Posted by Michael at 02:43 PM | Comments (4)

May 27, 2009

MEN OF ISRAEL DAY 13: The provocative Mr. Pam

Hey everyone today I am handing the blog reigns over to the luscious lady of Lucas Entertainment… so grab a beverage, some lube and a moist towelette.
And now kids a moment with Mr.Pam:

We just got back from shooting on the cliff of the Dead Sea overlooking Jordan. Wow! What a sight!

We left Tel Aviv, 2 cars, 7 crew members and 3 hot models; it was about a 3 hour drive to the location. We passed the Tel Aviv suburbs, (kinda reminded me of the track homes in Vallejo), then the Palestinian/Israeli border…I have stumbled upon many protests and rallies the past few years about the situation, so it was intense to actually SEE the wall first hand. I felt a sense of sadness and freedom. Some of the crew members talked about their experience being right next to a suicide bombing (horrific stories, wow), or had friends who died, but since the wall, no suicide bombings in the past few years. All seemed safe and secure and cars driving on the highway as usual. The military posts were covered in tarps and left vacant. There were a few Israeli soldiers sprinkled about but I felt very safe. There were hippie kids hitchhiking, they were cute (but not as hot as this Israeli soldier girl, wow...heehee - see pic below)

We stopped at an abandoned military post outside the Dead Sea area and shot a really hot solo with Avi Dar in an Israeli military uniform....yummm... Although right before we started, a military jeep pulled up and said they were going to be practicing land mine drills in 20 minutes, so if we could hurry up our "photoshoot" that would be great. So we did and we were on our way.

Then we stopped for a snack, hummus, meat on a stick, pink coleslaw and some other salad type things that tasted good but I couldn't remember how to pronounce, let alone spell...

Then we drove down the hills to the Dead Sea. It’s the lowest place on earth... (so are we...hahah) 500 meters below sea level. It was breathtaking, the water was so still, shades of blues, pinks, turquoise, and pastel surrounded by soft shades of beige sand and steep rough terrain. After a drive along the water, we climbed up a treacherous dirt road onto a plateau. There we shot a big scene for Men of Israel.

It was very hot, dusty, sun was beating relentlessly. Mid-day. Hot! We took turns diving into one of the rented vans to cool off with the AC, and constant slathering of sunscreen.
Let me say that we have the BEST CREW ever. I was worried about working with new people, most of who have never been on a production, nor shot a high-end adult movie before. But these guys have the biggest hearts; endless drive and unbelievable passion to have the project succeed and change the face of Israel for the world. They truly believe in Michael Lucas' cause, to present Israel as the beautiful country that it is, the beautiful people and the fuckin sexy HOT men... this is not only a porn film, but a revolution of gay sexuality in Israel and the Middle East. I am so proud of this project and want to thank all the beautiful, wonderful men, models, photographer, production managers, assistants, stylists, drivers, etc. etc. who have helped Michael and I on this production. We are truly blessed. You know who you are... I thank you with all my heart for everything you have done to help this movie succeed :)

***Will post a hot photo of MEN OF ISRAEL’s Avi Dar tomorrow…so save a load till then!

Posted by Michael at 08:33 PM | Comments (1)

May 25, 2009

MEN OF ISRAEL DAY 12: THE WARMTH OF HIS MOUTH...

Happy Memorial Day to everyone back home! Hope everyone enjoyed their day off—I heard it was beautiful in New York. Here we are still pounding away around the clock. Tomorrow we are going to the Red Sea to film another load busting scene. I know I know I promised more MEN OF ISRAEL model pics, so here is another shot of the strapping seducer Jonathan showing off that deep throat! Oh to be the head on that dick. Just the look on his face while in action…he gets so anxious to lick it, his mouth just gets wet. Mmm boys brace yourselves for the warmth of his mouth…

Posted by Michael at 08:41 PM | Comments (4)

May 24, 2009

MEN OF ISRAEL DAY 10 &11: HOT DAMN!

We have been so incredibly busy this weekend. Everywhere I look there is beautiful scenery that I want to capture with a beautiful asshole that needs to be raptured. We are pairing up the hottest guys and have been filming scenes non-stop. I'll pace myself in revealing the lusty details, but in the meantime here are some pictures from this weekend.

Buying fabric for a hot fucking scene in the desert:

Me and Mr.Pam racing to another scene location:

And at the end of the day, grabbing some of the best fish in the world...notice his shirt "NEVER HIDE"... love it.

Posted by Michael at 09:17 PM | Comments (1)

May 21, 2009

Four Islamic terrorists charged in a plot against NY Synagogue and Military planes.

Sorry to break from the Men of Israel bloggings, but I needed to discuss this...

Well here we go again; sadly this is all too familiar. As I always say, no matter where Muslims live, they are either terrorists, candidates to be terrorists, or terrorist sympathizers.

A group of four Islamic followers, three US citizens and one Haitian, allegedly plotted to bomb two New York synagogues and conspired to use surface-to-air missiles to fire at U.S. military planes. Their massacre was foiled by an intricately placed FBI agent. During a meeting with the undercover agent, one of the men animals allegedly said his parents live in Afghanistan, and that he was angry over the U.S. war there, and he was interested in "doing something to America." They were "disappointed...that the best target, the World Trade Center, was hit already," said the FBI agent, adding that the men were "eager to bring death to Jews."

He also said the men wanted to see what they did on TV and be able to say, "I'm the one who did that." This is why I will not use any of these disgusting animal’s names on my blog. One terrorist said he wanted to return to Afghanistan and told the informant about how he'd go to "paradise" if he died a martyr. Yes, I am sorry no one here on earth wants to touch your disgusting dick and you have to die to get laid. I hope those 72 virgins you’re waiting for spit in your delusional face. Also, on a tangent, what would a woman get if she did this? Oh, wait sorry, I got ahead of myself for a second; Muslim women aren’t granted anything in life or thought of after.

Muslim immigration should be stopped. Below is a video I have posted before and will re-port for its relevance here. They want death and destruction no matter what country they are citizens of.

Most people just aren’t getting this. So I guess this is another media stunt to demonize the Muslims? I guess 9/11 was another STORY to demonize the poor Muslims. Have you ever thought that maybe the Muslims should take some responsibility and quit blaming every other religion and every western country? Not all Muslims are terrorists, but pretty much all terrorists are Muslims. Does that not strike you as a problem?

Apparently, not even our president can see this. President Obama signed a new bill welcoming Gaza "refugees" with open arms and funding into the USA!! Not that this has made major news but he has signaled a welcome to more Muslim fundamentalists into the USA, paid for by the American tax payer. Check out the bill... Mr. President, maybe it’s a better idea not to invite anti-American Imperialist enemies onto our soil. Or we can all just wear bomb squad suits all day so that we don’t offend anyone who wants to come live here and attack us… I mean that would be more politically correct…

Posted by Michael at 10:14 PM | Comments (3)

May 20, 2009

MEN OF ISRAEL DAY 7: MISCONCEPTIONS OF ISRAEL

I am very excited and proud about my production, MEN OF ISRAEL. I am an adamant supporter of Israel and wanted to take this opportunity to positively promote the nation. There are many misconceptions about Israeli life, and I hope to debunk these atrocious thoughts.

Besides the throbbing hot men here, there is a beautiful country, full of beautiful culture. By utilizing Israel as the forefront character in my movie, I hope to expose it to the gay community: paradise found.

In this video, mr. Pam exposes how much people are misinformed, and THIS is why I am making MEN OF ISRAEL:

Posted by Michael at 09:35 PM | Comments (2)

May 19, 2009

MEN OF ISRAEL DAY 6: Casting Complete...let the Sexhibition begin!

SHAM-WOW! Yeah, that sums it up well. Today was the final day of casting and I could not be more satisfied about the how sexy the cast is for MEN OF ISRAEL!! None of these guys have done porn before; they are fresh-faced, hard bodied men ready to represent how hot their country is. Below are pictures of Jonathan Agassi, which my photographer Ronen Akerman took, to test him out…I say he passed pretty well. He is versatile and has the deepest throat you’ve ever seen.

Speaking of my photographer, I went on set with him the other day for a shoot with Israeli soldiers. The training and experience these men go through definitely helps give them their rugged masculinity.

Can’t wait to share the entire cast of MEN OF ISRAEL, as you’ve peeked in so far, just imagine how wild things will get…

Posted by Michael at 09:51 PM | Comments (3)

May 18, 2009

MEN OF ISRAEL DAY 4 & 5: I SHARED MINE NOW SHOW ME YOURS...CASTING!

My performance in Eilat was fantastic. Those guys were hard, ready and half way wet all weekend. Everyone was eager to be in the midst of the pride celebration, not afraid to scream and cheer: great audience! After the show I flew back here to Tel Aviv. I arrived mid-day to my amazing place on Jaffa, right on the Mediterranean, and went straight to the fish market. Now the apartment is stocked with the best food man can find and I’m ready to begin casting.

Ok so here’s the deal: these men are going nuts to be in this movie. We saw about twenty guys today and they have far exceeded the high expectations I set forth. Their attitudes are incredible and they are ready, willing, and more than able to do any little thing your nasty heart desires. There are two guys in particular that I will bring back with me to New York and make exclusives. Tomorrow is another full day of casting! Later I will have pictures up of some models to share. Until then loosen up your wrist…

Posted by Michael at 08:02 PM | Comments (2)

May 16, 2009

MEN OF ISRAEL BLOG DAY 3: MORE FROM EILAT

Today is the last day of Pride in Eilat. There was a special screening of the Eurovision finals in Moscow. The performance from Germany was gay, gay, gay, but as Perez Hilton said on his Twitter today, they weren't gay enough. And who is really?

The Eurovision finals are in Moscow this year. How unfortunate since the mayor, Yury Luzhkov, loves to rant that homosexuality is "satanic." This is such an oppressive opposite to the thoughts in Israel, where Dana International, a transsexual Israeli performer, won the competition in 1998.

But I won't let intolerance soften my boner today. I am the closing performer and I must go on now!

Posted by Michael at 08:52 PM | Comments (1)

May 15, 2009

MEN OF ISRAEL BLOG DAY 2: EILAT PRIDE & DANA INTERNATIONAL

Good afternoon hard crotched constituents, and thank you for following me on this journey. PRIDE has officially begun in Eilat! Last night I went to dinner with friends, then to a big party hosted by TAAISA 54 Club. About 3,000 men packed the place, it was a beautiful crowd. Today was the parade; I had a cameraman and will include the footage in the film. Scouted out some hot guys to treat you all with! After that there was a party on the beach that is still going on. Tonight there is an even bigger party with Dana International performing... I will have dinner with her and her dancers.

The welcoming embrace of both the nation and its media has been overwhelming, and Time Out Tel Aviv profiled me yesterday. The current issue features an article devoted to my groundbreaking new production, MEN OF ISRAEL. Here are some excerpts below:

Q: Why did you come to do the next film in Israel?

A: As a Jewish man, I keep a special place in my heart for Israel (as every Jew should, but unfortunately many do not). I am very well aware how badly Israel is represented in the global liberal media. (And by the way, the liberal media of Israel doesn't always help the situation either.) The country of Israel is always portrayed as a war zone. The images and all the reports from Israel always come at the time of disasters -- suicide bombings, terrorist attacks, and necessary Israeli retaliations. Those who have not traveled to Israel do not have even the slightest idea of how beautiful Israel is.

I have two agendas here: One is to show that Israel has a beautiful gay community; that Israel is an open, liberal, democratic society where gay people enjoy all the freedoms they have in the Western world. Also, that Israel is one of the most amazing and fascinating places on the globe. It's not a desert with concrete houses, as everyone pictures when they think of Israel. But it's a blooming garden with amazing landscapes and breathtaking architecture. I'll show the Red Sea, the Dead Sea, Jerusalem, and of course, open-minded, secular Tel Aviv. I would also like to film gay pride in Tel Aviv and the gay festival in Eilat, because even when it comes to gay pride, the only footage you see in Western media is a highly controversial gay pride in Jerusalem. From this footage everyone gets the thought that Israeli gay pride is dangerous and an act of rebellion by the gay community against government oppression. Due to this, I actually believe that the gay parade in Jerusalem is counterproductive for the cause. All we see in the media is high security to protect the LGBT community against opposition from the religious right (Hassidic Jews, Muslims, and Christians).

Q: The sexiest thing about Israeli men?

A: Israeli men are incredibly underrated. They're sexual, sensual, and exotic. It's a blend of people that came to Israel from over 90 countries around the world. I would love to show the diversity of Israeli men. They are strong men who can take care of themselves and protect their country and that is undeniably sexy.

Q: Any future plans for the future Israeli new comers or shall I say new-cummers :-)?

A: I have lots of applicants who want to participate in this movie. There are two particularly good looking men who I would like to offer exclusive contracts to work with me in New York City. These guys are incredible. They have a great attitude as well. But, I will not reveal any more at this point ;-) And I’m still in the process of casting so who knows what else is to come…

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Posted by Michael at 06:02 PM | Comments (2)

May 14, 2009

MEN OF ISRAEL BLOG DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN EILAT

Ah yes, shalom and good day gentleman and gentlemen. It is night here in the unbelievably gorgeous city of Eilat. I have only been here for a hot minute and already have so much to share…so let’s start off from the beginning.

I took off from Newark straight to Tel Aviv. The customs regulations are pretty strict, yet every worker was smiling and very personable throughout the entire process. It really set a great tone for this trip. The next time I opened my eyes, I was in beautiful Tel Aviv.

And then things got sexy.

I laid my eyes on an incredibly hot guy god that was arriving on a domestic flight. I knew immediately that my audience would die to see his goodies. So I approached the Israeli stud and talked for a minute before slipping it in that I was interested in him for my movie MEN OF ISRAEL. After some detail swamping, he came and took pictures with my photographer and long story short...he is confirmed for the cast! I have attached some pictures here of Matan Shalev...try not to lick your computer screens.

After that quick meeting I took a 45 minute flight to Eilat. It is a pristine Red Sea Resort town that is now overcome by gays. It is amazing to be in the Middle East and see these very handsome young men walking hand in hand among straight couples in the streets.

Pride events start here tomorrow but the parties begin tonight! I’m sure I will have great stories tomorrow to share! Also, there is an incredible coral beach here with a dolphin reef. I hear they are the only other mammals to have sex for pleasure…we’ll see.

Lastly, I am in Time Out Tel Aviv today. I will attach the article on here. Talk to you tomorrow boys.

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Posted by Michael at 05:08 PM | Comments (2)

May 11, 2009

MUSLIM DEMOGRAPHICS

Here are some cold hard facts about Islam:

Posted by Michael at 10:56 AM | Comments (1)

April 23, 2009

UAE ROYALTY BEATS HIS OWN CITIZENS

Via ABC News:

"A video tape smuggled out of the United Arab Emirates shows a member of the country's royal family mercilessly torturing a man with whips, electric cattle prods and wooden planks with protruding nails.

A man in a UAE police uniform is seen on the tape tying the victim's arms and legs, and later holding him down as the Sheikh pours salt on the man's wounds and then drives over him with his Mercedes SUV.

In a statement to ABC News, the UAE Ministry of the Interior said it had reviewed the tape and acknowledged the involvement of Sheikh Issa bin Zayed al Nahyan, brother of the country's crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed.

"The incidents depicted in the video tapes were not part of a pattern of behavior," the Interior Ministry's statement declared.

The Minister of the Interior is also one of Sheikh Issa's brother.

The government statement said its review found "all rules, policies and procedures were followed correctly by the Police Department."

Check out the video here.

Posted by Michael at 11:50 AM | Comments (0)

April 21, 2009

Chumming up Chavez

I opened the New York Times a couple of days ago and saw a glowing portrait of two men in a warm embrace. At closer look it was my president embracing the tyrant Hugo Chavez at the Summit of the Americas. From the start I want to debunk any suggestions of cordiality. This was not an outreach. This was an act of irresponsibility. Our President disappoints on the international policy, to say the least. He is trying to play nice with evil dictators and accommodate terrorists. Why not sit Bin Laden down for tea and scones next?

Mr. Chavez has decided that America is his enemy, so he is building up his army. He has forged an alliance with Cuba, and many think he is intent on causing havoc for the United States. Chavez believes he is in a fight with the devil and this devil resides in Washington.

Internally, Chavez has already rewritten the constitution of Venezuela to cater to his socialist ideology, stacked the courts and begun throwing political opponents into jail...or they suspiciously disappear. Many say he is now looking beyond Venezuela's borders. With billions of dollars in oil profits, Chavez is acquiring advanced Russian fighter planes and helicopters, dramatically increasing the size of his armed forces and integrating it with Cuba's. In his clash with America, Chavez intends to be the last man standing.

I understand Obama wants change -- we all want improvements but you can’t cozy up with a modern day Hitler. In 2007 Hillary Clinton addressed this issue: "I don't want to see the power and prestige of the United States president put at risk by rushing into meetings with the likes of Chavez and Castro and Ahmadinejad.” North Korea is test launching missiles, and Iran will most likely have nuclear weapons by the end of the year. These dictators clearly do not care that change is happening. The policy is not working.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Obama's interaction with Chavez sends a flawed message to U.S. adversaries.

"What I find distressing is that the administration opposes opening up oil exploration," he said on NBC's "Today Show." "But yet Obama has bowed to the king of Saudi Arabia and now reached out to Chavez," who has been conducting a "a vicious anti-American campaign."

Posted by Michael at 03:47 PM | Comments (1)

April 20, 2009

CANADIAN CUSTOMS: A TWO HOUR NIGHTMARE

I had a very interesting weekend. I was invited by St. Marc Spa in Toronto to do a club appearance. Since I haven’t seen my Canadian fans in a long time I was really excited. I hopped on the short flight to Toronto but I landed in what was apparently the Canadian re-envisioning of Guantanamo. I learned the border is a hostile place in this diplomatic country.

It was instigated as I went through the first passport control zone. The unpleasantly bored man started off with the usual questions: What are you doing in Canada, eh? How long will you be here? Then the survey went a little deeper, probing at what I did for a living. What kind of company is it? Is it softcore or hardcore? His obnoxiously tired act turned abrasive and superior. His agenda at this point was to get my porny ass back to America. He jotted down a note on my white customs card and sent me off. As I was about to exit, I showed the next officer my card and apparently the little note meant to direct me further to another screening area. The secondary control procedure was a slow one. Every other person was an Asian foreigner who needed a translator. The ever-so clever and sluggish customs workers seemed to enjoy mocking them.

Eventually I got to my second interrogator. He fed me the same tedious questions that I had already went over. Then he got his amateur Scooby-Doo sleuth on. He questioned if I had cash or credit cards. I responded that I only had $300 cash because I forgot my wallet at home. He found it unbelievable that I could survive on such little funds for my 24-hour trip. He rudely questioned, 'Do you really expect me to believe this?' and I fittingly responded, 'Absolutely.' I supplied proof that my hotel and transportation fees had already been paid. He questioned why I was staying in a five-star hotel and who was paying for this. He yawnfully threatened me with, 'Do you understand that I have the authority to force you on a plane back?' to which I calmly responded with another, 'Absolutely'. I continued to sit idle and destroy his idiotic quiz. Then Nancy Drew wanted to call my friend who set up my trip. After that satisfying chat he signed me off to proceed.

Lastly, in this torture chamber assembly line, I was to have all my bags emptied and rummaged through. Of course I had my movies on me, a stack of nude pictures to sign and lube. The essentials. Homophobia was running rampant with these captors and they were highly offended by said essentials. They questioned why I had so many images that depict me nude-- I told them it was for my friends who enjoy my movies. They wanted to make sure I was not planning on selling my devil films to their innocent public. I assured them that the despicably sinful merchandise was only for my friends...lest they captors would pistol whip me.

Finally after two hours of incessant questioning trying to dig up anything so that they could banish a gay porn star back across the border, I was granted my freedom. In all seriousness, I have traveled extensively around the world, I have stepped foot in the most strict and forbidden countries yet I have never felt the homophobic and anti-pornographic force of the Canadian border patrol. However, in a country which is sturdily progressive and in support of gay marriage, this is shocking. They approve of the marriage, but just don’t spice up the bedroom with porn…or you’re out. In February the Canada Border Services Agency banned my films Piss! and Farts! from entering the country on the grounds that they are too obscene. Obscene is this oppressive process and I want to thank everyone at the club in Toronto for waiting on me. I was brought straight to the venue and in ten minutes I gave myself a huge hard on and gave a four hour show. Everybody was so enthusiastic and really had a great night. I can't wait to go back --if only there wasn't immigration to deal with!

Posted by Michael at 12:18 PM | Comments (9)

April 15, 2009

APPARENTLY, SOMEONE THINKS IT'S OK FOR WOMEN TO GET RAPED

Sometimes there are comments about Islam on my blog that are just so insane and ludicrous that I can't help but post them with my own comments (see them below in red). This entire entry just shows how some people do not understand the core problem of Islam. But of course this was, in fact, written by a Muslim. This post demonstrates how delusional Muslims are; how poisoned they are by their religion, how blind they are or forced to be. Even living in Democratic countries, they don't grasp the principles of democracy and freedom. Their community was not taught and not allowed to think for themselves because of their faith. Just look at his comments, he has these conditioned responses as if he were programmed and forced to battle in offense. At the same time, he is a so called a moderate Islam, which I don't believe in. Are there moderate cannibals or moderate polygamists? If it is something at your core root that you believe in and it is the creed you follow then there is no moderation. It is impossible for me to find sympathy for a community that insist on stripping any rights and viciously abusing women and by spreading their twisted beliefs by proudly murdering their adversaries. Extreme liberals who try to find salvage and negotiations with Islam followers are living a fairy tale. It would be a great achievement to find universal peace but it is not possible with a group of people who, in 2009, are passing laws to let their women get raped legally. There is only one kind of Islam. Islam and that's it.

***

im sorry but have u read the quran? do u understand wat it says in there about women? (Yes, I read the Koran, and compared to the Bible. The Bible preaches peace and forgiveness for the most part. While in the Koran an eye for an eye is the core principle. And yes, I do understand what it says about their property women. Did you?) do u noe wat the treatment of women is described as in the quran. ur probably a good guy, but having studied this, i can tell u surely women are MEANT to be treated better than wat u wrote in the article. (I’m sure I am exceedingly more knowledgeable on this. Women MEANT to be treated better? Do you mean they weren’t MEANT to be denied education? They weren’t MEANT to be held prisoner at home? They weren’t meant to be legally raped? They weren’t MEANT to be stripped of every single human right?) true that the treatment of women in afghanistan is not pretty, maybe even violent (Maybe? Well perhaps you‘d like to maybe get raped.), i can surely tell u that this is not wat is written in the quran. a women has a right of half of her husbands profits and wealth. she is offered safety and is not a slave built for the pleasure of man. ( I think you need to pick up a copy of the Koran because it is painfully obvious you are references a different source.) the taliban is a extremist regime, who misinterpret the teachings of the quran. in the quran it does not say anything about violence againt women, if however the women is unfaithful, men are allowed to hit them, and lightly is emphasized in the quran. ( I know that some people have different definitions of the word "lightly". There is a special book which I believe is written by Khomeni, which is called "How to Beat A Woman." It's very helpful in detailing with what kind of stick to beat her with and where on her body is appropriate to strike. I'm sure that everyone beats their woman according to that book, "lightly.") a man does have more rights over a women, as it states in the quran, but having studied this, it can be misinterpreted, (Misinterpreted? It seems like it's been misinterpreted by the entire world of Islam. Maybe the freedom of interpretation has a purpose? But hey let‘s just say being born a woman is a birth defect.) it means that a man is meant to be the sole provider of a family, and therefor has more rights, or duties is another translation, over his wife. the women is allowed to work, but as this was written 1400 years ago, women wernt entirely able to work, as it was seen unfit. islam is seem to liberate women from wat was seen pre islam. while the women of islam were being liberated, women in europe were being treated worse then this. (Do you mean that European women were ever subject to Honor killings? Even a brother could kill his sister if she "dishonored" the family, which is an ongoing problem today in the 21st century all throughout Muslim countries and even European countries where Muslims follow their own medieval rules.) little girls would be kidnapped raped and thrown to die on the streets in europe, while islamic women were being taught how to read write, and fight. yea that right, FIGHT! (Why are you talking here in the past tense? Women in Islam are still forced granted the right to “fight.” Now they're used in death squads as suicide bombers). women wernt allowed in the us army until the 1950s, when they were still working as maids. women fought in the muslim army 1400 years ago, so who is the one with something against women. (Ok common sense just took a hard nose dive here.) also, aisha as u wrote was a only a child when she was married. this was done solely for the reason of strengthening ties with abu-bakr, her father, ( Well in that case, by all means marry a 9 year-old), as this is the way in arabic culture. he DID not have sexual intercourse with her and i would ask u to please indicate it in ur blog where u are pulling ur information from. its a speculation, but even historians from AMERICA for example Denise Spellberg, say that this was not the case. if u would read the translation of the quran, or maybe even some stories from aisha herself, u wud see that she truly loved the prophet, (Oh, I'm sure that a 9-year-old girl loved the prophet and gave him her virginity voluntarily. You know, that's what 9-year-olds do. Are you fucking kidding me?) which she would not say if she were being raped by him (Of course not. She'd be killed if she told the truth). so i would ask u to clearly read the quran, and not be caught in speculation and lies that are being spread. the taliban do not necessarily (Necessarily?) represent the views of islam, and if some research were done, u would find that many of the acts of the taliban are against islamic teachings, so instead of saying that u truly hate islam, please look at the fact that it is the taliban at fault, and not islamic teachings. also islamic laws help maintain the lowest crime rate in the world, as u may have seen, in saudia arabia, the crime rate is only a fraction of wat it is in america. (Yes, that's right. In America we don't mutilate thieves and we do not slit people's throats. Freedom is a bitch, I suppose barbaric law is better suited for peace.) "they're community" has shame, alot of it, therefore women are meant to be covered, treated wit respect, and not seen as a sex tool. (That's right. In the West, women should be covered. Let's also cover all the female Prime Ministers and Presidents, and let's cover Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton as well. I'm sure that's exactly what they want in order to gain respect.) wat r women seen as in america and in the western world? sex objects, made only for the pleasure of men, do u not see that everywhere u go, or in a hollywood movie? (Actually, no.) and to the photo u published, that women had commited adultury. as american culture, where sex is performed before marriage, in a muslim country, sex before marriage is a great sin (Hey brainwashed moron, did you forget Aisha, the wife of the Prophet who was nine? You're contradicting yourself.) true that the death penalty is a bit extreme (A bit?), it is a law that the women broke, do u let a murdered walk away in texas and many of your states? no the person is often given the death penalty. this women broke the law (You mean by having sex with whomever she wanted instead of her imposed horrific husband? I know that adultery is permitted for husbands only), and as such she faced the consequence, that is how our society functions, otherwise society would break down completely (I know, just like Western society). so i ask u to clear ur mind of all the misconceptions u may have, and to clearly blame who is to blame, not a religion and messenger, who are completely innocent, (Mohammed is innocent? Wow, I always thought that he was a bloody murderer and rapist. ) when people like the taliban choose to create they're own laws and pass it off as islamic law. THIS IS NOT ISLAMIC LAW AND I WOULD URGE U TO READ THE QURAN OR TO JUST UNDERSTAND IT AND THEN TALK ABOUT SOME THINGS. SAYING "IT IS SAID" ONLY LEADS TO UR INCREDIBILTY. as a major beleiver in islam and wat it has accomplished ( What was accomplished? I beg you to catalog any accomplishments. I can’t find anything besides war, terror, suicide missions... nothing in any other field but destruction, torture, intolerance, coercion, knowledge forbiddance, etc.) , i was angered by your misconceptions :S (And since you were angered, I'm sure you have a strong desire to mutilate me, cut off my tongue so I can't speak what I want and my fingers so I cannot type what I want. What a pity it should be for you that the West is living by the Constitution, not Sharia laws.)

***

And below, just a few YouTube clips of women who lived under Islam. Check out how happy the are. I’m sure such content is blocked for you, Mark, like how YouTube is blocked in the “liberal Islamic” nation of Turkey so that citizens are not privileged to certain information. But if you can get to a computer then search the internet, and you'll see thousands of stories of women all over the world. They're poor victims of those who "misinterpreted" a peaceful book called the Koran. Here are just a few for you:

Iran: It's the ultimate case of an eye for an eye - a judge has given an Iranian woman permission to pour acid into a man's eye after the spurned suitor blinded her by doing the same thing.

Saudi Arabia: A judge in Saudi Arabia is refusing to annul a marriage between an 8 year old girl and a 47 year old man.

Syria: Ex-Muslim Wafa Sultan decries the atrocities that Muslim community lives by:

Here Wafa Sultan examines terrorism and Islam:

Posted by Michael at 04:58 PM | Comments (1)

April 10, 2009

AFGHANISTAN LEGALIZES RAPE

The progression of Islam is really sticking it to the women…literally. In Afghanistan the parliament recently passed a bill to award the minority Shia community with their own identity. The gracious plan forbids women to leave their house, cave and/or mud mound with out permission of a male relative. Instead of freedom the women are granted the right to get raped! In the law it is stated that a man can force sexual intercourse on his wife even if she says no. So obviously it works out for the best. Why would women want the emancipation of being allowed to leave their homes when they can stay in and get viciously raped all day? These Islamic women are simply asking for too much…sense my sarcasm.

Fawzia Koofi, a female Afghan parliamentarian stated, "In Afghanistan, the sacrifice in the political game is women and children." President Hamid Karzai rebuttals and defends the new rape and confinement clause to international disputers as a misunderstanding. “We understand the concerns of our allies and the international community. Those concerns may be due to an inappropriate, not-so-good translation of the law, or misinterpretation," Karzai affirmed.

Hmm...an inappropriate misinterpretation—let’s check in with reports from the women and see what exactly is lost in translation. From 1996-2001, under the Sunni fundamentalist regime of the Taliban, women have not been allowed to leave their homes unless escorted by male relatives. To keep the oppression peaceful women were forced into ignorance by stripping them of the allowance of attending school. But again I’m sure there must be a good explanation that is lost in translation…right?

When women were escorted and given the lavish treatment of leaving their prison homes they were enforced to wear a mandatory blue burqa that covered their entire bodies with only a small net slit for the privilege of sight. I want to give an excerpt of an article I read of an Afghan woman recounting her plight.

“One female teacher, who asked not to be named, said that during the Taliban regime, she was stopped at the market by the Taliban and beaten with a whip. Her crime: She wore a shawl covering her body instead of a burqa. She says she was too poor to purchase a real burqa.
After that beating, she was stuck in her home for months until someone was able to give her a used burqa. But even then, she didn't know how to function wearing the suffocating fabric.

‘I remember stepping out of a taxi with my son, and my foot was caught inside the burqa, making me fall out of the taxi onto mud. And everyone started laughing. It was humiliating,’ she said.”

Thanks be to Allah for the governing Islamic law over the Afghan women. They would simply be out dirtying up their burqas in mud if they weren’t forced to stay home and get raped. This solidifies the point that I am continuously making: that no matter who governs them whether it is the Taliban or a US appointed government because their Islamic roots are in the Quran which states that men can do whatever they please with women because they own them. The ever so-holy profit Mohammad had a 9-year-old wife A’isha and it is well known he raped her No matter how much of our tax payer’s dollars we spend on trying to enforce democracy—Islamic rule is not going to change, it has been this way for fourteen hundred years. There is no shame to their community. Democracy is simply not a product that you can sell especially when there is no interest in adopting it.

Posted by Michael at 02:47 PM | Comments (2)

April 09, 2009

IRAQIS CONTINUE POLICIES OF HATRED AND HOMOPHOBIA

Here's the good news: Shiite and Sunni leaders in Iraq have found something they can agree, and work together on.

The bad news: It's on killing gays. Their death squads are work in concert to root out the homosexual menace. The bodies of 25 gay men and boys were just discovered in Baghdad, according to the New York Times -- some with the word "pervert" written on them in Arabic.

Your tax dollars at work!

The billions we've sunk into this snake pit that George W. Bush wanted to "democratize" are delivering a land where Islamists can do exactly what their belief system dictates: oppress, torture, and murder anyone who doesn't think and act exactly as they do.

Could it be anymore clear? Hate and violence is part of the Muslim religion's DNA. It can't be changed, removed or reformed. No matter how many billions of dollars or thousands of lives you devote to the vain hope of convincing them to behave like civilized human beings.

The Arabs of the Middle East have been the victims of their own faith. Prior to Islam sweeping the Arab world in the early centuries of the first millennium, Arabs were among the planet's most progressive and educated peoples. Their history ever since has been marked by nothing but bloody wars and terror.

You might argue that every religion has its extremists. This is true. We've got our own assortment in this country of Religious Right bigots like Pat Buchanan and Fred Phelps. But do these people preach killing and suicide bombings? Do they recruit young girls to strap on bombs and blow themselves up in markets? Do they fly planes into buildings? As much as they may hate gay people, you don't see them organizing death squads to round them up and shoot them in the backs of our heads.

In the Middle East, it's not Osama bin Laden who's killing gay people. It's the citizens of Iraq -- the people that American government put so much faith in. These people will never have a democracy because in order to do so, you have to stop reading books which can be compared only to Mein Kampf. Have we forgotten that the Koran approves of honor killing, the mutilation of thieves, the disgusting treatment of women, who are treated as well as camels, and have the same role as them? What kind of country legalizes rape?

What kind of society would order the death penalty for the drinkers of alcohol, and force their girls to marry at the age of nine? What religion would punish you with death for leaving?

I think you know the answer.

Posted by Michael at 12:05 PM | Comments (0)

April 07, 2009

OBAMA'S PIT STOP IN THE MIDDLE EAST

It's borderline pathological. Barack Hussein Obama wants to be loved by everyone around the globe. Even Islamic fundamentalists. If he can charm them, he can disarm them. Well, we'll see about that.

He went to Turkey to tell members of their Islamist-led parliament what a wonderful democratic country they are. Well, it's a democracy who's people are voting into power a religious party that wants to de-secularize the country. And whenever that happens, it's bad news.

The truth is that the Islamic religion is poisonous. The more we try to tell Islamists that we think theirs is a religion of peace, as President Bush did throughout his presidency, and as Obama did in Turkey, the more active they become at proving us wrong.

Obama with the President of Turkey's Terrorists

The Europeans know this better than we do, and are now regretting their liberal immigration laws that allowed a flood of Muslims into their countries. So I understand why they're frustrated about American interference in their politics. In his speech, Obama, just like Condoleezza Rice before him, stressed (demanded, really) that Europe include Turkey in the E.U. They know better. France, Germany, and other allies of ours are being raped by millions of Islamic immigrants who have interest in assimilation, and whose children are ticking time bombs, literally. European countries have strong cultural identities. Mosques, with their hateful Imams, just do not belong there. They know what a nightmare it would be to have millions of Turks settle in their capitals.

This president also seems to think that brushing over our differences will make them like us more. To this end, he threw Armenians under the bus. As many as 1.5 million Armenians living within the Ottoman Empire perished beginning in 1915 as the Turks fought World War I. Armenians and most historians regard the deaths as state-sponsored mass killings, or genocide, while Turkey insists the death were the result of a civil war coupled with disease and famine. But Obama, even though he voted in the Senate for a resolution to declare Turkey's action a genocide, refused to call it that in the the presence of Turkey's leaders.

Despite, all this, the sad truth, Mr. President, is that Islamic regimes will never really love you. They'll smile and pretend they do. But their belief system only allows them to brew with hate.

Posted by Michael at 04:45 PM | Comments (4)

April 06, 2009

POPE BAREBACK

Pope Benedict XVI instructed his African bishops last week to go back home and tell people not to use condoms. So what if one in three people in some of their countries are infected -- using condoms is a sin!

What the fuck?

I supposed I shouldn't be shocked. After all, this is the same Pope who welcomed a Holocaust-denying priest back into the church. Well there's no denying Pope Bareback himself has the blood of a Holocaust -- the African AIDS Holocaust -- on his hands.

More than 60% of the world's 40 million people with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa.

Pope Bareback told the African bishops, "The traditional teaching of the church has proven to be the only fail safe way to prevent the spread of HIV/Aids."

And people in Africa believe this crap. Infected men refuse to let their wives wear condoms because the church tells them it's wrong.

With all due respect to Catholics, and I do think that Catholicism and Christianity is a religion of peace, many of their Popes belong on a rope. They've been some of the most disgusting and disgraceful people, who, if Hell exists, are surely burning there.

During Hitler' Holocaust, Pope Pius XII famously kept silent and never once even criticized Hitler for his extermination of European Jewry.

Although I'm an atheist, if these Popes were right, and it turns out there is hell, they're certainly ending there themselves. That goes for John Paul and his girlfriend, the Ugly Monkey Mother Theresa, as well (It would be degrading to women if I described her as one).

All of them worked hard on making sure that as many people as possible will contract HIV and die from AIDS. And to think, that Popes are highly educated people.

Posted by Michael at 03:30 PM | Comments (6)

March 31, 2009

A STATEMENT

I want to stress the point that the reason I am coming down hard on the industry reporters rooting on Corrigan and judges embracing and celebrating him is that his claim to fame is that he was involved in child pornography. This made him a name and instead of being disgusted by this they are mesmerized by it. That is revolting. There are so many other twinks that are just as good or better but have not been involved in such a horrific scandal to get their names out there. And this made me say that those judges are as responsible and as sleazy as Corrigan and his pedophile fans. I don't care that if because of this statement I may never be nominated or awarded again. My strong conviction for this cause is more important than my publicity.

Posted by Michael at 02:03 PM | Comments (5)

March 30, 2009

MICHAEL LUCAS: WHY I STAND UP FOR THE INDUSTRY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 30, 2009 (New York, NY) -- Michael Lucas has issued the following letter regarding matters that took place this past weekend during and after the GayVN Awards:

"It is shocking how lightly the industry is taking this matter. By falsifying his government-required identification, Brent Corrigan put himself, producers, and the general public at the mercy of federal prosecution. Because Brent performed while he was underage, all the material that he appeared in during that time is now considered child pornography, and rightfully so. However, anyone in possession of those titles, who purchased them or viewed them assuming that the producer had taken the necessary precautions to eliminate the risk, now has illegal pornography on their hands. Can you imagine the trauma of having to deal with something like that? And with the internet being what it is, who knows what images of Brent are legal and illegal? This is a disgusting and horrifying question.

To those who are saying that Brent Corrigan didn't know what he was doing, let me tell you that even a 17-year-old knows that forging documents is against the law. A 17-year-old also knows that he cannot take part in adult videos. Erik Menedez was only 17-years old when he and his brother killed their parents-- he is serving life behind bars. No I am not equating this to murder but a crime is a crime and at 17 you know that. We cannot prosecute in one instance and then turn our heads the next... and then honor the criminal with awards for his work.

To those who are saying that I went on stage because I was jealous of Corrigan's nominations, let me remind you that I’ve been speaking out against celebrating Corrigan for at least three years now. This was before he had received any awards.

To those who are saying I am going after Corrigan because he declined to be in my movie, how can that make any sense? In 11 years of business, there were many models which my company turned away and there were many models who turned down working for my company. Today we looked through all of our casting records, and found an email dating back to September 15, 2006, between our previous casting director and Brent Corrigan. At this point we, regrettably, did not know about his past and we are forever thankful that things did not work out and we declined working with him. My conscience would have never been cleared and a heavy deal of personal guilt would have shadowed me and my career.

For those who said it was not a good time to make a statement, please tell me what’s a better time than after the city of San Francisco honored the industry for its work to stop child pornography. Well, I'm not the type to sit silently and listen to this hypocrisy because unfortunately many in the adult industry do not seem to care much about using underage models. You see, there are thousands of young, beautiful guys out there that have made it in this business legally without putting the revolting burden of being involved in child pornos on anyone. So why do many of you decide to support and nominate this particular one? What a strange coincidence. I'm talking about reviewers and judges here. Some of you don’t care, because it’s not you, it's the producers who are in danger. It's the company heads, like myself, who are risking their freedom because of criminals like Corrigan. This cannot be our industry's protocol.

