Michael Lucas, the outspoken gay activist and porn impresario, has been one of the last bareback sex holdouts among adult film producers, adhering to a strict condom code in the making of his hundreds of films while remaining openly critical of bareback porn.
As recently as last summer, he dismissed any future role in the growing trend.
“If I produced bareback porn in Nevada I would be very rich,” he said. “I prefer to live in New York.”
Well, apparently living in New York is more expensive than he thought. Last week, Lucas Entertainment released a scene described as “Premiere Bareback Sex Starring Exclusive Seth Treston and Billy Santoro,” starring the real-life couple (pictured). The press release touting the company’s first “bare sex scene,” says it is the “first in a series of condom-free performances.”
With the popularity of bareback sex on websites such as SeanCody, another popular porn company that caved to market demands for scenes depicting unprotected anal intercourse, Lucas apparently found it financially untenable to stay off the bareback bandwagon. In a phone conversation with Queerty, Lucas declined to comment on the scene.
Before getting all moralistic on the self-described human rights activist, Lucas does try to provide some context for the scene by including an interview with the couple, presumably to underscore the notion that monogamous seroconcordant couples do not risk new transmission of HIV. (The release does not reveal the HIV status of the models.) Yet the fact that Treston happens to be a Lucas Entertainment “exclusive” undermines the possibility of monogamy in the strict sense.
And the problem with bareback porn is not only about the safety of the models. It is the message it sends to porn fans, who may find their own commitment to condoms diminished, especially when Lucas and others go to some length to fetishize unprotected sex.
“The physical understanding and sexual ease that comes from being real-life partners shines through in this scene,” reads the release. “Their passionate kissing, deep bare fucking, and comfortable sharing of cum leave no doubt about Seth and Billy’s intense connection.”
Of course there’s also the possibility that porn consumers, sated by the visual fantasy, are actually more likely to avoid the practice in their own sex lives. The research is still out on that one.
Is condom-free porn OK if the performers are a monogamous couple? Or does this fantasy alone send a wrong message to impressionable viewers? Sound off in the comments section.
Josh
This is a civil liberties, first and foremost. I’m heartened to see Lucas allowing consenting adults to perform adult activities for the pleasure of other adults.
Secondly, monogamy is completely irrelevant if you break this down logically. You’re making the implication that a managed, undetectable viral load poses no risk of transmission to the HIV- partner disguising with conservative window dressing about “monogamous relationships.” This has no bearing whatsoever on the HIV+ partner being able to transmit HIV. Therefore, I’m going to assume you guys STILL have a queasy problem with us HIV+ folks.
Lastly, this statement is breathtaking: “Of course there’s also the possibility that porn consumers, sated by the visual fantasy, are actually more likely to avoid the practice in their own sex lives. The research is still out on that one.” I’ve never seen one serious research article making that assertion. I’m going to go out on a limb and assume your pith is reserved toward demonizing behaviors that the AHF has a problem with.
JK
VonTanner
A person can either do what they can to help stop the spread of AIDS or just say fuck it and let it spread!
Caine
Michael Lucas is a hypocrite.
8 years ago he was part of a consortium of porn producers who actually BLACKLISTED men who appeared in bareback videos. Unbelievable.
QJ201
I’d wager Michael Lucas’s next step is supplying his models with PrEP meds as his justification for “safe” bareback porn.
nieciedo
This has nothing to do with civil liberties. Lucas is not “allowing consenting adults to perform adult activities for the pleasure of other adults.” He’s a businessman exploring workers to produce a commodity.
I’m not going to pretend that HIV+ people face stigma and discrimination. That is an actual civil liberties issue. However, surely we can all agree that HIV is not a good thing? No one should be condemned or discriminated against for having it, but is it not a good and prudent thing to do whatever is practical to contain and prevent it? To discourage behaviors that tend toward spreading it and encourage behaviors that limit it? Why is that now so beyond the pale?
That being said, this film is not a PSA but a porn product, a commodity produced to satisfy a market demand. I have no issue with bareback porn so long as there is no coercion involved in its production. I won’t be consuming any of Lucas’s work, however, because for a variety of reasons – from Iraq to Palestine to Russia to PrEP – he is the worst.
nieciedo
*not going to pretend that they DON’T face stigma…”
EdWoody
The one thing left that I didn’t hate about Michael Lucas has gone.
