Tyra Banks: The Gay For Pay Show
As we announced a few days ago, yesterday's Tyra Banks show tackled the gay for pay issue that has become a hot button topic lately. Surprisingly it was an effective show although it got to be a little crowded on the stage with several guests who we wish had just stayed home. And there were some cringe-inducing moments produced by just about every one of the guys that showed up.
The first guests were porn stars Kurt Wild and Aaron James and they along with subsequent guest Dean Coxx could easily have stayed on the whole time. Tyra actually did a pretty good job on covering all the bases here although her naivety on certain things was not convincing especially when she seemed pretty knowledgeable on the whole theme. In her conversation with Kurt Wild, Tyra did bring up he Subway restaurant firing, his being married with kids, and his working with Aaron James. Plus, she managed to delve into the top/bottom issue delicately although the euphemisms were a bit silly. These two guys were relatively forthcoming about the monetary aspects of being straight gay for pay porn actors. However, neither was willing to admit any of the physically pleasurable elements of their career or the possibility that they might have bisexual tendencies. Dean Coxx might have cracked a little bit on these issues had Tyra pressed him because Dean's girlfriend was totally convinced that there had to be some bisexuality there. Aaron James' mother also appeared and she expressed her acceptance if not her approval of her son's career.
The next set of guests were the most annoying: straight bartenders working in gay bars. Let's put it this way, they were jerks. Their aura of superiority and condescending tone towards gay men was pretty vile. They spoke of being offered tons of money by several patrons wanting to sleep with them and of flirting to lead the patrons on for drinks and tips. In their way, they cast gay men as a pathetically desperate and self-loathing lot. Frankly, we didn't think any of these bartenders were worth the trouble. The other side of the coin wasn't discussed either. We all know that gay bartenders work their patrons too and we're sure that some of those who work in straight clubs use their looks to flirt with girls too.
Later everyone was on stage along with a writer from the Advocate and the loathsome Matt Sanchez. You recall Sanchez as the Iraq veteran who is an incendiary right wing writer and self-hating gay man (turned str8) and who was exposed as former porn star Rod Majors. Why Tyra felt we had any desire to hear from him is beyond our comprehension. As for the writer he presented a few points fairly well but we would have loved to question him on several points. As the sole gay opinion on the show he was not a fair representative and he needed to be straightened out on some of his opinions and subtle hypocrisy.
In the wake of this show, it's too early to tell if the gay for pay issue will become a mainstream media hot topic that it's been in the gay press---and where it's likely going to heat up now. Honestly we think some people need to step back a little bit and decide whether this really is a necessary discussion and if it is, what are they advocating? It's all very well to express disdain for "gay for pay" guys, movies, websites, etc., but is there a solution offered? Banning of str8 men from gay porn? A "don't ask, don't tell" type policy (we all know how THAT worked out!)? Product labeling? And the more the issue is pressed and questions asked, is anyone really prepared or willing to hear some of the answers and harsh truths?
The first guests were porn stars Kurt Wild and Aaron James and they along with subsequent guest Dean Coxx could easily have stayed on the whole time. Tyra actually did a pretty good job on covering all the bases here although her naivety on certain things was not convincing especially when she seemed pretty knowledgeable on the whole theme. In her conversation with Kurt Wild, Tyra did bring up he Subway restaurant firing, his being married with kids, and his working with Aaron James. Plus, she managed to delve into the top/bottom issue delicately although the euphemisms were a bit silly. These two guys were relatively forthcoming about the monetary aspects of being straight gay for pay porn actors. However, neither was willing to admit any of the physically pleasurable elements of their career or the possibility that they might have bisexual tendencies. Dean Coxx might have cracked a little bit on these issues had Tyra pressed him because Dean's girlfriend was totally convinced that there had to be some bisexuality there. Aaron James' mother also appeared and she expressed her acceptance if not her approval of her son's career.
The next set of guests were the most annoying: straight bartenders working in gay bars. Let's put it this way, they were jerks. Their aura of superiority and condescending tone towards gay men was pretty vile. They spoke of being offered tons of money by several patrons wanting to sleep with them and of flirting to lead the patrons on for drinks and tips. In their way, they cast gay men as a pathetically desperate and self-loathing lot. Frankly, we didn't think any of these bartenders were worth the trouble. The other side of the coin wasn't discussed either. We all know that gay bartenders work their patrons too and we're sure that some of those who work in straight clubs use their looks to flirt with girls too.
Later everyone was on stage along with a writer from the Advocate and the loathsome Matt Sanchez. You recall Sanchez as the Iraq veteran who is an incendiary right wing writer and self-hating gay man (turned str8) and who was exposed as former porn star Rod Majors. Why Tyra felt we had any desire to hear from him is beyond our comprehension. As for the writer he presented a few points fairly well but we would have loved to question him on several points. As the sole gay opinion on the show he was not a fair representative and he needed to be straightened out on some of his opinions and subtle hypocrisy.
In the wake of this show, it's too early to tell if the gay for pay issue will become a mainstream media hot topic that it's been in the gay press---and where it's likely going to heat up now. Honestly we think some people need to step back a little bit and decide whether this really is a necessary discussion and if it is, what are they advocating? It's all very well to express disdain for "gay for pay" guys, movies, websites, etc., but is there a solution offered? Banning of str8 men from gay porn? A "don't ask, don't tell" type policy (we all know how THAT worked out!)? Product labeling? And the more the issue is pressed and questions asked, is anyone really prepared or willing to hear some of the answers and harsh truths?
I saw this show too and I found Tyra's too pristine act bit unbelievable. She always presents herself as a conservative, who doesn't know much on the subjects of sex, porn, prostitution and other similar things. She is what, a 35 year-old, ex-model, who's traveled the entire world?
Tyra did seem hell bent intend on embarrassing her first guest, who looked very uncomfortable with her line of questioning. Was it really necessary for her to know whether he top or bottomed? Of course that's what was going on in everybody's mind. A lot of straight people consider bottoms less than men and the act demeaning.
In a lot of shows like these the audience oohhs and aahhs with disdain and certain shocked attitudes, as if they've never heard of such a thing. Probably the same people who did not want the porn star making their sandwiches went home to watch his videos.
At the same time the writer for The Advocate representing the gay community was not the brightest crayon in the Crayola box as he said it was wrong the gay for pay porn.
That's where many people get caught in their own hypocrisy, as if there weren't a market for gay for pay those guys would not be working. In the end they always try to sum it up from moralistic point of view that porn is wrong and that some day in the future they'll all regret what they did.
People tend to confuse decency with chastity and it isn't necessarily so. Decency comes from the individual's dignity and his good heart. And a porn star can have both.
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Great comments! You hit the nail on the head! Loved your insight into the chastity/decency argument.
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Thanks JackManly. I enjoy reading your blogs. Keep on blogging!
Regards,
Emanuel~
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