Nov
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Johnny Hanson Stokes BB Debate
November 7, 2007 | 7 Comments
Performer Johnny Hanson has stoked the bareback-vs.-condoms debate with the news that he has filmed a condomless scene, despite publicly declaring his opposition to barebacking earlier this year as "not too smart and way too risky." Why the reverse decision? "I was paid the top dollar I asked for," he told my colleague Vincent Lambert. "And I figured being the top wasn’t too much of a health risk." That last comment has added dark clouds to the David Awards-bareback storm that had only begun to dissipate. In separate open letters to the industry, Lucas Entertainment CEO Michael Lucas and Titan Media VP Keith Webb have condemned Mr. Hanson’s remarks.
Johnny Hanson, now 42, was the "It" Stud back in 1995-96, when he filmed such titles as Falcon’s DOWNLOAD and OTHER SIDE OF ASPEN 3-4, Centaur Films’ HOT FIREMEN and Studio 2000′s TRYING IT ON FOR SIZE. He returned to gay XXX in 2006 in a nonsex cameo for Lucas Entertainment’s MICHAEL LUCAS’ LA DOLCE VITA and then sexually earlier this year for THE BIGGER THE BETTER. There had been no follow-ups until this new revelation.
Mr. Lucas initially declined comment because "I did not want to give this story legs…and sometimes I really don’t feel like judging lost souls, as sometimes things go without explanation." However, the Mr. Hanson’s lesser-health-risk-as-a-top comment brought Mr. Lucas up short. In an email circulated to industryites, and already published elsewhere, Mr. Lucas claims Johnny Hanson disclosed to him Mr. Hanson’s HIV-positive status. "So when he is saying that there was no risk, does he mean there was no risk for the bottom that he fucked? …I thought it was particularly gross of him to make such a comment."
Keith Webb later circulated a separate email written as a response to Mr. Lucas’ comments, and copied to at least a dozen columnists and other industry insiders. "Thank you for having the courage to speak out when you see hypocrisy and irresponsibility within the industry," Mr. Webb wrote. "This is just the tip of the iceberg of what is a much bigger issue in the gay adult industry. The unspoken truth is that most…of the performers in USA-produced gay bareback films are HIV+. Everyone within the industry knows this, but they are not willing to admit it publicly. For the most part, HIV+ performers are the ones doing bareback films, why else would someone be willing to take 50 loads up their ass?"
For the record, Keith Webb does not cite any evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, to back up his assertions.
He goes on to write, "At the very least the producers of these films should be honest with their customers and place a warning screen at the beginning of each clip/film advising that the performers are HIV+ and have chosen to work without condoms because of their HIV status. This would at least help the community and people watching the films to better understand the high risk behavior they are viewing, and help them make more informed and better [decisions] about their own sexual practices."
Mr. Webb condemns the "irresponsible and repugnant behavior going on within the gay adult industry" and notes it is "our responsibility as [leaders] within this industry to shine the light upon these behaviors and practices when we see them. We all need to stand up and hold people accountable as their actions reflect upon everyone within the industry. It’s time for leaders within this industry to grow a set of balls and stand up and say what they believe in! I’m getting sick and tired of hearing idiotic comments like ‘the cat is out of the bag’ and ‘there is nothing we can do about it.’ Bullshit, there is plenty you can do about it if you really cared about the community and the industry."
I’ve asked Mr. Webb to elaborate on what exactly he means when he calls upon industry leaders to hold others accountable, and I am also tracking down Mr. Hanson for his side of things. Use the comments section below to share your views.
[Image © VincentLambert.com.]
Contact JC Adams at JCAdamsXXX@aol.com
Comments
7 Comments so far
I work at a sex club where we show both condom and condomless porn…because there is a market for it. Some people want to watch it. That said, the bareback performers are most definitely HIV+, and it would be naive to think otherwise. The real shame is that we are not really debating condom vs. condomless porn, because the bareback titles are usually so extreme. With the major condom releases, you usually get two hot people having hot sex, but with the condomless porn it’s ‘how many loads can we shoot into so-and-so’s ass/mouth?’ Like the recently publicized Bjorn title, condomless porn could be more intimate instead of just being freak nasty. Lots of real life couples have bareback sex…because they are committed and know their hiv status. There is definitely a market for bareback porn–but how exciting is it really to watch someone siphon a tupperware of cum into someone’s ass?