I'm incredibly dismayed by those who are questioning me on the details of the situation that occurred at the GayVN Awards. I read posts by bloggers stating that they know Brent Corrigan's boyfriend and that he is not the violent type. To those who are uninformed, I would recommend doing some research. Read the testimonies below that I have easily found today. You will clearly see Corrigan’s pattern of choosing very violent partners. His previous boyfriend wanted to kill Bryan Kocis (see: http://www.citizensvoice.com/articles/2009/03/04/news/wb_voice.20090304.t.pg8.cv04cdcuadra_s1.2346437_loc.txt). His new boyfriend, whose name we now know is Eric Paul Martinez, seems to be a violent psychopath as well. And now, just a few highlights from Tory Mason and Jason Sechrest’s observations of Brent’s boyfriend Eric Paul:

On Jason Sechrest’s blog, Tory Mason said:

“that guy that brent's dating is nuts.. when i was seeing john (who is stationed in the navy and lives in san diego) we all went out, although brent wasn't there, and at the end of the night he [Eric Paul] got into a really loud argument with some kid and john and I tried to seperate them, he [Eric Paul] ended up throwing me down to the ground and then went after the kid, who's a bartender, and knocked him out cold.. he then hid out at john's place till it was safe for him to go home. absolute fucking lunatic! He [Eric Paul] has some very dangerous obsession with this Corrigan kid (which he made clear the night we went out and the crazy things he was saying about him) and those death threats probably weren't just words but actual threats.. i think he's delisuional too, have you ever seen the way he watches over brent at a club. it's as if he thinks that if he takes his eyes off him somebody's going to swoop in and kidnap that chubby little washed up runt”

Also, Jason emailed me this story about Eric Paul:

“Caleb Carter, who has unfortunately since passed away, came up to me at an event one night with a black eye and when I asked him how he got it, he told me it was "the work of Brent Corrigan's new boyfriend." ... That was when he [Corrigan] had just started dating this guy.”

Lastly, I would like to end this letter by again telling those who thought that my short appearance on stage was a publicity-driven decision, and who are saying that it was the wrong moment. For me there are moments in life when keeping silent becomes a fault and when speaking becomes an obligation. I hold the conviction that we need to protect our industry and our youths; it is a civil duty, a moral challenge, a categorical imperative task from which we cannot escape.

I’m off to Russia, as tomorrow it will be the one year anniversary of my mother passing away and I will be with my father. So this is my last statement, but I will be than happy to answer further questions when I am back next week.

You can contact Jason at (310) 858-6742 for further information."

Posted by Michael at 10:27 PM | Comments (4)

HUGS from mr. Pam

I got this email from mr. Pam this morning, and wanted to share.

Hi Michael

I just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you today on the one year anniversary of your mom moving to heaven. I wish I had gotten to meet her, from what I have heard and photos I have seen, she looks like an amazing woman: strong, beautiful and a fighter...just like her son :)

This last year has been a very intense year for you, probably one of the hardest in a long time. I'm proud of your strength to keep going, keep living in honor of your mom, keeping your company going strong, even in this bad economy & always keeping the press on its toes.

You're strong darling.... a survivor. I can see the sparkle and glow radiating from you again and its awesome. Sometimes it takes really hard times to make the good times even better. And we have tons of good times ahead!!!

You're in my thoughts today & sending lots of love.
Good luck in Moscow, big hugs to your dad & Pavel too!

love pam :)

Thank you, mr. Pam!

Posted by Michael at 02:12 PM | Comments (0)

March 25, 2009

THE PORN STAR WHO GOT IT ALL WRONG

Here is a paragraph from a post by Diesel Washington about me. My comments are in red:

Now lets talk about the whole M.L. thing, I read his blog about the Homophobia in the Black Community....BULLSHIT...... M.L. knows nothing about the situation... (Really? Do I not read newspapers, watch TV, or listen to rap?) He really needs to stop opening his mouth about subjects he knows nothing about.... He really should stick to talking about what he knows best.....The Russian Jew thing!!! I don't care if he employs Black Models in his movies or what not... U cant speak about things that U know nothing about.... I had to check M.L. a few times at the Gay Porn Summit in 2008 for making comments that he knew nothing about (what the hell is he talking about?). Its all Hype and Bullshit and he is taking things too far.... I'm here to give him a reality check... STOP TALKING ABOUT THINGS THAT DON'T EFFECT YA!!! (Actually, it does affect me very much, as it affects any gay man, no matter what color he is). Ur not Black, or ever will be Black, (It's very insightful. I will never be black, but I see no problem talking about any issue that any community of the world has) so stop talking on the behalf of the Black Community... (Actually, I never did talk on behalf of the black community)

He reacted to my response to the question which was posted on my blog, that resulted in conversations on many blogs including this one. The reason that there are not enough black models in mainstream adult films stems from the homophobia in the African-American community. The majority of bloggers agreed that Lucas Entertainment is a studio that employs the most African-Americans (Including Rod2.0 -- See the comments following the post.)

Diesel Washington is not the sharpest knife in the drawer, and he decided to make an Anti-Semitic comment, where he basically said that I should shut up and only talk about the "Jewish thing." This points out the Anti-Semitism in the African-American community, which I believe goes back to the 1960s (Check out articles here and here). I don't take Anti-Semitism lightly, so I left a message for Keith Webb at Titan. I haven't heard back from him yet. But I wanted to bring it to the industry's attention. Lots of industry professionals are Jews, and I don't think that such comments should be tolerated.

On a sidenote, I'd like to point out Diesel Washington's confusion. Diesel is saying that in order to comment on the black community, one should be black. WRONG! One doesn't have to be black in order to comment about African Americans, just like one doesn't have to be white to talk about the white community.

PS: Please don't get me wrong. I am very friendly with the guys at Titan Media. I collaborated with them on projects and the comments by Diesel Washington does not reflect at all on Titan Media, though I believe that Titan should take appropriate actions.

Posted by Michael at 03:44 PM | Comments (9)

ECONOMICAL SEXCESS

Whether you have already lost your job or if you’re currently evading the ominous pink slip this economy has brought out the thrift in us. If you are arrogant enough to imagine that you are an exceptional and vital member of the team—-you’re delusional. Let me touch you back down in reality; the cemetery is full of people who thought they were irreplaceable. So everyone needs to employ a few strategies for saving some funds where we can.

First off it’s still cold outside so stop spending cash on deodorant. You shouldn’t be sweating that much and maybe your boy will like the new musky and manly smelling you.

Secondly, heating cost can be outrageous…but picking up a warm man on the streets to heat up the sheets is free. But if you do have to pay for said companion on Rentboy then make sure you get multiple orgasms in your paid hour—it’s all about getting the bang for your buck.

Another useful tip is don’t have kids. They are expensive and babies are rude. When was the last time a baby asked you how your day was going? Until they learn some manners or compassion don’t get involved in that money pit.

Also, a monthly gym membership can dent your account but pounding is free cardio. Whether you are a top or a bottom you should hop in the driver’s seat and really have a go at your partner’s privates. With real fervor bounce up and down or thrust round and round and really burn those calories. Even at David Barton this is frowned upon in public so save some pennies and do it at home.

Now the next tip is touch and go and you must make sure your partner is a good clean boy to utilize it. So when you are finished humping put that bottom in some stirrups and drain the lube out of him—-and re-bottle. If it looks like you must strain it to get it back to pure liquid form then abandon plan. Speaking of lube, it can get quite expensive so instead of substituting spit maybe you can look around the house or possibly the refrigerator. There you can find an assortment of flavored lube—-I like ketchup.

Now after the love throbbing is done you can then save on condom cost and just throw it in the dishwasher to cleanse but remember to air dry it indoors and not outside because dirt particles are never welcome in your urethra.

Lastly and most importantly do not date anyone that has to follow any or all of these stated rules. They will suck more out of you than what you’re hoping for.

Posted by Michael at 01:46 PM | Comments (3)

March 24, 2009

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER

Hey guys:

You can now follow me on Twitter! Click here to subscribe to my feed.

Posted by Michael at 04:34 PM | Comments (0)

SEAN PENN DROPS OUT OF FILM TO SUPPORT IRAN

I've discussed Sean Penn before. I know that since he played a role in Milk, he's now enjoying the status of a gay icon. Homos do not care any longer about Sean's friendship with such serial killers of gays like Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Sean Penn has a history of making friends out of the enemies of the West.

Sean Penn leads a pack of terrorists through the streets of Iran

I just saw a recent article in the NY Post. Apparently, Penn shot scenes for Crossing Over, but then withdrew because he saw footage where an Iranian woman is slaughtered by her own brother. Apparently, Sean Penn doesn't mind how Muslim men treat women. He instead finds it offensive to criticize the world of Islam for their habit of honor killings.

Sean Penn is a fantastic actor, but he's also one of the dumbest, loudest, and disgusting "liberals" that Hollywood has ever known.

Posted by Michael at 12:39 PM | Comments (3)

March 23, 2009

OBAMA'S BIG GAFFE

By now everyone knows the gaffe President Obama made on Jay Leno’s show; therefore I won’t preface this by rehashing what was said. I’m the most politically incorrect person you will find, so it’s not for me to say who should say what—-except we are talking about the president of the United States. You can judge me as much as you want—-I’m tragic, I’m funny, I’m an idiot, I’m intelligent—-save for I am not the leader of this country; I am a porn mogul. Obama is to set an example to lead us. The argument with Hillary was that she was a more apposite fit but he convinced the country that he is prepared and has the experience necessary. Sadly for us we were duped since he doesn’t even have the media training to not offend those who are weak minorities.

Why run the risk and go on a comedy show like Leno so soon? This is not the place for our country’s chief at this time—-and possibly ever. Our nation is in an awful impasse; people are losing their homes, their jobs and can’t afford health care—these concerns should be paramount. The definition of the word politician is the art of governing—-he should look into it because even in the loosest of translations it has nothing to do with going on comedy shows and then recanting stupidities. Now he and his team will be wasting more of our country’s time writing apology after apology for this.

Obama was quoted right before the election in the Huffington Post that this “Is a serious moment for America. The American people understand that. Every candidate will have something serious and valuable to offer.” This evidently includes President Obama hysterically laughing about the economy on 60 Minutes this past weekend, making jokes about our dire state and taking time to fill out his NCAA bracket picks. He has been incessantly compared to Lincoln and FDR before Obama has done anything. I don’t think in times of such distress they’ll have leisure time to talk on a comedy show. Our president is articulate but his actions have yet to be proven up to par. Bush was rightly bashed for wasting such money on the war but Obama is made a rock star for wasting much more on a stimulus plan that was quickly forced to pass. Considering its importance, length and complexity there should have been more analyzing of its material. But all of these senators who are blinded by his rock star status just signed off on it. I believe if it were any other president he would be more ruthlessly scrutinized.

Possibly it’s the media’s fault because they thrive off of these media ops. No one even gave it a second thought that maybe Obama shouldn’t be on Leno until he made the famous faux pas. Just like when President Bush was in Sarasota reading a children’s book when 9/11 happened—-assuming there are teachers out there who can read fairytales to their students, then it’s not the job of the president of the United States anytime and especially not in this time. After you take the reigns of our country in the worst time since the First World War—-Obama needs to be conversing with the highest level of intellectuals on economy, international affair, and health reform—not Jay Leno. He is wasting time and money flying air force to California to chat with a clown. This is all happening while the first lady is leisurely planting a garden—-it seems like there is nothing better for our first family to do—-this country must be thriving again and no one knows about it.

Posted by Michael at 12:18 PM | Comments (6)

March 20, 2009

WHY DOES THE NEW YORK TIMES HATE ISRAEL?

I always considered the NY Times to be an anti-Israeli newspaper, run by a bunch of Israel-hating, "liberal" Jews who think being liberal and loving the Jewish states a contradiction.

It was not a surprise to read in yesterday's paper yet another Israel-bashing article called "After Gaza, Israel Grapples with Isolation" written by Ethan Bronner. There is nothing I hate more than an anti-Israeli Jew.

Do the Jews at the New York Times actually understand that Isarel is a country born of the tragedy of the Holocaust and thousands of years of Jewish suffering, massacre, and pogroms? Do they understand that this is the only democracy in the Middle East? That it's a civilization fighting for survival in the jungle that is the Middle East? This Bronner is happy gloating throughout about the world's anti-Israelism, which is nothing but a regurgitation of the old global anti-Semitism. That's why the moron Ethan Bronner is quoting Bradley Burston and Anne Roiphe (He calls them "Jewish Liberals," which to me means "Jewish-American Israel Hater").

The bottom line of the article is that Israel now is facing boycotts, anti-Israel demonstrations, the closing of Israeli embassies, comparisons to apartheid and fascism, protests against Israel's actions with names like annual "Israel Apartheid Week" in 54 countries (it actually should be called "Stupid European Liberals Under Muslim Control").

I never sided with Republicans, even though I agree with many points in their platform. I can't imagine associating myself with a party which includes the crazed-up Christians Coalition homphobes and racists. But I also can't associate with the Democratic Party, with its crazed up liberals who despise Israel, believe in a 9/11 conspiracy, and give benefits to lazy parasites, with the likes of Rosie O'Donnell, Noam Chomsky, Michael Moore, and Hollywood celebrities who kiss the ass of every dictator from Fidel Castro to Chavez to Qadaffi.

The New York Times like to portray itself as a newspaper which just gives you the facts. But unless you are completely retarded, you'll not mistake Bronner and the NY Times articles as unbiased "journalism". It's time for the American Jews who truly support Israel to take on these self-haters at the NYT's, and hasten that paper's downfall. As its finances collapse, the NYT's is getting what it deserves!

Israel is struggling with portraying itself for what it actually is: a democratic, liberal society that is trying to protect our freedoms and values against barbarians. Bronner is pointing out that the Israeli Foreign Ministry is spending millions of dollars to make this case. But the NY Times is clearly making sure that those funds will not improve public opinion and will be wasted.

Oh, I just saw today's paper and there's another piece on the front page. I wasn't sure if I was reading an article about Israeli soldiers or Nazi criminals. Are you, my fellow Jews at the New York Times, conducting an ongoing anti-Israel campaign?

Posted by Michael at 02:06 PM | Comments (3)

March 17, 2009

WILL THE BAILOUT ACTUALLY BAIL ANYONE OUT?

I saw John Stewart’s interview with Jim Cramer, and I couldn’t agree more with his criticism of the carelessness and irresponsibility that has gotten us into this recession. The greed on Wall Street, coupled with lax government regulation and the media’s misleading promotion of stock investment, is absolutely disgusting.

Of course, now that the shit has hit the fan, the imbeciles running our financial institutions are turning to the government for help to solve the problems they’re responsible for. I really don't want my tax money to help those criminals to sustain their luxurious lifestyle. I do understand that bailing out those banks might help the economy, but no one knows if the trillions of dollars taxpayers are doling out will work. It could just prolong the agony, creating unprecedented inflation and forcing us deeper into horrible debt. Maybe those who carelessly took borrowed against their multimillion-dollar stock portfolio, buying apartments they really had no business trying to own, should take a hit? In any event, I think everyone will agree that those charlatans at companies like AIG, who are slated to hand out $450 million in bonuses and are responsible for the financial crisis, should go to jail.

Edward Liddy, Chief Executive Thief at AIG

All of this government “help” is making me concerned that this country is moving towards socialism, which I so happily escaped. The government is not your loving mother who will come and rescue you from any situation you've put yourself in. It's definitely not the government's job to save corrupt, irresponsible banks from bankruptcy. The president’s decision to hand out money will create a horrible precedent, allowing those rich bastards to think that they can always commit those crimes and extort so much money from taxpayers.

I thought the Democrats were all about helping the poor, not those flying around in private jets.

Posted by Michael at 03:38 PM | Comments (4)

March 13, 2009

COMMENTS ON BLACK HOMOPHOBIA

There is a blog called Rod 2.0 and he posted about the comments I made in regards to homophobia in the black community. Please check it out; I decided to write this post in the form of responses to some of the comments.

Dear guys:

This is Michael Lucas. First, I really would like to thank you for acknowledging my efforts in including Black and Latino models in my films. I always have and always will.

I never make comments on blogs, but I feel this is a very important issue and I don't want to be misrepresented or misunderstood. Let me respond to some of you who posted here.

@Luther: I'm very much aware of Russian homophobia. I'm a native, and trust me, Eastern European homophobia and black homophobia are on the same level. Of course, you're right in saying that homophobia exists in many nations, particularly in Eastern bloc countries like Poland and Western European countries like Spain and France. Let's not even discuss the Middle East, where gays are jailed and often publicly executed.

@derek: You're right. Racism is rampant in the White community. I know it very well from the emails I get saying I'm using too many Black and Latin models. But the Black community is as racist towards the White community. Trust me, I do understand the root of Black racism, which is the revolting American history of slavery and segregation. But please don't forget that America is far less racist than Europe. I feel perfectly authorized to compare the two since I've lived in Europe and the U.S. Europe doesn't have the "political correctness" we have in America. Try to find one European country where people would elect a Black president.

@Anderson: You probably don't know anything about me, if you're saying I've ignored the massive problems in Russia and Eastern Europe. I've talked about it on LucasBlog.com and in many published articles all the time.

@Carlos and Mark: You're accusing me of not knowing anything about homophobia in the Black community because I'm not an African-American. Look, I don't have to be African-American to talk about homophobia within the community, just like you don't have to be Russian to discuss homophobia there or among white Americans, etc. I'm well aware about Black homophobia from the African-American models I talk to, whether they come for an interview and change their mind because they're afraid of being recognized. I also know about this from listening to rap, watching the media, and feel free to name another well-know, out African-American celebrity except for RuPaul. I also know about it from the recent vote on Proposition 8. Seventy percent of the black community voted for Prop 8. I also have lots of black friends who are drag queens. They tell me that the overwhelming majority of insults (and even physical attacks) come from black men.

So please don't tell me that I don't have knowledge on the issue. I'm not a scholar, but I have my eyes and ears and I do work with a lot of black men, from the models in my films to co-workers in my office, to the many friends I've made.

@Danny Rivera (and I guess Kevin, who I think meant to say anti-gay sentiments of Russian people): Again, I'm more than aware of the homophobia in Russia, and I've definitely noticed the homophobic mayor of Moscow sending riot police against the Gay Pride parade, and there are many more outrageous incidents that I'm aware of between Russian authorities and gay Russians. I've written a lot about it. Just check my blog. I recently flew to St. Petersberg with filmmaker John Cameron Mitchell to protest the censorship of the first Gay and Lesbian Film Festival there. And believe me, it was quite a dangerous affair. Now wouldn't you think I left Russia and brought my family here for the exact reason of homophobia, anti-semitism, racism, and hatred towards anyone who is different? I know about it first hand. I grew up being hated. I've written profusely about it. I've made speeches on college campuses. So don't tell me to get more information on a topic I'm already very well educated on.

Right now I'm in the middle of a production where as always I'm using a lot of Black talent. But I will try to find more time and write an article on LucasBlog.com on this issue. Guys, you're more than welcome to comment on what I have to say there. I welcome your criticism and all of your comments will be published, unless you're disrespectful and insulting like some comments on this blog.

Sincerely,
Michael Lucas

ALSO, I'd like to add that companies like Big City only use Black and Latino models. I, on the other hand, feature interracial scenes. I have hundreds of models of different races applying, and have to choose maybe one out of every ten applicants that fit the "Lucas Man" profile (fit, muscular, handsome, regardless of race).

Studios like Big City target a certain niche. But if you're going to accuse me of being racist because I can't fill all my scenes with one type of person, then please be sure to label the other producers as such as well.

Posted by Michael at 02:49 PM | Comments (9)

March 11, 2009

RESPONSE TO THE PEANUT GALLERY

A comment from "Rod," regarding my original post about Chas Freeman

We do not choose our pastors and just because you attend chuch at a particular place does not mean you agree with everything being taught there. I can't think of a single chruch that I've attended where the pastor didn't state homosexuality is a sin. Yet the pews are filled with gay men and women.

Hillary didn't win. Get over it! Just because someone does not agree with us does not give us the right to bring up everything bad thing in their past. I honestly don't get it. The same freedoms that you want for Isreal are the freedoms we enjoy here in America and allows you to post things you post. So why doesn't OUR President deserve the same freedom to chose who he thinks is best for the job without being given hell for doing so?

MY RESPONSE

Dear Rod:

I don't even know where to start with this one. You obviously attend all the wrong churches. Pews are not filled with gay men and women. It's simply not true. These days, there are many gay-friendly churches. But if you're fine with listening to gay bashing, this is your choice. And if you live somewhere like Utah, why don't you just pray at home? God never made such a demand to go to church. It's the pastors who make these demands.

And please don't tell me that I shouldn't bring up bad things from the past. It's ridiculous. The past often gives us an explanation of the present. And besides, I'm talking about the present. Obama only nominated Freeman a few days ago.

Also, what do you mean by me wanting freedoms for Israel? Israel has many of the freedoms that America does, including the freedom of speech. Also, gay people are walking hand-in-hand throughout the streets of Tel Aviv. Have you ever even been to Israel? I think not. Don't make conclusions without verifying facts.

No president deserves the right to making shameful appointments without being called out on it. You know why? This is a free country and we can criticize anyone including presidents. This is the beauty of democracy.

Posted by Michael at 12:15 PM | Comments (1)

THE LIES AND HALF-TRUTHS OF CHAS FREEMEN IN FULL

From the mouth of the bigoted, cowardly, and corrupt anti-Semite himself, here's the resignation of anti-freedom proponent Chas Freeman, as posted to the Foreign Policy magazine website.

"You will by now have seen the statement by Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair reporting that I have withdrawn my previous acceptance of his invitation to chair the National Intelligence Council.

I have concluded that the barrage of libelous distortions of my record would not cease upon my entry into office. The effort to smear me and to destroy my credibility would instead continue. I do not believe the National Intelligence Council could function effectively while its chair was under constant attack by unscrupulous people with a passionate attachment to the views of a political faction in a foreign country. I agreed to chair the NIC to strengthen it and protect it against politicization, not to introduce it to efforts by a special interest group to assert control over it through a protracted political campaign.

As those who know me are well aware, I have greatly enjoyed life since retiring from government. Nothing was further from my mind than a return to public service. When Admiral Blair asked me to chair the NIC I responded that I understood he was “asking me to give my freedom of speech, my leisure, the greater part of my income, subject myself to the mental colonoscopy of a polygraph, and resume a daily commute to a job with long working hours and a daily ration of political abuse.” I added that I wondered “whether there wasn’t some sort of downside to this offer.” I was mindful that no one is indispensable; I am not an exception. It took weeks of reflection for me to conclude that, given the unprecedentedly challenging circumstances in which our country now finds itself abroad and at home, I had no choice but accept the call to return to public service. I thereupon resigned from all positions that I had held and all activities in which I was engaged. I now look forward to returning to private life, freed of all previous obligations.

I am not so immodest as to believe that this controversy was about me rather than issues of public policy. These issues had little to do with the NIC and were not at the heart of what I hoped to contribute to the quality of analysis available to President Obama and his administration. Still, I am saddened by what the controversy and the manner in which the public vitriol of those who devoted themselves to sustaining it have revealed about the state of our civil society. It is apparent that we Americans cannot any longer conduct a serious public discussion or exercise independent judgment about matters of great importance to our country as well as to our allies and friends.

The libels on me and their easily traceable email trails show conclusively that there is a powerful lobby determined to prevent any view other than its own from being aired, still less to factor in American understanding of trends and events in the Middle East. The tactics of the Israel Lobby plumb the depths of dishonor and indecency and include character assassination, selective misquotation, the willful distortion of the record, the fabrication of falsehoods, and an utter disregard for the truth. The aim of this Lobby is control of the policy process through the exercise of a veto over the appointment of people who dispute the wisdom of its views, the substitution of political correctness for analysis, and the exclusion of any and all options for decision by Americans and our government other than those that it favors.

There is a special irony in having been accused of improper regard for the opinions of foreign governments and societies by a group so clearly intent on enforcing adherence to the policies of a foreign government – in this case, the government of Israel. I believe that the inability of the American public to discuss, or the government to consider, any option for US policies in the Middle East opposed by the ruling faction in Israeli politics has allowed that faction to adopt and sustain policies that ultimately threaten the existence of the state of Israel. It is not permitted for anyone in the United States to say so. This is not just a tragedy for Israelis and their neighbors in the Middle East; it is doing widening damage to the national security of the United States.

The outrageous agitation that followed the leak of my pending appointment will be seen by many to raise serious questions about whether the Obama administration will be able to make its own decisions about the Middle East and related issues. I regret that my willingness to serve the new administration has ended by casting doubt on its ability to consider, let alone decide what policies might best serve the interests of the United States rather than those of a Lobby intent on enforcing the will and interests of a foreign government.

In the court of public opinion, unlike a court of law, one is guilty until proven innocent. The speeches from which quotations have been lifted from their context are available for anyone interested in the truth to read. The injustice of the accusations made against me has been obvious to those with open minds. Those who have sought to impugn my character are uninterested in any rebuttal that I or anyone else might make.

Still, for the record: I have never sought to be paid or accepted payment from any foreign government, including Saudi Arabia or China, for any service, nor have I ever spoken on behalf of a foreign government, its interests, or its policies. I have never lobbied any branch of our government for any cause, foreign or domestic. I am my own man, no one else’s, and with my return to private life, I will once again – to my pleasure – serve no master other than myself. I will continue to speak out as I choose on issues of concern to me and other Americans.

I retain my respect and confidence in President Obama and DNI Blair. Our country now faces terrible challenges abroad as well as at home. Like all patriotic Americans, I continue to pray that our president can successfully lead us in surmounting them."

Posted by Michael at 11:53 AM | Comments (0)

FREEMAN WITHDRAWS NOMINATION

Only hours after my blog post, "Chas" Freeman decided to withdraw his nomination as Chairman of the National Intelligence Council. However, he couldn't help himself and blamed others for his resignation:

"[The] tactics of the Israel Lobby plumb the depths of dishonor and indecency and include character assassination, selective misquotation, the willful distortion of the record, the fabrication of falsehoods, and an utter disregard for the truth.”

Luckily, we won't have to put up with this eternal anti-Semite any longer.

Freeman with Chinese dictator Hu Jintao

Also, remember that this isn't really about Israel. Freeman was a proud supporter of China's heinous actions at Tiananmen Square and Saudi Arabia's deplorable medieval atrocities, and for him to even be considered for such an important post is an endorsement of those countries' horrific human rights violations. I guess Obama just didn't care about Freeman's views and what effect they would have on the position.

Posted by Michael at 11:12 AM | Comments (1)

March 10, 2009

A Tragic Misstep

I am furious but not shocked by President Obama’s naming of Charles “Chas” Freeman, Jr. as Chairman of the National Intelligence Counsel.

This is an appointment, not a nomination, so unfortunately, scrutiny won’t necessarily get Freeman removed the way it got Daschle, Richardson, and Killefer taken out of consideration.

Chas Freeman

Why do I object to Freeman?

Opinions he has voiced over time show that he doesn’t have any commitment to Western values. He’s actually expressed support for the Chinese communist regime’s repression of dissidents.

Then too, Freeman makes prejudicial public statements against Israel, while simultaneously praising Saudi Arabia to the skies. In fact, Freeman said that the King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia should be called “Abdullah the Great.” How dare an American official praise the stinky, medieval bank vault that enslaves us with its fucking oil. It’s a country that spits on civil rights, jails homosexuals, kills prostitutes, mutilates thieves, and all men are polygamists (I saw those fat, vulgar “men” walking around the Four Seasons hotel in Cairo surrounded by a harem of wives and numerous children). At the same time, Freeman is bashing Israel, which gives its citizens all the rights denied to Saudis. In other words, Obama is appointing a corrupt enemy of Western principles and a supporter of oppression.

When Freeman speaks in support of repressions carried out by the Chinese government, in support of Saudi Arabia, in support of Iran, is he talking out of moral conviction?

He has ties to the China National Offshore Oil Corp; the Chinese government has a majority stake in that. He is president of the Middle East Policy Council, funded in part by Saudi Arabia.

Do the math.

I am perplexed by Obama’s appointment of Freeman. Does it reflect Obama’s true views? Or is it another bumbling mistake, like the nominations of Daschle, Richardson and Killefer? I think, unfortunately, that it is about his personal views.

I was a Hillary Clinton supporter. She was never cozy with American enemies, and always promised tough language. When asked about what she would do if Iran attacked Israel, Hillary blunted answered, “we will completely obliterate them.” Obama commented on her response saying that “obliterate is a strong word.” He also said that he has no problem with direct talks with Ahmadinejad and called Iranian intentions to develop nuclear weapons “not helpful.”

When he says “not helpful,” he’s talking about a country that sponsors global jihad, denies the Holocaust, imprisons gays and tells the world that homosexuality is a Western phenomenon that does not exist in his country, tortures and kills its political opponents, and promises to erase Israel from the map of the world.

Freeman with a prince of Saudi Arabia

The Chairman of the National Intelligence Counsel oversees the preparation of intelligence to be provided to the President of the United States. Freeman once called the Saudi program to rehabilitate jihadists “very successful.” But graduates of that program murdered the American Susan Elbaneh in an attack in Yemen, and two graduates of the program released a video at the end of February, 2009 announcing the formation of al-Qaeda on the Arabian Peninsula.

Anybody around here remember 9/11? Fifteen out of nineteen hijackers were from Saudi Arabia. What a coincidence. Instead, we started a war Iraq, which had nothing to do with 9/11 attacks.

Learn more about Charles Freeman, Jr. and let your elected officials know you want somebody more committed to our western values and our national security overseeing the intelligence given to President Obama.

I imagine there will many gay readers who will give me hell for criticizing Obama, but I’m not making idols, especially keeping in mind that the man is denying us the right to marry, inviting the most homophobic minister Rick Warren to deliver an inauguration speech (couldn’t he find someone more liberal or at least a little less controversial?), and chose the racist Revered Wright as a spiritual leader.

Posted by Michael at 12:32 PM | Comments (6)

March 09, 2009

Looks Like Someone Just Wants to Run Their Mouth

CONTINUE READING MORE ON THIS TOPIC HERE

I recently received this moronic comment from Ted Knowles, and wanted to briefly respond:

If you really wanted to show a New York attitude, you would have more Black men in the mix. Not to mention some variations of Black men. If you really want to claim you show a New York attitude then show its variety.

Dear Ted:

It looks like you actually don't watch my movies. If you did, you'd know that I use a lot of Black models in my films. In fact, all of my movies so far this year have had black men. I would love to use more, but unfortunately, Black models are not that open to appearing in adult gay films. It of course has a lot to do with the rampant homophobia in the African-American community, and models are just scared of being in productions.

Posted by Michael at 12:01 PM | Comments (1)

March 06, 2009

HUGH HEFNER HURTING

I just read a little notice on E! Online about Hugh Hefner. Apparently, he's ill and rumor has it that, "Things aren’t quite the same since Holly and the girls left. Hef loves all the new ones, but I think the transition really took its toll."

Hugh in happier days when Holly was at his side.

Really? An 83-year-old sleazy whore master is missing his prostitutes? Word on the pimp block is that new ones are not as juicy. I thought polygamy existed only in Muslim countries…and Utah. However, America is blessed with having a big name like Hugh Hefner, our modern Divinity of polygamy. This genuine slut gobbler is blown out of proportion by Hollywood stars who like to make appearances at his so-called "mansion" to help promote this degrading lifestyle. Now I shouldn’t be one to judge so Heff, I barely have the tits of Holly, but if you need a shoulder to sulk on call me.

Posted by Michael at 02:26 PM | Comments (4)

THE WORLD'S MOST POPULAR PEDOPHILE TO RETURN TO INTERNATIONAL STAGE

Apparently we should look forward to the comeback of that scumbag Michael Jackson. You know, I always felt sorry for pedophiles. Uneducated people don't realize that this is a condition that one cannot overcome. I mean, who voluntarily wants to molest little boys or girls? For what? To constantly feel guilty and humiliated, and in danger of getting a long jail sentence where the most likely outcome will be murder by his inmates?

But Michael Jackson is a special case. He's a disgusting, cynical liar, who uses his charitable work for children as a cover for molestation. The most shocking part is how Jackson has gotten away with his crimes because of the retarded jurors, who are fascinated with his celebrity image. During the last case, after giving him a verdict of "not guilty," jurors were asked if they would leave their children with Jackson, and all of them said absolutely not. Then why would you consider him not guilty?

Jackson also has a disgusting family, starting with his parents who abused him. Is it just a rumor that his father used to fuck him up the ass and his mother closed her eyes to it? The rest of his "talented" relatives are always ready to lie on his behalf. And remember Lisa Marie Presley, whose only claim to fame is her father Elvis, helped spread the rumor that Jackson is a big Casanova and couldn't live without pussy?

It's very sad how this beast is so welcomed by crowds of morons about his comeback. As I said, I'm sorry for pedophiles in general, but I wouldn't shed a tear if Jackson locked in jail for good.

PS: Please don't be confused. I think his music is wonderful and a great contribution to pop culture. But I'm talking about him as a person, not an artist.

Posted by Michael at 01:09 PM | Comments (4)

February 24, 2009

Last Night's Defying Inequality Concert

Last night I attended the celebrity benefit for equal rights Defying Inequality: The Broadway Concert. The event was full of incredible and inspiring individuals who have fought the uphill plight for equality. So why did Judy Gold think it was a good idea to open the show by jokingly asking Carson Kressley, ‘how you doing fag?’ If the African-American community is constantly being scolding for using the “n”-word among their own community then why should we continue to use the derogatory word fag? If a straight person were to use it then we would rip them up—so let’s lead by example.

Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper truly gave brave, meaningful and heartfelt speeches. Both have waged the war against discrimination endlessly. But I guess the crowd could not tag them with the words “glamorous” or “fierce” because they did not get a standing ovation like Jane Fonda did. When have you ever seen Jane Fonda lead a rally in support of the gay community? She has entertained Communist Vietnamese troops during the war and has made several aerobic videos: Fierce. I suppose Fierstein and Lauper have spoiled us with their constant presence at every great gay cause. The deserved every bit of a standing ovation and I wish the crowd stood up with me in applause. Yet they gave the starlet Fonda the biggest one before she even opened her mouth because she was working the glamour.

Jane Fonda, surrounded by her Commie pals in Vietnam in the '70s

I was elated to hear that Rev. Al Sharpton did not show up for his scheduled appearance. How does our community make an icon out of a charlatan who gave a speech at Kean College and delivered this line, “White folks was in caves while we was building empires ... We taught philosophy and astrology and mathematics before Socrates and them Greek homos ever got around to it.” But like a good chameleon he changed his stance when the political winds blew.

Sharpton

Here is Harvey’s speech, which he sent me a week prior to the event. It was as brilliantly and boldly spoken as it was written:

Dear President Obama:

A politician of the time tempered his anti slavery position saying, “I have never been in favor of making voters or jurors of Negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people.”

That politician was Abraham Lincoln. The question is, were those his actual beliefs or was Mr Lincoln diluting his message to gather the broadest coalition to his cause? Either way, something happened and eventually Mr Lincoln took on what would have been deemed the extremist view; that freedom itself would not be enough. It needed a grander gesture: “…a new nation conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal”. All men are created equal. Passing a law would change the course of slavery, but those words changed the course of the world.

Mr Obama, I have heard you speak eloquently in favor of inclusion for gays and lesbians. But in the next breath you sternly state your opposition to our right to enter the contract of marriage. It leaves me wondering if you, like your hero Mr Lincoln, are merely being politic or if you still need to grow and learn and change.

Days after your historic election an aide of yours told me that during your first months in office you will be doing away with the military policy of DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL. I applaud the gesture. But don’t kid yourself. Redefining that policy will do little to end discrimination against us. With or without the Pentagon’s permission gays and lesbians have been serving in the military since the birth of this nation. We may have served in silence. We may have fought in secrecy. But we sacrificed and died for our country with pride nonetheless. No. Abolishing DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL will not end discrimination in the military any more than legalizing gay adoption will end discrimination against our children in the playground. Even legalizing gay marriage will not bring about the whole cloth change our nation needs. When you, as our president, accept, tolerate and even reward bigotry and prejudice changing a law will change little.

In any case, we don’t need you to fight our small battles for us. We can eventually win these skirmishes for our equal legal rights with or without your support. Property matters, adoption rights, and even gay marriage will be won eventually in courts of law and in courts of public opinion. Given time, our constitution and the American values of fair play and justice will prevail. We have right on our side. We will win in the courts.

But there is something that only you can do for us. Mr President, we need you to be more than another reasonable voice. We need you to raise yourself up out of the mire of majority opinion; we need you to rise above the daily politics of compromise. We need you to mount that bully pulpit our blood, sweat and tears have erected for you to stand upon, and to speak to the greater ideal. America needs to hear you say, “We will no longer tolerate the oppression of our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles. They are our family. They are we and we are they. America will no longer harbor hatred and superstition as a judgment against our own. We must prove ourselves worthy of the title Americans, protectors of the weak, standard bearers of freedom and guarantors of equal rights for all.

“From this day forward no amendment, statute or law that seeks to deny full rights of citizenship on the basis of sexual preference will be tolerated. Hatred and bigotry are banished to the dark recesses of small minds. Let the Pledge of Allegiance light our way to tomorrow as “…one nation, indivisible, with freedom and justice for all.’”

That, dear son of Lincoln, is what we need from you. We need a hero and you have been elected.

Posted by Michael at 07:00 PM | Comments (4)

February 23, 2009

Really Guys?

I'm really sorry, but I'm getting a little annoyed by some comments. I thought that people had a better sense of humor. Here is a sample:

***

From "B"

Dear Michael,

I agree with your point that we all must do what we can to stimulate our econmomy. I am also a gay male that is very sexual and I do enjoy your pornography. However, I find the fact that you have even produced a video titled "Farts! and Piss!" embarrasing. Even more embarrasing, you have gone a step further and addressed your personal situation regarding this video with our new president. I actually thought you were one of the more tasteful and entertaining pornograpy producers.

Dear sir:

Since when have gay people become so judgmental about the sexual preferences of others? I'm not sure to which generation you belong, but when I was growing up in Soviet Russia, there was a jail sentence of 2-5 years, simply for sexual intercourse between two men. Who do you think you are to tell me that it's embarrassing to produce fetish titles and who the hell do you think you are to judge other people's sexual preferences? Unless you live in a cave, you probably know that some people are more vanilla, some more into fetish. What kind of problem do you have with the latter? Were you never discriminated against for enjoying deep throating dick?

As for the letter to our President (TO WHOM I "ADDRESSED" IT TO), let me try to explain, because it looks like you're a slow one. You don't have to be intelligent to understand that this letter wasn't literally posted to the President of the United States. Even the point of stimulating the economy in my "letter" was in jest. It was a joke, and you're absolutely retarded if you don't get it.

***

From "jeff"

i am:

1. one of ur blog readers
2. intelligent
3. observant

yet i still thought ur press release was legitimate.

thanks for the insult.

As you see sir, the point that you think that my brilliant press release is "legitimate" shows that you are not "intelligent" and not "observant" as you claim to be. And no, I didn't insult you. You're insulting yourself by placing such a moronic comment.

Posted by Michael at 01:27 PM | Comments (2)

January 15, 2009

My Letter to Europe

Dear Europeans:

I am dismayed by your backlash against Israel for its defensive actions against Hamas.

Not a single one of your European countries would tolerate a neighboring country, sworn to its destruction, stockpiling arms in underground tunnels while lobbing rockets into its territory.

Yet that is the reality of Hamas. Its charter is available for anybody to read. It says that Israel will exist until Islam destroys it and is available here.

The only explanation for anti-Israeli European attitudes is hatred of Jews. You Europeans are often totally shameless in your parroting of Muslim propaganda.

Europeans are only too ready to point to bad treatment of black people in the United States. They know what the n word means and will automatically condemn anybody that uses it. There is not much for guys to say about that, given that we are the first Western country with a black president. But when is the last time you heard a European criticizing Muslims for the killing of women, gays, and keeping people in poverty while making billions in oil.

The biggest mistake you Europeans make in criticizing Israel is that of thinking the war we are seeing in Gaza is mainly about Gaza and Hamas. But this is not only a war against Hamas, just as the previous Lebanon war was not only a war against Hezbollah.

It is a mistake for you to believe that today’s war in Gaza is between imperialistic powers and defenseless poor people. It is a war between two complete opposites, two diametrically opposed mentalities, one typical of the Dark Ages, the other of the Enlightenment, liberty and repression, respect for civil and human rights, and the belief that Allah wants you to wage jihad against non-Muslims, and those that treat women like farm animals, and those that treat them like people.