Brian
Bareback sex is fine so long as both parties are healthy. Millions of men around the world have bareback sex with their wives with no adverse consequence.
It’s only when one of the parties isn’t healthy that it becomes risky. Make sure you’re both healthy and you can have as much bareback as you please.
Dxley
Stupid article!
Bobby
Bareback is disgusting. I am truely saddened at the state of gay porn right now. Was so different 5 years ago.
petensfo
Why no link, Queerty? I get that you might want to leave off the bareback scene but no even a NSFW naked shot??
How do you even call yourselves GAY? lol
GayTampaCowboy
I just love the comments on articles like this! So many guys get on their high-horses and start JUDGING the actions of consenting adults, equating bareback porn videos to the spread of hiv (Sounds like certain bible-thumpers out there who equate certain types of music with violence, video games now being blamed for the shooter’s actions in DC yesterday, etc.)
In my 30 years as an “out” gay man i have NEVER, and i mean, NEVER talked to a SINGLE gay man who had NEVER had bareback sex in his life. Most were in monogamous LTRs, single guys wanted to find a partner (in addition to all the other benefits of being in a monogamous LTR) so they could enjoy bareback sex.
I equate all the anti-bareback-chatters to guys who say they don’t masturbate!
Finally, let’s remember, porn is a BUSINESS! They produce what consumers want. Actors are FREE to choose to perform in bareback features or not!
You don’t like bareback porn? DON’T WATCH IT and DON’T IMPOSE YOUR “VALUES” ON OTHERS!
DCFarmboi
Lucas is an asshole. No one has the right to cause harm to others.
Dxley
If you think bareback is disgusting, then I suggest you stop having gay sex altogether @Bobby. I love it, I love watching it and it’s always gonna be here. Get into it!!! I’ve never heard a straight man who complains about unprotected sex, except for the STDs part.
My boyfriend do it all the time and it’s fucking good. We’re both healthy and very hygienic, and it’s amazing. This is good! I love it 😀
Joe Dalmas
I love porn and I for one am one of those people who had protected sex for decades until watching the occasional BB porn made me feel more and more relaxed about using condoms. I’m not blaming the porn industry entirely but I cannot deny that the depiction of BB sex influenced my decision to not wear condoms on occasion.
During the years before BB sex in porn, it didn’t even occur to me that I would ever engage in unprotected sex. Without a debt porn has been a determining factor in my occasional throwing caution to the wind.
sportsguy1983
Only idiots have bareback sex with someone who they aren’t COMPLETELY monogamous with, but as long as they are consenting adults and are not hurting someone else who doesn’t consent in the bareback sex, then go for it.
Anyone who blames bareback sex for those who decide to start having bareback sex obviously have no concept about personal responsibility among ADULTS.
balehead
The posters on here really need to get out of their basement apartments from time to time…
uruz422
First of all I think Out or the Advocate (I forget which one) has a great article about using this new pill. A big point in the article and one that needs to be taken seriously is that expecting a generation of gay men to use condoms FOREVER is unrealistic. Until they figure out a way to make a condom that feels BETTER than not using one, people are going to at best reluctantly use them.
I know safe sex is the only way to have casual sex and really protect yourself, though even that is not 100%. I’ve had condoms break on me, or slip inside during fucking. It’s rare but it’s happened twice. So nothing is 100%. Also, to me pretending that bb sex doesn’t feel better is like asking teens to have abstinence only education be effective. Straight teens want to have sex and they don’t want to get pregnant. So they have the pill for girls which is way more effective than asking guys to wear condoms all the time. For gay boys/men we don’t have to worry about pregnancy but we do have to worry about HIV. Why does it keep spreading? It’s not because condoms aren’t relatively cheap or common place. Every time I go to get tested I take a ton of condoms and lube for free. But let’s face it, the sex feels a lot better when you don’t have plastic over your dick. It just does! So as gay men we want to have the sex that feels the best. I don’t think that’s wrong or a bad thing, but yes it can be a dangerous thing unfortunately. Which comes back to the fact that then we need to find a better solution than condoms. We should keep using them for now but we either need to create better feeling condoms or a pill or something. We’ve tried the current approach and especially since HIV is no longer a death sentence the desire to wear them is diminishing over time.