Like anything, though, people will do what they want, whether or not they’ve been educated, and we all know abstinence-only education doesn’t work.
I’m glad the major condom studios are speaking out, but their porn titles are far superior and speak for themselves.
you can look at his face and tell that he is poz. the guys a mess
First off, what an ignorant comment to state that you can look at someone and know they are hiv+. However, we’ll just over look that one.
More importantly lets aknowledge the irony of this entire debate. Legalized pimp daddys actually complaining that other legalized pimp daddys are making a profit off of pathetic lost souls willing to be filmed performing un-safe sex. The whole topic of complaint amazes me.
On one side we have an example of blatant Russian Rullet. It doesn’t take a legalized pimp to tell us that. Unless someone is a full on retard I’m pretty sure they are aware of that. On the other side we have blatant hyprocrisy being played out where those doing the complaining are saying… “Hey, our whores at least shove a condom on it when fucking!” What the complainers fail to mention is that They are willingly advocating multiple sexual encounters which can be just as dangerous and deadly. Even with a condom in play.
So if there are going to be warnings given before you watch a bareback movie ( and there should ) then also include warnings with condom movies as well. ( and there should) You are still putting yourself at a high risk for all STD’s by engaging in so called “protected” sex with multiple anonymous partners.
And becuase there will never be any warning signs telling viewers that you can still contract herpes, the clap, and yes even HIV with a condom on it pretty much reveals whats really going on with this pathetic bitch fight amongst all the gay porn pimp daddys.
These gay porn pimps don’t give two shits in the wind about anyones safety. What they care about is “profit” in their pocket and publicity. If they see one pimp daddy making a move in their territory that might challenge the sell of their own product they are going to create whatever ruse they can to get rid of the new pimp daddy in town. Suddenly protecting the viewer from a disease becomes the noble cause. What is never pointed out is the real truth. The viewer is of no concern.
The reason this whole debate began was over a damn award. That in itself is so commical. Until ALL porn participants gay or straight gladly step forward and admit that all promiscuous sex acts even with a condom can result in death or serius bodily energy please spare us your inner fighting. You are the last group of individuals to be pointing fingers at anyone.
So on behalf of all those who buy your films… Just shut up and film your whores and collect your money. If you really gave half a damn about viewers of porn you’d be attacking all forms of porn and the many differnt themes of sexual debauchery making a profit in your industry such as rape ( lets not even get into this one) or pedifilia in the form of watching two very young looking men work each over sexually but then putting a disclaimer saying all parties were at least 18 when the truth is they were hired because some of them looked no more than 14 or 15.
Bottom line..I love me some good porn. BUT… I will never be stupid enough to point to that industry as an example of keeping one fully safe and healthy when it comes to the fight and prevention of all STD’S. You all mutually advocate putting someone at risk with or without condoms. You all cator to debauchery and devalue intimacy.
Honestly, I’d feel hypocritical myself if I criticized either party since I consume porn. Granted, they’re adults and I’m not requiring them to produce porn, but I encourage them, and ultimately the continuation of bacterial and viral STD’s in the human population, by paying attention to it. (this excludes porn featuring long term monogamous couples)
Now this may sound idealistic, but I believe that these diseases are containable by sheer human will, and that while it may be difficult, it’s a possibility. But, unless we all decide to make changes in our values first (and permanently) and secondly, some sexual behaviors, (even if only temporarily) we’re all contributors in keeping these diseases going.
[...] · Johnny Hanson strokes BareBack Debate. [...]
Who ever claims they never heard of a sexually transmitted virus called AIDS/H.I.V.
is fully of shit. The whole WORLD heard of this std called Aids,so I dont believe someone doesn’t know how to get aids.UNLESS your living on a different PLANET..?
As a h.I.V. COUNSELOR Talking about your health status is a very sensitive an personal topic for anyone, to go public an slander you is not a nice person they must be evil an jealous to say that about anyone.