The war waged by Muslims against the non-Muslims they belittle as infidels started with the Koran. It has already spread to the West. The first attack on the World Trade Center, the destruction of the World Trade Center, the attacks in Spain, in England, in South-East Asia, in Africa, and on and on and on -- those are all part of the global war that Islam is waging against non-Muslims.

I do not understand why you Europeans can not see the bigger picture to understand that the current war in Gaza is part of the war against an Islam that wants to dominate and subjugate all non-Muslims. I can not in this space go into the reasons why so many have an irrational bigotry against Jews. But you Europeans that value your freedoms and your contemporary mode of living should put your hatred of Jews aside to realize who your actual enemy is.

The Jewish people are not terrorists throughout the world. Western societies are not spending billions on security because of Jewish people. You are not taking your shoes off in airports because of Jewish people. You are not afraid of traveling, boarding planes and going into subways because of Jewish people.

Prejudice against Jews remains so strong among Europeans that you Europeans are, as regards this war in Gaza, taking the side of those out to destroy you and subjugate you. The 5 million Jews in Israel are not the danger to the world. The danger to the world is the 1 billion blind religious goons brought up on hate against the West and against progress. There are one billion of those haters that are the real danger; how can you Europeans be on their side?

You Europeans should give some thought to how Israelis have fought to protect you. In 1981, for example, the Israelis took out an Iraqi nuclear reactor. Do you Europeans quite understand what situation you would be in if the Iraqis had been armed with nuclear weapons?

So, dear Europeans; I call on you to set aside your deeply rooted anti-Semitism and ask who your real enemy is and who is terrorizing you, blowing up embassies, flying planes into buildings and carrying out suicide bombings to be martyred for Allah. Are they Jews or are they Muslims?

And also, it’s completely ridiculous to say that Muslims do these things because they are poor. South Americans live in grinding poverty but don’t call for their neighboring countries to be wiped off the map. Bin-Laden was not from a poor family. The Muslim doctors in England preparing those bombings were not living in poverty.

No matter how articulate, rational and correct I may be, I’ll never convince hardened anti-Semites to stop hating Jews. But I don’t see how you European anti-Semites can be so blinded by your loathing of Jews that you don’t realize that the Israelis are fighting for your freedoms, your principles, and your democratic way of life.

On the one side, there is Israel, where religious diversity is welcomed, where women and gays are given civil rights, where freedom of speech is respected and where the Arab population is represented by elected members of parliament. On the other side, there is the corrupt Hamas regime that can survive only through its calls for the destruction of Israel, that permits no Jewish people to live in its territory, that smuggles weapons through tunnels, but not one band-aid for its people, that teaches its children how to kill not to read, and that treats women like beasts, that beheads Western journalists, and takes several wives when women are only nine years old.

Europeans, come to your senses.

Israel is us.

We of the democratic West are all Israelis, and only fools can not understand that.

Posted by Michael at 03:53 PM | Comments (11)

January 14, 2009

What happens when a fly falls into a coffee cup?

The Italian: throws the cup and walks away in a fit of rage.

The Frenchman: takes out the fly, and drinks the coffee.

The Chinese: eats the fly and throws away the coffee.

The Russian: drinks the coffee with the fly, since it was extra with no charge.

The Israeli: sells the coffee to the Frenchman, the fly to the Chinese, buys himself a new cup of coffee and uses the extra money to invent a device that prevents flies from falling into coffee.

The Palestinian: blames the Israeli for the fly falling in his coffee, protests the act of aggression to the UN, takes a loan from the European Union to buy a new cup of coffee, uses the money to purchase explosives and then blows up the coffee house where the Italian, the Frenchman, the Chinese, and the Russian are all trying to explain to the Israeli that he should give away his cup of coffee to the Palestinian.

Posted by Michael at 03:09 PM | Comments (4)

December 30, 2008

The Truth About Hamas: A Response

Israel was not and is not pushing the Palestinians into a corner. The Palestinians have put themselves into this situation. They could have had their state long ago. In fact, they were offered a state three times over a sixty year period, and they walked away each and every time and refused to find solution. The latest dismissal was in 2000, with Arafat walking away from Clinton-Barak proposals. Israel was ready to give the Palestinians everything they were asking for. But today they are asking for more than ever before, including half of Jerusalem and the return of strategic points like the Golan Heights to Syria. And don't forget, all wars against Israel have started from the Golan Heights.

Israel needs to weaken Hamas in Gaza, and by doing that, it will strengthen the Fatah in the West Bank. Then and only then, can we talk about a two state solution.

Speaking of Israel's retaliation, its army operates very differently, in a much more humane way than any other in the world. Just like in the Israel-Lebanon war in 2006, Israel is throwing leaflets, warning that the area will be bombed (which, in my opinion is naive and goes against common sense). Terrorists are the first to run to yet another civilian area.

Also, civilian casualties are unfortunate in every war, but terrorists should be fought, and there is no war without civilian casualties. We carpet bombed Nazi Germany and Milosevic in Yugoslavia with a large loss of civilian casualties. These are just two examples.

I will go as far as to say that the majority of Palestinians are terrorists, if not candidates to become terrorists. There is no one nation in the world where no matter how poor it is, people turn themselves into suicide bombers and explode themselves in public places like restaurants, malls, nightclubs, and buses. This is a singular, Islamic phenomenon.

Posted by Michael at 12:53 PM | Comments (10)

December 29, 2008

Cold Hard Truths About Hamas

Hamas is sworn to the destruction of Israel.

For years, it launched rocket attacks out of Gaza into southern Israel. Even when it had supposedly signed truces, Hamas continued attacking. In recent weeks, the rocket attacks were intensifying. In response, Israel began a military operation against Hamas.

The world is, rather predictably, having a strong reaction against Israel for its current military campaign. Yet among the countries criticizing Israel, you will not find one that would have endured Palestinian Qassam rocket attacks without making a strong, deterrent military response. Furthermore, among the individuals criticizing Israel, you will not find one that would passively accept having Qassam rockets fired into their living room. Israel showed remarkable restraint as these rocket attacks went on for years, but finally, the time came when enough was enough, and something had to be done.

Two rockets fired from inside Gaza as seen from the Israeli side of the border.

Hamas plays much of the world for a fool. They center their military infrastructure in civilian areas, and then when Israel starts taking out that infrastructure, civilians are killed, provoking an anti-Israeli backlash in world opinion. Israel by contrast takes every possible measure to separate military installations from civilian areas, in order to protect civilian life, including the lives of Arab-Israeli civilians. Hamas is of course only too happy to have non-Muslims criticizing Israel. But if those same non-Muslims think that Hamas intends to be part of a peaceful coexistence with non-Muslim societies, they should think again.

The European Union today is calling for Israel to cease its military operation against Gaza. It cites the number of civilian deaths as unacceptable and outrageous. But where was the European Union when the Qassam rocket attacks were going on, endlessly? Where were statements from the European Union telling Hamas it had to stop rocket fire into Israel? Where is the outrage that Israel is forced to spend so much on defense against an enemy sworn to its destruction? The European Union says that the current Israeli response is not “proportionate;” but just exactly what would be a proportionate response against an enemy sworn to your destruction? At present, the President of the European Union is Finland. How about if we install in Sweden a terrorist group sworn to the destruction of Finland, and then sit around with our arms crossed as they endlessly fire rockets into Helsinki?

A Eurobarometer survey in 2003 found that 60% of respondents thought Israel was the greatest threat to world peace. Never mind what goes on with Russia, North Korea, Iran and Pakistan; 60% of the Europeans surveyed thought Israel the greatest threat to world peace. A question; if Gazan Palestinians had over the past five years made no military moves and fired no rockets against Israel, would Israel today be undertaking a military campaign in Gaza? No, it would not. So why do these Europeans call Israel the greatest threat to world peace?

Another question. If Israel is the greatest threat to world peace, then why do you see people taking vacations there, and not in North Korea, Pakistan, Iraq and Iran, or the deserts of Afghanistan? Why don’t they enjoy the waters of the Dead Sea within the Jordanian border instead of on the Israeli side?

While the world community is quick to organize boycotts against Israel, it never organizes boycotts against Arab countries. Why is that? The state of gay rights in the mid-east and the world’s reaction to that is helpful for revealing how hypocritical the world is in its dealings with Israel. It is putting it very mildly to say that no Arab country fully respects the rights of its gay citizens. In the Gaza Strip, so-called honor killings of gay people are commonplace. Never mind coming out; gay Gazans are terrified of being found out as gay, because in that society, that is a virtual death sentence. Let’s not forget that it’s the sons of Allah who are terrorizing the world, not Israeli citizens. This world will be a much better place without Hamas. Where is the European Union or the useless United Nations to speak up about that? (Or many other violations of human rights. See my post HERE).

To make the situation totally clear; Hamas is sworn to Israel’s destruction and won’t stop firing rockets into Israel, but when Israel begins an effective military deterrent to those attacks, the European Union and the United Nations condemn Israel, calling its response disproportionate. The only reason the death toll on the Israel side is smaller is because the Israeli government is actually caring and protecting their citizens, and spend billions of dollars on fighting terrorists. Hamas leaders, on the other hand, are using Palestinians as human shields.

The only conclusion to be reached is that Israel is serving as the world’s collective Jew. Irrational criticism of Israel has become a means of expressing pre-existing and deep-seated hatred of Jews.

For Israel to passively allow the establishment of a terrorist state on its border would be suicide. The Hamas charter states that Israel shall exist until Islam destroys it. What part of that do people not understand?

Meanwhile, the reason the Muslim countries hate Israel so much is that it is a democracy. In Israel, gay Arabs find a safe haven. In Israel, the opponents of the Muslim regimes find a refuge. Israel is not run by religious groups, it is not run according to the torah, the bible or the Koran. Israel is not run by ayatollahs. Israel is a democratic state in the heart of the non-democratic Arab world. The majority of Muslim states not only don’t recognize Israel; they don’t even show it on their maps. The Hamas leadership educates Kindergartners to become religious martyrs for Allah against Israel.

With all the above in mind, I ask, what is the goal here? If you think Israel has no right to exist, we have nothing more to talk about. If you think Israel has a right to exist, then why would you not be insisting that Hamas remove from its charter the vow to destroy Israel? Finally, if somebody were vowing to destroy your country, what would you want done to protect it?

Posted by Michael at 03:25 PM | Comments (11)

December 22, 2008

The Other Side of Sean Penn

As award season begins in the movie industry, many people are taking notice of Sean Penn's performance of Harvey Milk in Gus Van Sant's "Milk." However, despite the attention the film is drawing for gay rights, my good friend Jamie Kirchick recently wrote an excellent article for The Advocate that highlights a different aspect of the actor's political affiliations. It's a great piece and I couldn't agree with Jamie more.

A Friend to Gays and Antigay Dictators Alike
by Jamie Kirchick

[Originally featured on Advocate.com, December 09, 2008],

It’s not surprising that Sean Penn, thanks to his star turn as Harvey Milk in Gus Van Sant’s biopic Milk, is becoming a hero to gays. His performance is moving and, judging by the archival film footage, flawless; Penn simultaneously renders Milk as a figure of historic importance and a vulnerable individual with a sparkling sense of humor. Aside from the acting prizes he will surely win (and deservingly), Penn is likely to earn himself the iconic status of “straight ally,” a heterosexual who goes out of his way to take a stand for gay rights and is thus showered with praise from gays. A GLAAD Media Award, honors from the Human Rights Campaign, and a slew of prizes from other prominent gay rights organizations are only a matter of time.

Which is a shame, because Penn’s political activism, irrespective of his views on gay rights, negates the values for which a movement based upon individual freedom must stand.

The same week that Milk premiered in theaters, The Nation published a cover story by Penn based on interviews he conducted recently with Hugo Chavez and Raul Castro, the dictators of Venezuela and Cuba respectively. The article is a love letter to the two men, defending them against all manner of Western “propaganda.” It hearkens back to the notorious dispatches penned by Westerners fresh from the Soviet Union who reported on the amazing progress of the workers' paradise. These worshipful epistles, often published in The Nation, neglected to mention anything about the gulag, the “disappearance” of political dissidents, the Ukrainian famine, or any other such inconvenient truths about communism. Lenin termed the individuals who delivered these apologetics “useful idiots,” and Penn and his enablers are nothing if not that.

Penn traveled to the region with the polemicist Christopher Hitchens, and while the loquacious Chavez was happy to entertain both men, the reclusive Castro was a harder get. Penn’s long-standing defense of the communist regime in Cuba, however, must have endeared him to the Castro brothers, as Raul decided to grant an interview only with the actor. The import of a communist dictator purposely deciding to sit for an interview with Penn and not Hitchens, who would have been less -- how to put it? -- deferential in his line of questioning, was apparently lost on the movie star and his readers. Reporting on his dinnertime conversation, Penn dutifully made all the standard arguments in defense of the Cuban regime, from pointing out that the Communist Party would win 80% of the vote in an open election to morally equating the United States’ Guantanamo Bay prison to Cuban jails that house the Castro brothers’ political enemies.

It’s only in the closing moments of his otherwise adulatory, seven-hour interview that Penn bothers to ask about human rights abuses on the island, and just the “allegations” of abuses at that. The lack of interest in individual liberty, hardly surprising for a far-left fellow traveler like Penn, is nonetheless ironic given the Cuban regime’s treatment of gay people, a subject that one suspects Penn might have some interest in given his critically acclaimed performance in Milk. Not long after the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro ordered the internment of gay people in prison labor camps, where they were murdered or worked to death for their “counterrevolutionary tendencies.”

Over the gate of one of these camps were the words “Work Will Make Men Out of You,” an eerie homage to the welcome sign at Auschwitz instructing Jews on their way to the gas chambers that “Work Will Make You Free.” (The plight of gays in the Cuban revolution is movingly told in the novel Before Night Falls by Reinaldo Arenas, made into a film starring Javier Bardem. Playing a gay character in a film that has both an antitotalitarian and pro-gay message, Bardem is an “ally” less morally compromised than Penn.) In the early years of the regime, Raul Castro was notorious for ordering the summary execution of its opponents, including people whose only crime was their homosexuality. This is the man with whom Penn was “in stitches” knocking back glasses of red wine.

While homosexuality has since been decriminalized in Cuba, the communist government bans gay organizations, as it does any organization critical of the regime.

“There isn’t a single individual that is taken seriously in the human rights community -- whether you’re talking about Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, or Freedom House -- that would describe the Castro brothers and their regime as anything other than a police state run by thugs and murderers,” says Thor Halvorssen, president of the Human Rights Foundation, which focuses on Latin America. “That Sean Penn would be honored by anyone, let alone the gay community, for having stood by a dictator that put gays into concentration camps is mind-boggling.”

Penn’s credibility as an effective advocate for gay rights is also weakened by the generally illiberal policies of the Cuban and Venezuelan regimes. Chavez, in spite of Penn’s apologetics to the contrary, is no democrat; the record of his rule is unmistakably authoritarian. The latest State Department human rights report cites the following government infringements in just the past few years: “unlawful killings; disappearances reportedly involving security forces; torture and abuse of detainees; harsh prison conditions; arbitrary arrests and detentions; a corrupt, inefficient, and politicized judicial system characterized by trial delays, impunity, and violations of due process; searches without warrants of private homes; official intimidation and attacks on the independent media; government-promoted anti-Semitism; widespread corruption at all levels of government; violence against women; trafficking in persons; and restrictions on workers' right of association.”

Chavez has also cavorted on the world stage with individuals like Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Zimbabwean tyrant Robert Mugabe, trying to form a bloc of third-world, authoritarian regimes to stand in opposition to the West. Penn, playing the role of the apparatchik almost as well as he did the former San Francisco supervisor, doesn't bother to ask Chavez about any of these manifold abuses or associations, preferring to repeat without skepticism the crazed dictator’s claim that the United States is plotting an invasion of his country. “It's true, Chavez may not be a good man,” Penn declares. “But he may well be a great one.”

That Penn would write an homage to Latin American caudillos is nothing new, as both he and The Nation have sung the praises of anti-American dictators for quite some time. Indeed, Penn fancies himself something of a foreign correspondent.

In December 2002 he traveled to Baghdad to meet with cronies of Saddam Hussein -- the killer of hundreds of thousands, if not over a million people -- to defend the Ba’athist regime against impending war. Penn hobnobbed with notorious individuals like Tariq Aziz, the deputy prime minister infamous as the public face of the Hussein regime, and pleaded on their behalf. This is not to condemn the notion of antiwar activism, but there were principled arguments to be made against the Iraq War and means of arguing against it that didn’t require the knowing exploitation of oneself as a propaganda tool for a totalitarian regime. While Penn nary has a word of criticism about genuine tyrants and terrorists, last year he delivered a speech naming senior American government officials as “villainously and criminally obscene people” (Chavez proudly read the letter on state television).

Why should anyone care about an actor’s politics? The bloviations of Hollywood stars tend to be ignorant and irrelevant to those interested in serious debate about the issues of the day, but Penn’s grandstanding matters due to both his role in Milk and the film’s political relevance in the context of Proposition 8 and the nationwide campaign for gay rights. Gay rights are human rights, as Milk said, and Penn discredits both when he rationalizes illiberal ideologies as “anti-imperialist” and rushes to the defense of thugs who posture as victims of the West. Penn’s ignoble political side projects taint a noble cause.

Posted by Michael at 06:00 PM | Comments (4)

November 24, 2008

THE MORMON-BLACK AXIS OF HATE

Why, why, why on earth did the black population of California vote in such overwhelming numbers to strip gays of the benefits of marriage?

Readers will understand that my husband Richard and I after many years together did a great deal of fund-raising, and gave a lot of our own money to fight Proposition Hate. We are not amused that it was passed by the Mormon Church with the help of over 70% of the African-American vote in California.

Have the seventy-plus percent of African-Americans in California that voted for Proposition Hate ever read Langston Hughes and do they understand that he was not heterosexual? It is profoundly disgusting that over seventy percent of black people in California are voting as if, instead of wanting to build on the Harlem Renaissance, they wanted to return to the dark ages.

These homophobic black voters are behaving as though among their brothers, sisters, doctors and hair dressers there were no black gay people that deserve full legal equality. Andre Leon Tally, Kevin Aviance, Alvin Ailey, Sheryl Swoopes, Billie Holiday, Maurice Jamal, Alice Walker, James Baldwin, Ru Paul, Bessie Smith; what do all these gay Americans have in common?

It is outright obnoxious that these black Californian haters, who in their lifetimes have been discriminated against, perpetuate discrimination. Whaddup, man? You could get the idea that affirmative action didn’t work, that the educational goals it was supposed to achieve were not met in or by the black community.

Given the Mormons’ disgraceful history of oppressing African-Americans, it is particularly ironic that blacks allowed themselves en masse to be incited by Mormons to the hate crime of voting against gay rights. This event comes as more proof of rampant homophobia in the black community. I know that normally, the term red necks is applied to white people, but I think we could reconsider and apply it to certain blacks too.

We all feel proud to have a black first family, so why, when voting for that first black family, did over seventy percent of black Californians also vote to take rights and joy away from gay people? Huhn? Why?

Obama is half black, and he is at least for the time being only half behind legal equality for gays. The Mormons exploited his ambiguity in vicious robo calls to black voters. Even though Obama declared that he was against Proposition 8, he had also said that he believes that God doesn’t want gay people to enter into marriage. Obama would have us believe, apparently, that God personally told him that gays should have civil unions but not marriage certificates. If I were a black religious asshole in California, I might have gotten mixed up by Obama’s conflicting signals, too.

When you now read quotes from the Mormons, blacks and others who supported Proposition Hate, you realize that their arguments are all based in their fabulous religious faith. Have you ever read The Book of Mormon, which could just as well be called The Book for Morons? What the Morons believe in with this just absolutely ridiculous book is every bit as preposterous as what Muslims believe in the Koran.

The Book of Mormon, if the truth be told, is a hoax, perpetrated around 1830. It purports to describe Jesus’s personal relationships with people in the Americas extending back to ancient times. It mentions the presence of things in the Americas...including scimitars and chariots, steel and mining ore...which we know from the archeological record weren’t here then. Only special needs voters would hate gay people because of what’s written in a literary-religious hoax. And to mobilize politically against gays based on the embarrassingly ludicrous Book of Mormon is an unacceptable violation of our human rights.

But as far as I know, most African-Americans in California are not Mormons. So why did over 70 percent of them vote for Proposition Hate? It’s a question we should discuss.

Posted by Michael at 03:42 PM | Comments (10)

October 02, 2008

GAY RIGHTS UNDER SEIGE IN RUSSIA

Side by Side, a GLBT film festival that had been scheduled for St. Petersburg for the beginning of October, has been squelched by the Russian authorities, on a pretense that the festival venue was in violation of a fire safety code.

That the supposed violation of the fire safety code was a pretense merely is demonstrated by 1) previously expressed Russian government animosity towards the festival and 2) a conspicuous lack of other fire safety code violations being detected throughout St. Petersburg on the same day.

Russian enemies of gay and other human rights had campaigned hard against the existence of the festival for much of 2008. Russian State Artist Nikolai Burlyaev, for example, said that the festival should not be allowed to take place because homosexuality is a “sin” and gays are “perverts.”

To show you how the atmosphere in Russia is generally, in January of 2008, an episode of South Park mentioning homosexuality led to widespread hysterical protest. The Prosecutor General’s Office did not identify which episode its investigators found objectionable, but said it “offends the honor and dignity of Christians and Muslims and insults the feelings of believers irrespective of their faith.” The Russian prosecutors went on to label the South Park episode as “extremist.” A Russian religious leader said that the episode showed “covert and overt propaganda of homosexuality and pedophilia as norms of sexual life.”

All this and more is exactly why I left Russia and have no intention of returning to live there ever. I salute those Russians engaged in the struggle but I do not want to waste my youth and my life fighting anti-gay bigots when instead I can live in New York City and enjoy some degree of freedom and respect for my rights. The film festival organizers plan to continue in alternate venues, however, and I am proud to go and demonstrate my support for them; I will be giving shows in two clubs. I have spoken with John Cameron Mitchell, director of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and he too says he will not be cowed by the bigots.

It is dismaying that the Russian people are so intolerant. Can they not look at their more evolved European neighbors and see for instance that not only is gay-themed cinema respected but that the Berlin and Venice film festivals have dedicated awards for it?

In many European countries, in Canada, in Massachusetts and in California, gays have achieved marital rights. So I repeat; why are the Russians so intolerant of gay people?

To not even allow the freedom of expression of a film festival is reprehensible. Up until a few years ago, they were still throwing gays in jail without justification, and there are, in the present atmosphere of intolerance, grave concerns for violations of gay people’s human rights within Russia.

After the atheist communists, the Russians have returned to being religious with a vengeance, and that vengeance is against gays. They are cherry-picking what is written in their Christian Bible and ignoring all of the Bible’s calls for kindness and respect for one’s fellow human beings. These Russian bigots, many of them newly-wealthy, are driving to churches in their Mercedes and praying for gays not to be allowed to have a film festival showing fine movies like Lucia Puenzo’s XXY. Not only are they praying for that, but they are using their donations to the churches to influence the government to further the oppression of gay people in Russia. It is as though they are trying to buy forgiveness from God for their corruption. But people who believe in God should know that God can not be bought off.

And so, I am going to Russia now, proud but with a heavy heart. I had promised people I would go at this time and give shows; breaking a promise is not my style.

I urge you to communicate with your representatives in Congress, asking them to speak up for the rights of gay people in Russia.

Posted by Michael at 04:16 PM | Comments (2)

August 15, 2008

Georgia on My Mind

Despite the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russian governmental figures perpetuated the attitude that all roads must lead to Moscow and if they don’t, we’ll force them to. This attitude has been sickeningly on display during Russia’s recent squashing of Georgia.

For centuries, Georgians, though having a distinct culture, were subjected to Russian oppression. When the Soviet Union collapsed, and Georgia subsequently became an independent nation, Russian nationalists were incensed. In their hearts, Russian nationalists can only be happy when the populace is so green puking drunk on vodka that it doesn’t notice that the power-crazed, egotistical, totalitarian monsters in the government are controlling whatever money the economy generates.

As Russia’s oil wealth accumulated over the last decade, its nationalist political schemers worked on humiliating Georgia. Georgia has a reputation for producing fine wines, and Russia had been the largest market for them. But then, Russia outlawed the importation of Georgian wines, and increased the pressure by arbitrarily raising the price of its oil sold to Georgia. Then, in the wake of the economic misery it had orchestrated, Russia offered Russian passports to the people of South Ossetia. In desperate straits, the people in South Ossetia accepted those Russian passports, and Russia started claiming that those in South Ossetia were “its” people.

There are grey areas in the whole argument, I know. But, basically, Russia economically manipulated the situation to destabilize Georgia, with the aim of accumulating geopolitical power for itself. The Georgians did not want to be sacrificed to that manipulation . . . they saw that Russia was through economic means seeking to gradually erase their country as an independent, democratic entity, and they took steps to stop Russia.

Russia used those steps as a pretext for smashing Georgia’s infrastructure and using overwhelming force even on non-military targets, killing thousands of civilians and injuring many more.

That is why I am so proud of America for taking serious steps to protect Georgia. As Condoleezza Rice said, “This is not 1968 and the invasion of Czechoslovakia, where Russia can threaten its neighbors, occupy a capital, overthrow a government, and get away with it.” I didn’t necessarily expect this strong stand from the United States, but I am very pleased to see it.

The song “Georgia on my Mind” was written by Hoagy Carmichael. And this is Michael Lucas, proud to be sticking up for that Georgia over there, along with my country, the U.S. of A. against the vodka-swilling goons in Moscow.

Posted by Michael at 06:29 PM | Comments (10)

August 04, 2008

HX Column: Not Being Fat? *Abs*olutely Necessary!

I’d never, ever say anything to insult my dear friend and competitor Chi Chi LaRue, but it would, alas, appear that Americans are losing the war against obesity. Not that I don’t sometimes like a little extra padding to hold onto, mind you. Yet it never ceases to amaze me that so many Americans, when they decide they want to lose weight, will do absolutely anything except eat and exercise sensibly. There are more fad diets around than there are Cher impersonators. Besides the superstar fad diets, Atkins and company, there exist Dr. Siegal’s Cookie Diet, the Shangri-La Diet which includes taking olive oil and sugar water between meals, Diet Divas, the F-Factor Diet, the Biggest Loser Club and Fat Loss 4 Idiots, which obviously would not work for a smart person.

I have my fears that as American chains infect Europe and the rest of the world, we will supersize humanity, with the ironic result that descendents of starving children will be hugely obese and suffer diabetes. Worse yet, the French could one day be sitting in a multiplex on the Champs-Elysées, eating gross buttered popcorn while watching even grosser American action films instead of my high-class filthy porno. Oh wait! That’s already happening. Oh well, tant pis!

The mantra for healthy living and losing extra weight is: Eat Less, Exercise More. Did I say use condoms? If you’re a bottom, you can burn more calories by riding a dick then by getting mounted, but don’t spread that info because it could lead to a wave of fat tops. Eating less is particularly important. I’ve seen lots of overweight people working out in the gym for years without any noticeable fat reduction. Just because one breaks a sweat on a treadmill does not mean that one can then pig out on BBQ ribs with heavily-buttered mashed potatoes. And no, I don’t believe it is glandular.

Health shakes can help you to achieve your fitness goals. Did I hear sniggering over the protein to use? Cum, cum now; we’re more mature than that. I recommend putting five raw egg whites in a blender along with non-fat yogurt, a mix of fresh fruits (I love blueberries) and two scoops of Pro-NOS, a high-quality protein powder. It’s delish, but do remember not to take in more calories than you’re using up. Chi Chi and I will be waiting for you on our casting couches.

Posted by Michael at 06:45 PM | Comments (4)

July 28, 2008

FIGURES HE'S ON THE COVER...

Recently, I received the latest issue of BUTT Magazine (#23) in the mail. On the cover is a disgusting picture of Slava Mogutin, who performed in three of my films under the name Tom International. The Butt magazine cover shows Slava’s finger probing his nose in search of boogers. But I’m not writing this blog entry because of that ugly picture. I’m writing because of the way Mogutin refers to me in the article. When asked how he wound up in my Fire Island Cruising videos, he says:

“Well, Michael Lucas lived around the corner from me and he would always be bothering me to appear in his movies.”

Truth to tell, Slava Mogutin and I were quite close friends. But I ended that friendship after realizing that Slava is probably the most selfish, self-centered person I’ve ever met. Not that I make friends in order to be able to rely on them in a difficult moment. I make friends to share moments of happiness and to have a good time.

I met Slava in the winter of 1997. I had just moved to New York. He had received asylum in the U.S. about one year before that. The asylum status had been arranged for him by Robert, his American boyfriend of many years standing. I probably shouldn’t be complaining, because Robert, just like me, is referred to as “this guy,” in the Butt article. Robert was wonderful to Slava. He got him his American residency, staying by Slava’s side through all the difficulties he experienced in Soviet Russia. Robert was paying Slava’s living expenses and also paying for the production and distribution of his “art.” Mainly, that “art” was cheesy and narcissistic autobiographical novels. So I guess I have no right to complain, given that Robert dedicated part of his life to Slava, while I was just a good friend who was always happy to help.

Robert was disposed of shortly after I met Slava, and had found him an apartment in the same building where I lived, something I never derived any pleasure from, and did mostly as a friend, since Mogutin was a lousy performer, who could never keep a hard on. He always demanded to be a top, but always ended up bottoming. He had no energy and was quiet, as if he were knitting something instead of fucking. Yet, his hustler business thrived after he appeared in my movies. So no, I did not bother Slava to be in my films. It was the other way around. I also lent money to my "friend" countless times. But I got a firm no when asked for a return favor. In fact, he said, "Yes, Michael, you've lent me money many times, but that doesn't mean I have to lend you money."

I ended our relationship when I was leaving for a performance in Florida and asked Slava to take my dog for a walk, which he told me he absolutely could not do, since he was incredibly busy that day. I didn't need a friend who doesn't have fifteen minutes for me when I need them most. I’ll add that I was also bothered by Slava’s soft spot for Nazis and their uniforms.

At the same time, I do realize why I was friends with Slava. He has a great sense of humor, which I always appreciate. He can be interesting, and he's definitely creative. We both left Soviet Russia for Capitalist America, and we both fell in love with New York. But the way he was going through life, disposing of people after he was through with them, was simply too much to witness.

That’s what “this guy” Michael Lucas has to say for the Russian "artist" Slava Mogutin.

Posted by Michael at 05:32 PM | Comments (1)

July 22, 2008

Israel & NY Pride

New York celebrated Gay Pride a few weeks ago, and I was happy to see a contingent of Israelis marching in the parade. Lots of New Yorkers were cheering for hot Israeli men (and women). Just another example of something you'd never see in the streets of Cairo or Riyadh.

Posted by Michael at 06:07 PM | Comments (2)

July 07, 2008

HX Column: Cock in Your Tail, Anyone?

If we lived in a saner world, I could say I’m a teetotaler without most people thinking that means I take crystal. Still, those who know me as a non-drinker might be very surprised to learn that in my Lucas Entertainment films, I have made some profound uses of ultra-premium wines. One actor turned in an especially sizzling performance after doing a deep enema with a bottle of Chateau Margaux 1959. It was a hot, wet year at the Chateau and the perfect balance of berry notes, tannins and light oak get an evening going like nothing else, except, perhaps, a bottle of Romanée-Conti. So sophisticated am I in my enological preferences that what I love most is when the terroir gives a wine a taste like freshly-fucked ass. If you can’t tell I’m pulling your leg, then you better have a hot body because you’re not likely to get dates with your intelligence.

In New York, we associate prolonged drinking with sights such as a fat-caboose drag queen passed out face first across a mahogany bar with the frills of her petticoats in shocking disarray around her imperfectly waxed buttocks. Yet in my native Russia, you will not see anything so classy associated with drinking and drunks. The disgusting bloated red-and-blue faced men I saw staggering and puking in public when I was growing up in the land of Tchaikovsky, Tolstoy, vodka and more vodka might as well have had “Cirrhosis” signs hanging off their necks. That isn’t even mentioning that my beloved choke barf Russia is the motherland of the Molotov cocktail.

Given that drinking too much gives men slurred speech and limp dicks, I don’t understand why so many cocktails have sexually evocative names. There’s the Orgasm cocktail made with Bailey’s, Kahlua and Amaretto. That outrages me, because the best recipe for an orgasm is one part hard hairy dick, one part tight butthole and several thousand pelvic thrusts. As for that concoction with crème de cacao and cherry liquor with a maraschino cherry on top; they call it an Angel’s Tit but I say angel’s tit my ass. The Fuzzy Navel, The Slammer, The Sex on the Beach, The Hairy Virgin, The Pink Lady; these are all examples of gross cocktails that have corrupted beautiful words and names normally associated with filthy dirty wonderful perverted sex acts.

In this space, I had thought to say that I don’t mind other men drinking if a guy can hold his liquor. But to tell you the truth, it’s much better if instead of holding his liquor, a man deploys it to advantage in a soaking wet watersports scene. What is the use of drinking a Bellini, a Cosmopolitan, an Appletini or any of those other brightly colored cheap fairy drinks they serve at gay bars if afterwards you aren’t going to plug your hose down a throat and let her rip?

In closing, I’m going to state that for me, all of the cultural glory associated with drinking and cocktails is summed up in the name of the signature drink of Quark’s Bar & Restaurant at the Las Vegas Hilton. Made with gin, rum, vodka, blue Curaçao and God knows what else, it is called Adios Motherfucker.

Posted by Michael at 11:39 AM | Comments (2)

June 10, 2008

Tel Aviv Gay Pride -- June 6, 2008

Hello everyone, and particularly my dear liberal friends or, rather, all of the degraded left-wing ignoramuses. Check out these pictures from gay pride in Tel Aviv and let me know if Israel is, in your opinion, a gay friendly society or you still want to take a tour to Palestine, Saudi Arabia, or any other countries and fight for the freedom of the oppressed Mullahs and goat-fuckers in the desert.

Posted by Michael at 06:50 PM | Comments (6)

June 09, 2008

HX Column: To Go-Go or Not to Go-Go

You could wonder whether there’s some perverted sexual significance to the round window holes in The Maritime Hotel at 363 West 16th Street. Or you could just go to Erich Conrad’s Cuckoo Club there on Sunday night and contemplate the sexual meaning of the great dancers shakin’ their junk.

People sometimes get so into flexing glutes and waving glo-sticks that they don’t even stop to think that go-go dancing has a proud history. Once upon a time in New York City, at a place called the Peppermint Lounge, go-go dancing shot off its first titty-jiggle. Of course, the go-go pioneers were females, clearing a path for gloriously gay go-go boys. By the late 1970s, the Peppermint had morphed into G.G. Barnum's Room. Most of the patrons were trannies; the go-go boys danced on trapeze above a net over the dance floor. Xenon, also in the Big Apple, was the first club to place go-go boxes for any Tom, Dick or Harriette to shimmy their stuff.

And then came Madonna. As a go-go historian, I am here to tell you that without Madonna’s influence, there probably would not today be a gay club in Waikiki called Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand, advertising its go-go boys and the fact that it is just steps from Queen’s Surf Beach.

For the pros and would-be pros, go-go dancing is physically very tough. Porn stars moonlighting (you should forgive the pun with moon) as go-go dancers might bring in some decent money. But the average Joe pecs-and-butt has to get up on that cube for peanuts and pray to the sex gods for decent tips.

Hold on to your hats, gentlemen; I have a boner to pick. Uhm; didn’t come out exactly as I intended, but as long as they’re coming out, who are we to complain? I am sick unto death of seeing straight boys go-going in gay clubs. Mainly, they don’t smile, they don’t make eye contact with the audience and it’s a miracle if they even show a curl or two of pubic hair. How exciting, whoop-dee-doo; if I wanted to go to a bachelorette party I would find one. These straight go-go imposters in gay clubs act like it is a big deal to go down on their knees and take a dollar, without even giving a blow job. I ask you; doesn’t that suck? The correct answer is of course “Yes, it doesn’t.”

Nothing is as fascinating as etymology; “go-go,” you should know-know., has its roots in the old French word la gogue, meaning joy. It evolved into joie in French, gioia in Italian and go-go in an English word universally recognized and understood. So what are these joyless straight boys doing, polluting our gay clubs? Speaking of pollution, the standards for some of these so-called go-goers have to go. If you’re a go-go dancer, you absolutely can not eat carbohydrates as if each gram of carbs were a dick or an ass.

Posted by Michael at 12:32 PM | Comments (1)

June 05, 2008

Spider-Man Attacks Midtown New York

One of the benefits of an office on 8th Avenue is having a great view of the New York Times Tower!

Posted by Michael at 06:41 PM | Comments (2)

May 21, 2008

When Haters Hate

The Puritanical right-wing hate machine has recently gone into conniptions over the Michael Lucas Wikipedia entry as well as various other entries that include some sexual imagery.

Never mind that anybody can walk into major museums of the world and see equally graphic sexual imagery on urns from ancient Greece. The Puritanical haters, the morality police, come out in a show of force, convinced that if people are exposed to sexual imagery on the internet, the fabric of society will come ripping apart at its seams.

You can’t believe how far they will go. I can respect anybody for rationally expressing a point of view in an appropriate place. But in recent months, the Wikipedia entry about me was being sabotaged by haters and made into a muddle of idiocy having nothing to do with who I am and what I do. An obsessed hater or stalker doesn’t think twice before turning an entry into a hate-filled, disorganized jumble.

Enter David Shankbone, an accomplished journalist who has served as a Wikipedia editor. Among his credits are interviews with Augusten Burroughs, Shimon Peres, Evan Wolfson, Eric Bogosian, Al Sharpton and Larry Kramer. His work as a photographer is of a very high caliber; he has done photographic portraits of Susan Sarandon, Madonna, Jim McGreevey, Floyd Abrams and Julianne Moore, among many others. In February, David noted that the article about me was becoming a muddle and decided to put some order into it. For example, he fixed my name to reflect that my family name is Bregman, but was given at birth my mother's maiden name, Treivas, in an effort to circumvent the anti-Semitism of the 1970s.

For making such changes, David Shankbone was made the object of harassment and, believe it or not, death threats. He aimed to provide those interested with accurate information presented from an enlightened perspective. He wanted to rationally counter hysteria over allegedly ubiquitous victimization and drug use within the industry, and I naturally approve of that aim. Those who have worked with me and/or read me know that I take strong stands against drugs, and pride in treating my full-time and contract employees well.

Matt Barber of Concerned Women for America, and additionally the profoundly anti-gay fake journalism site WorldNetDail wrote a series of tirades against the sexual imagery on Wikipedia. They even targeted the image from the cover of Virgin Killer, an album by the German heavy metal band The Scorpions. The image is widely available elsewhere on the internet, including on Amazon, yet these parties are accusing Wikipedia of violating federal obscenity laws for leaving it on the site despite their protests.

That album cover depicts a young female, but most of the protests made against the sexual imagery on Wikipedia are made specifically because the imagery is gay. Yet my company is a model for producing safe sexual entertainment. Condoms are used at all times in Lucas productions. Besides, Wikipedia is informational. The images of fireballs in the World Trade Towers before they collapsed are also on Wikipedia, but Concerned Women for America and WorldNetDaily aren’t protesting those images. You could argue that those images empower terrorists. And maybe they actually do. But should those images be banned from Wikipedia? The Wikipedia article on Violence in Hockey shows violence taking place, but these loonies don’t protest it. Not that they should. It’s informational and illustrative of the accompanying text. So have been the pictures accompanying the article on me, some of them taken by David Shankbone himself.

Wikipedia has identified a particular IP in Northern New Jersey responsible for cyber-vandalism of many gay-related articles on its site. Both David and I have received death threats. I ask you!

Posted by Michael at 11:14 AM | Comments (1)

April 22, 2008

To the Americans who filled up Yankee Stadium to see the Pope:

I couldn't help but notice how much they look alike!

Posted by Michael at 10:46 AM | Comments (6)

April 14, 2008

HX column: Cheating, Infidelity, Break-Ups

The recent spate of sex scandals involving politicians and celebrities cheating on their partners has sparked numerous debates about monogamy, cheating and relationships. I know lots of couples who choose monogamy, some of whom actually stay monogamous. In others, one or often both partners are sleeping around and even having long-term affairs. Often, it's generated by the refusal of one or both partners to overcome jealousy. Or is it their desire to control the other partner? It's complicated. I don't want to talk about open relationships; I know of many that work and don't work. What about more "traditional" monogamous relationships with cheating partners?

