joey stefano). This guy was a truely giftrd avtor and had an agent interested in him but he didn’t get anywhere. The fact that most port stars can’t een make a full time living off of porm i.e. kurt wild working at Subway,. Kurt has 3 children and is married I believe. He was on Tyra Banks show and so was another guy I didnt recognize. Has Johnny Rapid ever done bareback? I hope he hasn’t and isn’t planning on folllowing this twisted risk to his health and life in general.
trusgold
@MK Ultra:@AuntieChrist: great thinking Caine. A 25 year gay relationship is like 75 yrs for str8s.LOL. I wish I hhad worked at Verizon when I was singlr ehich wsd 25 years as oof September 2013. The hey you’re you have healthcare? Verizons rule is you have to wait 6 months before addding one person after removing another. I mean hell if you can give a guy health care if you live together is a great bonus Ha Ha Ha!!
trusgold
new pick up line for 2014: You’re cute do you have healthcare? Obamacares is going to put the kibash on that though. If I am right by Juy people will see what great coverage they will be getting nstead of the pretend policies a lot of people have. My co-pay fo my PCP went down to $15 from $20. I have bLue Cross Blue Shied. We just had a rate of about $228 a year or $19 a month.
trusgold
@Mikey: I will second your nomination!
viveutvivas
@MK Ultra, there is no aggressive advertising for PrEP. In fact, there is so little advertising that a majority of gay men have no clue what it is.
As for testimonials, I think those of us who are on PrEP are maybe just trying to counterbalance a bit the ignorant scare tactics of conspiracy theorists such as you.
MK Ultra
@viveutvivas: Conspiracy theorist? My comment has been on their advertising. I think it’s aggressive and that the phoney testimonials like yours are a joke, like something you’d hear in an evangelical church. That is my personal opinion. I don’t need your permission to say it.
So go ahead, faggot. Attack me under several accounts. Denounce and shout down anyone who has any different opinion than yours about this drug. It just proves more and more that gay men should met this fucking scam called PrEP with suspicion and derision.
My only hope, is that it kills of worthless gay men like yourself. As I said before, die of AIDS, faggot.
MK Ultra
I just want to let everyone know, that I’ve been called a tool, an ass, and now a conspiracy theorist for simply questioning the aggressive advertising of this consumer product.
Isn’t it ironic? I call their advertising aggressive and then I get aggressively attacked by their advertising.
Silencing criticism and demanding that you must purchase and exalt their expensive product simply because you are a gay man…
viveutvivas
@MK Ultra, LOL, I don’t even have to argue against you since you are destroying your reputation all too well all by yourself. Your posts speak for themselves regarding what kind of person you are.
Geeker
The fact that this PrEP drug seems to be being promoted only by faceless/nameless internet people and bareback porn stars makes it seem very suspect.
robho3
I can’t stand Michael Lucas.
Respect4all
@Lazycrockett: Why do gay men get sexually aroused by watching other men infect each other with life-threatening diseases? It seems kind of disgusting to me. “…you have to give the public what they want.” Isn’t it time we asked ourselves why we want what we want? This is why we need laws requiring condom use in porn like they did in L.A. Because what people want is often stupid, selfish, irresponsible and dangerous.
openmindedatlbiguy
@MK Ultra and other anti Prep comments-I would like to say that before I read this article, I had not heard of PrEP. After reading them, I searched for PrEP on google and the first link was to the CDC website that I have included here: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/prevention/research/prep/. The Gist:”… for use as PrEP among sexually active adults at risk for HIV infection.” CDC has developed interim guidance for physicians electing to provide PrEP for HIV prevention among MSM, heterosexually active women and men and people who inject drugs.”
I had to look up MSM. Men who have sex with men, duh. I thought this might me be some good information to add. Studies were conducted in Botswana and Thailand. Its about slowing the spread of HIV infection among all high risk groups.
SteveDenver
Porn is all about the money and the players are disposable. It doesn’t matter than Lucas is a right wing Republican, but it helps.
robho3
I cannot stand Michael Lucas.