The term “gay porn” star was relevant for about thirty years. Sadly, for some reason in the past couple of years that term is as dead as Amanda Bynes’ career and sanity. Is it still a profitable industry that makes a ton of money per year? Maybe for the straight world, but for the gay world it doesn’t seem to be. I consistently read stories and hear from friends of mine who have been in the adult industry that they are retiring and moving onto other projects for several different reasons. Meanwhile, this whole retirement thing comes from only being in the actual industry for less than a year. That’s crazy! The shelf life of a female porn star tends to be that way mainly because it has a massive turnover rate and you can be the hot girl one month and the trash doing b list flicks the next month. In the gay industry, there is a huge appeal for several different ages, from the twinks to the daddies, that you can completely transform yourself and make this into a long term career if you really choose to do so.
Yet, social media has a larger presence than there ever was. Take some girls in the straight porn industry. Look at ones the superstars in those fields like Tori Black, Asa Akira and Alexis Texas for instance. Each of those girls has more followers than many high profile celebrities from actors to sports. Each of them have also been able to turn what they do into a fortified business and make a career out of it beyond the actual porn itself. Smart girls. Sure, the gay ones tend to have a decent amount but where we live in a world where everything is downloadable for free and no one tends to pay especially in the gay world for anything anymore, is there any chance of this industry thriving? Here are reasons why it is dead.
The money isn’t there. Let’s be honest here- the whole “studio” aspect is gone. Rather than that, there are a bunch of sites out there that can cater to a specific persons wants or needs, but gone are the days when giants like Colt and Falcon Studios really ran things anymore. I had a particular friend of mine who did two scenes for a particular production, put himself completely out there and only got paid a measly $500 for the whole thing. That money goes beyond anything- you are risking your life, career, relationships just for one opportunity to do something like this for whatever reason possible. Not saying that more money changes any of those last couple of things, but it can certainly help things if you choose to make this into a career. I also had a former friend who said he entered the industry as a way to help him come out because he came from a very conservative area where being gay was unacceptable. They all have their own reasons. But if the money isn’t there, no one is going to keep on going.
The legend aspect is gone. I would give any of these current “stars” some serious balls if any of them called themselves legends anymore. No one is. I repeat, no one. When we think legend in this industry- you would think of guys like Matthew Rush, Aiden Shaw and the king himself- Zak Spears. Now, it is who is current for a hot minute. I think a lot of them believe it is a good career choice but for some reason can’t make it last. Maybe we live in a world of such high ADD when it comes to focusing on one thing for a while until the next one comes along that that is a reason why these guys don’t last and can’t elongate themselves in the industry.
The somewhat phenomena of “G4P” is a huge turn off. Another reason why the term might be fledgling is because several men in the industry are gay for pay, something that is a big turn off for people. Guys like Cody Cummings and Girth Brooks are forthright in saying that they are straight, they just work in the gay world. It is also noted that men in the adult industry make lesser money if they work in a gay scene than a straight scene, but regardless this can leave a sour note for people who can sort of tell that they really aren’t enjoying it, they just want the paycheck.
Do you think with the industry being somewhat of a dying breed and many other factors that the gay adult industry will rebound?
It’s a world where beauty is fleeting and youth has its moments…hard to say these day..IMHO
I so agree with you
All I can say is that if it is dead, it’s an awfully lively corpse! I know the boutique sites such as Sean Cody, Corbin Fisher, even Treasure Island Media is doing gangbuster business. It’s just the business is not what it was 30 years ago; if you’re great-looking and want to be in the business you are going to have to be computer-savvy and take your career in your own hands. You are going to have to promote yourself. You cannot rely on others to do it for you.
i’ve heard if you want to get into modeling then you have to go into gay porn to become a fashion model quicker than i guess the normal route. or so they say
Great article, i must share!