I've always advised my friends not to snoop into their partner's computer or cell phone. What you will often find is a long buddy list, frequent access to Manhunt and, sometimes, even passionate affairs with explicit pictures and promises of eternal love. So what is better: not knowing, pretending not to know or a confrontation?

Confronting it often leads to a break-up, since we usually slip into a drama that lasts for days or weeks and makes everything seem nastier and more disgusting. So what would become of the relationship when one knows about their partner cheating, but refuses to confront it? Usually frustration that builds up over time and eventually turns to anger, hate, and the desire to inflict pain. So it seems like a choice between a dramatic break-up or hateful silence (which will probably lead to a break-up anyway).

I think the most important thing is to look at the root of the problem. Why is your partner cheating? Is it a sex addiction? Or maybe a loss of passion? In both situations, cheating will never bring you closer. If you want to keep your relationship, drop your affairs and try to re-light the fire. There is a certain theory that if you only sleep with the same person and don't look at other men as potential sex objects, you will automatically be sexually driven towards him. Otherwise, in the end you risk finding yourself alone with your Manhunt profile and a membership to the West Side Club, which really result in nothing more than disappointments, unsatisfying hook-ups, STDs and a feeling of guilt. Prioritize accordingly!

XXX,
Michael Lucas
4/11/08

Posted by Michael at 12:10 PM | Comments (9)

April 01, 2008

My Mother

My mother in our country house near Moscow in the early 1950s.

My beautiful mother has passed away in her home in Brooklyn at the age of 59, following a nearly ten year battle against cancer.

After undergoing numerous surgeries and courses of chemotherapy, she was told by doctors that the cancer had metastasized throughout her body. She decided she did not want to be under doctors’ care any longer. Whether that was the best possible decision for her to make, we respected her wishes. She was terrified to have anything more to do with doctors. She became tempted by people selling herbal remedies, whom in my dictionary are charlatans. We struggled within ourselves at times, thinking we should call an ambulance, and yet, we did maintain respect for her wishes.

My father was heroic in the care he gave to my mother. She refused to have a nurse. So for the last eight months, my father stopped working and instead cared for her twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, staying by her bedside. I don’t know which of them was suffering more, as the moral torture of seeing a loved one dying and not being able to help might be harder, but I can only wish for everybody to have a partner who loves them as much as my father loved my mother. This was an exceptional couple, and a great love.

The tragedy is especially acute for me, as my grandfather passed away, also from cancer, one year ago on December 31. And I will need to adjust to having most of my remaining family in Russia. My brother moved back to Moscow one year ago, having secured a job there, and meanwhile met a Russian girl whom he will marry. My father has decided to join them in living there, because staying in Brooklyn where he cared for my mother would be too difficult emotionally. He does have hopes for the future though, and especially, I believe, that my brother and his wife will give him grandchildren. My maternal grandmother is the only immediate relative to remain here with me.

My father has decided to have my mother interred in Russia, and will be transporting her there on Saturday. A service is to be held at a Jewish funeral home in Brooklyn this Thursday. People close to my mother, my family, my partner and me may contact Bryan Christopher in my office for details.

The pain is as great as the love was profound, but I will always remember my mother for her limitless values, culture, heart, and sense of family.

My mother with me at 6 months old.

Another of my mother with me at 6 months old.

My mother.

My father in 1972.

My family in New York in 2004.

04/16 ADDENDUM: I wrote more about my mother exclusively for Queerty here.

Posted by Michael at 06:00 PM | Comments (21)

March 27, 2008

NY Blade column: Oh No Bama

Hillary is stronger on security—and that is favorable to progress in gay rights.

By Michael Lucas
Friday, March 14, 2008
http://nyblade.com/2008/3-14/viewpoint/opinion/1211NoBama.cfm

GAYS SHOULD BE hoping that Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic candidate for president in the general election. Hillary isn’t stronger than Barack Obama on just gay rights; she’s also stronger than her opponent on national security issues. Obama, in my opinion, is feeding off a stupid and dangerous tendency among American voters to go for a fresh face over a seasoned mind.

It’s worth mentioning that firstly, I can’t imagine Obama beating McCain in November. Many current polls reinforce that idea for me. Parenthetically, I’ll state that McCain is not the worst person the Republicans could nominate.

In most other places in the world, political experience is valued as a prerequisite for holding high office. Unfortunately in America, we’ve seen relatively inexperienced people such as Jimmy Carter and the two Bushes leapfrogging over better candidates by virtue of, quite frankly, idiocy among the voters and the media.

When Al Gore ran against W. in 2000, the media for some reason never got tired of asking voters with whom they would rather have a beer—Bush or Gore. Bush won the beer drinkers’ opinion poll and the election. Why do so many Americans, when it comes to such serious matters as choosing a president, value supposed likeability over political chops?

Then too, I can’t understand why anybody would base his or her choice for president on the candidate’s gender, skin color, or religion. Political matters are too important to be decided on that basis. I know Americans understand very little about politics, so it is appropriate for me to remind readers that the word “politics” comes from a Greek noun which translated to English means “the science of the state, the art of governing and the art of administrating the destiny of the nation.” So no matter how tempting it might be to have a “first” this or that minority member as president, the decision regarding for whom to vote should be based exclusively on the candidate’s platform, experience, knowledge and ability to lead the nation. And I would not shy away from voting for the right person even if he happens to belong to the Republican Party.

I HOPE I DON’T have to go through all the details of everything good we know about Hillary: her education at Wellesley and Yale, her stands on issues, her support for gay rights, and her status as First Lady of Arkansas, a very involved First Lady of eight years, and then as a two term U.S. Senator. Among her many accomplishments as Senator are her taking a leading role in investigating health problems experienced by 9/11 emergency workers and her voting against the Federal Marriage Amendment twice. We should not forget that Hillary has been very candid and open about her long friendship with her lesbian college roommate Eldie Acheson. And it was also nice to see Sen. Clinton march more than once in gay pride parades.

Then you look at Obama, a typical example of an American presidential candidate rising from almost nowhere. He’s a first-term senator, and his greatest plus appears to be his perceived articulateness. Don’t get me wrong. Being articulate is great. We definitely have been stuck with a loser in that department for the length of the Bush presidency (his ability to speak could only be compared to one Yasser Arafat), and having a president who can speak English better than W. will be a humongous relief. But it isn’t as if Hillary weren’t articulate.

And we don’t know very much about Obama vis-à-vis gay issues beyond his flowery speeches. Here, by the way, is something Mr. Articulate said to the Chicago Tribune: “I’m a Christian. And so, although I try not to have my religious beliefs dominate or determine my political views on this issue, I do believe that tradition, and my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman.”

Every time that Obama’s campaign hits a snag with an anti-gay Obama supporter, Obama emerges to make one of his enchanting monologues. It happened with Donnie McClurkin; it happened with Louis Farrakhan. McClurkin is a bogus jerk suffering from internalized homophobia; he advocates for ex-gay ministries. Farrakhan on the other hand has as his occupation leading the Nation of Islam. He has said that the white man is “the skunk of the earth.” So much for rapprochement. As recently as February 2006, Farrakhan said “"These false Jews promote the filth of Hollywood. It's the wicked Jews, the false Jews that are promoting lesbianism, homosexuality.”

Yet Obama had to be prodded, by Hillary Clinton, towards a full rejection of Farrakhan’s support. As Sen. Clinton said: “There’s a difference between denouncing and rejecting.” Speaking of her 2000 campaign to become senator, she said “I made it very clear that I did not want their support, I rejected it. I would not be associated with people that make such comments.” Hillary said that to Obama’s face, whereupon Obama did say that he “would” reject Farrakhan. But where is the official communication from Obama rejecting Farrakhan and his support?

Do we really need a president who can’t be bothered to reject a supporter who says that it’s the wicked Jews that are promoting lesbianism and homosexuality? Isn’t it strange that Obama didn’t find the right words of complete rejection? Something like this would do: “You, sir, should never mention my name in any of your ‘speeches,’ because you and those who support you disgust me and I would rather lose my candidacy than have your support.” Instead, he carefully minced his words.

Then there’s the question of who is supporting Obama. I would like to rest my case by having you go to the website www.muslimsforobama08.com. It has an English audio translation of the Koran for you to enjoy. I’m not interested in voting for a candidate supported by terrorists and candidates for the terrorists.

It’s important to remember that progress in gay rights in the United States has a connection to what is happening in our international relations. Hillary offers sound experience and wisdom in dealing with friend and foe alike. Obama wants to talk directly with Iran’s President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He’s the monster who has gays hung in public squares, and then denies that gays are hung in his country on the basis that there are no gays in his country. What is Obama going to talk to that eternal terrorist about?

If there were another terrorist attack on American soil, the electorate would vote for politicians even more conservative that Bush, and as a result, expanding gay rights would have a very low priority in the country. In the past seven years, terrorists have carried out attacks in Spain, Great Britain and many other places—but not in the U.S. We are doing something right, and I don’t want Obama to change that.

Hillary’s campaign was criticized for releasing a dramatic television advertisement in Texas intimating that she is stronger than Obama on national security. But if you look at these two candidates’ records, it’s clear that Hillary truly is stronger on security. And homeland security, when all is said and done, is favorable to progress in gay rights. Were a combination of Obama’s naïveté and greenness to result in a terrorist attack on the U.S., a certain casualty of that attack would afterward be gay rights. So I close as I opened: We should all be hoping that Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic candidate for president in the general election.

Posted by Michael at 01:59 PM | Comments (14)

March 26, 2008

HX column: Big Porn Star on Campus

I know this HX column is from a couple weeks ago (March 14th, to be exact), but I didn't have the chance to post it until now:

I was recently invited to speak at Stanford University. They thought I could help spread the Safe Sex message. Spreading that message is a hell of a lot better than spreading absolutely horrible, nightmarish things such as HIV, syphilis and gonorrhea.

What shocked me, though, was the ignorance on the part of the majority of Stanford University students regarding HIV. These supposedly intelligent students at Stanford revealed an annoying, camel-like stubbornness about understanding the ABC's of HIV transmission.

The truth is that condoms do work. I dutifully reminded people that one must always use fresh condoms with plenty of good, water-soluble lubricant. Some of these jerks were still whining at me about what would happen if a condom broke and the bottom getting joyously fucked wound up infected. With all the holes I have fucked (always using fresh condoms and good quality, water-soluble lube) I have never had a condom break. Could it be that these whining morons at Stanford are all just too stupid to check to see whether the condom they are about to use has expired? Or is it a money issue? Maybe somebody could take up a collection for them, so that when they're fucking in the back seat of their BMWs, they'll have fresh condoms to use.

These supposed scholars at Stanford argued at me using "statistics," and then weren't able to tell me the source of those statistics. When I invited them to reason, they reacted like the idiot in Mao Tse-Tung's famous saying: "If you point at the moon with a finger, the idiot looks at the finger and sees the finger. Not the moon." Mao also said, "Learn from the masses, and then teach them."

But I'm going to go one better than that. I've learned from the masses at Stanford University, and now I'm going to teach the elite, beautiful gay readers of HX that you should always, without exception, use fresh condoms and plenty of water-soluble lube. If Miss Thing has a tub of Crisco out on the night table, do not fuck her. Do not let her fuck you, either. If by some chance your condom does break, then please go to the emergency room. Remember that you have 72 hours to get a 28-day supply of medication to take religiously, and then you'll be just fine.

XXX,
Michael Lucas

Posted by Michael at 04:15 PM | Comments (0)

March 21, 2008

Give Me the Presidency and I Will Make America Post-Racial

First, and most importantly, Obama is just another politician -- typical and banal. He stretches the truth and lies when controversy arises, when momentum is lost, and when victory no longer seems to be simple and definite. "Did I ever hear [Reverend Jeremiah Wright] make remarks that could be controversial while I sat in church? Yes." Well, I've seen Obama being interviewed by everyone from CNN to Fox News. Each and every journalist asks him the same question: Did he ever hear any controversial remarks from his pastor? Each time Obama looked into the interviewer's eyes and said firmly "No, never." "But did anyone tell you about any such remarks?" insisted Anderson Cooper. "No, never," was the answer.

So what made Obama change this answer in just a few days? The answer is simple: Politics. We all knew way too well that Obama was lying when every television station was playing the numerous, nasty tirades by his pastor. Of course, how could he not know? Even if I were to imagine that he missed church every time Rev. Wright would blast against Whites, Jews and gays; praise his friend Louis Farrakhan (no stranger to blasting against Jews and gays); or speak about a trip to see Libyan dictator Qadaffi (whom both "Reverends" visited)... Even if I believed that no one were to say to Obama, "What a great speech you missed last week," I will still never believe that Obama didn't know the basic beliefs of a friend of twenty years.

Obama should never have tried to explain his relationship with Rev. Wright. He should have just denounced it, again and again and again. He also should have never defended the Trinity Church, which is so "full of righteous laughter, and sometimes bawdy humor." Your church is ugly, homophobic, and anti-Semitic, Mr. Obama, just like most other black churches and numerous white churches. Your relationship with Rev. Wright is nothing but an embarrassment and in my opinion, highly suspicious.

"Rev. Wright helped introduce me to my Christian faith," said Obama. I know this should sound like music for Christian Fundamentalists. And like every other politician, this is what Obama is going for. But I just don't think that in order to be introduced to convert from Islam to Christianity, one should turn himself to a fascist like Rev. Wright (and you don't even know how difficult it is for me to say "Reverend" when I speak about Jesse Jackson or Louis Farrakhan or Wright. In this country it's so easy to be respected... just shove the word "Reverend" before your name).

To say that we do not talk about race enough is just like hearing Paris Hilton say that we're not talking enough about dumb celebrities whose status has no substance. America talks more about race than John McCain talked about his time in Vietnamese captivity, John Edwards about his son, and John Kerry about his war record. So what kind of post-racial candidate are you if you think we need to talk about race more? If you really believe that we need to talk about race, then stop calling yourself post-racial.

I am post-racial. Or rather, I was never racial. The subject of race has always been foreign to me: I'm not interested in excusing Rev. Wright's crazed racism. I'm also not interested in treating minorities like retarded people. I'm not interested in degrading them by putting them on affirmative action programs. I also think that it's quite low to compare Wright's racism to Obama's white grandmother who apparently confessed to a fear of black men in the streets. Wright accused white people of inventing AIDS to kill black men, and you are comparing this man to your grandmother? A person like that can only be compared to Rosie O'Donnell, who believed that 9-11 is an inside job, something orchestrated by the U.S. government. In other words, to someone who hates America, and who wants others to hate it as well.

Obama is not looking for an excuse for his grandmother. His grandmother is guilty, full stop. It's Rev. Wright who is being excused throughout the whole speech. So what's Obama's way out? What is his solution? He gives it you throughout the whole speech: give him the presidency, and only then maybe, just maybe, all talks about race will be over.

Posted by Michael at 12:21 PM | Comments (10)

March 15, 2008

Per Your Requests

I've been asked by many to write about my take on Governor Spitzer's scandal. I don't think there's much controversy on the subject. As you can imagine, I don't have an issue with a governor hiring escorts.

I believe escorts are great for those who are stuck in their offices, be it in Washington, DC, or Albany. It's a good thing to have an escort who can be invited for an hour to relieve you from stress so you can get back to serving the country. My issue is not with hookers, sex, or issues Spitzer has with his wife... that's his private business. I think Monica Lewinsky was providing a great relief to Bill Clinton, a relief that his wife was too busy to provide (and no, I'm not blaming her for that at all). With apologies to the former president, it's the hypocrisy, stupid (those who remember the Monica scandal will remember what I mean).

All of the fellowing politicians are hypocrites: Bill Clinton (who instead of acting like French President Sarkoszy, decided to lie to the entire world and didn't tell everyone to mind their own business), Jesse Jackson, Larry Craig, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, former Spokane Mayor James West, the Rev. Ted Haggart, Newt Gingrich, Strong Thurmond, Mark Foley, Rudy Guiliani, Gary Condit, Ted Bargin, Bob Packwood, Henry Hype, and let's not forget "gay icon" James MacGreevy (as I've always said, it's a mystery why he was endorsed by gay groups... do we really have to worship liars who come out of the closet only when forced to?). And of course, there are all those Catholic priests. This list covers just the last decade of hypocrisy. If I went back starting with Jim Bakker though John Kennedy and finally finishing with Thomas Jefferson, that would be a long, long list in between.

Hypocrisy is nothing new and has been talked about on so many levels and in so many words that there is nothing much left for me to say. However, I will tell you that Spitzer's actions would be perfect for serious psychoanalysis. How can a man climbing up the political ladder all his life (and in Spitzer's case, with the support of his billionaire father who paid for everything from universities to his apartment on 79th Street) flush everything down the drain... and all for a vagina? I wouldn't be surprised if the man committed suicide. Just imagine: this man will never be able to dream about becoming President (something everyone was predicting), never be able to look into the eyes of his supporters, never be able to go to the restaurants he frequented, to the Whitney Museum (which is right across from his apartment), to attend his daughters' school parties, etc.

What it all comes down to is that I have no pity for a hypocrite who was a crusader against prostitution. Spitzer is a disgrace to his class. But, sadly, so are so many others who came before him—no pun intended—and who will no doubt come after him, as well.

Posted by Michael at 03:45 PM | Comments (8)

February 29, 2008

Cairo, The City of Liars and Thieves

Did you know that when you arrive in the airport in Cairo, Egypt, what greets you is a sign saying that people with drugs will be punished by hanging?

Having just spent four days in Cairo, I repeat something I will never tire of saying; those who don’t go to these places have no business talking about them. I had an idea that Egypt would be like a majority of the other third-world Islamic countries I’ve visited, but nothing had prepared me for seeing people living in such wretched squalor. Cairo is far dirtier than Mexico City and Calcutta combined; the city is basically one big trash can.

The place is like the lowest ring of Dante’s Inferno, without the great poetry. Never have I been in a city with such disgusting and ubiquitous environmental pollution. No matter what kind of human depravity you might have witnessed in the traffic circulation in any other city, Calcutta, Mexico City, wherever, you have not seen true automotive barbarity until you have been to this place. The roads are wide but nobody understands the concept of driving in a lane. What passes for a car looks like a banged up anchovy can on wobbly wheels, with black smoke belching out behind it. Picture endless numbers of such contraptions weaving in and around each other in a chaotically violent muddle. Picture open trucks of cattle pooping away in the middle of that mess. There is an appearance that nobody has informed the civil engineers of Cairo of the invention of the traffic light. With the madness of banged up anchovy can cars in this driving hell, there is a very small chance that any driver will stop for a man to cross the road. But there is as good a chance of them slowing down for a woman as for a dog. It is hardly surprising that there are about 6,000 auto related deaths here every year.

Of 20 million people in Cairo, it seems to be that ten million are driving cars and that the other ten are using the subway and train system. I have seen unpleasant subways, but this takes the cake and the cake was baked from shit. Riding it is a cruel experience, which I decided to try one day. To board, mobs attack the train, pushing each other in groups to get on, working with their elbows. The doors don’t close all the way but the trains start moving anyhow, with dozens of people falling off as they do. Arriving at a stop, the mobs inside can’t get out because the mobs outside won’t let them. People get off where they are able to get off, not where they would like to. By the time I got out of that subway, I felt like I had been through a boxing match with Mohammed Ali.

Because Four Seasons hotels are dependable, I often choose to stay in them, and did so in Cairo. The opulence of this Four Seasons property, if anything, outshines that of most of their others. Extravagant floral arrangements, deep plush lobby seats and sofas, sumptuous décor, all in shocking contrast to the incredible poverty and filth right outside the sparkly front doors. While there are some American and European tourists, the majority of the customers are from other Muslim countries in the Gulf.

Employees of the Cairo Four Seasons Hotel and its restaurants were so servile that it troubled me. On the premises, one sees processions of rich sheiks surrounded by their many wives, some of those wives in full burkhas, some with facial veils only, but always carrying Louis Vuitton bags. The style of catering to these super-rich sheiks and their entourages involves the hotel and restaurant employees demeaning themselves in a preposterous way. For example, you can not take a few sips of a wine or water glass without having the servers ask if you would like for them to replace the glass with a fresh one. Whenever a server has finished interacting with a table, he takes his leave of the people there as though they were the Queen of England and her court, taking two steps backwards, bowing, practically in a prayer position. I asked a waiter who was requesting this humiliatingly obsequious service, if it was the Saudis demanding it. He told me no, that it was Americans asking to be treated that way. I told him that he was lying, that we in America do not force waiters to behave this way.

I asked the manager about this tradition, she was an American with Egyptian background and looking into my eyes she tried to lie to me that Americans request this. I briefly explained to her that this is making people behave like slaves. Of course I didn’t get any comprehensible response; but I did get an extra huge bowl of fruit delivered to my room.

Egypt is a nation of liars, they lie everywhere, and can not be trusted even when asked what time it is. The only time they are speaking the truth is when they talk about their hate for Israel and Jews. In a taxi, I passed a museum. When asked, the driver told me it was a ceramics museum. But then I saw that it was a museum dedicated to the 1973 war against Israel. I asked him who won that war. (This was the famous Yom Kipper War, which began when Egypt and Syria made a surprise attack on Israel on the High Holy Day of Yom Kipper. Israel quickly won.) Nevertheless, the driver told me that Egypt had won that war. I’m sorry I didn’t have time to visit the museum to see how these ratfinks distort history. These Egyptians lie, lie, lie, every step of the way.

The whole time I was there, looking around for openly gay men, I didn’t see one. I of course know they exist in Cairo. But after all the recent arrests and terror against them, they have probably changed their meeting places. Tourist guide books tell you they do that as a survival technique. As in every Muslim city, there are men wandering around together hand in hand, or with a hand around another man’s arm or shoulder. This is described by Muslims as their “local tradition.” Everything in the Muslim world gets explained away by the left wing Muslim apologists as “local tradition,” the new term for shit such as the mutilation of people accused of theft, and genital mutilation of young women. But let me tell you that the “local tradition” does not stop at hand holding; they also jerk each other off, and/or suck each other and/or fuck. Because of the extreme segregation of the sexes, there is no way for the men to have sex with women before marriage. Do you really think they all wait? When they see foreign gays, they see two main opportunities; 1) to get money; 2) to get sucked off or fuck, and usually, they are aiming to have sex and get paid for it. The proposition comes in the rudest, nastiest ways. They have actually learned a few words of English, and can say “me fuck you” or “you suck me.” One of them is still moaning over his genitals from the kick I gave him between his legs right after his proposal for me to suck him off.

Don’t get me wrong. There are stunning things to see in Egypt, especially the monuments of the Pharaonic culture. But to see those monuments, you pay a very high price in terms of what you have to put up with going on around them. Hoards of thieves loiter in touristy places, especially around the pyramids. They loiter around their “merchandise” and have many ways of getting into your wallet. At every step they accost you, some with their trays of ugly faux-Pharaonic souvenirs which they try to pass off as authentic objets d’art from antiquity. A simple “no” never works. They dog your steps with their shit. Often, they approach you with their camels and their donkeys, offering you to be photographed with the livestock. They swear they are doing it to show “hospitality” and that they don’t want any money for it. Afterwards, they demand unreasonable amounts. Their demands become even more absurd towards the evening, and can go like this; they come yelling “You have to give me money, because you were photographed with my camel in the background.”

These duty merchants slow everything down tremendously; you can barely take a step around those pyramids because they are clogging all walkways up with their garbage. Fake gold, fake stones, statues of Pharaohs, and other ugly things which stupid tourists buy out of lack of taste. God forbid you should trip over one of those objects in trying to avoid them. They’re going to yell that you have to buy it immediately, quoting some crazy price, as of course the object is from the ancient Egyptian period. If you refuse, they will curse you, all your relatives and all of your offspring. I doubt that when the Pharaohs were building their tombs that they thought they would become the operating grounds of a ragged Islamic mafia. It’s not as if that Islamic mafia cares about the Pharoahs’ tombs, anyway. The pre-Islamic culture means nothing to them. They shit and piss right on the walls of the pyramids. They throw their trash and their bags all around, polluting the place without end. And I’m sure they would blow them up just like the Taliban blew up the Buddhist relics of the 4th century, except that they know that without the Pharaonic monuments, they’d never attract even one tourist.

It would seem they gave up their Islamic tradition of mutilating thieves because the thieves are trying to steal from you everywhere you go, including in the bazaar Khan el-Khalili, where they sell plastic tchotchkes and cheap stones with, as usual, the claim that the things are ancient artifacts. They are there with this crap every step of your way, around the museums, around restaurant entrances; everywhere. “Muslim hospitality” in turns out extends to forcing you into a broken down store-front, forcing a nasty tea into your mouth and then trying to sell you some piece of garbage for $100. Some fools pay that. Others get into haggling over the price, and when they get the piece of crap down to $5 bring it home and brag to their friends about the great deal they made for a plastic piece of junk.

Tonight, thank goodness, I am leaving this cesspool and returning to Tel Aviv, where I will breathe fresh air and be surrounded by civilized people.

Gay sex tourists, including those who like rough trade, can take my word for it that in Egypt, even at the age of 25 the young men have swollen bellies like pregnant women. They dress and smell like camels. You should definitely instead go to a place like Puerto Rico where the air is cleaner and they know how to treat tourists as though their experience in the country mattered. Besides, those Boricua papis with their big dark hairy dicks and bubble butts have what it takes, if you are looking for a real hombre.

Posted by Michael at 02:49 PM | Comments (7)

February 21, 2008

I Stand With Israel, I Stand With Jews

Today was my first day in Israel in over a year. Yes, it's been a while since I last left, when yet another war had been unleashed by Muslim barbarians, at that time by Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, who took over Lebanon, destroyed its churches, Muslim-ized it, and turned a once-beautiful Christian country into a terrorist's heaven.

I will call it, "I Stand With Israel, I Stand With Jews":

It makes no sense that all over the world there are hordes of protesters who march with rainbow flags and paint swastikas on the eyes and foreheads of Israeli leaders.

It makes no sense why the so-called Left is putting on the same level the stabbing by the Hasidic Jew of gay demonstrators at the pride parade in Jerusalem three years ago, to the thousands of decapitations, stonings and hangings that are a part of a daily life in the world of Islam.

It makes no sense that all over the world they boycott Israeli goods. They, who do not give a rat's ass about Palestinians but are just so anti-Semitic that they are happy to ally with the most ghastly ideology in the world.

It makes no sense that American President Jimmy Carter can write an anti-Semitic book comparing Israel to the Apartheid regime, criticizing Israelis for everything and Muslims for nothing.

It makes no sense that the president of Iran, who voted to nuke Israel and who denied the Holocaust, can be hosted by the United States and receive standing ovations at Columbia University (by probably the same students who did boycott my talk on safe sex because of my views on Islam).

It makes no sense that all over the world there are those who burn synagogues, urinate on their walls, and destroy Jewish cemeteries.

It makes no sense that they give the Nobel Prize to the likes of Yasser Arafat, this eternal ultra terrorist who authorized the killings of thousands and poisoned the minds of millions. Who taught kids how to become suicide bombers until his death in a FRENCH hospital. It doesn't make sense to me that after keeping his people in shit and sending all their financial aid directly to his Swiss accounts, he still remains a symbol of a revolutionary, a symbol of a peace fighter.

It makes no sense that film producers and directors all over the world make films and documentaries sympathizing with Muslims and bashing Israelis. That TV stations, from CNN to BBC, cry for Muslim deaths and downplay Israeli deaths and 50 years of Israeli struggle for surviving.

It makes no sense that world politicians, American ones included, are demanding the withdrawal of Israeli troops from territories that we gained through the wars that were started by Muslim countries in order to destroy Her.

It makes no sense that the world governments (the most ghastly and totalitarian included) are demanding a Palestinian state (read: a terrorist state), built next to the state of Israel.

It makes no sense to me that the world is pushing for Israel to negotiate with barbarians, to attempt dialogue with those whom dialogue is impossible and with which dialogue will only become a monologue.

It makes no sense to me that the world does not understand that no matter how much Israel will give, how much land She will give up, how many compromises She will make, Her neighbors will not stop with their demands until the only democracy in the region is pushed into the sea.

It makes no sense that the sheiks and oil bags of Saudi Arabia, who are sponsoring terrorists, are sleeping over in the White House, shaking hands and kissing with our politicians, presidents included.

It makes no sense to me that the world news media undermined the death tolls of Israelis, stating that more of them are killed daily in car accidents.

It makes no sense that more than 60 years after the end of the World War II and the Holocaust, Jews are still not able to get their money from Swiss banks and their properties that were stolen from them by European Nazis.

BUT... Let me be honest:

I also do not understand and cannot make sense of the Israeli patience, which I more and more see as a masochism which one day will bring the Israeli Jews to extermination.

I don't understand how Israelis can be so patient with their corrupted governments, presidents, and prime ministers, who are so incapable of protecting their people from suicide bombers, from deadly missiles, and from Katyusha rockets.

I don't understand how Israelis can tolerate a government that lets their enemies build their terrorist infrastructures right under their very eyes.

I don't understand how Israel can tolerate the useless "politicians" who betrayed their army—which was once so glorious and capable of defeating not one but six invading armies—to the point of losing the war with Hezbollah.

I don't understand how Israelis can allow the deeply anti-Semitic United Nations and European Union to push on Israel their ridiculous resolutions.

It makes no sense to me why the people who have been tortured for millenniums are now keeping their watchful eye on Europe—scared to be disapproved by it—and would not take their own security in their own hands (Are Israelis so naive to think that the world would ever appreciate Israel for any "right-doing"?).

It makes no sense why the State of Israel is not capable of making a decision of blowing away the barbarians that are plotting against Her and keep of no secret of wanting to erase Her from the world maps.

I stand with Israel, I stand with Jews, regardless of how I will be viewed in America where I live, and in Europe where I regularly work, and by friends and enemies alike.

Posted by Michael at 08:03 PM | Comments (14)

February 20, 2008

A response

re: today's Stanford Daily article "Op-Ed: The power of knowledge"

Mr. Mohammed Ali, Sir.

The fact that you followers of the "Prophet" at Stanford University were trying to boycott me, just proved the fact that Islam is a religion that doesn’t allow for second opinions. And don’t tell me what subject I am qualified to talk about, because in this country, there is such thing as freedom of speech and freedom of opinion. Respect it.

You would have people believe that I can not possibly have knowledge of Islam because I am not a scholar, because I did not get some piece of paper from some university that panders to the fascistic Islamic point of view, which unfortunately so many European and American universities do.

I have a law degree, and access to the best of libraries with their great books, as well as access to the internet, which spreads news around the world within seconds. I read papers from all over the world, and I travel to the countries where your brothers of faith live.

There are so many things I could talk about here, but you see, I have a plane to catch. A plane to the only Middle Eastern country with a true democracy. It’s called Israel, the country that your brothers have not only vowed to wipe off the face of the earth, but actually tried to do on many occasions. Muslims have slaughtered Israelis there, and would slaughter every Israeli if they could, just as they were slaughtering Europeans in the Middle Ages you were referring to.

However, Mr. Student, your propaganda doesn’t really sit well with me or with anybody who has two brain cells to rub together. You want to tell me that Islam is a beacon of light that was leading us stupid infidels through the Dark Ages? You’re calling me a liar for calling your religion backwards? Like we don’t know who has been terrorizing the planet for the last 30 years, not to mention the last 1,400 years of history.

You want to tell me that Islam is a beacon of light, and that we stupid Westerners should thank you for guiding us through the dark centuries? I refuse even to compare your supposed culture to the Western one. This would not work on any level. If I would start listing for you the achievements of Western culture, it would take me weeks of writing, as the list is very long, from our literary figures such as Homer and Plato to Tolstoy and Doris Lessing. From Ancient Rome to today’s progressive West with its incredibly high standard of living. Yes, you’re right, there was the Catholic church that tortured people with its Inquisition. But the same church gave us beautiful art and contributed to the history of thought and finally changed and evolved. That’s when we went through the Renaissance with Da Vinci and Raphael, up to Rousseau and Voltaire. And let’s not forget the gorgeous music of Tchaikovsky, Bach, Brahms, Verdi, et cetera, et cetera. You benefit from our science and technology on a daily basis, and none of the associated advances were invented by your brothers of faith. Or maybe you would tell me that Darwin, Einstein and company were followers of the “Prophet?” Were rocket science, electronic devices and all the medical achievements from heart transplants to cancer and HIV treatments invented by some bearded Mullahs?

And now tell me, what did your “culture” give to this world in 1,400 years? You are giving me a fairy tale that you supposedly invented mathematics. Mathematics was not invented by Islamists. Here’s lesson 101. Mathematics was invented before the unfortunate birth of your “Prophet.” It was by Mesopotamians, Greeks, Arabs and Indians. Muslims did not invent numbers. They only invented a new way of writing them.

Now tell me; where are the Islamic achievements in the arts, in technology, in the garden of thought, in social welfare? Give me some names, Mr. Mohammed, because I can give you thousands of names. But let me help you out here, because I, who am not a scholar, I, a pornographer, whose speech you boycotted, know about Averroe and Omar Quyam and the fairy tale called The Thousand And One Nights. But a single swallow doesn’t make the spring, Mr. Bigmouth.

Progressive thought can find its way even through such a totalitarian ideology as Islam. But in all honesty, let me tell you that it would be silly to compare your Thousand and One Nights to my Shakespeare your Amarhaya to my John Milton. My ancient palaces, churches, monuments, and art to your gloomy mosques. There are some beautiful mosques, but many of those were churches forcibly turned into mosques during the bloody wars unleashed by your co-religionists all over the world. Like the Islamicization of Constantinople, transmogrifying it into Istanbul, killing the majority of people in the city, and the rest sold in the slave markets of the Muslims. Look at today’s Lebanon, which you began strongly Islamizing in the 1970s; today your dirty job there is nearly done.

So don’t try to tell me that your Islamic culture is superior to Western culture. The most important book connected to your culture is the Koran, and I will never get tired of repeating that in the name of that book, humanity has been tortured for 1,400 years. If you really want to go back in history to the period of the “Great Ottoman Empire,” then get off your duff and take a trip to the library. Read the real scholars of Islam, like Bat Ye’or. In those books you will learn how in the countries your predecessors Islamized, Christians had to bow whenever a Muslim was passing by. The only choice non-Muslims faced was to either pay unbelievably high taxes or convert to your miserable religion. In other words, non-Muslims under Islamic rule had the status of dhimmis, second-class citizens deprived of their rights. The only “art” you ever succeeded in was that of brutal wars, Islamicizations, and stonings. This art, Islam has indeed perfected.

Last but not least, as for your point that Stanford did not “buy into” my remarks regarding Islam; go check the many hundreds of comments under my previous article. Had you been present at my speech, (and since you were not, what gives you the right to talk about it?) you would have seen a long line of students waiting to get my autograph. Instead of attacking people who make legitimate criticism of the barbarities of Islam in the contemporary world, why don’t you criticize the Muslims trampling human rights and squelching free speech around the world?

In your “article,” you did not bring up even one crime of Islam in the contemporary world, crimes that I had addressed, as doing so would be too inconvenient for you, and you would have nothing to say about Islam in that context which would leave sane people believing it is “a religion of peace.” You are digging in the history of the Medieval centuries, hoping that other peoples’ lack of knowledge about the brutality of Muslims in the period will work to your advantage.

Posted by Michael at 01:08 PM | Comments (7)

February 17, 2008

Mystery around "Gigolo"

Though I was happy to win four GAYVNs last night to become the third most award-winning studio of the year, I wanted to express my big concern that all of my awards were for the movie "The Intern." "The Intern," I agree, is a great comedy, but it could not be compared or put anywhere close to the same level of "Gigolo." In fact, there were some absolutely ridiculous moments last night. For example, "The Intern" won Best-Renting Title of 2007. I am my own distributor, and I know we sold at least twice as much of "Gigolo" than "The Intern." My accounting is available for that.

The reviews for "Gigolo" were outstanding. After being in the business for 12 years, I can tell you that the packaging was absolutely stunning and incomparable to any other cover. It was created and shot by Tony Dimarco, who has been in photography for 13 years. The art direction by Tony was outstanding. Take a look at the cover once again... only a blind person wouldn't see what I'm talking about. The videography by Tony and Mr. Pam could only be compared to mainstream productions. So could the amazing screenplay, also written by Tony.

Last year I won the award for Best Actor in "Michael Lucas' La Dolce Vita," where I did nothing but walk around New York City with a sad look on my face. In "Gigolo," I had a very complex part, which, according to many reviews, was the best performance in porn. And how come none of the other actors were acknowledged? Ray Star was brilliant.

This film got raging reviews, where everyone was comparing it to a mainstream feature with five-star sex. What kind of mystery is there for such an acclaimed film not getting awarded at all? Not for one category? I talked to many reviewers last night who were stunned by this fact, reviewers who were in fact judges and who actually told me that they voted for this film. What I'm hearing now is that this movie didn't get to all the judges and was accidentally sent to Specialty Publications where it was sitting for some time before getting shipped to GAYVN. And I found out about that just now.

My company has many questions about this situation. I do want to be clear: I am NOT comparing "Gigolo" to any other company's work. I am making a simple comparison to this movie and "The Intern." Even a retard wouldn't make the mistake that "Gigolo" is on a totally different planet. It's like comparing champagne to Coca-Cola, like comparing a diamond to a rock. "Gigolo" is a serious feature that sold in comparably higher numbers and had higher production values, a serious storyline, and impeccable art direction, screenplay, and packaging.

I have many questions, and I need the answers.

I am fine for not ever being recognized as the Performer of the Year. I am fine having never being admitted into the Hall of Fame after all these glorious reviews about challenging the industry to create bigger blockbusters and raising the industry bar. I'm just asking about the comparison between my two films. If Tiger Tyson is more deserving, than I am, then I respect it. But I'm just talking about the reviewers own reviews, their own feedback about both of those films.

So what went wrong with "Gigolo" that it got nothing? If you praised "Gigolo" as a groundbreaking film, then acknowledge it. "Gigolo" is a serious feature that was raved about. "The Intern" is a cute comedy. What went wrong? Where is the common sense? I want the answers.

I don't want to hear from any other companies on this matter. I am not comparing my films to theirs... only to each other. And I cannot derive any sense out of this comparison.

-Michael Lucas

Posted by Michael at 12:49 PM | Comments (6)

February 15, 2008

My appearance at Stanford

First let me tell you that I had a wonderful time speaking at Stanford. It was a paid engagement, and I was honored to be hired by such an prestigious institution. They gave me the best reception, from accommodations at the best hotel in town to an enjoyable dinner with the organizers of the event—about 10 students—who were absolutely marvelous to talk with.

In my speech I addressed the controversy, talked about my life and business, discussed my stance on safe sex, and made clear my political views. It was followed by a Q&A session, where I answered over 30 questions in over an hour, but just like my engagements at Yale, NYU, and Rutgers, there wasn't time to answer all the questions. The students appreciated my straight talk and honest approach.

The only one controversial moment that I can recall in the two hours on stage was when one of the students asked me why the gay adult industry "segregates" African-American models. I answered that he probably has never seen my films, as my movies are all interracial. I've personally performed with African-American actors at least 20 times in my career, and numerous African-American actors are constantly featured in my films. That's why one of my very first awards at the GAYVNs was for Best Ethnic-Themed Video, as I've always used actors from all over the world, from South America to the Middle East. The student, however, tried to provoke me and kept asking about the issue, wondering why other studios don't use more African-American actors. I gave him a very straightforward and a very truthful answer, stating the fact that though we would all love to see more African-American actors applying to work in our films, we don't have as many of them doing so. And the reason is simple: homophobia in the African-American community, which prevents them from applying. This one particular student started arguing, and I repeated my statement and told him that the truth does not always stay in the middle... sometimes it's either on the right or the left, sometimes the truth can be unpleasant. But homophobia in the African-American community is a well-known fact. It's not even a subject for argument. Homophobia something that we should all be working on in every community, regardless of race.

I thanked the students for coming in such a large number, especially on the evening of Valentine's Day. I received a round of applause and spent about 20 minutes signing autographs. The entire event was filmed by my friend, cameraman Mr. Pam. I will release it in a couple of weeks. It will also be included in a documentary about my life which will be out sometime this Fall.

Below are three articles that appear in the Stanford Daily today. One is a report on the event, one is an editorial, and the third is my response to yesterday's Stanford Daily article about me, which I appreciate that they reprinted in full.