Dxley
Thank you @uruz422. The truth has been spoken!
sportsguy1983
It is kind of interesting how everyone focuses on just HIV as the only reason we should wear condoms when having sex outside of a 1005 monogamous relationship. There are other incurable diseases like Herpes, HPV , Hepatitis B, and Genital Warts. Then there are STD’s like Gonorrhea that are showing up with anti-biotic resistant strains. And of course, there always diseases that have yet to be spread (i.e. HIV).
If you are foolish enough to have unprotected sex because it “feels better”, then be prepared for the possible consequences. Personal responsibility.
CaptainFabulous
@nieciedo: “To discourage behaviors that tend toward spreading it and encourage behaviors that limit it? Why is that now so beyond the pale?”
Because it’s none of your damned business what two consenting adults do. You educate, ensure that people are informed, and that’s it. You don’t get to tell people that they’re “bad little boys” and will get no supper if they don’t wear condoms and “good little boys” who deserve a cookie when they do.
Taliaferro
Lucas is and always has been more interested in making money than anything else. It would be interesting to see what he does for the LGBT community other than mouthing off. For those of us who are HIV+ and who have struggled to survive the virus, this is a slap in the face. I contracted HIV in 1984 before we had any understanding of what the virus and no drugs to fight it. Personally, I cannot imagine unprotected sex for any reason. That said, each individual must make his or her own decision about protected or unprotected sex. The sad thing is that many young gay males don’t care enough to protect themselves and others.
Dxley
@sportsguy1983: what do you mean “”feels better””? Of course, it does. Some of us are in real monogamous relationship and test as often as we can, and take care of our bodies. Truth is: bareback feels better. End of story. It’s not about being “foolish”, you’re just a self-loathing, sad gay guy who believes that HIV/Aids is a gay disease. Nobody is stupid enough to believe that all gay men in long-term monogamous relationships use condoms, straight men don’t. If you cheat on your stable partner “by chance”, I believe you’d use condoms. You’ll die a germophobic virgin, boy! Ha ha! You need to feel the pleasure of rough, unprotected anal sex lol
Fitz
YEAH! Maybe I will check it out!
I haven’t seen one of his porns in a long time.
Just not into aseptic technique during sex, sorry.
sportsguy1983
@dxley You are a joke for saying I am a self-loathing gay man since you know NOTHING about me and how active I am in the gay community I live. I don’t hide my sexuality nor do I hide that I think it is foolish to have bareback sex just because it “feels good”. Before you open your piehole again, get your facts straight.
Straight people who have bareback sex outside of a relationship and are not looking to get pregnant are just as foolish. This is a gay website so my focus is on gay men, NOT straight men.
And no one cheats “by chance”. Cheating takes a conscious decision.
And I am definitely no virgin (nor am I whore) and I don’t know of germophobes that are pediatricians.
And no I don’t need to feel the “pleasure” of bareback sex to be happy. When I am in a long term relationship where we decide bareback sex is something we want to do, then we will do it.
Now go crawl back under the rock you came out from.
jckfmsincty
As usual, the dollar wins.
B Damion
JESUS!!! are we now bitching about sex..lol..I thought most gay men loved sex. lmao. Y’all kill me. lol
Dxley
@sportguy1983: My “piehole”? Lol! I kinda laughed at that. I think you’re just wasting your energy, my gay brother. A lot of guys WILL go bareback whether you like it or not. The thing is: you’ve never felt it, and you can’t control other people’s actions, so just shut your trap!
I don’t give a single fuck on how “active” you are in the gay community(Dustin Lance Black promotes safe sex but doesn’t always practice it), you’re a hater and I wonder how the atmosphere feels when you’re around. You’re a sad man who’ll probably spend all his life single and unloved. When you have your “morals”, don’t force them down other people’s throats because chances are they will come back out. Not so pleasant. Gay men will always go bareback, in porn and real life. Get into it #WalksAway
sportsguy1983
@Dxley Hey dumbass, if you actually read what I first typed “Only idiots have bareback sex…but as long as they are consenting adults and are not hurting someone else who doesn’t consent in the bareback sex, then go for it.” I NEVER said guys can’t have bareback sex. I said they are foolish for it. I never have and never will force my “morals” (yes I know it is a dirty word sometimes) on anyone, but I will not hide that I have some standards/morals that I live by.
