February 8, 2019 | The Biz

Harlan Yaffe, Rest in Peace

A major player in the gay porn industry has left us at the age of just 56. Harlan Yaffe -- a co-founder of Pride Studio, a director and producer and, most recently, the blogger and editor for The Sword -- lost his battle with lung cancer earlier this week. 

"The family of Harlan Blaine Yaffe is saddened to share with the world Harlan passed away peacefully on Monday, February 4th, 56 years young," Harlan's brother Hal wrote.

"Harlan had been stoic, not discussing his health in public. He had very recently been diagnosed with lung cancer and was supposed to get the test results of a biopsy on Feb. 7. Unfortunately, his illness had already spread through his body and he is now at peace and with our parents."

Harlan co-founded Pride Studios in 2002, with the launch of Circle Jerk Boys. He and his two business partners built Pride Studios into a great success, adding more sites and deftly riding the golden decade of Internet porn by providing a quality product while treating models respectfully and business partners with honesty and integrity. 

Harlan stayed with the company until it was acquired by Gamma Entertainment (Buddy Profits) in 2013. After taking a break from the adult entertainment business for a couple of years, he returned as editor of porn blog The Sword. 

"I will miss you Harlan. You have supported me for so many years, I’m forever grateful at the opportunities you gave me," wrote Diesel Washington. "Harlan gave me a voice on [The Sword].  He never edited my content or told me what I could say or not. He let me just be me. This hurts."

"I’m really gutted by this," added Jasun Mark. "Harlan always greeted me with a hug and a smile. He made me laugh a lot. When I thought I had no friends left in the industry (many years ago), he was the first to reach out to me privately and defend me publicly. He was a wonderful man and I really loved him a lot. Have known him since I first got into this crazy industry back in 2002 and I’m not sure I can imagine it without him. He’s missed already."

Danny Kaufman, of ZBuckZ, posted, "Harlan and I started our businesses around the same time and Harlan was always there to offer advice to me when no one else would and provide a light that has guided me through this industry and beyond. I am heartbroken to hear this news, he touched so many lives and was such an amazingly good person, it's hard to believe he is gone."

Harlan was one of the few people in the industry that we at BananaGuide considered a true friend. We met him back in 2002 and socialized at many conferences over the years, in Vegas, Phoenix and Hollywood, Fla. We made a point over the past several years to have a lunch date at least once over the winter in Miami Beach. We will always cherish memories of his infectious smile, his wacky sense of humor, his insight and his generous spirit. 

It was an honor to know you, Harlan. You will be missed.