Report: "Lucas talks safe-sex, AIDS and controversy"
http://daily.stanford.edu/article/2008/2/15/lucasTalksSafesexAidsAndControversy

Editorial: "Silencing speakers"
http://daily.stanford.edu/article/2008/2/15/silencingSpeakers

Op-Ed: "Racism and intolerance: disappointing at liberal university"
http://daily.stanford.edu/article/2008/2/15/opedRacismAndIntoleranceDisappointingAtALiberalUniversity

And in case you missed it, here's the article the Daily printed yesterday, "Adult film star's remarks spark debate"
http://daily.stanford.edu/article/2008/2/14/adultFilmStarsRemarksSparkDebate

XXX,
Michael

Posted by Michael at 01:47 PM | Comments (5)

February 13, 2008

Three Men

I've had many lovers and a several boyfriends throughout my life, but for tomorrow's important-for-some and not-so-important-for-others Valentine's Day, I want to talk about three of them in particular. I'm choosing them as they are the three who really shaped me and my opinions on love, relationships, friendships, loyalties, life and many things that make me ME.

I met Sasha in 1994, the year I graduated from university and planned to leave Russia for the West. But I did not leave... I delayed my long, cherished dream of changing my life for what I thought would be love forever (well, I was 22) with a top Russian model.

Sasha was my first love. It was love at first sight, the kind of love that does not make any sense and was based on looks, nothing but looks. And he had looks! These badly-made amateur pictures above, taken by me with a cheap Russian camera in 1994, do not serve him any justice. Not a bit.

He was truly a stunner. Men and women would turn their heads as we passed by (and not because of me). With him I became an unnoticeable shadow. He became my obsession, my sickness. I realized that I was not only not thinking about myself, but I could not thinking about my family, my friends, or my future. I was robbed of the ability to think about anything but him.

Was my relationship with him pointless, or was that one year with him important? I think it was important, as it taught me a lesson: relationships cannot be based on an obsession with someone's pretty face and gorgeous body; it has to be more than that, much more. So I will never forget my Moldavian-Russian, and not just for his looks, his deep voice, his beautiful smile, and not even for all the sleepless nights, insecurity, and tears. He will always live in my memory as a reminder of how close one can get to losing one's dreams and one's identity for a person who is not worth it.

I left Sasha without leaving a note, without ever saying goodbye. Without ever speaking to him about it, I left for Europe the day after I decided to leave him.

I met Anthony in 1997 when I was visiting New York. He had everything I thought I needed in a man: intelligence and a great education (he was a doctor of philosophy, having graduated from Columbia University). At the time he was working on Wall Street and teaching in the evenings.

We shared all the same interests: opera, books, travel—it was like a dream. He was the man I was longing for. So I moved in with him after two weeks, leaving my boyfriend back in Germany and my lover back in France (neither of them was important).

I introduced Anthony to my parents during our trip to Moscow, and he introduced me to his in New Jersey, the place I had to visit every weekend! His parents were nice but common. I was bored there but thought that love was a lot about sacrificing. I still do think so, but I do not apply it to frequent trips to a partner's family.

Anthony and I traveled the world together. We fought and made up. It went on for three years, and we might have stayed together, but as one can not be perfect, my Italian-American was not the exception: he was a drug-addict. A functional one. A smart one. Very smart, in fact. So smart that I (who never knew anyone who did it and never even tried a cigarette himself) found out about it by accident a year into the relationship.

After finding out, I told myself that every problem we ever had was because of the damn drugs, and for two more years I tried to get him sober. With no luck, of course... after all the meetings that I took him to, all the numerous psychologists we saw together, all nights in the emergency room of St. Vincent's whenever he overdosed...

I left him, as all his promises to quit were broken and I finally understood that one can not help a partner with a drug addiction unless that partner makes the decision to help himself (and that's often not until he hits rock bottom). In fact, I realized that with me around he would never stop (drugs are always more important and more powerful than the one you love when you're an addict). We broke up, and it was a nasty one, with the police, friends and family all involved. It was the saddest thing.

I met Richard in December of 2001. A graduate from Yale, a smart business man, and a community leader, he was intelligent, wise, kind and respectful.

We did not move in together for nearly seven months. I was observing him. I wanted to know that at the age of 29, I was not making a mistake. And now I know I didn't.

After seven years together, he has proven to be the greatest life partner: one you can always rely on, one who listens and respect your opinion (without necessarily agreeing), one who never judges or pushes his opinion on you, and one who gives the best advice when asked. I know Richard will be there for me (as he has been many time) whenever I need him.

So I hope that this one will work in the long-run as it has been working now for nearly seven years. I hope I will not make a mistake. As after all these years, after all this experience and knowledge, I am still very human and very capable of making mistakes. I am an atheist, but I feel like saying: help me, God.

Posted by Michael at 11:09 AM | Comments (8)

February 11, 2008

Little Brit Behaving Badly

I was there, too. New York Magazine even wrote about me on their blog: http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2008/02/we_explore_the_dark_side_of_th.html. They quoted me as saying some very true things about a totally ridiculous woman going by the name of Victoria Beckham.

Beforehand, I did not know who this absurd woman was. I don’t watch television, though my sources tell me that she has appeared on a show called "Ugly Betty." I don’t doubt that she has.

Imagine my nausea when at one point during fashion week I suddenly saw a diminutive, unattractive woman creating a stir among the crowds, not because of anything striking about her appearance, but because she was surrounded by a private security detail of at least ten bodyguards, each six feet five inches tall and 250 muscular pounds.

The genuine fashion A-listers moved out of the way for this foolish procession, as though at the center of it were Queen Elizabeth II, the President, or some other major potentate. We are talking about fashion kingpins with a strong say in giving direction to international style making way for a cameo actress from "Ugly Betty."

It was one of the most ludicrous and ironic things I’ve seen in my entire life. The question of where this ridiculous woman would put her little foot every time she wanted to move it another step forward or backward was handled like some major state of emergency. Her bodyguards were elbowing people, running around and clearing a path for her to walk.

As the group moved towards me, one guard in the group touched my elbow to move me out of the way. I said, "Mr. Bodyguard, Sir; you are in the United States of America. It’s a free country. I have a right to stay on this spot as much as your precious little charge with a cute little bottom. You are not escorting the President. So don’t dare touch me, because if you do, I will call the real security, the people with the power to move you and your entire ridiculous entourage out of these facilities."

After that, he backed off and left me alone completely, though he continued with his business of elbowing other people out of the way so the ridiculous little tacky woman could pass.

What was the necessity of so many bodyguards for the likes of Victoria Beckham at the Marc Jacobs fashion week event? What kind of alert did she get, that she treated this fashion show as though she were walking through Nairobi or Iraq? Or did she think she was Madonna, trying to get to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem? As far as I’m concerned, she’s just the wife of a soccer player with good looks and waning talent for sports. Did she walk into this fashion event with all these hulking bodyguards because she needed to be protected from gays and women of a certain age?

The show was actually about Mr. Jacobs. It was his collection. He, the most celebrated of American designers, had no bodyguards. Nor does he ever use any, walking the streets of New York or going to the public gym or flying all over the world.

Who would consider Ms. Beckham a target for violence at a fashion show? She is a common woman with bad skin and utterly tasteless make-up. I’ve seen moneybags with oil fortunes running around with a few bodyguards all over Moscow, Dubai and London. I guess they were incredibly inspirational, and became role models, for this ex-Spice Girl.

Before I had a chance to learn who this presumptuous woman was, they took a picture of me with her. Afterwards, everybody was whispering "They just took your picture with Victoria Beckham!" Whoop-dee-doo!

I was left asking myself whether Americans actually buy into this nonsense. If they do, I’m disappointed. Brits often criticize Americans for being vulgar, loud, having bad taste, and having good teeth. With this Victoria Beckham, the Brits seem to have shipped us something louder, more vulgar and in worse taste than anything actually native to our country.

With legendary French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld

With supermodel Karen Elson

In the press line with Debbie Harry

Chatting with Inside Edition

Interview with Extra

Posted by Michael at 03:01 PM | Comments (17)

February 08, 2008

Recent Awards Speeches

I've been in L.A. these past few days for some important business meetings and to attend the Cybersocket and XBIZ Awards shows. The following are the speeches I made at the shows. The XBIZ speeches were controversial, but I think it was the right time to make them. The Cybersocket speech was a bit more fun.

XBIZ AWARDS
First I presented the award for GLBT Feature Movie of the Year with XBIZ's lovely Joanne Cachapero. The winner was "Link: The Evolution" by All Worlds, so I said, "Hello, beautiful straight people! [The crowd was 95 percent straight people.] We're presenting a very important award for GLBT Feature Movie of the Year, and I'm very glad to say it goes to the most beautiful woman in the audience: ChiChi LaRue for All Worlds' 'Link: The Evolution'!"

After that I was presented with an award for GLBT Director of the Year (which I share with Tony Dimarco). My speech started with this: "Thank you, XBIZ, for your support and recognition of the GLBT community." As soon as I said that, I heard laughter from the front table, so I interrupted my speech, pointed to the person laughing, and said, "When I see people like you I feel really happy that I graduated from college!" Then I continued my speech as people started making more noise: "All of us, gay and straight, are together in this fight against the bigotry, backwardness, and hypocrisy of this world. So let's keep fighting together!"

I'm very happy and glad that the GLBT community is recognized by XBIZ. But it amazed me that straight folks in the adult industry can act so arrogantly and disrespectfully—in other words, so incredibly homophobic—towards their GLBT colleagues. We're in the same boat and facing the same enemies. I felt incredibly uncomfortable facing an audience with ignorant people. How much better are they than those who are persecuting all of us?

CYBERSOCKET AWARDS
I was presented with Best Personality, and when I went up on stage I said, "Thank you very much for this great award. I worked very hard for this award, but there is a very high price to pay for being the best personality. Some quotes I found in recent posts and comments about me on the web: 'Zoolander.' 'Fat bitch.' 'Skinny bitch.' 'Balding bitch.' 'Arrogant bitch.' 'Bitchy bitch.' 'Aging whore.' 'Old whore.' 'Mean whore.' 'Makeup whore.' 'Saggy-assed whore.' 'Ugly whore.' 'Victim of plastic surgery.' 'Plastic surgery gone wrong.' 'Fake lips.' 'Fish lips.' 'Cheap kike.' 'Ugly kike.' 'Old kike.' 'Self absorbed.' 'Self centered.' 'Egomaniac.' 'Sadist.' 'Gold digger.' 'Spotlight grabber.' And my personal favorite one: 'Shameless self promoter.' Please visit my website at www.LucasEntertainment.com. Thank you!"

Posted by Michael at 11:31 AM | Comments (4)

February 05, 2008

eBay sale news!

So our eBay sample sale proved to be a very effective!

After a week, we sold about forty percent of the old wardrobe which was used in our films like Dangerous Liaisons, The Intern, Michael Lucas' La Dolce Vita, Gigolo, and others. Not only have we emptied half of the numerous racks piled in our studio, but so far we have made enough to finance an incredible wardrobe for our big, annual blockbuster set to be filmed this summer.

There was a wide variety of buyers, from label queens bidding only on Dolce & Gabana shoes and Hermes sweaters to fans bidding on heavily-used sneakers. And of course there was my favorite item that sold—my Calvin Klein underwear, which received 22 bids and went for $123.50!

The good news is that I was emptying my storage over the weekend and now I'm going to get rid of another couple hundred items which I no longer use because, you know, how much clothing can one person have? :-) So here's the deal, folks: the eBay sale is going to go on!

Click here to see what's up! Have fun bidding!

Posted by Michael at 06:09 PM | Comments (2)

February 04, 2008

HX column: The Curious Notion of Romantic Love

Here's the unedited version of my Lucas Life column in this week's issue of HX:

It’s almost Valentine’s Day (not my favorite holiday to say the least, as I hate to see so many people feeling like they fell out of the parade: sad and miserably suicidal), so let’s talk about love. I do not mean love in the sense of loving humanity, but in the way it is usually associated with Valentine’s Day. I am talking about so-called “romantic love,” the kind of love that usually sparks from what is known as “love at first sight.”

What’s love at first sight based on? Physical looks, and nothing more. Love at first sight makes the brain produce endorphins that raise your mood and release adrenaline that exaggerates your feelings and causes a chemical imbalance of the brain. This leads two people to the delusion that they are experiencing something divine, something heavenly. But how long does this kind of love last? When we choose jobs, we are always rational. We think about the responsibilities, the payroll, the benefits, and the requirements. When falling in love we use no rationality. Our brains are clouded, and we can't think straight. In fact we cannot think about anything but the object of our love. We become slaves of love.

Things get worse, as falling in love gives us insecurity, mood swings, and, in the end, obsession. Obsession that robs one the freedom to think of anything but the one he loves. Obsession that gives us insomnia and a loss of any joy in life. And God forbid something actually goes wrong with the romance, causing a slip into deep depression. I know many whose love brings them to the state of madness and even schizophrenia.

What is love? Ecstasy and despair? Heaven and hell? In my own life and by observing the lives of others, I realized that we cannot be happy in love unless we try to love sanely, and this is possible only by understanding the origins of love and choosing your partner rationally, knowing that love can only be built on mutual understanding that takes time. You have to understand the intimacy of being rather than body, otherwise as soon as the passion is gone (and sooner or later it will be) you risk waking up in bed with a stranger.

I know that what I am saying sounds unromantic, but “love sickness” is not worth it. So before falling in love, stop for a moment and think: is this person right for you? Does he share your interests? Is he anything more than a pretty face? Do all the great qualities you see in him really exist or is it all just in your imagination?

Can you handle love, and can you love sanely? Without drama, melancholy, pointless jealousy, hate, and loss of comfort, all of which will make you forget about your work, your family, your friends, and yourself? Can you be in love without getting addicted to it like a drug? So many people get so addicted that they commit suicide; love has many vitcims. There’s that great song lyric: “The French are glad to die for love.” Are you ready to?

XXX,
Michael Lucas

Posted by Michael at 06:32 PM | Comments (8)

January 21, 2008

Michael Lucas' eBay SAMPLE SALE!

Hello Guys,

I am posting around 200+ items on eBay over the next day or two. Here's the link:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZmichaellucas72

They are all clothes that were used in my films and include items from fabulous designers like Dolce & Gabbana, Alessandro Dell'Acqua, and Armani, along with more simple stuff from the likes of Diesel and Gap. There's everything from suits and coats to belts and sunglasses, all in a great shape. And the prices are really incredibly low.

All the money will go back to buying more wardrobe for the big film we're producing late this summer.

Bid away! We ship worldwide.

Posted by Michael at 02:16 PM | Comments (3)

January 02, 2008

The Religion of Peace Kills Again

The recent assassination of the Pakistani political figure Benazir Bhutto reminds me that power, to those who crave it, is like a monstrously addictive drug.

Crack addicts know they should stop, but generally it takes hitting bottom for them to finally quit. Sometimes, the only way out of the crack house is the cemetery. Political power is similar for those addicted to it, and hitting bottom all too often means getting assassinated. How do you quit that addiction to political power once you’ve been bumped off? No pun intended, of course, with a bump of Tina.

To coin a phrase here; Bhutto was a corrupt riddle wrapped in a feminist mystery inside a Muslim-veiled enigma. I always thought she should have gotten her feminist veils washed in My Beautiful Launderette. On the one hand, she stood for enlightenment and modernization. On the other hand, back in 1994, she allied herself with the Islamists of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islami who headed up the ultra-Islamic schools that indoctrinated those of the Taliban.

Things just about came full circle in October 2007. Bhutto returned to Pakistan from exile, and was promptly the target of an assassination attempt that left 138 dead and more than 600 injured. Bhutto blamed the Taliban for that attack. And she’s right in a way, but the blame really rests with Bhutto herself. She knew very well that she was risking not only her own life, but also the lives of her supporters, of her “beloved people,” for whom she supposedly cared so much.

I also thought about Bhutto’s fabulous addiction to power while watching her speaking to the mob, to the crowds of illiterates, to the people that killed her father and two brothers. I mean, when you listened to Bhutto, you just had to wonder whether she could possibly really care about the people; I conclude that she did not. A person who steals from their own people can not possibly care about them.

Bhutto’s standing in international society was in some ways the reverse of Princess Diana’s. Lady Di had all the media attention she wanted, but very little money relative to her standing. Bhutto for the past eight years had tons of money and was materially way beyond comfortable, but she didn’t have the media attention she so helplessly craved. Henry Kissinger calls power the ultimate aphrodisiac. Hot as he is, he should know.

Did Bhutto realize she could well be assassinated if she returned to Pakistan? Of course she did. She was a practical realist. Nonetheless, she was hooked to her crack-and-tina-like addiction to power. Exactly what was she going to have power over, anyway, had she returned to power? 48% of the lunatics over there openly support al-Qaeda and bin-Laden. Did Bhutto think that by talking nice to them, or maybe reading Betty Friedan’s books out loud to them, they were in a flash of enlightenment going to allow girls and transvestites to wear mini-dresses in the streets of Rawalpindi? She was going to have power over a mob of starving bearded primitives stuck in the Middle Ages.

Did Bhutto really care about getting killed? Not any more than a meth addict cares whether the next dose could cause a heart attack. To follow in the footsteps of her father and brothers murdered by Islamic mental cases, she needed to be standing in front of all those unshaved unwashed hordes. She had the addiction to power, the desperate desire to be top dog.

Who actually killed her? Even though al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility, there are commentators insisting that the suicide bomber had a connection to Musharraf. People don’t kill themselves for political figures as uncharismatic as Musharaff. Allah butt-kissers and camel humpers will blow themselves up for Allah as well as for those they consider some kind of holy connection to Allah, such as Khomeini, bin-Laden or even Arafat. Musharaff is a target for Islamic assassins just as Bhutto was because he is not an Islamic religious leader, which is what so many Pakistanis want as the leader of their country. Ludicrous, given that according to all scientific evidence, Allah doesn’t exist. But in the warped worldview of an Allah butt-kisser, Allah does not want women to be more important than a camel or to look sexier than one. Bhutto died for Islam. How much better off the whole world would be if instead, Islam had died for Bhutto.

Posted by Michael at 05:11 PM | Comments (11)

December 21, 2007

Happy Holidays from Michael Lucas

Dear Friends,

I would like to wish you all a happy holiday season and a prosperous new year. It was a great year for Lucas Entertainment, kicking off with 14 GAYVN wins for "Michael Lucas' La Dolce Vita." I couldn't ask for better recognition for my work.

2008 marks my company's 10-year anniversary. It will be precisely 10 years, as I started Lucas Entertainment after living in New York for a year. The company has grown from a small one-man show out of my apartment in the West Village to the biggest gay adult entertainment company on the East Coast, with offices in the center of Manhattan and a great team of professionals who work hard to deliver my vision of male erotica.

I want to thank all of you who have supported me over the past 10 years, those who always believed in me.

I would also like to say a special thanks to New York, the city I love so much. It has made me feel so much at home.

Thank you to all the reviewers and members of the press who have supported my company with wonderful reviews, features, and gossip mentions.

To the hundreds of models who made it all possible.

To everyone who has worked for me over the years, even if at some point they moved on. You have all helped me bring it to the next level.

To everyone from around the world who buys my movies and to all the members of my website. I know you have many choices out there, especially in today's competitive adult world. So I am very grateful. Without you, none of this would be possible.

To everyone who reads my blog, articles, columns, and interviews. I'm thankful for those who share my opinions and for those who often disagree with me but still respect my opinion.

To my parents, my grandmother, my brother, and my boyfriend Richard. Thank you for your respect, support, and unconditional love. Thank you for always being there for me.

To all of you, best of health, prosperity, and love in 2008.

Love,
Michael Lucas

Posted by Michael at 12:15 PM | Comments (7)

November 21, 2007

Ridiculous Democratic Debates

What most struck me about the debate among Democratic presidential candidates in Las Vegas on November 15 was how incompetent and embarrassing this group is.

Let’s go through some hot topics.

On the subject of Iran, Obama appears to believe that the Ayatollahs and Ahmadinejad, and Syria too, are there to help us, and that we just have to talk to them to get their help. Well, guess what, stupid?! That’s not how it works.

I thought we weren’t supposed to talk to those who want to wipe Israel off the face of the earth, kill thousands of gay people, and deny the Holocaust while working hard and fast towards an atomic bomb to drop on New York.

Democrats have tried to rip Hillary to shreds for her support of a Senate resolution calling Iran’s Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution a terrorist group. Why are Democrats opposed to calling terrorists terrorists?

With the subject of President Musharraf’s declaration of emergency rule in Pakistan, the debate turned to the question of whether there are times when human rights concerns override concerns of national security. Loons like Richardson and Kucinich think it is perfectly OK for them to do so.

I was glad to see that from her White House days, Hillary still remembers the prime importance of America’s national security. Obama, who so often accuses Hillary of long-windedness, blathered on about this subject without really taking a position, turning around it like a slippery eel.

Who wants to sacrifice the security of the U.S. to the doomed democracy of Pakistan? Unfortunately, a lot of stupid Democrats applauded Richardson and Co.’s non-sense. For God’s sake, didn’t we learn from the example of Iraq that democracy does not and can not work everywhere?

During the debate, there was one Muslim with a U.S. passport who erupted from the audience, sending Kucinich and others into fits over racial profiling. Apparently, the poor thing was “profiled” in airports. Well, thank God if we have started using common sense. Because you see this U.S.-passport holder happened to look very much like the 9/11 terrorists.

I mean, tell me this. If the suspect in a particular case is a Hassidic Jew, should the police go search in the Hassidic community, or should they search absolutely everywhere? There is something called common sense and I don’t see why it shouldn’t be applicable to the nation’s security. The Democratic candidates lined up with lengthy apologies to the follower of the Prophet, impugning the Bush administration and the Patriot Act as well as Hillary for having voted for it. Why not have the guts to speak the truth? “Dear Mr. Muslim U.S.-Passport holder, sir, it is your brothers in faith who have been terrorizing the world for the last 30 years, so get over yourself. Get to the airport on time, which is to say 2 hours before take-off. You and your brothers in faith should be checked extra-carefully.

I myself look Middle Eastern, I get profiled, and that makes me feel safer when I’m on the plane. So our innocent, bearded guests (who love to travel between the U.S. and the native countries they are so loyal to) with U.S. passports should feel safer too, no?

The questions involving Musharraf put me in mind of the Russian-Afghan War. Russians are horrible no matter who is leading them , either Brezhnev or Putin, but in this case we had to say thank you to them for trying to battle Islamic insurgents. Americans, yelling “Hooray for the brave people of Afghanistan” gave weapons to the guy called Osama bin-Laden. The Soviets pulled out, Osama bin-Laden stayed, and sent his warriors to attack America. Happy now?

Democracy can not be imposed where people don’t want it. Even where people do want it, it’s a process that takes generations. If you ask me, democracy is impossible in Muslim countries, so we should be thankful to the Musharrafs of the world who keep the nuts from getting nukes.

Plus, Musharraf is not a violent dictator a la Saddam. He has not killed thousands of people. He put this fucking thief Bhutto under house arrest; big deal. Vladimir Putin has thrown many people in jail, a lot worse than house arrest, yet he does not draw the same fire from Democrats.

The topic of drivers’ licenses for illegal immigrants came up during this debate. Who believes that the richest country in the world can not afford the fucking wall? The communists built a very effective wall between East and West Europe and even found hundreds of policemen to patrol it, back in the 40s! And Israel is managing to construct a security wall between itself and Palestinian terrorists, which actually works, as there were no terrorist attacks in quite some time.

Our government for long has been allowing illegals into the country across the Mexican border, making them work for next to nothing. So why not take responsibility for that? Give them drivers licenses and legalize them. They pose no danger and slaved for this country enough.

In sum, dear liberals, or so-called liberals, Democrats, lefties, whatever; I believe you should vote for Hillary. She isn’t great, she’s two-faced, she changes her opinions depending on polls, et cetera. But, and it is a very big but; none of the other Democratic lunatics running against her will ever win the White House over Giuliani with his no non-sense approach to U.S. security at a time when it is endangered by Islam.

Giuliani at any rate is perhaps not that much worse than Mrs. Clinton. The guy marched in gay parades, dressed in drag, stayed with his gay friends through his divorce, supports gay partnerships, et cetera, et cetera. All of these gay interests that mean less to me than the security of our country, because if there is another terrorist attack on U.S. soil our human rights and freedoms will go straight into the trash can.

I might hate Giuliani’s Nazistic approach to porn. You’ll understand that it is very inconvenient for me. But I do like his kick-ass attitude towards unions. Unions that are destroying the European economy, and are the last socialist element in this country.

In closing, I realize I should do something to make this article gayer. As I am writing for a gay publication. Okay. Here goes. I think Hillary’s make-up artist made her look a bit like a tired drag queen. So there.

Posted by Michael at 03:35 PM | Comments (0)

Legal Update

The Judge in the case against me regarding Michael Lucas' La Dolce Vita and the unclear ownership of Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita does not want us to disclose the letter I mentioned here in prior weeks. The judge is open to a renewed request for it to be disclosed to Raging Stallion, however, should they wish to see it.

I have always intended and will continue to abide by the court's rulings. So unless the judge orders it, I won't be revealing the document. My company is law abiding, and will continue to be. In the spring, the court ruled that my accusers had not shown a likelihood of success, and I am confident that the court will proceed to dismiss the claims which remain.

Posted by Michael at 03:00 PM | Comments (0)

November 01, 2007

GIGOLO News

Hey Guys,

I am finally back from all my travels and I want to give you a quick update on our production of the year, GIGOLO. We are about 80% done with editing the film and we're expecting it to be out by November's end.

In short, it's about a hustler living in New York City, a drama with a great story line, a wonderful cast, amazing cinematography, beautiful style, attention to details and of course hot sex. I would like to think about it as a real feature with sex.

Below you'll find the cover of the film. It's only the front, and it represents just a few of the actors, but the idea for the box is that the cover will have a flap that displays the entire cast when opened.

Also, you can check out http://www.xxxgigolo.com by blogger Mike Kashey. Please remember those shots are all amateur and taken by his own camera. The real shots start rolling in next week. ;-)

Love, Michael

Posted by Michael at 04:51 PM | Comments (2)

October 17, 2007

Update from Europe

Hey Guys!

Sorry for hardly any updates in the past week... I am in Europe, where I just finished 2 new "Cruising Budapest" movies in Hungary. One of them, Part 6, will be with Brian Bodine. I brought him along and gave him 2 scenes, one with the Mangiati twins and the other with the beautiful Flavio Valentino.

Now I am in Germany for the Venus Erotic Expo. I will be here until Monday and then will be flying to Los Angeles for a gay webmaster retreat.

I will try to make more updates next week when I am back in the States.

With all my love from Europe,
-Michael

Posted by Michael at 08:42 AM | Comments (7)

October 02, 2007

NY Blade column: Gay Left’s Soft Spot for Islamo-Facists

Why didn’t gays protest the Iranian president’s visit to Columbia so-called University?

By Michael Lucas
Friday, September 28, 2007
http://nyblade.com/2007/9-28/viewpoint/opinion/islamo.cfm

I AM DISAPPOINTED that the United States did not act with more vigor against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s illicit visit to our shores. In the gay community’s wan reaction to it, though, I find an absolutely vomitous apathy.

I certainly hope that nobody reading this is unaware of how gays in Iran are deprived of their rights. But just in case, I’ll give a crash course in one paragraph: Under Iran’s Islamic theocratic government, if two men “stand naked under one cover without any necessity,” both are punished with up to 99 lashes. If a man kisses another “with lust,” the punishment is 60 lashes. Anal intercourse is punishable by death. Dear readers; how many times would you have been put to death by now if you lived in Iran? By law, the Iranian press can only mention homosexuality in the negative. Imagine that please. It is illegal in Iran for a positive word to be published about any topic whatsoever related in any way to homosexuality. Think how you would feel if you had to live in such a place.

So now I ask; what would a homophobic foreign monster have to do to get New York City’s gay community to protest his visit here? I was on the Columbia University campus at the time of Ahmadinejad’s visit. I saw Jewish protestors, I saw conservative protestors, but I did not see any gay protestors. Where was Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation in all this? We are talking about a monster who thinks people of the same sex deserve to die if they have anal intercourse with each other.

Ahmadinejad got a long ovation from portions of the Columbia audience. We should give some thought to who was doing the applauding. Were they homophobes who support the idea that sodomy should be punishable by death? Or were they perhaps Muslim students who not only support that idea but also believe the entire world should be subjected to Sharia law?

I hope you noticed that this dangerous charade took place at Columbia so-called University. Some American voices were saying that the most important issue involved was that of free speech. Ahmadinejad has already shown us the regard he has for free speech. Though he did nothing substantial to condemn Muslim violence and lunacy that resulted when a Denmark paper printed an editorial cartoon of Mohammed, he did support an Iranian newspaper’s “International Holocaust Cartoon Competition.” The event made fun of the Holocaust, allegedly to “denounce Western hypocrisy on the freedom of speech.”

I’m all for denouncing hypocrisy. The Holocaust cartoons came and went. Not one non-Muslim anywhere committed an act of violence over them. Not one. Yet Ahmadinejad did not say anything to the effect of “I was wrong. The West really IS dedicated to free speech.” What he did instead was to make the Holocaust cartoon contest an annual event. So why is it that we aren’t hearing about an annual Mohammed cartoon contest in Denmark? Can you imagine what would be going on if plans for one were made?

IN WHAT’S REFERRED to as “The West,” Muslim extremists demand tolerance but they do not reciprocate it. Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh made a film called “Submission” about the abuses against women in Islamic countries; shortly afterward he was slaughtered by a Muslim in the streets of Amsterdam. Wonder why no other Dutch filmmakers are touching the topic? Europeans are being robbed of their freedom of speech. You’d think we’d be concerned about that in the United States. Who is even making a peep about it?

And before the Holocaust cartoon contest, Ahmadinejad held what was supposedly a scholarly conference on Holocaust history. Where are the scholarly papers from that conference? What peer review of them has been published? Does the scholarship presented at that Holocaust conference meet the academic standards that Columbia University requires of its professors and students? These questions are rhetorical, but they are urgently relevant. It is not appropriate for a university to invite as a speaker somebody who advances ideas as though they were facts but then cannot back up his assertions with verifiable documentation.

The quote that Columbia invited Ahmadinejad because bin-Laden wasn’t available has gained currency quickly, but it would be more to the point to say they did so because neither Pinocchio nor Pee-Wee Herman in character was available. Columbia University should have more respect for its own intellectual heritage than to invite so shabby a scholar as Ahmadinejad to speak on its campus.

Millions of our tax dollars were spent on Ahmadinejad’s security while he was in New York City. God forbid that anything bad should happen to him. This man is a murderer of innocent gay people, yet his safety is paid for with your tax dollars. What is wrong with that picture?

Why was there not a huge contingent of gay protestors manifesting their outrage against this infamy? Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci, in her valiant support of human rights worldwide, would get sickened by people like those at Columbia who play Useful Fools for tyrants, and also by those who remained apathetic when they should have spoken up loud and clear for what is right.

This week, I was sickened by the gay community. I have in the past noted when large contingents of gay people participated in demonstrations against Israel. Where were those LGBT people when this murderer and oppressor of gays in Iran stood on his soapbox at Columbia University?

Posted by Michael at 09:42 AM | Comments (6)

September 28, 2007

NY Blade column: When Assaulted, Report It. I Did.

By Michael Lucas
Friday, September 21, 2007
http://nyblade.com/2007/9-21/viewpoint/opinion/lucas.cfm

We gay people have a duty to ourselves to demand that our rights be respected. The sickening truth is that despite supposed sensitivity training, there is still a lot of anti-gay bigotry in the New York Police Department.

I have heard of many gay-bashing crimes committed in Chelsea and throughout the city, to which the police have had responses that amount to additional victimizations of the gay people attacked.

I’ve had my own recent, negative experience with the NYPD. On July 27 in the evening I was heading home in a cab. The driver was singing at the top of his lungs. My cell rang. Wanting to take the call, I asked the driver to stop singing. He told me it was his cab, he could do as he pleased, and that I had to get out right there. I said he had to take me all the way home.

Upon arrival, I requested a receipt. The driver didn’t want to provide one. I put his identifying information in my cell, and then told him I would be filing a complaint with the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. He locked the back doors from the front, rushed out, opened the door on my side, thrust himself next to me, and said that if I reported him, he’d kill me. I let him know that in addition to reporting him, I’d insist his license be revoked. He viciously assaulted me, clenching his fingers at my neck, punching at my head, causing a trauma to the flesh of my ear.

Freeing myself from the assault, I got out of the cab and dialed 911, running around the cab and opening its doors so the driver couldn’t leave. A police cruiser arrived immediately, with Officer Miller of the 10th Precinct. The police talked with me and the driver separately.

I might speak with an accent, but I’m an American citizen. The police, however, seemed more interested in needling me about where I was born and how long I have been here than in listening to details of my complaint against the driver.

Once they did listen, they said all I could do, since there were no witnesses, was file a harassment claim. They advised me not to, because it would be “a waste” of their and my time. They said if I was not bleeding, there was nothing to talk about. I told them to look at my traumatized ear, burning red. They took my claim, on file at Command 010, the precinct house at 230 W. 20th St. Then Officer Miller said, “You are fucking annoying me; now get the fuck out of here.”

There weren’t witnesses to this, so it’s my word against the police officer’s word. Yet I am working with the New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project (avp.org), a most admirable organization, and they are taking this seriously. The case will be investigated. If Officer Miller and the NYPD think I’m going to let this go, they have another thing coming. Even if the ultimate result is not satisfactory to me, this will be on the officer’s record.

NOW I’M GOING TO repeat my opening sentence. We gay people have a duty to ourselves to demand that our rights be respected. If a police officer mistreats you in any way, report that officer. Get the event known outside of the police department. The goal is to create an environment where the police know there are consequences for abusing a civilian.

I did pursue the case against the violent taxi driver. His license will be revoked; he will pay a substantial fine. The Taxi Commission did an investigation.

Turns out he had told the police that when he drove met to my front door, I said I had no money, offered sex to pay for the ride, reached my arm around through the window partition separating the front and back seats and touched his genitals. That line is so blatantly ridiculous that a police officer would only consider it true and hold it against the falsely accused if he were harboring anti-gay sentiments. Even if a person had done such a thing, it would not be appropriate for a police officer to curse them.

MANY FINE PEOPLE WORK in the NYPD. Yet homophobia remains so pervasive in society that even here in New York City, where LGBT people generally feel free to be themselves, there are officers who act with prejudice against sexual and other minorities.

It isn’t hard to find institutionalized bigotry nationally, either. The officer who snagged Sen. Larry Craig in the bathroom sex bust said to him, “I’m disappointed in you, sir. I expect this from the guy we get out of the hood. I mean, people vote for you.” I condemn that statement because it is racist. We should all realize that there are police using the same type of thinking against gay people. I do whatever is in my power to force change; so should you.

Posted by Michael at 03:20 PM | Comments (8)

September 20, 2007

My appearance on the Michelangelo Signorile Show

This is footage from the show on Tuesday. I was roasted by people who believe that Islam is a religion of peace and that my issues against it have no basis.

I am always interested in your thoughts.

Part 1 of 4:




Part 2 of 4:





Part 3 of 4:





Part 4 of 4:

Posted by Michael at 01:30 PM | Comments (10)

September 18, 2007

The Michelangelo Signorile Show

My appearance on the Michelangelo Signorile Show came and went very quickly this afternoon. I will post the video clip from the show in a few days. If it will take too long to do so, I will post a transcript. It was a debate between myself and Andrew Belonsky from the website Queerty, a website that V magazine has called "toxic to the gay community."

The debate was about my position on Charles Merrill's burning of the Koran and my position on Islam in general.

Belonsky showed up with a bunch of notes and was reading his thoughts directly from them. I wasn't born in this country and my English is far from perfect, but I didn't do what he did as I thought it would be incredibly cheesy.

Signorile made it clear to both myself and his listeners that he did not share my point of view, however he did give me a fair enough time to get my point across. In a way it was easy to do, as Belonsky really had nothing to say. In fact, he only had one argument, which was that fundamentalist Christians, Jews, and Muslims were equally as bad and cause the world an equal amount of problems.

Can one imagine such a lunatic point? Apparently all the problems of this world, according to Belonsky, come equally from all the religions. Has this lunatic lived on Earth for the past 30 years or the Garden of Eden? Can you imagine someone who is more far away from reality than this cretin?

We only had 20 minutes, so I could only bring up a few arguments out of many possible. After the show, Signorile told me that he would like to invite me to the show again by myself to give me airtime without being interrupted. That would be really nice of him. Because let me say that if I, a gay man, a Jew by birth, a pornographer, an atheist, agreed with conservatives on one point, then maybe there might just be some truth in this point. Maybe this point is not possible to argue, no matter how big of a pacifist you are. No matter how open-minded you are. No matter how inconvenient the truth is.

And the last thing, the point which I think I didn't make but should have: the biggest mistake that the world is making right now, including Signorile himself, is separating the Islamic terrorists from the world which they come from. Which is the world of Islam.

Posted by Michael at 05:47 PM | Comments (9)

September 17, 2007

The latest on Out Professionals

It saddens me to learn that OutProfessionals just decided to continue with their discriminatory policy which does not allow adult entertainment companies to place their job openings on their online job bank. Apparently, the board of OutProfessionals had a long meeting the other day. Some board members were opposed to the policy and wanted it changed but in the end the majority voted to keep the existing policy intact.

Now I understand that a networking organization for gay professionals would not post ads for adult performers (or any performers, for that matter) on their site—even though I consider my actors to be consummate professionals. But ads for accountants, editors, or cameramen? That's plainly ridiculous and deprives their membership of information about attractive, well paying job opportunities. Just ask my Finance Director if its different to do financials for a widget company or an adult production company. I believe he will tell you that working for Lucas Entertainment is professionally more challenging and certainly a lot more fun.

A tiny organization like OutProfessionals wouldn't be worth so many words, except that for me there is a point of principle at stake here. OutProfessionals is practicing the kind of gay-on-gay discrimination that's still all too common and poisons our community. It's the same mindset that will make some gays or lesbians complain about gay pride parades because they are "too messy and don't show our community in the right light"; or bitch about drag queens because they are "too outrageous"; or argue that we should behave just like straight people in order to be tolerated.

Well, I believe that we shouldn't ask for tolerance because we are "just like the straight majority." I believe we should demand recognition for our community in all its wonderful diversity—and that includes for many of us a positive attitude about sex as a celebration of our inner selves.

One of the ironies in all this is that OutProfessionals is holding its meetings at the LGBT Community Center—a wonderful organization that is dedicated precisely to allowing the LGBT community flourish and nurture all its different aspects. It's an organization that fights for the civil rights of LGBT people, that fights against oppression and discrimination, that's dedicated to inclusiveness and that certainly abhors LGBT people discriminating against their own. The LGBT Center (and the meeting spaces that OutProfessionals use) is largely financed by contributions from the community—and I believe most of the Center's contributors share the Center's values and not OutProfessionals'.

I have said before that for me there is a profound matter of principle at stake here and so I will not let this issue go. But I need your help.

If you believe that LGBT organizations should not discriminate against gay-owned businesses which serve our community, please e-mail Carl Pritzkat, Vice President of the Board of OutProfessionals at carlp@mediapolis.com.

If you believe that the LGBT Community Center should not host LGBT groups which discriminate against their own, please e-mail Richard Burns, the Executive Director of the Center at richard@gaycenter.org.

And if you feel like it, please cc me at michael@lucasentertainment.com so I can collect your opinions and take action.

Posted by Michael at 10:40 AM | Comments (3)

September 05, 2007

The president of Out Professionals is spreading lies

Below is the correspondence I received from someone who emailed his concern to Out Professionals over my recent article in the NY Blade, and the response he received back from the president of Out Professionals. I do believe that everyone who emailed their concern to the same email is getting back the same bunch of lies.

Please read it and see my comments afterwards.

Gentlemen:

I find it disturbing that Out Professionals condemns and represses a producer of adult entertainment, entertainment which hurts nobody, while accepting ads from financial companies whose investment portfolios include major arms manufacturers as well as businesses that contribute to the economic strengths of Muslim governments under Sharia laws, which, in case you didn't know, call for gay people to be killed for no reason other than that they are gay.

I would appreciate a response from you demonstrating that 1) you have understood the gravity of my comment; 2) you acknowledge the validity of my point and 3) you have an intent to rectify this egregious and fatuous moral hypocrisy.

