December 29, 2006 | The Biz

Industry veteran quits, cites bareback

Gay porn producer and director Kevin Clarke turned 55 last week and marked the occasion with a somber announcement: After years in the adult entertainment industry, he is retiring. The reason? The preponderence of unsafe sex in gay porn, which he called a "shameful insult" to all that the world has lost to HIV.

Clarke, whose resume includes films such as "The American Way" and "The Heartland," announced his retirement via email, most of which was published by GayVN News. He cited the recent death of 26-year-old gay porn star Rocky (whose real name was Ernest Juarez) of HIV-related lymphoma as the final straw in his struggle to adapt within a changing industry.

"The disconnect in this business between HIV and what we do has, to me, become unbearable," wrote Clarke. "If one straight woman gets HIV, the straight industry gets shut down for weeks. On the gay side, bareback gets bigger every day even as we die."

He went on to mourn Rocky, who he said was "eaten up" by the porn industry. "When your 'friend' sticks his bare dick up your ass knowing he has HIV, no matter how hot he is, he is not your friend: He is your executioner," Clarke continued. "When your friend sees you are having a drug problem and he gives you more drugs, he is not your friend: He is your dealer."

Clarke also gave the evolution of gay porn from movies with plots and production values to amateur style all-sex vignettes as another reason for quitting the biz.

"I am not in the slightest bit bitter, but I am sad," Clarke concluded. "Sad that Rocky died and that so many will follow. I can’t and won’t be a part of it. When I know how to use the skills I have for the better, I will let you know. I have some ideas and they look very promising."

• Producer/director Kevin Clark leaves GayXXX [GayVN]
• Gay porn star Rocky dies [GayVN]