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.
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?
For a funnier take on this story, click here.
Note: This article does not necessarily represent the opinions of Paul Morris or Treasure Island Media. We felt it right to post, allowing each of you to digest, and form your own opinion. We look forward to hearing what you think.
There are a whole bunch of qualifiers that go with the PrEp regiment, including practicing safer sex along with taking the drug. It is not a miracle cure, and should not be viewed as such.
While the decision to go bareback in movies is a public action, the health status of performers is a private matter which is between the performer, doctors, his partners and the companies that hire him. I find the comments made in the article, un-informed and irresponsible.
While I have yet to engage in BB’ing, and practice safer sex, I do enjoy TIM movies. After all these movies are fantasies, and I hope and assume that TIM does whatever is necessary to create a responsible and good working environment for the performers.
He is so fuckin’ beautiful….
His position has evolved. Like Obama on gay marriage. Glad he came around.
Michael Lucas has always been a hypocritical kept fucktard. I’ve been saying it for years as he’s tried to discredit me for calling him out on his racist casting. But now he’s showing his hypocrisy, two-faced lying ways on the issue of barebacking.
Well, if you’re a hypocritical 2-faced prick on one thing, then you’re very likely one on a great many others matters.
ML has condemned bare backing for years and didn’t start filming kink until he could no longer compete at the top ranks with the bb studios that have always incorporated kink as part of their story line. It is apparent that his advocacy for safe sex and caring about the community was pure bullshit. Sorry but he is not ever going to be part of my brotherhood no matter how much bb he films.