Many kind thanks for your consideration,

Scott Rose

****

Scott,

Since you are not an Out Professionals member or an email subscriber, you probably are not aware of our Job Bank policy which is copied below and available on our website. We do not see how this policy in any way “condemns and represses” Mr. Lucas and other producers of adult entertainment. The policy barring adult entertainment listings on our website ensures that the public can access the OP website from their office computers where most corporate firewalls prohibit access to websites promoting adult entertainment. Mr. Lucas has been aware of this policy but chose to publicly slander and condemn OP of discrimination instead of 1) joining the organization as a member, and 2) addressing the OP board to find a compromise – both of which were suggested to him.

OP is providing a free and much needed service to the LGBT community by allowing individuals, small companies and corporations to post open positions. Providing this service does not indicate any support, knowledge or agreement with investment policies and/or political positions that these employers may have.

We believe that we have fully understood your points. However, we do not see any validity them and we are not changing our policy at this time. We suggest that you first make yourself aware of the programs and services OP has been providing for nearly 25 years before you accept Mr. Lucas’s accusations and slander.

Regards,
Out Professionals

First let me point out that this whole situation started happening around 2 months ago, way before my article came out in the Blade. The time from when I first contacted Michael Tracy to when the article came out was more than enough time for Out Professionals to re-think its policy. They had plenty of time to resolve this issue without, as he is saying, me "condemn"ing him.

Secondly, nobody ever suggested that I join the organization as a member or to address the board myself to find a compromise. This is just a disgusting lie. I had only one phone conversation with Michael Tracy. Nothing else, with no one else. And as I said before, Tracy had nothing better to do than defend his discriminatory policy.

The least important point, is that my company is a member of Out Professionals. Bryan Christopher, my PR Director, joined it and paid for his membership with a Lucas Entertainment credit card for one year's membership.

All I can say is, it is amazing that a gay New York organization has a president that is not only a hypocrite but also an outrageous, shameless liar. I believe he should be dismissed. It is not me, but he, who embarasses Out Professionals. As you see, I did not lie, and I did not discriminate.

Please make your voice heard by emailing:

richard@gaycenter.org
info@outprofessionals.org

Posted by Michael at 05:50 PM | Comments (5)

August 31, 2007

NY Blade column: Out Professionals Discriminates

By Michael Lucas
Friday, August 31, 2007
http://nyblade.com/2007/8-31/viewpoint/opinion/outpros.cfm

Something absolutely outrageous is going on in our community. One particular company, hiding behind its name, Out Professionals, is practicing an odious gay-against-gay form of discrimination. I in turn am speaking out against its President, Michael Tracy, and hoping that others will too, in order that this form of discrimination be utterly squelched.

Out Professionals is a gay networking organization that includes on its web site help-wanted advertisements relevant to LGBT job-seekers. In the past, I have placed ads on that site for positions in the Lucas Entertainment corporate offices. By that means I have come to employ more than a dozen professionals in positions as diverse as that of cameraman, operator, accountant and computer programmer. These employees work happily in their jobs and are compensated with competitive pay and benefits.

A few months ago, we were rejected when we tried to post additional ads for a cameraman and an editor. So I called Michael Tracy, introduced myself and asked why our ads had been refused. He said it is the policy of Out Professionals not to accept listings from adult entertainment companies. Make no mistake about it; Out Professionals is not where I look for my actors. The positions I advertise on OP are every bit as professional as those placed by any other business.

When I told Tracy we had previously given gainful employment to out professionals who found us through the site, he said that OP is now enforcing an anti-adult-entertainment-jobs-announcement policy. I told him that was a form of discrimination.

HE’S AN ARROGANT HYPOcrite. If he will prove that he never has and never will look at adult entertainment and get pleasure from it, I will say I was wrong to call him an arrogant hypocrite.

On the phone, he said, “Do you, Mr. Lucas, misunderstand the meaning of our organization’s name? It’s called Out Professionals. How can you possibly fit in?” I asked whether he thought my company was not professional. I asked whether he thought my company was not out. I told him he should know of all my activism in promoting the well-being of the gay community, including my speaking up about, and placing community service ads against, drug abuse and in favor of safe sex. I told him that my life partner had been President of the Board of the LGBT Community Center for eight years.

My life partner, Richard Winger, and I, make joint decisions, just like any modern married couple. We have given hundreds of thousands of dollars to New York’s gay community in the past 10 years, and our fund-raising efforts have produced substantially more. Next time Michael Tracy or anybody else from Out Professionals uses The LGBT Center’s rest facilities, they should take a good long look at whose name is on a plaque for having donated the money to build them. I let Tracy know all this and told him not to forget that his meetings are held in The Center. He told me he was paying a fee to The Center and wasn’t intimidated by me. I was not trying to intimidate him. I was trying to show him how wrong-headed he is.

I don’t want to let pass as though it were of little importance the fact that my life partner Richard Winger for so long put his whole heart and soul into seeing that The Center would flourish and be a place where the gay community in all its wonderful diversity could thrive and feel welcomed. Richard wants all members of the community to feel welcomed; not just those of whom Michael Tracy approves. Tracy doing this is a violent slap in Richard’s face. It goes against everything he believes in, and the motivations he has for so selflessly giving to the gay community. Richard does not want to see this tin-pot tyrant dividing the community into upper-class gays and lower-glass gays.

I CAN FIND PEOPLE to work in my corporate offices without Out Professionals. Michael Tracy’s obnoxious behavior illustrates the tendency of certain gays and lesbians to treat others in our community as second-class citizens.

Richard Burns, executive director of The LGBT Center, when hearing this story called Tracy’s behavior “ridiculous” and said that professionals qualified to work in my corporate offices should be able to learn of opportunities to do so through the Out Professionals site. In fact, he said that Out Professionals are “crazy” not to take our ads and thus deprive their members of the chance to be gainfully employed.
I now call on Burns to exclude Out Professionals from using the LGBT Center’s facilities unless and until the group changes its policy.

In my 10 years of producing gay adult films that so many have enjoyed, have I done anything to merit this banishment?

Almost all gay people have been discriminated against for various reasons; Michael Tracy is no exception. He got himself into a position of power and now behaves like a KGB agent, discriminating against other gay people, in this instance based on who-knows-what Puritanical impulse that virtually nobody in the community shares.

I don’t believe that most members of Out Professionals agree with this policy; I think this is Michael Tracy’s position, and that he wants to enforce it because he has deep-seated psychological disturbances related to when he was discriminated against earlier in life for being gay. Hip, hip, hooray and 10 Bronx cheers for him that in doing this, he feels superior.

I call on the members of Out Professionals and others in our community to speak out against Michael Tracy’s odious behavior. Who knows how many straight-and-narrow lines all the Michael Tracys out there will decide LGBT people have to toe next? If he won’t change his position, he should be dismissed.

Posted by Michael at 03:14 PM | Comments (28)

August 21, 2007

From 365Gay.com: Sentencing Delayed For 18 Accused Of Homosexuality In Nigeria

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: August 21, 2007 - 1:00 pm ET
http://365gay.com/Newscon07/08/082107nigeria.htm

(Lagos) An Islamic court judge in Northern Nigeria has put off sentencing until next month for 18 men convicted of homosexuality in the Muslim state of Bauchi.

A prosecutor told the court on Tuesday that the government will not seek the death penalty.

Bauchi is one of a number of northern states which recognizes Sharia law. Elsewhere in the country gay sex carries sentences up to 14 years behind bars.

The 18 were convicted earlier this month.

They were arrested wearing women's clothing at a hotel where police say they had gathered for the wedding "of two men". An attorney for the men said they were at the hotel for a "graduation party".

Whether the men are gay or transsexual has not been fully explained by authorities. They were charged and convicted of sodomy but that was later reduced to a conviction of violating Islamic law by dressing in female garb when it could not be proved any sex had occurred.

On Tuesday police brought suitcases into court containing handbags, high-heel shoes and women's clothing.

The government frequently alleges that men arrested for being gay were dressed as women and were attending or preparing to attend gay weddings.

More than a dozen men have been sentenced to death in recent years for alleged homosexuality. In most cases their fate is unknown. Officially the government denies there have been any executions.

Meanwhile, the government is moving ahead with legislation that would strip gays and lesbians of all civil rights.

The bill started out as a ban on same-sex marriage and has been revised to make it a crime for more than two gay people to be in the same venue at the same time.

It prohibits LGBT social or civil rights groups from forming. It would be illegal to sell or rent property to same-sex couples, watch a gay film or video, visit an LGBT web site, or express same-sex love in a letter to one's partner.

The legislation goes so far as to make it a criminal offense to impart information of HIV/AIDS to gays or for non-gays to meet with any group of gays for any purpose.

The penalty would be five years in prison with hard labor.

The most recent arrests have sparked outrage in Britain and is likely to scuttle Nigeria's bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

The southern half of Nigeria is predominantly Anglican. The primate of the Nigerian Church is Archbishop Peter Akinola who has been at the forefront of opposing gay clergy in the denomination. Conservative Anglican churches in the US have aligned themselves with Akinola.

Posted by Michael at 02:23 PM | Comments (2)

August 19, 2007

My NY Blade interview with Charles Merrill: Gay Activism as Art

Charles Merrill takes on Christianity, Islam, politics

By Michael Lucas
Friday, August 17, 2007
http://nyblade.com/2007/8-17/arts/thearts/merrill.cfm

Charles Merrill’s artistic temperament was evident right from the start of our interview. Defining himself as three-quarters gay and one-quarter straight, he said that whatever the gender of his partner, he likes smooth skin and the smell of night blooming jasmine.

He lived the earlier parts of his life—he’s now 73—on a grand scale, starting off in the fashion business in New York City, then studying acting with Stella Adler. After a stint with the Navy in Japan, he met his wife, Evangeline—who collected Kandinskys and Pollacks—at a gallery show of his work in Palm Beach. They remained together for 28 years until her passing in 1990.

A self-made millionaire (he co-founded Merrill-Lynch), he moved among high-society during the years of his marriage. Later, he moved to North Carolina and immersed himself in Native American culture.
Today, Merrill is an activist (as a protest for inequality, he refuses to pay taxes) and an artist who views religious zealots as dire threats. His oil paintings include LGBT and religious symbolism. Recently, he edited the Bible with scissors and ink to eliminate the Right Winger’s hit parade of anti-gay passages. He knows the Koran in translation, but burned a valuable antique edition of it given to his late wife by King Hussein Jordan.

We spoke with Merrill about his latest works before the opening of his New York art exhibit, which includes his oils and a video installation.

You cut out specific verses from the Bible, but burned the entire Koran. Why is that text is dangerous?
The Koran is responsible for 9/11. This kind of thing is foreseen in the Koran, actually, with the non-believers heaped in piles and set afire. The non-Muslims who don’t believe that the book talks about that very obviously have not read the Koran. They have their silly fantasies that the Koran is peace and light and Khalil Gibran [the Lebanese artist and poet], but it is not. Even [President] Bush goes around calling Islam “a religion of peace.” He’s full of crap; it isn’t.

Why don’t we hear more criticism of the text?
[The Muslim] strategy is to intimidate people out of saying the least bad thing. But if everyone cowers like the media does, what chance do we have of preserving our freedoms and our legal system over time? It is up to the artist to edit the Bible and burn the Koran, because artists have the courage to do things that so-called leaders in politics dare not do.

When I was in my 20s and 30s, I had many phobias of death. Now, though, I think, “If I get to that deathbed in the hospital and feel remorse that I haven’t made this warning against violence, then my life hasn’t been worth much.”

How did the gay community respond to your religious-based performance art?
About 50 percent applauded me, and 50 percent were strongly against. Many people were concerned about the concept of burning a book, particularly a religious book. They’re clinging to the religious brainwashing they underwent when they were children. They hang onto that childhood father figure in the sky and twist it to where their make-believe friend Jesus helps them come out. I see faith-based gay organizations popping up all over the place; to me, that’s oxymoronic. Maybe if they would read the apocalyptic Book of Revelation, the end of the Bible, they wouldn’t think they had such a great pretend friend in Jesus. If you’ve matured as an adult you will get rid of all those tooth fairies in your mind, take responsibility for yourself and live out your potential as a human being.

How would you describe the role of religion in our country’s current presidential debates?
It’s very important for the candidates to specify what is in their minds. John Edwards, for example, reverted to his childhood Southern Baptist religion when he had the tragic crisis of his son’s death. Well, a president simply is going to face many crises. Is he or she going to be adult, and effectively handle the crises, or are they going to revert to mythology and imaginary friends? Is there any proven connection between praying and the successful resolution of a crisis? When Hillary says that faith brought her through Bill’s sexual indiscretions, I want her to elaborate.

All a candidate need do when asked about their religious beliefs is to say, “Oh, that’s very personal to me” and they get the knee-jerk reaction of “Oh we understand; don’t bother to explain.” That mindset has prevented our society from making an objective assessment of the complete text of the Koran.

Finally, how do you see these issues playing out in upcoming years; are you an optimist?
I think that the spirit of the Age of Enlightenment will prevail, despite any setbacks.

Paintings by Charles Merrill, through Aug 31, at Broadway Gallery, 473 Broadway, 7th Fl., 212-431-1079. Visit his web site at merrillcharles.com.

Posted by Michael at 05:40 PM | Comments (1)

NY Blade column: What We Learned From Prez Forum

By MICHAEL LUCAS
Friday, August 17, 2007
http://nyblade.com/2007/8-17/viewpoint/opinion/lucas.cfm

MOMENTS AFTER THE Logo forum on gay-interest issues, news anchor Jason Bellini asked, “Did we learn anything new tonight from the candidates?”

Well, Jason, I suppose we learned that Bill Richardson thinks homosexuality is a choice. He’s since clarified that he does not. So we didn’t learn anything there. What’s more, Richardson has all the charisma of a greasy pizza box. His ideas jump up on you like a garlic and onion burp three hours after you’ve eaten the pizza. We also learned that he was, for real, only joking when he used the word maricon on a radio show. Ha, ha, ha! So funny I forgot to laugh, though I guess you could laugh your rear off at his candidacy.

We also learned during the Human Rights Campaign forum that Sen. John Edwards’ resistance to using the word marriage for gays and lesbians when they get married has nothing to do with his faith, even though he can’t say for the life of him what that obnoxious bit of bigotry might be based on. Edwards also clarified that he is not uncomfortable around (shhhhh!) homosexuals, though Melissa Etheridge, one of the forum co-hosts, read in a book that he was. Raise your hand if you think Edwards is going to win the Democratic nomination.

We further learned that Melissa Etheridge likes injecting religion into political discussions. Kept talking about “her creator,” as though that wasn’t her parents.

One of the troubles with bringing religion up in a political context is that the religious texts say what they do about us homos. It ain’t pretty. Can you say the A word? (Abomination). The people who really believe in the “holiness” of the religious texts actually think that some supernatural being either wrote or dictated them and that therefore, the texts are the ultimate authority on all human matters. Aren’t we as a nation intelligent enough to leave religion out of politics? Please don’t answer that.

Barack Hussein Obama only belongs to the Church of Christ, which supports gay marriage, yet he cannot bring himself to do so. ‘Nuff said.

WHAT JASON REALLY should have asked was, “Did we learn anything new that was worth learning?” A long resonating Bronx cheer please! Take the live audience for the event. There were some great souls in it, including my friend, the former Mayor of Hollywood John Duran. As a group, though, this bunch seemed to think they were the studio audience for Oprah and that she was about to give them all a new set of wheels. Almost everything said got applauded. I really wondered if a stage hand was holding up placards telling them when to clap.

Truth to tell, for me, this whole thing was the most boring and predictable event one could have imagined. I think any of the candidates could have taken a big stinking dump on stage and they still would have gotten applause. In a way, they did. Politicians, after all, wouldn’t hesitate to appeal to the radical scat fringe if they thought by doing so they could win.

The event was set up and conducted more or less like a talk show, and those posing questions were tough as wet noodles on the candidates. This was not shown on CNN; it was a strictly by gays for gays event. Who else in the country is watching Logo? Couldn’t these panelists have asked more pointed questions? How else is Sen. Hillary Clinton going to learn that we’re not going to automatically hand her oodles of dough?

THE SUBJECT CAME UP of the time Clinton made a blooper over a Peter. General Peter Pace. Hillary, you’ll remember, had been asked if, like Pace, she thought homosexuality is “immoral.” At the time she said, “Well, I’m going to leave that for others to conclude.” At the Logo forum, her excuse for having said that, instead of, for example, “No,” was that she wanted to talk about repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and that she should have “set it in a broader context.” What was that supposed to mean? A broader context? Huhn? When you figure that out, let Hillary know.

She should have gotten pinned to the mat over that Peter thing. It’s the kind of ambiguity toward us we don’t want repeated.

We should be realistic about what we face with Hillary Clinton. Elsewhere than the Logo forum, she is playing a religious woman for, I suppose, Ted Haggard’s followers, or whoever goes for that kind of thing. That doesn’t mean she is completely, totally and utterly insincere in some of her pro-gay statements, but it just might mean that she is conflicted due to religious brainwashing. Back in January 2005, she appeared in Boston beside the Reverend Eugene Rivers III, a rabid opponent of same-sex marriage. On that occasion, she actually praised so-called faith-based initiatives. So much for separation of church and state, boys!

She said she is a praying person and that had she not been she would have become one after a few months in the White House. I’m just saying. The real reason Clinton couldn’t just say “No” when first asked if she thinks homosexuality is “immoral” is that her religious upbringing wouldn’t allow her to. Her political cunning, however, did allow her to clarify her position after the dirt hit the fan.

Hopefuls Rep. Dennis Kucinich and former Sen. Mike Gravel, it is true, are for absolute and total equality. But I can’t get excited over a dark horse candidate in any event, and Kucinich’s ideas other than those he has about gay issues seem so ridiculous that I’m not going to waste my time saying why.

In sum, what we learned is that those who believe we are not still up against formidable odds are kidding themselves.

Posted by Michael at 05:37 PM | Comments (0)

August 13, 2007

From 365Gay.com: 18 Face Death In Nigeria For Homosexuality

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: August 10, 2007 - 11:00 am ET
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/08/081007nigeria.htm

(Lagos) Eighteen Nigerian men have been found guilty of sodomy by a Sharia judge in the Islamic northern part of the country. The men are awaiting sentencing and under Sharia, or Islamic law, they could be sentenced to death.

The official government news agency Nan reports that the men were arrested in a hotel in north-eastern Bauchi State.

Bauchi is one of a number of northern states which recognizes Sharia law. Elsewhere in the country gay sex carries sentences up to 14 years behind bars.

If sentenced to death the court decision would need the approval of the state governor.

Nan reports that the men were wearing women's clothes when they were arrested and had gone to the hotel to celebrate a gay wedding.

The government frequently alleges that men arrested for being gay were dressed as women and were attending or preparing to attend gay weddings.

More than a dozen men have been sentenced to death in recent years for alleged homosexuality. In most cases their fate is unknown.

Meanwhile, the government is moving ahead with legislation that would strip gays and lesbians of all civil rights.

The bill started out as a ban on same-sex marriage and has been revised to make it a crime for more than two gay people to be in the same venue at the same time.

It prohibits LGBT social or civil rights groups from forming. It would be illegal to sell or rent property to same-sex couples, watch a gay film or video, visit an LGBT web site, or express same-sex love in a letter to one's partner.

The legislation goes so far as to make it a criminal offense to impart information of HIV/AIDS to gays or for non-gays to meet with any group of gays for any purpose.

The penalty would be five years in prison with hard labor.

The most recent arrests have sparked outrage in Britain and is likely to scuttle Nigeria's bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

A movement by LGBT rights activists to block the Nigerian bid began before the arrests and appeared to be gaining broader support on Friday.

Mike Hooper, the chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation - the organization that will make the decision about the games venue - said Friday that Nigeria should be rejected on the grounds of the country’s homophobic oppression.

The southern half of Nigeria is predominantly Anglican. The primate of the Nigerian Church is Archbishop Peter Akinola who has been at the forefront of opposing gay clergy in the denomination. Conservative Anglican churches in the US have aligned themselves with Akinola.

Posted by Michael at 02:27 PM | Comments (1)

August 08, 2007

My Interview with Charles Merrill this Friday

Hey Guys,

This Friday I'm going to interview a personal hero of mine and someone who I believe should be a hero and role model for all gay people, for everybody who believes in the freedom of speech and freedom of expression, and for those who fight against bigotry and hate without living in fear. I'm talking about Charles Merrill, artist and political activist who edited out homophobic paragraphs from the Bible and burned a rare, $60,000 copy of the Koran for its homophobic messages and direct call for killing gay people.

As you know, I wrote about him for the New York Blade this week in my column titled "Burn the Koran? It's Gay Artwork".

I'm doing this interview for the Blade for the issue out on August 17th and will be recording it live at the same time, the video of which will go up on YouTube.

If any of you have questions that you would like me to ask Charles, post them in the comments section.

XXX
-Michael

Posted by Michael at 02:50 PM | Comments (4)

August 06, 2007

NY Blade column: Burn the Koran? It’s Gay Artwork

By MICHAEL LUCAS
Aug. 03, 2007
http://nyblade.com/2007/8-3/viewpoint/opinion/koran.cfm

Gay artist Charles Merrill, peace be upon him, is a most intriguing figure, socially engagé in the fine tradition of Albert Camus. He says: “The role of the artist is to fix unjust laws in the fabric of society that need to be fixed.”

Back in the summer of 2006, a Muslim member of the Israeli Knesset, Ibrahim Sarsur, of the United Arab List party, warned gays that “if they dare to approach the Temple Mount during the World Pride 2006 parade in Jerusalem they will do so over our dead bodies.” In response, Charles Merrill, at the time 72, said: “I will be approaching the Temple Mount out of love and forgiveness to those who hate us. If the three major religions in the Middle East want us stoned to death as it dictates in their ancient scriptures, then our gentle innocent blood will be on their hands. Gays are the meek in society and love all of humanity.”

More recently, Merrill took ink and scissors to a copy of a Bible, editing out the anti-gay passages. He followed that up by burning a rare copy of the Koran with a reported value of $60,000 that had been given to his late wife by the King of Jordan. You can hardly find a reference to Jordan that doesn’t claim it is a “moderate Muslim” country. Funny, though, that you don’t just as often get a reminder that no Jew may be a citizen of Jordan, or buy land there. There are elements in Jordanian society that regularly assert the notion that all homosexuality in the Middle East is Israel’s “fault.”

Merrill edited the Bible in the open, but he burned the Koran at “an undisclosed location in Chicago.” What does that tell us about the reactions to be expected of Muslims as opposed to those of non-Muslims on such occasions?

GAY BLOGS HAVE been abuzz with commentary on Charles Merrill’s gay-positive artistic statements. Some of those comments irk me, especially those that suggest respect is automatically due religious texts and traditions. Just what about anti-gay religious texts should be respected? The Bible is dead wrong to call homosexuality an abomination, and the Koran and the Hadith are even more dead wrong to call for human beings who engage in same-sex intimacies to be killed.

As Americans, we shouldn’t suffer any naïveté regarding the thoughts of the Muslims within our borders. The recent Pew Research study with the misleading title “Muslim Americans; Middle Class and Mostly Mainstream” found that only 40 percent of those American Muslims surveyed believe that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by Arabs. Furthermore, 69 percent of all American Muslims said that society should discourage homosexuality, and 59 percent believe that government should do more to “protect morality in society.”

There’s a very important point to be made here. Islam by its nature as defined in the Koran is a religion that demands to be an integral part of human political organization. People following what the Koran says believe that the laws of a land and indeed the world should be Islamic laws, the original Islamic laws as dictated by Mohammed. If they don’t believe that, they aren’t following the Koran. Muslims are engaged in a struggle—a jihad, sometimes violent, sometimes political—to bring about a worldwide Islamic system. Never mind that they will enthusiastically slaughter each other in the fight over whether that system should be Sunni or Shia. Non-Islamic countries, by contrast, do not base their laws on religious texts. They are, rather, pluralistic, and tolerate people of all religions, with the understanding that all must follow the society’s civil laws.

ANOTHER ARGUMENT I see some gay people advancing in blog comments is that of moral relativity. According to the illogic of that position, because Christian and Jewish religious texts call homosexuality an “abomination,” those two religions are as bad toward gays as Islam.

I recommend anybody stupid enough to believe that to buy an airplane ticket to Iran. They can save themselves the need for and the expense of buying a round-trip ticket by standing in downtown Teheran, kissing another gay man. The Koran is choc-a-bloc with absurdist and often vicious fairy tales; but what’s happening to gay people today in Iran is literally bloody murder—it’s real, and it’s inspired directly by the Muslim murderers’ devotion to Islamic religious texts.

Look, Charles Merrill burned the Koran specifically to protest the horrendous anti-gay crimes of Muslims. Some gay people commenting on blogs get it. But enough don’t for me to find their attitudes extremely disturbing.

Between the Koran and the Hadith there is no question but that Mohammed, fatuously and ridiculously claiming to be speaking the thoughts and words of a Supreme Nincompoop called “Allah,” believed that two men caught having sex with each other should be put to death. The Koran and the Hadith continue in our day to inspire Muslims to murder gay people. So in the name of reason, how could any gay person criticize Charles Merrill for burning a Koran in protest of that?

The Koran is today’s “Mein Kampf.” By the way, “Kampf” and “jihad” are, respectively, the German and Arabic words for “struggle.” If enough Germans had burned Hitler’s book before the Nazis overpowered Germany, perhaps the Germans wouldn’t have wound up having to rebuild their entire country over the ashes of countless millions of dead.

So I salute Charles Merrill for his artistic and social bravery in burning a Koran. I encourage you to show your support for him by attending his exhibit “Gay Activism Into Art Form,” which will be shown August 16–31 at the Broadway Gallery.

Posted by Michael at 05:26 PM | Comments (2)

August 01, 2007

From the AP: Minister charged with indecent exposure

Tue Jul 31, 5:52 PM ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070731/ap_on_re_us/minister_arrested_1

The minister of a Baptist church has been charged with indecent exposure and driving under the influence, and police officers say he propositioned them.

Tommy Tester, 58, of Bristol, Va., was wearing a skirt when he was arrested last week after allegedly urinating in front of children at a car wash, police said.

Police also said Tester offered to perform oral sex on officers who were sent to the scene.

Authorities identified Tester as the minister of Gospel Baptist Church in Bristol and an employee of Christian radio station WZAP-AM in Bristol.

There was no immediate response Tuesday to calls to the church and Tester's home.

WZAP issued a statement Monday asking for prayers and saying Tester had been suspended during an investigation.

"We pray this matter can be quickly resolved," WZAP owner Al Morris said in the statement.

Tester was released Friday on $1,000 bail. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 25.

Posted by Michael at 10:14 AM | Comments (3)

July 30, 2007

Quick links

Some Lucas Entertainment-related quick links for you all:

1) High quality XXX trailers for "The Intern" available now for download (simply right-click and "Save As"):

2) My column for this week's New York Blade: "YouTube Debate’s Gay Takeaways"

3) GayCities.com interview: "Porn Producer Michael Lucas takes us home to Fire Island"

4) HX profile that ran last week: "The Devil Wears Trojans"

Posted by Michael at 04:39 PM | Comments (0)

July 23, 2007

From the AP: Iran launches new crackdown on unIslamic dress

by Farhad Pouladi
Mon Jul 23, 1:54 PM ET

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070723/wl_mideast_afp/iranwomenfashion_070723175421

Iran on Monday launched a new wave of a moral crackdown against women who "dress like models" and men whose hairstyles are deemed unIslamic, police said.

Tehran's police force dispatched dozens of police cars and minibuses into the early evening rush-hour to enforce the dress rules at major squares in the city centre, an AFP correspondent said.

The new "plan to increase security in society" -- which is limited to Tehran but will later extend nationwide -- comes after a pre-summer drive by the police resulted in thousands of warnings and hundreds of arrests.

"We have vowed to continue the campaign to reinforce the plan to increase security in society with new personnel who have received the necessary training," the Tehran police head of information Mehdi Ahmadi told reporters as the first police forces were dispatched.

"This notably includes the use of 100 female police officers," he added.

He said that the campaign would target women who were badly veiled, wore overly tight overcoats, sported excessively short trousers and were "dressed like models."

"As far as men are concerned we will act against those who have Western-style haircuts and clothing. We are also going to act against clothes shops and hairdressers."

Ahmadi said the policy will be first to give a verbal warning to those who infringe the law and, if necessary, they will then be arrested and taken for "consultation."

"Normally the problem is resolved here. If not, and these cases are often those of re-offenders, the case is sent to the judiciary," Ahmadi said.

An AFP correspondent in Vanak Square in central Tehran saw women being apprehended and then being escorted towards a waiting minibus by female police officers. They then waited in the bus as the operation continued.

Other women were seen quickly adjusting their headscarves to cover loose hair when they saw the officers.

Women in Iran are obliged to cover all bodily contours and their heads, but in recent years many have pushed the boundaries by showing off bare ankles and fashionably styled hair beneath their headscarves.

Although the April crackdown was the severest such drive in years, some women are still donning figure-hugging coats and skimpy headscarves. The wacky hairdos favoured by some young men in Tehran are also much in evidence.

By renewing the drive, it appears the police want to send a message that they are serious about enforcing the dress rules.

Many conservatives have applauded the crackdown as important to protect the security of society, but moderates have publicly questioned whether Iran would be better off tackling poverty and crime rather than slack dressing.

Ahmad Reza Radan, the head of Tehran's police, emphasised that the plan was not just restricted to enforcing Islamic dress rules but also targeted all those who disrupt "security" in society.

"In this plan, sexual harassment in the street, addicts and hooligans and the security of recreational places will be targeted," he told the ISNA news agency.

He added that the police would also step up the fight against what he described as "sexually deviant groups and Satan-worshipping cults."

"Some young people, intentionally or unwittingly, are walking advertisements for Western deviant sexual and Satan-worshipping cults. In this plan such people will be identified and confronted."

Posted by Michael at 06:37 PM | Comments (1)

July 17, 2007

A Mighty Heart and a Wrong Message

I finally saw the new Angelina Jolie film "A Mighty Heart" and saw exactly what I was afraid that I would see: The footage from Guantanamo Bay that suggested that the murder of Daniel Pearl was in response to the Guantanamo mistreatment of prisoners, and was set to run by the director as equally cruel as the beheading of the journalists.

The fact that this lunatic director tried to compare and, in some people's minds, even justify this barbaric crime infuriates me. This is just another idiot coming up with a suicidal message that "they are killing us, but we should look into ourselves and see why this happens." This is the most self-destructive thing the West can do.

The Islamic terror, including beheadings, is disgusting and barbaric without any if's, and's, or but's. And I frankly don't understand how anyone can compare those animals who slit innocent people's throats in order to rape virgins in heaven to those who are trying to prevent them from doing this, regardless of their methods.

Posted by Michael at 06:27 PM | Comments (2)

The Philly "Starbooty" Premiere

Posted by Michael at 06:27 PM | Comments (2)

July 13, 2007

From the NYTimes: Executions Are Under Way in Iran for Adultery and Other Violations

(Note from me: I don't think anyone should ever compare Christian extremists to Muslim extremists (as a lot of my fellow liberals stupidly do). You see, whereas Pat Robertson would like to strip me of my right to marry or adopt, millions of sons of Allah would like to stone me to death in a public square. For me, there's a huge difference.)

By NAZILA FATHI
July 11, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/11/world/middleeast/11iran.html

TEHRAN, July 10 — The Iranian government confirmed Tuesday that a man was executed by stoning last week for committing adultery, and said that 20 more men would be executed in the coming days on morality violations.

A judiciary spokesman, Alireza Jamshidi, told reporters on Tuesday that a death sentence by stoning had been carried out last week near the city of Takestan, west of Tehran, despite an order by the chief of the judiciary, Ayatollah Mahmoud Shahroudi, not to permit such executions.

“The verdict was final, and so it was carried out for the man but not for the woman,” the ISNA news agency quoted Mr. Jamshidi as saying.

He said the 20 additional executions were for such things as “rape, insulting religious sanctities and laws, and homosexuality.” Most executions in Iran are hangings, often in public and at the scenes of the alleged crimes.

The police arrested about 1,000 people in May during a so-called morality crackdown. Mr. Jamshidi said 15 more men were being tried on similar charges and could receive death sentences.

The daily newspaper Etemad Melli reported Monday that Jaffar Kiani, 47, who had been convicted of adultery, was executed by stoning on Thursday in the cemetery of a small village near Takestan. “Villagers said the sentence was carried out by the local judge and authorities,” the newspaper reported.

Mr. Kiani and his partner, Mokarameh Ebrahimi, 43, who has two children, were scheduled to die on June 21, but the execution was put off by Ayatollah Shahroudi.

Posted by Michael at 02:54 PM | Comments (4)

July 11, 2007

No More Pouting!

Since Michael Musto leaked out that gross little detail about me now wearing braces, let me admit that it's totally true and long past due as well.

A long, long time ago I was diagnosed with a deep overbite, which gives me—along with other unpleasant things—the appearance that my lower lip is full and falling out of my face. It gives the illusion that I purposefully pout for the camera, like that certain famous Ben Stiller character I'm always compared to. Well now there will be no way for that to happen, as my new retainer keeps my jaw in the right position. And in about five months I will have to undergo a procedure that will further bring my jaws together in the right position. So no more pouting! You will see the difference in my next photoshoot.

So right now, my jaws and my lips are kept together perfectly well by a little piece of plastic. There is one downfall for this, aside from of course paying thousands of dollars to a famous Upper East Side dentist and periodontist: this piece of plastic impairs my speech, and not at all in a sexy way.

It's the first time in my life that I have compassion for all the speech-impeded people on this planet. I really have no idea how people who can't pronounce the letter "s" can get laid. I even tried phone sex... and got hung up on. As soon as I said the word "stroking," "sex," "sucking" or anything like that, all I got was a dial tone in return. Very frustrating. What a cruel world!

But I didn't want to become insecure about it, so I went out with friends and talked to people, even when spitting directly back at them. This thing in my mouth triggers something in my brain that thinks I have food in my mouth, so I salivate all the time. And, therefore, spit.

So yes, my life is a drama right now, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Soon I will be able to speak perfectly—well, never really perfectly since I have this horrifying Russian accent—but at least no one will call me Zoolander anymore.

And mazel tov to that!

Posted by Michael at 06:04 PM | Comments (18)

July 03, 2007

Great Britain Wearing A "Kick Me" Sign

Because of the recent Muzzbag attacks in Great Britain, some of this blog entry might appear to be “politically incorrect.” For example, I could well say that every time the juices from a sagging, hairy Muslim pussy drip on an open copy of the Koran, an angel gets its wings. Let’s face it; whenever one of the Sons of Allah beats a gay person bloody in the streets of Holland, the Islamic world does not lose any sleep, and still less does it call the beating “politically incorrect.”

I mention the beatings of European gays at the hands of Muslim stinkpots because when they happen, they tend not to have the same international coverage that other Muslim crimes against humanity in Europe do. The Madrid attacks, Theo von Gogh left dead in the street with his head nearly severed and an Islamic manifesto pinned to his chest with a dagger; such barbarity attracts more attention than mad dog Muslim attacks against gay people who are not famous.

Let’s not forget the Muslim strategy for squelching valid criticism of Islam and its brainwashed adherents. The violent Muslim hysteria over cartoons published in a Danish newspaper illustrates that strategy. Never mind that Imams added to the originally published cartoons several they had devised themselves, the better to inflame their insane followers. I’m assuming you know a lot about the episode; if you don’t you can learn about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish_cartoon_controversy The upshot was that Muslims worldwide made it impossible for non-Muslims to criticize them through political cartoons. That’s why I’m calling for a cartoon showing Mohammad on the toilet while picking his nose and looking at pornographic images of underage girls, for whom he had a well-documented thing. In response to the Danish cartoons, Iran’s Amhadinejad held a competition and display of Holocaust cartoons. He said he wanted to test the actual Western tolerance for freedom of speech. He thought he was being so damned clever. Guess what? The Holocaust cartoon display took place. Not one non-Muslim in the whole world became violent over it. No Islamic property anyplace was destroyed; no Islamic person anywhere was attacked. So where is the acknowledgement from Ahmadinejad that we value freedom of speech as much as we say we do? Where is his admission that Muslims are wrong to be violent over cartoons?

Then there was the time when the sub-human Muzzies came out to play in London on July 7, 2005. The suicide bombers blew up explosives on various subways and busses at the height of the morning rush hour. 52 human beings and 4 absolutely filthy and disgusting Muslim rats died in the attack. I’m speaking figuratively, of course. I would never degrade an innocent rodent by comparing it to a sickening, Koran-crazed Muslim. After all, no rodent has ever launched attacks against men, women and children in Bali.

Unfortunately, the British response to the filthy Muslim rat problem was not vigorous enough. Sure, communicating from Singapore, the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, made a few stirring speeches right after the putrid Muslim rat attacks. However, after a few weeks, Livingstone showed his true, lunatic colors. He couldn’t find enough historical explanations of and justifications for Muslim assholes attacking Brits. He said, for instance: “I think you’ve just had 80 years of western intervention into predominantly Arab lands because of the western need for oil.” You want an historical reference? I’ll give you one from 2004, when Livingstone invited Yusuf al-Qaradawi to a conference in London. Al-Qaradawi, by the way, is on record as saying that people who engage in anal sex deserve the same punishment as “any sexual pervert.” Yet here’s one of my favorite al-Qaradawi quotes, which he gave directly to BBC Newsnight: “Allah Almighty is just; through his infinite wisdom he has given the weak a weapon the strong do not have and that is their ability to turn their bodies into bombs as Palestinians do.”

If the Mayor of London is going to invite such barbarian scum to his city, barbarian scum that actually endorses suicide attacks, then what surprise should anybody in Great Britain feel when the barbarian scum set about carrying out suicide attacks?

London is so famous for harboring Islamic extremists that in France people call it Beirut on the Thames. In Lebanon, by the way, you find a cautionary tale about what happens when Muzzies breed like rats on crystal in order to overpower non-Muslims. After Ottoman rule ended, Lebanon was a mainly Christian enclave within Greater Syria. Fast forward some 80 years and you have a Muslim majority lording it over the Christians, and Sheik Nasrallah leading swarms of rabid Islamic vampires hissing “Death to America!” They can’t wait to drink your blood.

Great Britain actually has a recent history of granting asylum to Muslim extremists on the grounds that they didn’t have religious freedoms in their countries of origin. Blair reversed some but not enough of that. To which I say “Duh!!!!!!!!!” How many twits does it take to have afternoon tea with finest porcelain? If a Koran-reading camel fucker says he wants to see you blown up, you obviously have to pull his dick out of the camel, send the camel to an animal protection agency and the Koranic fucker to the closest place with 72 virgins, with my apologies to the poor virgins. Calling Muslims camel fuckers, by the by, would not even be an insult according to the Tharirolvasyleh by the Ayatollah Khomeini, which you can download here: http://ethnikoi.org/iran.html In that book, Khomeini says “A man can have sex with animals such as sheep, cows, camels and so on. However, he should kill the animal after he has his orgasm. He should not sell the meat to the people in his village, but selling the meat to a neighboring village is reasonable.”

Just this week, again, in Londonistan, whoopsie, I meant London, the bastard Sons of Allah sought to bring death and destruction to the heart of Western civilization. During the attempted attacks, a bearded Muzzie with cruel little eyes, on fire in Glasgow was throwing punches at the police and shouting “Allah. Allah.” You have to wonder what Winston Churchill would make of European accommodation of Muslims. Churchill did say that the Koran is the Mein Kampf of religion.

Yet in today’s England there are many who continue believing that allowing a huge influx of Muslim immigrants and then letting the Muslim women walk the streets in female Darth Vader Halloween costumes every day of the year while their unbathed hubbies are out planting massive bombs is the way to go. The hell with political correctness towards camel jockeys, towel heads, donkey riders and goat fuckers already. Practicing Muslims have various insulting and demeaning ways of referring to anybody who hasn’t been brainwashed into believing that Mohammed heard the word of Allah through the alleged Archangel Gabriel. What kind of a dumbfuck believes angels are real, anyhow? Just how messed up of a dumbfuck do you have to be to think you should kill innocent people in the name of Allah and Islam?

London has harbored the most outrageous of Islamic terrorists and the ideologues behind them, the Imams of hate. The city is the capital of European appeasement of worldwide Islamic jihad. It provides cover to Islamic moneybags, and sells them many of its main buildings. Mohamed al-Fayed bought Harrad’s department store, where he installed a statue of himself aimed at Mecca but also containing security cameras in the eye sockets.

