October 24, 2007

Sister Zsa Zsa's Epistle to the Gay Porn Industry

I am an old nun, and I remember the days when we didn’t need condoms for sex. As a Sister, we’ve raised so much money for AIDS services and pushed our safe sex message until we’re blue in the face (under the white makeup, that is...) I have also been in the adult industry long enough to see some disturbing trends develop. I pray that our efforts were not wasted.

The current industry mantra for mainstream gay adult movies is to shoot safer sex only, maintain confidentiality of HIV status, and not discriminate on the basis of HIV status. But before we get all high and mighty and pat ourselves on the back, remember, it took a very long time for the industry to set that standard. In my opinion, too many models died before the studios decided it was economically feasible to go condom-only.

Today, feisty “outlaw” studios and websites are posing a challenge to the establishment by exploiting the concept of “raw” unprotected anal sex. The jury is still out as to whether bareback movies are an economic threat right now, but my crystal ball warns me the trend should be addressed in some way. Unfortunately, until I upgrade the software on my crystal ball, it only provides me with warnings, not solutions. It distresses me, though, to envision the day when the lunatics take over the asylum - or more correctly the WRONG lunatics.

I prefer to envision a day when STDs are curable, all performers working in the gay adult industry are completely disease-free, and condoms are no longer an issue. We’ve gotten so accustomed to the idea that the crisis is forever, we’ve lost hope of even trying to end it. I am posing this idea as a challenge and a goal to the gay adult industry for everyone’s long-term success and good karma.

The following are my ten steps to Barebacking Acceptable Practices for models, studios currently shooting bareback, and those who are considering it. These are my opinions. You can write me off as a blasphemer or a wacko, but please indulge me as I present my thoughts for your consideration.

1. TESTING!
The current HIV testing technology is not perfect, but it helps. Our colleagues on the straight side do it, ask them if it works! And it wouldn’t hurt to test models before a condom-only shoot, either!

2. SERO SORTING.
Only mix positive with positive and negative with negative. Let’s set a goal that someday all performers in the industry are disease-free!

3. Performers: Don’t lie about HIV status.
Honesty shouldn’t be difficult. It’s the Golden Rule.

4. Don’t pressure models to bareback.
Always allow condoms as a option. If a model is uncomfortable barebacking, re-shuffling the cast might save someone’s life.

5. Studios: Downplay the sensationalism of barebacking.
Someday when the AIDS crisis is over, condomless porn will be normal again, and the word “bareback” will be meaningless. So what will be the selling point of your movie then?

6. Inform scene partners of each other’s HIV status.
Don’t be ashamed to tell the truth! If you’re not a good match, there are plenty of other hot guys for you to work with that share your HIV status.

7. Don’t take extraordinary risks.
Is taking 60 raw loads of cum really that much hotter than 50? Come on, there’s a reason those stunt movies are called “Jackass”!

8. Get information and advice.
Don’t be afraid to ask stupid questions from health professionals or from your colleagues. It’s not rocket science, and this isn’t the Cold War, either.

9. Accept responsibility.
Consider the worst-case scenario before engaging in risky behavior, whether you are a model or a producer. Minimize that risk to the point you can be proud of your decision.

10. Be open for change.
Whether you are a pushing-the-envelope risk taker or a holier-than-thou safe sex proselytizer, keep your opinions to yourself. Shooting your mouth off about other people’s business practices may bite you in the ass someday.

Sister Zsa Zsa Glamour, the self-proclaimed “Porno Nun”, has been a member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc. since 1991. Founded in 1979, the Sisters take vows to “Promulgate universal joy and expiate stigmatic guilt” through education, activism and putting the “fun” back into fund raising. The Sisters produced the world’s first safe sex guide “Play Fair” in 1982.

Posted by lavenderlounge at 11:27 PM

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