It’s nice that Dustin Lace Black is a hypocrite (though unless you have had bareback sex with him you have no idea if he has or hasn’t), but I don’t care what he or anyone else does (they are entitled to be as safe or as unsafe as they want to be) so long as it consenting between adults.
Now swish away and make sure you actually read what someone types before you yap away and make yourself look like a fool.
krystalkleer
we asked 100 people…would you ever have unprotected sex if it fattened yer piggy bank?…survey says…..(fill in the blank with whatever you want here)
http://getoffmydress.blogspot.com/2013/09/sometimes-ya-feel-like-nutcase.html
Foomanchu
I registered just to say how much I absolutely despise this Michael Lucas twerp. He has an opinion on absolutely everything under the sun and seems to think he stands as our sole bloody spokesman. If he’s not attacking Johnny Weir, he’s constantly backtracking on his own “ethics”. He’s a stupid, arrogant, duck-faced twerp that is a blight on the entire gay community. He makes me sick to my stomach. It is just unconscionable to pay any heed to him whatsoever.
Scribe38
@sportsguy1983: I agree with you. As a current nursing student a lot of what I am hearing scares the hell out of me. I haven’t bareback for over 12 years. I watched a friend die of AIDS (90’s) and decided that a few moments of fun wasn’t worth the risk. AZT and other drugs seems to have taken away common sense of a few gay men. The medicines’ complications can be very serious for some. People on meds can still pass the disease. HIV+ people are at a greater risk of infections and other sexually transferred viruses, so they should be using rubbers. There is no current cure for AIDS and people still do pass from the illness. I enjoy sex as much as the next guy. For guys who hate wearing rubbers I suggest finding one that works for you. Personally I am a big fan of the lifestyle brand that has extra room in the head area, to me it gives a great sensation.
mz.sam
Lucas have seen all the writings on many walls…Sean Cody and Corbin Fisher is ruling the porn business. His personality and unsolicited opinions are another story….unwanted.
Niall
Just wondering, but is that what passes for attractive in porn these days? Yikes.
Dxley
@sportsguy1983: You seem to have me confused with those stupid fucks that actually shagged you. I’m an engineer, believe it or not, and I know a problem when I see one and you, my bitter gay brother, are a huge one to yourself. We’re ALL going to die, naturally. DLB may be a “hypocrite” to you, but he actually has money and a lot of men who want him. Unlike your sorry ass that nobody wants to eat ha ha ha. Just stick to your “standards/morals” and die alone, bitter and sad. You can call an engineer a lot of things, just not “dumbass”. How old are you? Are you in a relationship? How many men have you actually slept with? You sound like a fat, ugly brother that nobody wants. I feel for you. You’ll be fucking strong!!! Some of us feel all the joy and pleasure and never live to regret it, I’m doing all I can to stay away from HIV, but I’m in monogamous relationship. Let the virus come when it does because I could still live a longer life than healthy people. #TeamBareBack
sportsguy1983
@dxley what a joke. Just keep yapping away and making yourself look foolish. Ha!
LeNair Xavier
People have accused me here and various other sites for my harsh words about Michael Lucas and his repeated displays of double-talking and hypocrisy. So I’m LOVING how it’s all coming to full undeniable display how I’ve been RIGHT ALL ALONG.
Even though I have and still deem barebacking as a matter of choice, I’ve never been OK with someone passing judgement on someone who does, and taking action against them. Like he did when he stormed the stage at that awards show damning Brent Corrigan for his barebacking past.
fofomazuzu
@Dxley: You are really mad that some people don’t like bareback, aren’t you? Believe it or not, not everyone is like you or the people you choose to associate with. I have been with my boyfriend for 9 months and we still use condoms because it the safe, responsible thing to do even if we are monogamous. Also, the fact that you behave like HIV is just an inevitably for you (and maybe you’re implying that it’s inevitable for all gay men) shows how irresponsible of a person you seem to be.
Dxley
Everybody does what he likes and I don’t “imply” things, I say them. You and your boyfriend are probably weak and your sessions last 7 minutes max, so who cares! Let me it do my guy raw. I’m not “irresponsible”, we’re true to one another and monogamous. Unlike all other gay men!
fofomazuzu
@Dxley: Wow you must be the gay king because you are so much better than all the other gays ever! The fact that you can only insult other people and make offensive generalizations tell me that you don’t seem to have much of a base to stand on.