I repeat something I’ve said before. My issue is not with humans who happen to belong to any certain race, whether Arab or whatever. Wafa Sultan and Ayaan Hirsi Ali are two of my idols and role models. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wafa_Sultan ,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayaan_Hirsi_Ali) My issue rather is with people who unfortunately have not yet been liberated from the hateful brainwashing that is Islam. I’m out of all patience with Western leaders who have never read the Koran cover to cover coming out with ignorant statements such as “Islam is a religion of peace.” George W. Bush can’t say that enough times, it seems. But I know what’s in that vile book, I know what it commands Muslims to do against non-Muslims, and I don’t want to hear a Bushie coming at me with “Islam is a religion of peace.” Ask any Muslim if they want peace and they’ll tell you yes. But you have to know that their understanding of “peace” is a future world in which all people have either converted to Islam or passively accepted being made dhimmis. Anybody who hasn’t read the Koran isn’t qualified to talk about what Islam is or is not.

The European experience with Muslims should be a wake-up call to Americans not to let the same things happen here. It is the intention of the Muslims to conquer us even without a fight. They take steps towards doing that by exploiting our openness and tolerance without reciprocating tolerance. How can Europeans let Muslims buy up properties and then rule over those properties with Sharia law within Europe? (Reminder: Sharia says that a woman who becomes pregnant out of wedlock must be whipped 275 times). More than one Imam has said “We will bring the victory through the wombs of our women.” Let me explain what that means. It means that there are Islamic religious leaders encouraging Muslims to outbreed other social groups and thus gain control of all people. Remember; in 1920, Lebanon was a Christian enclave in Greater Syria. One man, five wives, each wife has five children, you do the math. Factor in the European governments giving welfare to them all. In today’s Europe, you can regularly see skuzzy Muzzies wearing t-shirts that say “2030, then we take over.” Why do they have the right to wear such a thing? We know what would happen if a European wore a shirt saying “The Hadith suck shit!” Yet the Hadith tell Muslims to kill gays. So why is it that Muslims are free to wear “2030, then we take over” t-shirts in Europe, but no European could wear a shirt saying “Up Mohammed’s ass with greased Ben-wa balls!”?

Here are some of my recommendations for what to do. All immigration of practicing Muslims into non-Muslim countries should be completely stopped. Not one more brainwashed smegma head who wants to pray towards Mecca as many times a day as he has to piss should be allowed into any non-Muslim country. That in fact reminds me to say that we should consider positioning urinals so that we all piss towards Mecca. Any and everybody who wants to live by the Koran should be deported from non-Muslim countries. If you’re not Muslim and don’t agree with that, then 1) read the fucking Koran already (use it as toilet paper afterwards if you want) and 2) realize that these animals are exploiting your tolerance in order eventually to be intolerant of you. If you are gay, they want to carry that intolerance to the point of killing you. If you are any religion except the Islamic one, and won’t accept being made subservient to Muslims, then again they will carry that intolerance to the point of killing you. Saudi Arabia (a country where gays are regularly persecuted and executed) gave tens of millions to build the biggest mosque in Europe, in Rome. Meanwhile in Saudi Arabia, it is ILLEGAL to build a church or a synagogue. Hello, shit-for-brains, wherever you are!!!!! Do you fucking get it or don’t you? What’s going on there couldn’t be any more obvious if it were a giant cum-soaked prayer rug falling out of the sky. That is why it is a horrible strategy against Islamic encroachment on Western freedoms to allow Muslims to buy real estate in non-Muslim countries; they are doing it to take you over and impose Islam on you, while not letting you build a church in their country. Even the Israelis are not as intelligent about this as they might be. They just opened a new mosque in Israel’s biggest airport, but meanwhile, no Jew may buy property in Jordan, still less build a temple there.

Close all Muslim schools in non-Muslim countries. They’re teaching more than how to make hummus in those places. They are teaching the Koran and the Hadith. Step up development of non-fossil-fuel energy sources, so you aren’t giving Saudis money to go on executing gays every time you drive your car or ride a plane.

We must at long last correct one of the biggest mistakes of the present day. We must stop separating the Osamas from the world they came from. These “terrorists” are not flukes. They are Muslims, carrying out the jihad that the Koran instructs them to carry out. Also, wake the fuck up. Don’t be stupid enough to believe that so-called “moderate” Muslims are allied with non-Muslims of any sort. If they’re reading the Koran and worshipping according to it, they are acting in consort with each other to achieve an exclusively Muslim world. That is what the Koran tells them to do. Don’t let the followers of the prophet, piss be upon him, into a position where they can ruin your day or wipe you off the face of the earth.

Above, I’ve written about what whole nations might do to preserve themselves from the horror of wholesale capitulation to Islam. But what can you as an individual do to protect yourself from these Mecca-loving turds? My recommendation is that you wrap yourself in thinly sliced, exquisitely-flavored Danish ham. I heard that might work.

Posted by Michael at 04:45 PM | Comments (32)

June 26, 2007

Pictures from the Virgin Megastore PRIDEFEST event 06/23/07

Johnny Hanson, Christian Cruz, me & Ben Andrews

Tommy Deluca, Jonathan Vargas, Ben Andrews & Christian Cruz

The guys of NEKKED performed!

If you come to our events, you can get a lot of free shit!

It's true!

Posted by Michael at 09:59 AM | Comments (4)

June 22, 2007

Some upcoming Lucas events!

Saturday, June 23rd, 2007: VIRGIN MEGASTORE Union Square PRIDEfest Meet & Greet! 2pm - 8pm!

Come meet your favorite Men of Lucas Entertainment, including Ben Andrews, Jonathan Vargas, Spencer Quest, Christian Cruz, Tommy Deluca, and a special appearance by JOHNNY HANSON of "Michael Lucas' The Bigger The Better"!

Also appearing/performing: GAYVN-winning music group NEKKED, whose new album "A Barrier of Skin" is available now at LucasEntertainment.com!

FREE!

Posted by Michael at 01:14 PM | Comments (2)

NY Blade column: Hillary’s Moments

We must demand clear statements from candidates about LGBT civil rights

By MICHAEL LUCAS
Friday, June 22, 2007
http://nyblade.com/2007/6-22/viewpoint/opinion/lucas.cfm

In the Democratic presidential field, our community’s pet candidate is Hillary. The junior senator from New York schmoozes our donors and rakes in our money. In the first quarter, Hillary got 53 percent of individual contributions to the top three democratic candidates in heavily gay Los Angeles zip codes. Obama got 34 percent and Edwards 13 percent. That’s according to Frontier’s magazine. Donor patterns in gay zip codes across the country are broadly similar.

She’s our girl. But what are we to her?

When she talks to gay donors, she tells us what we want to hear. A month ago, she gave the keynote speech at the Human Rights Campaign’s annual dinner. (Note: The Human Rights Campaign is the country’s wealthiest and most prestigious if not necessarily most effective LGBT political lobbying organization, beloved by gay men in the heartland—a major source of Clinton campaign money.) Clinton said she opposes the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy her husband had instituted. “This policy doesn’t just hurt gays and lesbians, it hurts all our troops, and this to me is a matter of national a and we’re going to fix it,” Clinton said to rousing applause from the wealthy attendees.

Brave words, speaking to the ghetto. But who heard them, except her gay donor pool? Exactly nobody. The speech was not announced and remains unpublished, though a video was posted on the group’s web site.

When Clinton talks outside the gay ghetto, she sounds quite different. When General Peter Pace, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the nation’s highest military officer, called homosexuality “immoral,” Clinton was asked if she agreed. “Well, I am going to leave that to others to conclude,” was her pathetic response. She then said she wants to “make sure” that gays ands lesbians “can” serve in the military—which means exactly nothing, because gays and lesbians already can serve in the military … as long as they keep their private life in the closet.

THAT’S NOT THE FIRST time Clinton’s support for our community has remained safely inside the ghetto. During her first Senate Campaign, in 1999, she said at a $100,000 gay fundraiser in SoHo that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was a failure and that, if elected, she would work to overturn the policy. Now she’s been in the senate for over six years and what has she done? Nothing.

There is no doubt in my mind that Sen. Clinton likes gays and lesbians. Inside the ghetto, her attention can be touching. One longtime Democratic fundraiser told me about Hillary’s warm words to his new boyfriend. A leading lesbian Democratic activist told me about the long letter she received from the Senator upon the birth of their baby girl, directed to their baby girl. Her speeches at LGBT fundraisers are sincere and promising … inside the ghetto.

Why is she so bland when she speaks to the larger America? Of course, it’s tempting to blame her, to talk about hypocrisy.

But I blame mostly us. We are the ones who fail to ask “our” candidates to take publicly clear stands on our issues. We are the ones who write checks and give our votes without attaching clear demands. Look at the Jewish community. No candidate will get a cent of Jewish money who does not clearly articulate his or her support for the security of Israel. We must take a lesson from their book. We need to demand from our candidates an equally clear and unequivocal statement about the security of our lives and the advancement of our rights.

Posted by Michael at 12:54 PM | Comments (4)

June 18, 2007

NY Blade column: Speak Out Against Bush’s Pick for Surgeon General

Let Senate know James Holsinger is not a well man

http://www.newyorkblade.com/2007/6-15/viewpoint/opinion/lucas.cfm

By MICHAEL LUCAS
Friday, June 15, 2007

I want to emphasize what we LGBTers can do to protect ourselves from the monumental stupidity of George W. Bush. As if we needed more evidence of just how idiotic he is, this past week in speaking about the “no confidence” vote in the Senate over his thug in the Justice Department, Alberto Gonzalez, Bush said: ”This process has been drug out a long time.”

There’s only so much you can expect from a full-grown adult who, despite being president of the U.S.A., doesn’t know the correct past participle of the verb “to drag.” And it figures that a heterosexual reactionary who knows nothing about drag couldn’t care less about the well being of gay people.

Back on May 24, 2007, Bush nominated James Holsinger as surgeon general. The surgeon general is the U.S. government’s top spokesperson on public health matters. The person in the post can influence public perceptions and government policies related to health issues of specific concern to gays. So it matters a lot that Holsinger has a virulently anti-gay history. Holsinger’s nomination must be rejected, and we have to be part of what motivates the Senate to reject him. Here’s why:

Holsinger founded Hope Springs Church in a warehouse near Lexington, Kentucky. That church runs an ‘ex-gay’ ministry. Enough said about that.

In 1991, Holsinger was on a United Methodist Church panel that attempted to spell out the church’s position on homosexuality. The allegedly medical paper Holsinger wrote for that panel to consider was titled “Pathophysiology of Male Homosexuality.” In it, he actually wrote that because heterosexual sex is so common and pervasive, plumbers even refer to pipe fittings as a male and female (as in, on object fits inside the other). It follows, he argued, that homosexuality in humans leads to “injuries and disease.” As if heterosexuals were not as vulnerable to STDs as gay people.

Some people on the church panel wanted to modernize the church’s stance towards gay people. When Holsinger learned that was so, he resigned from the panel. J. Philip Wogaman, who was on that panel, has said: “Holsinger opposed any recognition of homosexuality as normal. He took the view that it’s pathological, that homosexuality is both a sin and a kind of mental sickness. He was quite vocal about it.”

Not convinced about Holsinger’s unsuitability to the post of Surgeon General yet? In 1998, he was on the board of a Methodist group that criticized the “radical homosexual/lesbian lobby” for trying to force the church “to grant approval to the practice of homosexuality.”

PLENTY OF QUALIFIED medical professionals in this country have no record of bigotry of any kind. That is the sort of person that would deserve the privilege and responsibility of serving as surgeon general. Speaking of medical qualifications, by the way, in 1991, when Holsinger was running the Veterans Health Administration, under pressure he acknowledged that shoddy treatment had caused the deaths of six patients in its hospital in North Chicago.

Sen. Hillary Clinton has announced her opposition to Holsinger’s nomination. Barack Obama has only voiced “serious reservations” about it. This is where you and I come in. All senators have a “Contact Me” page on their web sites. The 21 senators to contact now are those on the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), which will be the first committee to consider Holsinger’s nomination. You can find the list of the 21 members of the committee by visiting its official web site at http://help.senate.gov/.

Write one message against Holsinger’s confirmation, and e-mail it to all 21 members of that committee. The entire process shouldn’t take you more than a half hour. Your message could be as simple as “I am unconditionally opposed to the confirmation of James Holsinger as surgeon general. He is an anti-gay bigot. We should instead have a modern and open-minded medical professional in this important post.”

The world really works this way, in case you weren’t aware. Many bills before the Senate get passed or defeated because of the communications about them to senators from voters. You can put on some of your favorite music and while enjoying it, e-mail these 21 senators about your opposition to James Holsinger.

It truly is a drag that we are, apparently, stuck with George W. Bush as president until January 20, 2009. That doesn’t mean, however, that the gay community has to hang a “Kick Us” sign around its collective neck until that day. Show Bush that you understand what a democracy is; make your voice heard on this one.

If you have family members and friends who believe matters of public health policy should be decided according to medical science only, and not on religion-based bigotry, have them e-mail Senators expressing that view. It isn’t simply that you can make a difference; it’s that you must.

Posted by Michael at 11:13 AM | Comments (1)

June 14, 2007

AP Story: Iran moves to execute porn stars

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran's parliament on Wednesday voted in favor of a bill that could lead to death penalty for persons convicted of working in the production of pornographic movies.

With a 148-5 vote in favor and four abstentions, lawmakers present at the Wednesday session of the 290-seat parliament approved that "producers of pornographic works and main elements in their production are considered corruptors of the world and could be sentenced to punishment as corruptors of the world."

The term, "corruptor of the world" is taken from the Quran, the Muslims' holy book, and ranks among the highest on the scale of an individual's criminal offenses. Under Iran's Islamic Penal Code, it carries a death penalty.

The "main elements" refered to in the draft include producers, directors, cameramen and actors involved in making a pornographic video.

The bill also envisages convictions ranging from one year imprisonment to a death sentence for the main distributors of the movies and also producers of Web sites in which the pornographic works would appear.

Besides videos, the bill covers all electronic visual material, such as DVD and CDs. Other material, such as porn magazines and books are already banned under Iranian law.

To become law, the bill requires an approval by the Guardian Council, a constitutional watchdog in Iran.

It is widely believed that the drafting of the bill came about as a reaction to a scandal last year, when a private videotape, apparently belonging to Iranian actress Zahra Amir Ebrahimi and allegedly showing her having intercourse with a man, became available across Iran.

The videotape was leaked to the Internet and released on a black market DVD, becoming a full-blown Iranian sex tape scandal. Ebrahimi later came under an official investigation, which is still ongoing. She faces fines, whip lashing or worse for her violation of Iran's morality laws.

The unnamed man on the tape, who is suspected of releasing it, reportedly fled to Armenia but was subsequently returned to Iran and charged with breach of public morality laws. He remains in jail.

In an exclusive interview with the British newspaper The Guardian early this year, Ebrahimi denied she was the woman in the film and dismissed it as a fake, made by a vengeful former fiance bent on destroying her career.

In recent years, private videotapes have increasingly been leaked to the public in Iran, riling the government and many in this conservative Islamic country, where open talk of sex is banned and considered taboo.

However, porn material is easily accessible through foreign satellite television channels in Iran. Bootleg video tapes and CDs are also available on the black market on many street corners.

Posted by Michael at 04:28 PM | Comments (1)

June 12, 2007

NY Blade letter: My Overlooked Message: U.S. LGBTers Must Pay Attention to Strife Between Gays, Muslims in Europe

I wrote letter to the editors of the NY Blade regarding the story "Fanning flames of fear, hatred against Muslims" that ran last week. They ran an edited version in the paper this week which you can read here. Below is my letter unedited and in full:

To the Editors:

I am concerned about Human Rights issues no matter where human rights are being violated. Naturally, I am especially interested in being a catalyst for change where LGBT people are denied their rights.

That is why I feel compelled to rebut Faisal Alam, who regrettably misunderstood an opinion piece I wrote regarding the impact of Islam on gay rights. That he attacked me personally for the piece I wrote is all the more ironic that I was talking about protecting the liberties of a gay person such as himself.

Mr. Alam fired a salvo at me which shows that despite his involvement with a LGBT Muslim group, he remains to some extent the victim of an anti-sex religious brainwashing, or at least, willing to promote that brainwashed point of view to bolster an argument that puts the interests of religious Muslims above the human rights of gay people worldwide. He said: “Michael Lucas, infamous for his porn empire, has suddenly become an expert on Islam and its view of homosexuality.” The prejudice against erotic entertainment stems mainly from religious sources, so why is Mr. Alam saying I’m infamous, rather than famous, for my business? Furthermore, does he believe that I built my business and expanded my artistic vision without having a keen intellect? Does he think that the keen intellect I exercise in running my business is not capacious enough to also study and understand, in-depth, Islam and its view of homosexuality?

I don’t at all mind giving you an idea of my education in Islam and gay rights. I have read the Koran and the Hadith, and I am troubled by many things in those texts. The Hadith calling for people engaging in gay sex to be killed, for example, is problematic. I have traveled in many Muslim countries, without particular pleasure, and observed the conditions for GLBT people there. I have read extensively on the topic of Islam and human rights. One enlightening book I can recommend is Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. It is relevant to note that though Ms. Ali now resides in the US, she does so under perpetual security guard, as Muslims, some of them American, have called for her to be killed because of her critiques of their religion. Were the threats against her idle, she wouldn’t be using those security guards. I also want known that one of my personal heros and role models is the Arab woman Wafa Sultan, who also lives in the US with special security due to Islamic threats against her.

Mr. Alam claims that in my world, all Muslims are “fag-hating bigots.” Yet in the very article that provoked that reaction, I acknowledged that Muslim congressman Keith Ellison is on record as supporting equal rights for GLBTers. I am the first one to acknowledge when Muslims work for progressive change. Mr. Alam could do me the courtesy of not writing about me as though I were not.

Lebanon, Turkey, Malaysia and Indonesia were all cited by Mr. Alam as “hubs” of gay organizing. Yet, in an article on gay rights in Turkey that appeared in the International Herald Tribune on February 5, 2006, Kursad Kahramanoglu is quoted as saying that even those Turkish intellectuals, writers and artists who have come out “remain completely silent, giving in to the official state line that limits discussion of human rights violations in Turkey to the issues of the Kurdish community or freedom of expression.” It’s good that there are some gay bars in Istanbul but I am concerned with gay rights according to a profounder, more comprehensive standard. (FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES, THAT ARTICLE MAY BE FOUND HERE: http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/02/05/news/gays.php)

It often happens that Muslim LGBT groups will talk about “justice” as it relates to the conflict in Israel and Palestine, but not say one word about the plight of gay people among the Palestinian Arabs. Mr. Alam’s site www.al-fatiha.org indeed makes that call for “justice” in the matter of Israel, yet says nothing about the anti-gay “honor” killings that are a regular part of life among the Palestinian Arabs. Mr. Alam, to judge by what he wrote, considers those anti-gay murders a trivial detail when compared to what he alleges to be an advanced gay rights situation in Turkey. I have actually heard gay Muslims in the US say that because the Palestinians voted Hamas into power, Hamas should be supported by the outside world. Yet the Hamas charter calls for Israel to be replaced by an Islamic theocracy under Sharia law, with the Hadith consulted as legitimate sources in the legal system. As a reminder, the Hadith call for gay people to be killed. Therefore, obviously, anybody who expresses support for Hamas is automatically saying they support the elimination of the one genuine safe haven for LGBTers in the Middle East.

The only conference of lesbian Arab women ever held in the Middle East took place in Haifa, Israel, on March 28, 2007. It took place under heavy security supplied by the local Israeli government and was protested by Islamic groups within Israel. The Arab Knesset Member Abbas Zakour physically took part in one of those protests, and said: "The activity of these women diminishes the value of the human being and their actions are not accepted in the Muslim and Palestinian world." Another Arab Knesset member, Sheik Ibrahim Sasur, said this about the conference: “We oppose their intent to bring this issue to the open air.”

A complete rebuttal to Mr. Alam would require more space than I have here. But I’ll say that he used the results of a recent Pew survey of American Muslims to claim that American Muslims are the most mainstream of Americans. Yet that survey found that 26% of young American Muslims can find a justification for suicide bombings. That means there are hundreds of thousands in the US taking that position. I’m calling attention to that verifiable menace within our borders exactly because Mr. Alam and his co-religionists are not, even though they should be in the lead of solving the problems within their own community. 26% of the young in the American Muslim community find justification for suicide bombings, but Mr. Alam does not even admit that the problem exists. It’s also significant here to note that in Jordan, no Jew may be a citizen or purchase property. Yet those two anti-gay protestors I quote above are Arab members of the Israeli Knesset. I do not know whether Mr. Alam’s conception of justice in the Middle East includes a demand for Jews to be able to live normally in Jordan. But I am issuing a challenge to him to have made clearer, on the www.al-fatiha.org web site, and elsewhere, a commitment to gay rights in the Middle East, and to countering pernicious tendencies in the American Muslim community. For instance, I am, alas, accustomed to mainstream publications not saying much about murderous anti-gay fanaticism among the Palestinians. But that a GLBT Muslim website in the US would not mention it at all, while calling for “justice” between Israel and Palestine, is a circumstance screaming out for improvement. If nobody among Muslim Americans is even mentioning the issue, who will speak up for the human rights of those Palestinian gay people? I, born to a Jewish family, am doing it right here, right now. To which cause does Mr. Alam have a stronger allegiance; Islam, or GLBT rights?

Michael Lucas
New York City

Posted by Michael at 02:26 PM | Comments (3)

June 08, 2007

NY Blade column: Why I Never Went Back

http://nyblade.com/2007/6-8/viewpoint/opinion/lucasfiles.cfm

By MICHAEL LUCAS
June 8, 2007

I am disgusted yet hardly surprised by recent developments in Russia, the putrid country of my birth. For the past two years, attempts by gay people in Russia to hold Pride rallies in Moscow have not only been squelched, but also met by shocking public expressions of bigotry along with calls for anti-gay violence by elected officials and religious leaders.

In May of both 2006 and 2007, concerned political figures from European Union countries traveled to Moscow to show human rights solidarity with the gay organizers there. Their pleas for tolerance were met with barbaric contempt.

In 2006, the Mayor of Moscow, Yuri Luzhkov, banned a Pride event being planned by gay leader Nikolai Alekseyev. In response to the ban, gay activists thought to honor the country’s war against the Nazis by laying wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They had planned to then hold a protest near City Hall against Mayor Luzhkov’s ban of their Pride event. When they got to the tomb, they found it blocked by police. Additionally, a vomitous crowd of Russian Orthodox, skinheads and Cossacks awaited them. As they tried to lay flowers by the fence, they were violently attacked. Some made their way to the site of the planned City Hall demonstration, and again were attacked.

The German parliamentarian Volker Beck, who had come in a show of support for enlightenment, was struck by a rock and then punched in the face by a young neo-Nazi. How is that for irony? The Russians in WWII fought off the least humane society ever, one that severely persecuted gay people, only to become infinitely less tolerant than today’s Germany. The Russian who hit Beck was later quoted in The Moscow Times as saying he attacked violently because he was “a normal Russian guy.”

He said it, I didn’t. But let me tell you, “normal” Russians have a mentality that is the absolute pits. They are incredibly cruel and intolerant. Trust me, I lived the nightmare, I know what I am talking about. I left Russia because I understood what I would be in for if I stayed there. One of the reasons I brought my whole family here was that I did not want to have to set foot in that rotten country in order to see them.

THE REACTIONS IN RUSSIA TO A planned Pride event last month was, if anything, even worse than in 2006. That was the case despite expressions of support for Pride from heterosexual and homosexual elected officials all over Western Europe. Mind you, we are not talking about a Fifth Avenue parade. We are just talking about a few hundred gay people wanting to erode the monstrous prejudice against them by showing they exist. Yet Mayor Luzhkov calls such a demonstration “satanic.” His police do not protect gay people, and the religious leaders in his society might as well be foaming at the mouth. By the way, if you think the Russian people have acknowledged that gays were among the soldiers who fought on their side in WWII, forget about it.

A shared hatred of gay people has united the Christian Russians with the Muslim Russians. Moscow carpet-bombed the Chechen Republic because of those two groups’ usual enmities, but when a few hundred gay Russians wanted to show they exist, the Christians and the Muslims couldn’t find enough ways to express their agreement.

I regret having to report to you that the top Muslim leader in Russia, the Mufti Talgat Tajuddin, has made statements that ought to have landed him in an asylum for the criminally insane. For instance, he claimed that “if gays come out onto the streets, they should be bashed.”

I maintain that all religious texts containing anti-gay bigotry should be modified.

You could ask why so powerful, omnipresent a guy as God needs human policemen to take care of those who have supposedly committed a crime against him. The Mufti also said that the Russian Orthodox Church would join in anti-gay protests. Several news agencies attempted to interview the church about his statements, but the church had no comment. Chief Rabbi Berl Lazar got in on the act, too, saying that “sexual perversions have no right to exist.” He did not, however, call for anti-gay violence. While both these men are to be denounced, I imagine the importance of the distinction between them would be apparent to a gay person getting beaten bloody on the Mufti’s orders.

ALL OF THIS WAS HARDLY covered by mainstream American media. This is the face of homophobia. Bush recently chided Putin for backpedaling on democratic reforms, but of course expressed no outrage over Russian violations of gay people’s human rights. Let a single Christian convert in Afghanistan be sentenced to death for apostasy, and Bush mounts an aggressive international campaign to protect that person. On gay rights, he is silent.

I’ve been thinking about pressure that could be put on Russia to grant gays their rights—sanctions, travel limitations on the Russians who come here to buy their Gucci, et cetera. Yet I also think we American gays should be more demanding of presidential candidates if they want our support. Asking Sen. Hillary Clinton to speak up for oppressed gays internationally, for example, would not be too much to request. I’m not holding my breath.

Still, we will have our Pride March down Fifth Avenue the last Sunday of June. Despite Gen. Peter Pace and his comment about “immoral” homosexuality, and despite President Bush, the United States is a far, far better place for a gay person than Russia. That’s why I’m here, and that’s why when the subject of going to Russia arises, I say nyet.

Posted by Michael at 05:20 PM | Comments (1)

June 05, 2007

HX column: A Change Will Do You Good

I had a problem with Buck Angel. I admit it. A “human tragedy” is what I called him back in 2005. An “ugly, bald, chubby man.” How could any self-respecting gay man possibly get turned on by this female-to-male transsexual porn star? By this vagina?

It took a simple conversation to change my mind. Buck himself dropped by my office a couple weeks ago, HBO documentary crew in tow, to sit down and talk to me about his life. He told me that there’s a community of FTM men, like himself, who haven’t completed their transitions and still have their vaginas intact. Surrogate penises nowadays, apparently, are just too ugly, dysfunctional and expensive to have—surgery can cost up to $100,000.

I asked Buck how many men he meets in bars brush him off after he tells them that he still has a vagina. Buck said that he knows his market better than that and the kinds of people he should approach, so that situation rarely happens. What is your market? I asked. The extreme crowd who is into kink, he said. There is an entire community of kink lovers—including many who identify as gay men—who are way into un-transitioned FTM men.

Sexuality, it turns out, is more fluid than I thought it was. My own sexuality happens not to be—dick, balls and ass forever! Well a little more than that if you’ve ever watched my films. But for some people, it can truly be fluid. I wasn’t aware that there is an entire community of guys like Buck and guys who like guys like Buck.

My company is now the official gay distributor of “Buckback Mountain,” the first movie from Buck Angel Entertainment. Shameless plug, I know. But guess what? The movie sells and the guys buying it tend to be the customers who buy the director’s cut versions of my films—those that feature watersports and fisting scenes that retail stores shy away from. My customers, who I used to think were only into only cock, are dabbling in pussy!

I thought I knew everything there was to know about male sexuality. But I didn’t. I was confused before, yes, but now I feel I understand it. Like Buck, I’m a changed man.

XXX
-Michael Lucas
HX Issue 822
June 8, 2007

Posted by Michael at 03:29 PM | Comments (5)

May 31, 2007

I'm off

I am off to Europe, but please keep sending me your stories. They will be forwarded to the Blade while I am away. I will get in touch with you when I return.

XXX
-Michael
michael@lucasentertainment.com

Posted by Michael at 03:12 PM | Comments (2)

May 30, 2007

About that book

In the past few weeks, I have received countless emails regarding Corey Taylor’s book "Naked: The Life and Pornography of Michael Lucas." Recently released, it appears in the front stands of Barnes and Noble and other book stores.

Umpteen journalists have requested interviews about this book. I have turned them all down. Let me explain why.

This so-called writer contacted me about two years ago, saying he would love to write a book about me. I agreed to a series of interviews. All of them took place over the phone. I never actually met the fellow. At some point I decided it was time to see some substantive material, so I asked Mr. Taylor to send me his draft.

I've read quite a few books, including countless biographies. The manuscript Mr. Taylor sent me was an unmitigated disaster. The thought of being represented to the world by means of such shoddy literary craftsmanship made me sick in the pit of my stomach. You can tell from the award-winning stylishness of my recent films that artistic style is vitally important to me. Why would I want my name associated with something that does not live up to the high standards I set for myself? The reason I did not want to give Mr. Taylor so much as a paper bag after seeing his catastrophic manuscript was that I knew he could not write his way out of a paper bag and I did not have the heart to see him stuck in one.

I will not go into details now about how this book unworthy of even being called a book lacks many of the most important details of my life and does not even remotely capture me as I really am. You surely have understood that I withdrew support from Mr. Taylor’s project, and explicitly told him I did not want his garbage appearing for public consumption.

In his epilogue, Mr. Taylor states that I distanced myself from the project and "ultimately made the decision to stop participating in the writing of the book." He further speculates that I felt that my "continued involvement in the book would appear self-serving." That is a deception at great odds with the truth, as Mr. Taylor well knows. I spoke with him at length over the phone and sent him an email (which I still have), telling him that I was very thankful to him for his high praise of me, as I appreciate all of my fans and admirers. I also told him that I did not want to be associated with such terrible writing and that were a book about me to appear, it would have to be done by a talented writer with stylistic panache.

The book was published anyway, without my involvement or approval. Mr. Taylor never met me, my family, or any of my friends or colleagues. The book was based entirely on a series of telephone interviews with me, and books on Soviet Russia, immigration, sex, etc. I was really disappointed that this mess was actually picked up and published by a heretofore legitimate publisher, Kensington Books. It doesn’t surprise me that they would want to trade off my celebrity but I would have appreciated their doing so in a classier manner. So I've decided to pursue a book project myself, using as a reference source the person who knows the most about my life, me.

Journalists, readers, fans and friends needn’t bother asking me about Mr. Taylor’s sophomoric efforts. I am above this sub-par material, and will be producing a book of world-class caliber.

Posted by Michael at 05:58 PM | Comments (5)

May 29, 2007

NY Blade column: The Worst Threat to Gay Rights?

http://nyblade.com/2007/5-25/viewpoint/opinion/lucasfiles.cfm

By MICHAEL LUCAS
May. 25, 2007

WE IGNORE ISLAMIC contempt for gay rights at our own peril. What are known as the Hadith are tools for determining the Muslim way of life. The Hadith relate to the words and deeds of Muhammad. All traditional Islamic schools of jurisprudence incorporate the Hadith. One Hadith says that, in terms of male-on-male sexual activity, the “tops” are as bad as the “bottoms”: “Kill the one that is doing it and also kill the one that it is being done to.”

That very thing happens regularly in Muslim majority societies. Counting the number of gay murder victims in that context is impossible. In many Muslim societies, murdering a gay relative is perceived as redeeming the family from a supposed dishonor brought upon it by the gay person.

So-called “honor killings” of gay people, as well as of women who supposedly offend their families’ honor, are now taking place in Europe.

In case you were not aware, Muslim leaders in France, Britain, Denmark and Belgium have declared certain Muslim neighborhoods to be under Islamic jurisdiction. For a detailed account of such matters, I can not recommend highly enough out gay author Bruce Bawer’s book “While Europe Slept: How Radical Islam Is Destroying the West From Within.” He also maintains an informative web site at brucebawer.com.

It is incorrect to think that anti-gay Islamic bigots can be equated with anti-gay bigots of other religions. As Bawer says: Evangelical leader “Pat Robertson just wanted to deny me marriage; the imams wanted to drop a wall on me.”

Here is another example of how anti-gay Muslims differ in their approach from anti-gay Christians and Jews. Muslims actually revere Jesus Christ as a prophet. So when Terrence McNally depicted Jesus as gay in his play “Corpus Christi,” a judge of the Shari’ah Court of the U.K. signed a death order against him. A death order! Signed by a Muslim from within Great Britain. I ask you, Have you recently heard of a Christian or Jewish clergyman calling for Terrence McNally to be killed because he portrayed Jesus as gay in a stage work?

The Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain is so accepted in society that he is known as Sir Iqbal Sacranie. The man has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II! What irks me isn’t his knighthood; rather, it’s his failure to use his position of respectability to censure his fellow Muslims when they condemn Terrence McNally to death. Sir Iqbal, furthermore, in his capacity as leader of the Muslim Council of Britain, refuses all proposals to tackle homophobia within the Muslim community. That attitude is shared by Muslim leaders throughout Europe. What makes the attitude especially pernicious, of course, is that Hadith calling for gay people to be killed.

Meanwhile, who remembers the United Nation’s gay rights resolution? Presented by Brazil in 2003 and 2004, it was twice defeated by a Muslim alliance including many countries that make homosexuality a capital offence. The Muslim population of the world stands at about more than 1 billion people. Typically, 10 percent of a given population is gay. So rounding things off now, about 100 million gay people in the Muslim world must stay deeply closeted or face death.

I know in advance that my writing about this question will bring idiots crawling out of the woodwork. They’ll say things such as, “I visited Tunisia last year, had clandestine sex with a native man, and that proves that anti-gay Muslims are no worse than anti-gay Christians.” Such idiots, unfortunately, assist the Muslims in spreading their anti-gay poison by denying the severity of the threat they represent to us.

Still other idiots will accuse me of painting Islam with a single brush stroke. Given what that Hadith says about gays, you’ll admit that any practicing Muslim who doesn’t denounce it is complicit in the deaths of those gays murdered because of it. Yet I do acknowledge that Keith Ellison, a Muslim congressman from Minnesota, supports gay rights and wants to repeal the U.S.’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell ban on gays in the military.

Yet there are Islamic centers in every state, including North and South Dakota. It is not difficult to find statements from their leaders in favor of Shariah and the Hadith being made the basis of American law. They’ll say they want it established by persuasion, not by violence. But consider what they hope to persuade people about—namely, that people who engage in gay sex should be killed. Should that opinion be forcefully denounced, or should it be allowed to go unremarked?

There is no philosophy more hostile to gay people in today’s world than that of Islam. The subject has many aspects to be considered. Yet to any who think I exaggerate the dangers, the scales should fall from your eyes. Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi heads the Islamic Society of North America. He has said that homosexuality is “a moral disease, a sin and a corruption.” Here is what Siddiqi has to say about Islam’s place in the U.S. and all currently non-Muslim countries: “By participating in a non-Islamic system, one cannot rule by that which Allah has commanded. But things do not change overnight. Changes come through patience, wisdom and hard work. I believe that as Muslims, we should participate in the system to safeguard our interests and try to bring gradual change for the right cause, the cause of truth and justice. We must not forget that Allah’s rules have to be established in all lands, and all our efforts should lead to that direction.”

One of what Siddiqi calls “Allah’s laws” is: “Kill the one that is doing it and also kill the one that it is being done to.” That’s something that we as gay people absolutely must not forget.

Posted by Michael at 12:42 PM | Comments (2)

NY Blade column: Why Honor McGreevey?

http://nyblade.com/2007/5-18/viewpoint/opinion/lucasfiles.cfm

By MICHAEL LUCAS
May. 18, 2007

Why would any self-respecting gay person choose to be associated with the slime-bag scum-ball Jim McGreevey?

When he served as governor of New Jersey, McGreevey was not without his positive accomplishments. For instance, he lobbied strongly for the Garden State’s domestic partnership law for same-sex couples and signed that law in 2004. However, he was guilty beyond doubt of intolerable breeches of his constituents’ trust. He was guilty of association with “pay to play” arrangements where his administration awarded no-bid government contracts to big campaign contributors. His administration was implicated in extortion scandals involving party fundraisers. Most notoriously, he assigned to his male lover Golan Cipel the post of Homeland Security Advisor, and knowingly deceived the public by lying about that lover’s qualifications for the job.

In the post 9/11 world, it is hard even to imagine that a U.S. government official would ever stoop so low as to make his unqualified lover a Homeland Security Advisor. Yet having stooped that low, McGreevey stooped even further. On August 12, 2004, Cipel’s lawyer advised McGreevey that Cipel was going to file a sexual harassment suit against him. The skeletons rattling around in McGreevey’s closet at that time were not mainly the gay ones. They were also the skeletons of corruption and dishonesty. Yet instead of doing the honorable thing, confessing to wrongdoing and resigning, McGreevey let off with a non sequitur. He said: “My truth is that I am a gay American.”

AND? HOW DARE THIS flaming jerk seek to deflect attention from all his wrongdoing by declaring that he is gay? That move was one of the most sickeningly selfish PR stunts I have ever had to witness. He knows there is widespread public antipathy toward gay people. He knowingly exploits that antipathy as a defensive hedge. When people rightly criticize him for his corruption, he can troop out his non sequitur and imply that they are criticizing him because he is gay. Every time he does that, he sets back the advancement of equal rights for gay people. By making such an issue of being gay, McGreevey redirects the conversation about him. Yet, as he well knows, the political enemies of the gay community use him, wrongfully, as an example of what voters could expect from gay elected officials.

So why do I see McGreevey turning up as a VIP guest of honor at big gay events and galas? Lambda Legal put a foul stain on its reputation by having the slime-ball to their dinner (though it might be that he just bought a ticket). Gay magazines have disgraced themselves by having him at their parties. Just what about him are they cheering? A brave soul who sleazily deflected criticism from all its sleaziness by announcing it was gay? And I mean a really big whoop-dee-doo that McGreevey got somebody to publish his book “The Confession,” and another big whoop-dee-doo that Oprah had him on her show. How many openly gay political figures has Oprah had on her show that she had to choose this one to represent gays to mainstream America, anyway?

If squalid Jim McGreevey had any genuine sense of obligation toward the gay community, any sense of doing all he could to further rather than to damage its well-being, he would stop associating himself with it so aggressively. As is, though, The New York Post has a field day mocking him, and sometimes includes anti-gay innuendo in the process. The Post, for instance, loved quoting from McGreevey’s ex-beard’s book, “Silent Partner,” where she said that his taste in home décor “showed a woman’s touch.” Anybody for reinforcing negative stereotypes?

I salute Richard Burns, Director of The LGBT Center, for telling McSleazy to take a hike when he wanted to speak at the Center’s annual Garden Party. I also salute the Empire State Pride Agenda for barring him from speaking at its dinner. In fact, I salute any gay person who blocks McGreevey from exploiting us as a cover for his illegal actions as governor. Every time a gay group champions McGreevey, it is giving The New York Post and its ilk another opportunity to make fun of us and to conclude that we do not deserve an equal and representational voice in politics.

Now we hear the news that McGreevey wants to become an Episcopalian priest and has signed up with a seminary in Chelsea. Like there aren’t seminaries in places other than Chelsea! And if McGreevey’s hearing a “calling” to be a priest does not in itself have you howling with laughter, what about the fact that Kean College in New Jersey let McGreevey teach a course in ethics during the past year?

It is a sorry spectacle when members of the gay community hail so poor a role model as McGreevey. We in fact are not so desperate for celebrities that we need to kneel down before every corrupt opportunist who comes down the pike. My opening question serves well as an ending to this column: Why would any self-respecting gay person choose to be associated with the slime-bag scum-ball Jim McGreevey?

Posted by Michael at 12:35 PM | Comments (0)

May 25, 2007

05/24/07

7:00 AM -- Woke up and went for a run.
8:30 AM -- Read all my daily newspapers.
10:00 AM -- Went to the doctor for a physical.
11:30 AM -- Came into the office and answered emails for a while.
2:00 PM -- Went to lunch with a business colleague.
5:00 PM -- Wrapped up my work at the office and went home.
7:00 PM -- Had dinner with my boyfriend.
9:00 PM -- Went to a party hosted by my friend Fredrik Eklund at Duvet which was very nice with a great crowd and lots of good-looking guys. I was chatting with my friend Chris Williamson when I ran into my dear friend Marc Jacobs who was with Perez Hilton. Kevin Aviance performed, which is always fun, and then I chatted with people for about an hour and a half before calling it a night.
11:30 PM -- Came home and went to bed.