Dxley
“Offensive”? Ha ha. It’s true, gay men are whores, especially black men because they’re always on the down low.
fofomazuzu
@Dxley: Internalized homophobia AND racism. Wunderbar.
keep it real
Sounds like a “HYPOCRITE” to me Bareback is Bareback….
Charlie in Charge
When I bought my first gay porn VHS tapes in the late 1998 (ah youth) they always opened with scrolling text about safer sex (think Star Wars) and the models all used condoms. I never felt like I was missing out on anything and the videos got the job done. Did this upbringing and the “Use a condom every time” message of the 90s help me make better choices? It did. Have I used one absolutely-every-single-time for 15 years? I have not but damn near close.
Sebastian
I do not think there could be a such thing as responsible porn. Having sex on camera with strangers with or without condoms will likely never be considered responsible. But it is up to the model to make the decision whether to take part in the porn movie or not. The viewer as the same choice whether or not to view.
Rockery
@Niall:
LOL
I scrolled up and took a look and I agree 100% sheesh! Lucas MUST be hurting for money, firstly, by going bareback and secondly, it appears that he is picking up ANYONE (no good looks required) that will have sex, to save on fees paid to the “models” .
Stache1
@Rockery: Wow. What a bitchy little queen you are.
Dxley
Consider yourselves lucky. Queerty won’t publish what I had written for you!
Dxley
I still think black men are the worst Aids carriers
jeff4justice
Remember kids, you’re only popular as a gay man if you have unprotected sex. (rolls eyes)
Zed Paul
Dxley, why are you so obsessed with black men?
2eo
@jeff4justice: Judging by the throwing of toys by the usual suspects, Captain and his idiotic ilk it shows they’re a lot more likely to be children.
Dxley
Zed Paul, I’m only obsessed with attractive things.
SteveBmke
Dxley sounds like a Gay Republican
dpinvogue
Dxley: I still think black men are the worst Aids carriers
A disease, as does a virus, does not prefer one race or ethnicity over another. It is unfortunate that HIV originated in the African subcontinent, but there is not one race that hasn’t been effected by AIDS. Blaming black men is pathetic.
Rex1
The word ‘pork’ in the 4th line of my posting is wrong. The word should have been ‘bareback’. Sorry!!
eyerolling
I’ve lost all respect for Bill (Billy Santoro). He and Aaron (Tristan) certainly are not exclusive since Bill is also men.com. Bill is also very hypocritical and crazy in his political views. It’s one thing to not support Obama, but he has become a right-wring nut. Check out his Facebook profile, https://www.facebook.com/Baristabill, and see how he even blames the DC shooting on Obama (October 3rd posting).
Aaron used to be a good guy, as well. Bill has pretty much molded and corrupted him to his extreme political view points, exercise habits, porn, getting married (and doing more porn), and moving all within a year. Aaron is still a good guy, but just not the same person anymore.
robho3
It’s all about $$$ for Michael Lucus. He used to go on and on about how bad barebacking was and now he is doing it in his films. He is a hypocrite.
Matt
It’s hard to believe what this world has come to. Prostitutes get paid to bugger each other, people pay to see it, and producers get really rich. Eventually all gay porn will be bareback. I never realized there were that many bug chasers out there. We live in this this sick world of glamorizing filthy acts.
JDean
the disgusting whores are taking over
I wish ex-gay worked, I’d join it
JDean
@GayTampaCowboy: so we should do what exactly? Congratulate the disgusting bugchasers for spreading disease?
SteveDenver
It’s all about the MONEY, the porno ponies are disposable.
Sad, but absolutely true.
For those idiots who say this is about personal expression and civil liberties and individual choice: noble words can’t mask the sad truth of people who are deluded into thinking that sex without condoms brings pleasure that is worth exposure to disease. In short: You’re horny and stupid.
BruceP
The article mentions Michael Lucas interviewing the models. His interviews are BORING. Endless chatter that no one is interested in, he repeats que4stions that he has already asked, and should thing of his subscribers who are there to watch men engaged in sexual activity, not listen to him. And his English is atrocious!
mikesdaves
any link for michael lucas first bareback? tncx