Posted by Michael at 04:59 PM | Comments (2)

May 24, 2007

05/23/07

6:00 AM -- Woke up early but couldn't go to the gym because I had to let in a crew that's doing a small renovation on my apartment.
9:00 AM -- Came into the office and began answering the tons of emails that I had piled up over the past week while I was busy working on "The Intern."
1:00 PM -- Held a production meeting to discuss my upcoming films that will be shot in Hungary.
2:00 PM -- Went to lunch with an old friend from Paris.
3:30 PM -- Met with different departments at the company.
6:00 PM -- Returned home, ordered in some food, and watched TV all night, which is something I never do. All the news was about "The View" and the fight between Rosie O'Donnell and a very stupid, inarticulate Republican girl whose name escapes me at the moment. And, my goodness, Rosie did not do a very good job, taking into account how easy it should be to talk to a dumb-ass who got her job on "The View" precisely for the purpose of making Republicans look stupid. It's just like how Colmes on "Hannity and Colmes" is there to make Democrats look bad, and he does a great job of it. First of all, the guy looks like a child molester and is a complete idiot. I wonder if he understands what his real purpose on Fox News is.
11:00 PM -- Went to bed.

Posted by Michael at 05:23 PM | Comments (0)

May 23, 2007

05/22/07

6:00 AM -- Woke up and went for a run.
7:30 AM -- Had breakfast.
8:30 AM -- Came into the office. We shot the last scene for "The Intern," a non-sexual scene with dialogue including a part when Ben Andrews' character has had enough of me and smashes a cake into my face (as you can see in my post earlier today). Everybody in the office had lots of fun with it. I mean, every co-worker came into my office to see that scene filmed. There is some kind of sick pleasure in their desire to see their boss have a big fat cake smashed into his face. Well, everyone helped me clean up after, which was nice.
5:00 PM -- Wrapped up the shoot, answered some emails, and began working on the plan for the two movies I am shooting in Prague and Hungary next week. I went through pictures of all the models and decided who will fuck whom.
6:30 PM -- Went home.
7:00 PM -- Attended a benefit for the Center.
9:00 PM -- Met with a reporter from The New Republic for an interview and dinner. I've read that magazine every week for the past seven years so it was an honor to be contacted by them. The majority of the reporter's questions were about politics and my trips to Israel. The story should be printed in about 2 weeks.
11:00 PM -- Came home and went to bed.

Posted by Michael at 04:35 PM | Comments (0)

May 20, 2007

It's Q&A time again...

Questions, questions... ask me some questions about anything in the comments of this post, and I will answer you in a future post. I'm leaving the comments open until Tuesday when we're done shooting.

Got questions about "The Intern" shoot?
About any of my films?
About my life?
About anything?

Ask and I will answer...

Posted by Michael at 06:06 PM | Comments (35)

May 19, 2007

05/17/07

7:00 AM -- Woke up and had a sloppy workout.
8:30 AM -- Got into the office.
9:00 AM -- Tony Dimarco shot the promo photos for "The Intern" of Ben Andrews, our new exclusive Christian Cruz, and myself. They're spectacular. You will be seeing them everywhere soon. Trust me.
11:00 AM -- Jimmy and super-cute Zack Randall got on set to run-through and shoot their scene. It's very hot, as our Intern blogger points out here.
7:00 PM -- Met up with friends and went out to dinner.
9:00 PM -- Went with Zack Randall to the birthday party for the owner of MAO PR, Mauricio. I've known the guy for 6 years and he used to weigh, like, 360 lbs. Now he's about 180 lbs so it's like he's half the man he was (even the clever invite for the party poked fun at that). It's really great to see people who are so highly motivated to lose weight and succeed at it. The party was packed with at least 300 or 400 people and it seemed like I knew most of them from the downtown New York celebrity crowd. Everyone was admiring Zack's six-pack abs.
12:00 AM -- Went to bed.

Posted by Michael at 01:40 PM | Comments (1)

May 17, 2007

05/16/07

6:30 AM -- Woke up and went for a run.
7:30 AM -- Had breakfast. Marc Jacobs just told me about a new super-healthy, protein-rich recipe that I now use every morning: 5-6 raw egg whites, blackberries, yogurt, and a tablespoon of protein powder. It's fantastic before or after a workout since it contains raw protein—each egg white has 3 grams alone, which you may know. You can add pretty much anything to the mix and it tastes nothing like eggs. After a minute in the blender it looks like any other shake.
8:00 AM -- Went to the gym and worked out with my wonderful trainer who I've worked out with for the past 8 years, 5 times a week. His name is Ben and at one point he was in my films "Top to Bottom" and "Restless" under the name Stephan Bertolli. He's a great trainer and a really wonderful soul. He came to the U.S. after serving in the Israeli army for 3 years.
10:00 AM -- Got into the office for the first day of shooting of "The Intern". Tony Dimarco had been there since 7:00 AM to make sure everything was ready. He's the director, cinematographer, screenwriter, and one of the photographers for this film. We started rehearsing at 10:30 as the film is dialogue-heavy and involves quite a few extras. We worked on it all day. Ben Andrews and Derrick Hanson shot the first sex scene. A reminder that you can see our progress at www.TheInternXXX.com.
7:00 PM -- Attended an event for the Museum of Sex hosted by Perez Hilton. It was a lot of fun. I always think what a sweetheart Cazwell is. He has only good things to say about people and he is a great kisser—I learn something new everyday. Amanda Lepore showed up with her boyfriend, a beautiful and friendly kid that's probably 24 years old. Dita Von Teese performed quite an amazing striptease with quite the body and face. She looked a little bit like a young Elizabeth Taylor.
10:00 PM -- Came home and met up with Derrick who was staying with me while we film. We went out to eat at Mare and were joined by my friend Chris W. and his friend. Later we were joined by Zack Randall who is also in "The Intern" and staying with me as well. He's a really cute kid from Seattle and not the average model. He's getting a Masters of Philosophy and told me his favorite philosopher is Nietzsche.
1:00 AM -- Went to sleep.

Posted by Michael at 06:23 PM | Comments (4)

May 16, 2007

05/15/07

8:00 AM -- Woke up.
8:30 AM -- Went for a run.
9:30 AM -- Hit the gym.
11:00 AM -- Came into the office.
12:00 PM -- Conference call with my lawyers.
2:00 PM -- Held a production meeting for "The Intern".
4:00 PM -- Went over my lines with Ben Andrews who came to the office with the tiniest dog I've ever seen, a Chihuahua named Pierre. I don't know the purpose of this dog—you might as well get a guinea pig. Or a gerbil. It's so tiny, it can fit in the palm of your hand. And it is constantly shivering.
6:00 PM -- Stopped by the Leslie/Lohman gallery for the opening of the show "Dark Ride" to see my friend Tony Dimarco's work "Sperm Engine" (he does artistic photography on the side). It sold for $1,200! There were about 25 different artists exhibiting their work. Among them were WilsonModels, Robert Richardson, and Joe Oppedisano, all of whom I've worked with before. Spencer Quest made an appearance there too. I haven't seen him since before he went into rehab. He looks great. After the show we grabbed some coffee, caught up, and took a cab home (his boyfriend lives across the street from me).
9:00 PM -- Met with my stylist for "The Intern," Darren Kinoshita, to go through the wardrobe for the film.
10:30 PM -- Watched a story on CNN on the death of Jerry Falwell. Larry King had by far the worst coverage of it and Al Sharpton had the most embarrassing appearance on the show. He said that though he didn't always agree with Falwell, he still felt he was one of the most sincere and honest people-loving souls. Can you believe that Al Sharpton said this about someone who was pro-apartheid? I mean really, I know that Sharpton's sister is a lesbian and during his candidacy for president he was pro-gay marriage, but I really can't stand this lying hypocrite. He has always been a racist and an anti-Semite—a real, shameless political prostitute of the worst kind.
12:00 AM -- Derrick Hanson finally arrived from San Francisco to my apartment (he was the model who missed his flight yesterday). I made his bed, gave him his script for the next day, and headed off to sleep.

Posted by Michael at 07:24 PM | Comments (1)

May 15, 2007

05/14/07

6:30 AM -- Got up and went on a run along the Hudson (gotta keep in shape for the new movie!).
7:30 AM -- Hit the gym.
10:30 AM -- Went to my dentist. Another $1,000 down the drain. I have a deep overbite and I've decided to correct it. They promised me I will have the most perfect bite in the world... $30,000 later. It should take about 6 months.
12:30 PM -- Got into office and had a production meeting for "The Intern" which starts shooting on Wednesday.
2:30 PM -- Chose the winner of the Intern Blogger Contest. He'll be announced soon.
3:00 PM -- There's a man screaming on the streets below our office on a daily basis. I never understood what he was saying, but it turns out he's been screaming the slogan for a sandwich chain that's downstairs. As our office is on the second floor, it gets very annoying very quickly. I've tried to take it to the City, but the bureaucracy got me nowhere. So today, when I was walking back to the office from lunch, I complained to a police officer who was waiting around. He went and asked the guy to stop shouting. He did. Then we walked over to the sandwich chain to tell them to stop the guy from shouting. They said they would. Funny how easily things can get done when you run into a bored police man. One doesn't have to waste time writing letters.
4:00 PM -- The Ben Andrews dildo prototype came in. It's very long and hard, as you might imagine. I had Ben come in to approve it. He also picked up a copy of the completed "Intern" script to learn his lines.
5:00 PM -- A prospective model came in for an interview. He was cute. I think I may put him in a scene.
6:30 PM -- Left work for home.
9:30 PM --- Dinner with my friend Yonah Grossman, who has always been a very funny guy but decided a few years ago to take it to the next level and become a stand-up comedian. He's now performing on a near-daily basis at clubs around town.
11:00 PM -- Got home and read over my lines for "The Intern." Really funny stuff. Tony Dimarco did a fantastic job. I can't wait to play this character.
12:30 AM -- Fell asleep.
1:00 AM -- Got woken up by a call from one of the models who was flying in from out of town for the film. He tells me that he thinks he won't be able to catch his flight. I mumble something and fall back asleep. He'll be fine.
3:00 AM -- Got woken up AGAIN by the same model. He missed the flight by JUST 2 minutes. 2 minutes! I told him to go back home and that we'd deal with it in the morning. I passed out again, dreading the bags under my eyes that I'd have to deal with in the morning due to the lack of sleep.

Posted by Michael at 06:33 PM | Comments (3)

May 14, 2007

My Weekend 5/12/07-5/13/07

Saturday:
10:00 AM -- Woke up.
11:00 AM -- Took my dog Bianca to the park for a walk.
12:00 PM -- Hit the gym.
1:30 PM -- Made myself some lunch and hung around my apartment for a while.
8:00 PM -- My friends Chris Williamson, Bradford Shellhammer, Jason Bellini, and Will Wikle came over to hang out.
9:30 PM -- We all headed out to our friend Andy Towle’s 40th birthday party (he may be 40, but the guy is still smoking hot!).
10:00 PM -- The place was packed and got really crowded, which isn’t surprising since so many people just love Andy.
11:00 PM -- Stopped by another house party.
12:30 AM -- Went to sleep.

Sunday:
10:00 AM -- Woke up and had breakfast.
11:00 AM -- Took a car to Brooklyn to visit my grandmother and my mother and father. We all went to Bat David Cemetery in Brooklyn to visit my recently departed grandfather’s grave and choose a monument (A lovely Sunday outing for the family on Mother’s Day, I know…). Something I’ve noticed since moving to the U.S. is that American Jews place stones on the graves of their deceased, but in Russia we always brought flowers. Being accustomed to Russian traditions, I brought flowers for my grandfather, but they looked sort of awkward there since none of the other graves had them.
3:00 PM -- We had brunch and everyone had a really nice time seeing one another and chatting. We talked about my brother who I have not seen in a while since he lives in Moscow.
8:00 PM -- Came back to my apartment in the City and met up with my boyfriend Richard for dinner.
11:00 PM -- Called it a night and went to bed.

Posted by Michael at 09:40 PM | Comments (1)

May 11, 2007

Lucas Entertainment updates for this week

It was bound to happen at some point...We actually had a pretty slow week here at Lucas Entertainment. So I am sorry if there aren't enough exciting things to read about this week, but here's what we have going on:

1) Tonight at 7:00 PM EST I'll be making an appearance on the Derek and Romaine Show on OutQ 109 on Sirius Satellite Radio, so listen in! I have no idea what we are going to talk about exactly, but I am sure it will be very interesting. ;-)

2) Catch a preview of my brand new Lucas Entertainment exclusive Luke Stevens (left) on PaperMag.com this week. You can see him in "Welcome to Paradise" which comes out on May 29th. He's very cute, as you can see. More info about him to come in the next few weeks as the release comes near.

3) Filming of "The Intern" begins next week and we're lining up our surprise cameos. Also, pretty soon we'll be announcing the winner of the Intern Blogger Contest, which we got tons of applications for. But only one lucky blogger will get the prestigious title of Lucas Entertainment Intern Blogger!

4) My latest column in the New York Blade is out today: "Disrespect in the Gay Blogosphere"

5) My dildo hits the stores this week after a successful run on my website for a couple of weeks. Of course, you get the best deal on it in my store.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Posted by Michael at 06:25 PM | Comments (3)

05/10/07

7:00 AM -- Woke up and had breakfast.
8:00 AM -- Hit the gym.
10:00 AM -- Got a cleaning at the dentist.
11:30 AM -- Came into the office and held a staff meeting.
12:30 AM -- Answered emails.
2:00 PM -- Did an interview with UK Magazine Positive Nation.
3:00 PM -- Took a late lunch with Maleflixxx, the adult streaming video company.
4:30 PM -- Returned to the office and did work the rest of the day.
6:00 PM -- Came home, showered, and changed.
7:00 PM -- Met up with my friend Jonathan Vargas and went to a party hosted by Helena Christensen and and Fabiola Beracasa at the Alessandro dell’Acqua store on Madison Avenue. Alessandro is one of my favorite designers and it was great to get a chance to chat with him and his friends. It's also always good to see my old friend Italo Zucchelli, a fantastic designer for Calvin Klein's men's collection. For the first time in years that collection is beautiful thanks to him.
9:30 PM -- Post-party dinner with friends.
11:30 PM -- Came home and read Eugene O'Neill's "A Moon for the Misbegotten." I was reading it because I had just seen the show on Broadway starring Kevin Spacey. I was quite proud of myself that I was actually able to sit through the play AND finish reading the book. Call me a Philistine, but what a bore this play is. I realize now that I have absolutely no interest in the lives of drunken Irish farmers. I know lots of people who just adore Eugene O'Neill, and I've seen and read a few of his other plays. But they kind of remind me of Chekhov plays. Both are about the lives of "little" people with their tiny little problems, but Chekhov's plays have much more humor in them. I hate that I don't like either, but it's the truth. They put me right to sleep.
1:00 AM -- Fell asleep.

Posted by Michael at 04:55 PM | Comments (3)

May 10, 2007

05/09/07

6:00 AM -- Woke up.
6:30 AM -- Gym.
7:45 AM -- Massage.
9:00 AM -- Had breakfast in Chelsea with my friend Jason.
10:00 AM -- Came into the office, checked emails.
11:00 AM -- Wrote my column for Friday's issue of the Blade.
12:00 PM -- Held a production meeting for "The Intern", which we are shooting next week.
1:00 PM -- Met with the stylist for the film.
1:30 PM -- Had a panini for lunch.
3:00 PM -- Came back to the office and answered emails.
4:00 PM -- Met with my employees in different departments for the rest of the workday.
8:00 PM -- Went to the theater with my boyfriend to see the play "Frost Nixon." It's about a famous interview that a corrupted President gave to David Frost. Frank Langella was fantastic as Richard Nixon. I've read quite a few books on the Watergate scandal so this play was incredibly interesting to me. And I have my own memories of Nixon because in 1994 he spoke at my university in Russia. Back then, Yeltsin refused to see him because Nixon had agreed to meet with Yeltsin's political opponents first. Yeltsin said something along the lines of, "I never want to see this man," and an embarrassed Nixon returned to the U.S., where he died a week later.
10:00 PM -- Went to a birthday dinner for a friend at the restaurant Earth on 10th Avenue. It's one of the best Indian restaurants I have ever been to.
12:00 AM -- Came home and hit the sheets.

Posted by Michael at 05:20 PM | Comments (0)

May 09, 2007

A new feature for this blog...

As you may know, I live a very busy and exciting life. Sometimes it's so overwhelming that I don't have time to talk to my friends until the weekend. So I was thinking of how I could update everyone I know about how I'm doing without having to go through all those ubiquitous "How was your day?" conversations which I never have time for anymore. My solution is to refer everyone to my blog, which I will try to update daily in the following format. Let's start with yesterday, May 8th:

7:00 AM -- Woke up, took a shower, had breakfast with my boyfriend Richard, read the New York Times and the Tribune.
8:00 AM -- Went to the gym and worked out with my trainer Ben for an hour.
9:30 AM -- Got into the office, answered emails.
12:00 PM -- Staff meeting.
12:45 PM -- Gave an interview to a German magazine called EreXXXion.
1:30 PM -- Business lunch with a magazine editor.
3:00 PM -- Returned to office and answered more emails.
4:00 PM -- Reviewed rough cut of our next big release, "Welcome to Paradise," which we filmed in Florida a couple of months ago (it's really hot).
5:00 PM -- Came across a link to Queerty.com that someone sent me. Hadn't read anything so hateful towards me in a long time. I was surprised how it really put me down. It made me feel like I didn't want to continue working at this point, so I left for home early.
5:30 PM -- While walking home I was thinking to myself that, Yes, perhaps I am really vain. But I kept in mind the nature of the business I am in. Do I really look as ugly as this blog portrays me? I am 35... is this just a pre-midlife crisis? I really shouldn't read hateful blogs. On the other hand, the guy who writes that thing is probably making $7 an hour, has never traveled anywhere beyond New Jersey, and is definitely not on my comp list. Maybe I am just getting more sensitive with age. Maybe...
6:00 PM -- Cardio for an hour at the gym, to try to beat it all out of my system.
7:00 PM -- Got home and went out to dinner with my boyfriend and another couple who we've known for a while.
10:30 PM -- Got home and checked my inbox, where I had an email from Harvey Fierstein. I haven't heard from him in at least two months. He said he loved how my column is going in the New York Blade, so I emailed him back. His words made me feel much better. Life isn't so awful after all... There are still people who like me. :-)
11:00 PM -- Fell asleep.

Posted by Michael at 05:30 PM | Comments (9)

May 07, 2007

NY Blade column: "How Can Gays Be Anti-Israel?" + Reactions

My latest New York Blade column has been getting lots of people talking. You can read it here and I've also posted it below. A lot of Anti-Semites have been commenting on the Queerty post about the column. Check that out here. After reading the article and post, I feel like some people are just dreaming of being raped by Osama bin Ladin. :-)

How Can Gays Be Anti-Israel?

By MICHAEL LUCAS
Friday, May 04, 2007

I’m Jewish and gay and feel a strong sense of belonging to both groups. I certainly had to deal with a great deal of anti-Semitism and anti-gay bigotry while growing up in Russia. Lately, I’m disturbed that the world gay community is increasingly anti-Israel. It is more true in Europe than here, but even in New York, I have had heated arguments with gays about Israel.

How can gay people side with the Muslims who want to kill the Israelis? Conversely, how can gays so irrationally criticize a society that has done so much to accept LGBTers? Many of the anti-Israel arguments I’ve heard out of the mouths of gays are based on ignorance. Debunking that ignorance would fill another article. For now, I want to focus on gay rights in the Middle East. Israel is the only place there where they exist.

What can I say to get this through certain people’s very thick skulls? To cite one example only: In 2004, a student at The American University in Cairo put a personals announcement on a gay dating site. For that, he was sentenced to 17 years in prison, including 2 years of hard labor. He was accused of “offences to the public good, the honor of society, and contempt to moral principles and social tradition.” Now there’s something for a European or American gay to protest. It totally escapes me how gay people can side with burqa-wearing, jihad-screaming, Koran-crazed Muslims.

I’VE BEEN INVITED to Israel four times the past three years to perform in gay clubs. Gay life is actually more open in Israel than the United States. The Israeli military doesn’t have our embarrassing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

Israel also has Donna International, a widely popular transsexual pop star. The Israeli people chose her to represent the country in Europe’s largest singing competition; Eurovision. She brought home the title, too! In Tel Aviv, gay men walk hand in hand with each other. The very provocative posters announcing my sex shows were displayed up and down Ben Gurion Street, the equivalent of Madison Avenue.
I have traveled to other Middle Eastern countries including Jordan, Syria and the U.A.E., all historical enemies of Israel. Homosexuality is against the law in Syria. Article 354 of the Federal Penal Code of the UAE says: “Whoever commits rape on a female or sodomy with a male shall be punished by death.” In Jordan, journalists work under a criminally enforceable duty to respect the “values of the Arab and Islamic nation.” One of those “values” is to murder gay family members and call the murders “honor killings.” Shariah Law actually says that if a married person engages in a homosexual act, he/she is to be stoned to death. This is true for all Muslim countries following Shariah Law.

So why does the gay community so often voice support for Muslims? Why does it forgive them for practically everything they do, but forgive Israel for nothing? Is it a lack of common sense, or perhaps of knowledge? Or is it pure anti-Semitism?

Is it anti-Semitism that does not allow many in the gay community to understand that it isn’t Israelis blowing themselves up in busy restaurants, not Israelis who flew jets into the twin towers, not Israelis rioting over cartoons and not Israelis jailing or even beheading people for making love to whomever they want? It is not the Israelis; it is the sons of Allah who are behind almost every terrorist act in the world today.

By contrast, Israel’s record on gay rights is commendable. Israel offers gay people the option of common-law marriages. In November, 2005, an Israeli court ruled that a lesbian spouse could adopt a child born to her partner by artificial insemination. If you as a gay person get married in Massachusetts, Israel will recognize your marriage if you go live there. Young people in Israel can seek exemption from the military by volunteering for a national service, among which is included The Association of Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgenders in Israel. Gay partners of El Al employees are entitled to the same free ticket policies as heterosexual partners, not bad for a country that has only been in existence for 60 years and lives with the reality of ongoing terror. I can’t imagine that any other nation that would maintain its civil liberties under such circumstances.

Nonetheless, you have European cicadas buzzing about Israel being a brutal country that always violates U.N. decisions. They do not buzz about Hezbollah’s failure to disarm and most of these cicadas have never even been to Israel. Paradoxically, if they did go there with their unfounded hate speech, they would be at liberty to say whatever they pleased. But if they went to any Arab country and spoke in favor of gay rights … well, let’s just say they would be slaughtered like animals.

THERE ARE SOME anti-gay religious extremists in Israel (just as in any country), but they don’t have the law of the land on their side. In January of this year, Binyamin and Avi Rose were registered as a gay couple in the official record books of Jerusalem. They brought their case to an Israeli court after being disturbed by the anti-gay religious demonstrations of the previous summer; the court found in their favor.

Unfounded attacks against Israel are sometimes called “Israel bashing.” My conclusion is that gays engaged in that bashing are doing it because of deeply-rooted anti-Semitism. After the Holocaust, anti-Semites felt they could no longer say “I hate Jews” in public. But they retained their anti-Semitism, and making ill-reasoned, unlimited attacks against Israel is the form that bigotry has taken. Gays, of all people—who understand what it is to be historically oppressed and unrecognized, not to mention bashed—should know better.

Posted by Michael at 05:59 PM | Comments (4)

May 04, 2007

MLLDV Lawsuit + Weekly Update

Hello Guys,

This was actually quite a fantastic week for myself and Lucas Entertainment. Let me start with some big news about the lawsuit against "Michael Lucas' La Dolce Vita."

1) As you all know, the company that owns the rights to Federico Fellini's film "La Dolce Vita" brought a lawsuit against me earlier this year. Some of you were very happy to report that Lucas Entertainment was "slapped" with a lawsuit. Some particularly clever people, like Chris Ward, even predicted that this lawsuit would be the end of me and my company. What many failed to recognize was that this was nothing more than a homophobic, porn-hating move from the plaintiff. For God's sake, how could anyone possible confuse the two films with each other? And how could my movie (image at left) tarnish the reputation of an old, black-and-white movie from the '60s that has a name most Americans can't even pronounce correctly?

About a month ago, the plaintiff filed a motion in court to place an injunction on sales and distribution of "Michael Lucas' La Dolce Vita." Last Friday my lawyer and their three lawyers (one of whom was named by IP Law & Business as one of the best lawyers in America in 2005, 2006, and 2007) met in court to present arguments to the judge. The judge denied the injunction, so, yes, we will continue distributing, selling, and promoting the film. You can read more in the Wall Street Journal Law Blog here and also see the court transcript, which is a public record here.

2) All that court drama took place on Friday, and on Saturday I was on my way to a big photo shoot in Italy. There is something about Italy that makes taking photos a particularly pleasant experience. You can preview the results on my blog bio page or by clicking on the sample pic on the right. Feel free to use those images on your blogs and websites. Please use these pictures from here on with any stories about me, as they are the most recent ones taken, and disregard using those old photos of mine. I don't want to be accused of being the kind of guy who uses 10-year-old pictures of himself in the press. :-)

3) "Encounters 5: Burning Desire" (image at left) is available now for direct purchase and in the stores next week. Fleshbot previewed the scene with Brian Bodine and Vin Nolan, while my blog will continue previewing the scenes with the rest of the cast, including Jimmy, Jason Ridge, and Jonathan Vargas.

4) We're looking for extras for our sex comedy "The Intern." Will you be in New York from May 15th-21st? Email casting@lucasentertainment.com with your photo and availability.

5) My new column in the New York Blade, "How Can Gays Be Anti-Israel?" is about a topic that is very close to my heart—anti-Semitism and anti-Israeli prejudice in the gay community. I haven't written about anti-Semitism in the adult film industry only because I think it already has a bad reputation and I don't want to make it worse (By the way, don't you love this new wave of films sexualizing Jew- and Israel-hating Muslims? Let's not even go there right now...).

6) My introductory column in HX is out today as well (in print only) and it will be ongoing just like in the Blade. This week it is just an introduction, but stay tuned for next week's column which is all about my meeting with Buck Angel.

7) SexTV from Canada spent a day with me in my office, with my wonderful employees, at home with my boyfriend, at play with my dog and guinea pig, etc. The clip, which is here, came out really well.

8) Nakedsword also did a segment on me and my company that I think is hilarious. You can watch it here.

Have a great weekend!

Posted by Michael at 04:22 PM | Comments (6)

April 27, 2007

"The Intern" Blogger CONTEST + Updates

Tomorrow morning I am off to Italy for a quick photo shoot and will be back in the office next Wednesday. But before I go, it's time for some updates:

1) We're working full speed ahead getting ready to film "The Intern," starring Ben Andrews, and I'm excited to say we just launched a CONTEST to find an Official Intern Blogger who will report directly from the set of the film in May. Check out TheInternXXX.com for all the details. That's the film's logo on the right.

2) My latest weekly column appeared in the New York Blade today. It's called "Anderson Cooper Should Be Outed"... and you can probably guess what it's about. Check it out and let me know what you think. I got a lot of great responses for my first column in the New York Blade. One of them was published on Fleshbot here, which I was pleasantly surprised to see.

3) From that same Fleshbot article I discovered a new controversy surrounding my use of model Jason Tiya. I was the first to top Jason on camera, and the clip is available on my website. Apparently someone convinced the readers of the ATKOL forums that I didn't release the video on DVD due to "Jason making heavy use of poppers...". Well, I can tell you one thing about poppers, and that's how to avoid them. As you are all aware, I never allow poppers or any type of drugs on the sets of my films. Some people may think that in order to enjoy getting fucked by me you have to be incredibly high, but that is just not always the case :-)

4) Adam Gay Video XXX Showcase gave "Michael Lucas' La Dolce Vita" a huge 32-page spread in their new issue. It looks great! Big thanks to J.C. Adams for that.

5) I'm off to Hungary once again in June (everything I film there comes out beautifully), and this time I'm bringing Lucas exclusive model Jonathan Vargas. Jonathan has been with me for a year now and recently signed on to continue as a Lucas exclusive, which I am very excited about. He is adorable and an enthusiastic, incredible performer. :-)

6) In more Ben news, he's the first model in PaperMag.com's new weekly porn star blog "JD Ferguson Presents The Porn Stars". Cute photos (see left) and interview. I heard a rumor that someone you all know near and dear to your hearts will be one of the upcoming featured models. ;-)

7) In distribution news, we have begun to distribute for—brace yourself—Buck Angel, beginning with his "Buckback Mountain," which is available to order now at my company store here. Buck dropped by my office a couple of weeks ago with an HBO documentary crew to tell me about his life, and it was actually very educational for me. I wasn't aware that there is an entire community of guys like Buck... and guys who like guys like Buck. I thought I knew everything there was to know about male sexuality, but I guess not. I am a changed man :-)

8) Last, but certainly not least, I spoke with someone from the beloved Gay Chicago magazine about their Grabby Awards. This person—who wishes to remain anonymous—gave me the most straightforward and logical explanation for why "Michael Lucas' La Dolce Vita" was excluded from the nominations: apparently the organizers of the Grabby's made this business decision based on the fact that lots of studios were really pissed that after paying for expensive seats in the Castro Theatre, flying their models in, etc., my company swept all the big awards. I guess they wanted to avoid a repeat of the GAYVNs this time around and sell their tables at the show. I'm not surprised.

Happy weekend, everyone. I will be thinking of you in Milan.

Posted by Michael at 03:44 PM | Comments (5)

April 20, 2007

My very first column...

I'm happy to say that today marks the debut of my new monthly column for the New York Blade. I will be starting another monthly column for HX very soon too, but in the meantime you can read my first one for the Blade here. I'll post it below for you too:

When Gays Don’t Attack

By MICHAEL LUCAS
Friday, April 20, 2007

Radio personality Don Imus said some very nasty things about black women. A groundswell of protests started, and Imus and his network went on the usual round of mea culpas. Nothing helped. African-American leadership wouldn’t play ball and, finally, Imus got fired.

This, many people say, is a sign that the days when straight white man can say whatever crosses their mind is over. That America is on an unstoppable move toward multiculturalism. That respect for minorities is becoming increasingly non-negotiable. But is all this really so? As far as our community is concerned, I have serious doubts.

After all, just a week before Imus went after the Rutgers University women’s basketball team, his producer went after “that sissy Sanjaya” (the flamboyant American Idol contestant) and wished he would become “the victim of a vicious hate crime.” Objectively, incitement to murder is quite a bit more serious than calling somebody a “ho.” It should have been a stab through the heart for those of us who still remember the image of Matthew Shepard crucified on a fence outside Laramie, Wyo. Yet what was the reaction of our community, and of its leaders, at the blatant incitement of violence against us via Sanjaya? Silence.

REMEMBER WHEN ISAIAH Washington called his co-star a “faggot”? There were protests from the grassroots, all right. But then our “leadership” stepped in—in this case, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), an watchdog organization that is supposed to guard against misrepresentations of our community in the media—and that “leadership” tried to make everything better by ushering Isaiah conveniently into “rehab,” which has lately become the safe haven for bigots.

Maybe Ann Coulter had a point when she said, addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference: “I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate, John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab when you use the word ‘faggot,’ so I’m—so, kind of at an impasse, can’t really talk about Edwards.”

Would Coulter have called Edwards a “faggot” during a televised event if Washington, instead of going to “rehab,” had been fired? True, GLAAD wagged its finger again and told NBC it “has a responsibility to consider [emphasis mine] whether it wants to continue offering a platform to someone who repeatedly engages in on-air expressions of bigotry.” Is that really all our leadership can come up with when our community is insulted?

Imagine if a prominent person made an anti-black remark in front of a televised political conference. What would you think if you heard Al Sharpton say that the network had a responsibility to “consider” taking the person off the air? You would think Sharpton had suddenly turned into a wimp, and you would be right!

And that’s precisely why our community can still be kicked around with impunity: Because we, and our leadership, have a cowardly strategy for defending ourselves. We are a sophisticated community. We understand irony. So when others protest, we wink and we smile. And, even worse, we trade backbone for access. GLAAD’s functionaries love to be invited to Hollywood to “consult” on productions. Why jeopardize the insider-status with principled reactions?

I DON’T MEAN TO RANT only on GLAAD. Our community’s leadership, at least the moneyed part of it, set the tone under the Clinton administration when it traded a few “seats at the table” for tacit support for some of the most damaging legislation to our community that Congress ever passed—the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

And that tradition continues. Remember Sen. Hillary Clinton’s outrage when Peter Pace, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the U.S. senior military officer, said he thought that homosexuality was “immoral”? No? Exactly, because there was none. And yet she is still raking it in on the gay fundraising circuit. Other communities make political contributions to their political candidates in turn for concrete support. We make political contributions for the pleasure of joining the Clintons for tea. No wonder we are not taken seriously.

I call on all of you to begin taking yourselves more seriously. If somebody insults our community, they ultimately insult you. And you must speak up—even if you think you’re beyond it because you’re affluent or comfortable, or because you work, like I do, in a decidedly gay-friendly job. Stop compromising your principles to buy “their” respect. Respect can’t be bought; it has to be earned. And it is time our community made a start on that.

Posted by Michael at 03:14 PM | Comments (8)

April 13, 2007

Some quick updates for the weekend

1) I just got back from Budapest where I shot two new movies, "Cruising Budapest 2: Ben Andrews" and "Cruising Budapest 3: Lucio Maverick." The cast for both movies includes the likes of Ben Andrews, Lucio Maverick, Ted Colunga, Steve Hunt, German hunk Tim Kruger (whose name you will soon memorize with his 11 inch cock), and Julian Veneziano, so it's a really international cast. We will update you more in the coming weeks, but the definite highlight was Lucio Maverick bottoming for the first time. I fucked him in about 4 different positions. You have to see to believe how wide his asshole opened up and how long it stayed open. You all know how much I love those open holes, where with the help of a spotlight you can see the heart beating.

We had two free days after shooting and I had a great time hanging out with Ben and Tim Kruger, strolling around Budapest which is a gorgeous city. It was nice to discover another side of Ben, as this was the first time we've spent a lot of time together. He's a blast to be with and has a great sense of humor. The weather was fantastic as well with temperatures in the low 70's and lots of sunshine. Hungary is a really hung nation, which I know because Ben dragged me to a bathhouse in Budapest where we had the best view sitting in the jacuzzi and watching guys come in and out. Hungarian guys have got to have the biggest dicks of any white men (sorry for being politically incorrect).

See more photos of the trip on my Flickr page here, or by clicking on the photo of Ben and me.

2) As I've written about all week on this blog, the first Hungarian movie that I directed a month ago, "Cruising Budapest 1: Michael Lucas," has just been released. I'm really proud of this production. Many of you might recognize many of the guys from Eastern European productions, but I think I was able to get much hotter scenes and better sex with amazing energy and kink.

3) Back here in New York, I will soon be writing a weekly column for local publications HX and the New York Blade, who have read my blog and approached me to write for them. I am really looking forward to it.

4) In other press news, I am very pleased to be on the cover of GAYVN with Kathy Griffin. Reading the article was a nice flashback to that unforgettable night.

5) Also, check out my recent interview in Gay City News: "Porn with Panache"

6) ...and there's an interview with me over here on Cybersocket.

7) My art director Tony Dimarco and I have been having preliminary meetings about our big production this year, tentatively entitled "Just a Gigolo." Stay tuned for updates on that.

8) I don't know if all of you are receiving Lucas Entertainment's weekly email updates. If not you can subscribe by clicking here. We have a new interactive format that I am sure you will all love.

Have a great weekend, guys!

Posted by Michael at 05:15 PM | Comments (2)

March 30, 2007

Answers to your questions...

I got tons of responses to my last post. Here are answers to some of your questions:

In one of your past blogs, you posted a great picture of your family. I was sorry to read your grandfather passed away not long ago. I was wondering how the rest of the family is. I do remember from the family picture that you have a very hot looking brother! -Donald
Thank you, Donald. Yes, it was a hard time for the whole family, especially my grandmother as she was married to my grandfather for 60 years and now she has to get used to being alone, which is not easy at age 85. But she is a strong person and doing great considering the situation. I spend a good deal of time with her and my mother. I treat them to the opera at Carnegie Hall, which they love. I will be with my whole family in Brooklyn for my grandmother's 86th birthday this year. My brother will be coming from Moscow with his girlfriend. He has lived there now for over a year and has his own successful real estate business. Needless to say, I do not share his love of Russia. I haven't visited there in 7 years.

Michael...love your movies and your site....Will you ever do a scene with Jack Bond? I really hope so.....
-Fred
Maybe, he's definitely a great performer.

Jack Bond

In your own personal life, what physical characteristics of a person are you most sexually attracted to? -Dave
I am lucky that I do not have a "type." I am into men of any age or nationality and that's why you see such a diverse array of men in my films. I just came from Florida where I shot Auditions 18: Florida (out May 15th) and I included lots of twink type boys in it. Before that I was in Hungary filming Auditions 8--Ivan Grey and the other two--what happened to them? My question though, is, it was supposed to be a three way but it ended up mostly you and one of the guys... why?
Sometimes a guy just isn't into a scene, and he's totally free to leave if he isn't. That is what happened in that case. We don't stage the scenes and it's all about the guys enjoying themselves, so I would rather let the guy go than fake it.

In Auditions 1 and 4 you had great watersports scenes, but after that they are kid stuff - how come? -Sam
I produce more watersports scenes than any other adult film company, especially my latest releases. They are always included in the Director's Cut editions which you can only get from www.lucasentertainment.com

Just read the synopsis of the films to find out which ones have watersports scenes. By the way, three movies that are coming out soon--Cruising Budapest 1: Michael Lucas (coming out April 10th), Auditions 18: Florida (coming out May 15th), and another film that I shot in Florida recently that we haven’t named yet (coming out May 29th)--include watersports in nearly every scene. Again, those scenes will only available in the Director's Cut, and you can only purchase them from my website.

When are you going to come to Melbourne? It's an amazing city, you'll like it. -Jess
I don't have plans yet to visit Australia, but if any of your clubs invite me to dance there I will hop on the next flight.

Do you like cooking? Which are your favorite plates or dinner?
No, I must confess, I do not like to cook. I just simply do not have time for it. When I do have free time, I prefer to spend it reading. My favorite type of food is Italian, but I am trying to eat as healthy as possible so I don't enjoy it as much anymore. I've also stopped eating red meat.

When will the next Auditions video come out? Will you be including your scene with the young soldier?
We release a new Auditions film more or less every month. Auditions 16 was just released, so you can purchase it from my website now. Auditions 17: Hungary comes out April 20th and Auditions 18: Florida, which I highly recommend, comes out May 15th. If you are a member of my site you can watch streaming video clips from most of these films now on my website.

Click here to purchase Auditions 16

The scene with the Israeli soldier that you are referring to is available only on my website. Some of our content is shot exclusively for members of my site, so you have to become a member to enjoy it. And trust me, it is worth it.

How is Bianca?
My dog Bianca is doing very well, considering she is now nearly 9 years old.

I wish you would work with Julian Vincenzo and Ted Colunga. -Daniel
I have actually worked with Ted Colunga on my last trip to Hungary. You can see him in Uncut Cock Pool Party, which is available on my website, and I will be working with him very soon on my next trip to Hungary.

Buy Uncut Cock Pool Party here!

This may not be of general interest, but I'd just like to know if you received the signed Dietrich photo I sent to your office some time ago? -Carsten
Yes, thank you so much for thinking of me. It was very nice of you to do. I have it on my wall.

What vegetables and fruits do you juice? And where do you see yourself in 20 years? -Nathan
:-) I drink juice every morning and I change it up every day--everything from apples to parsley.

Twenty years from now is way too far in advance to really think about. But yes, I do hope to have children someday.

I like the fact that not only do you produce and direct your films, but that you also appear in them. In other words, you don't ask your actors to do anything you wouldn't do. Good leadership. My question is about circumcision. In some scenes, you don't appear to be cut and I'm wondering if you were circumsized as a youngster in Russia? -Robert
I am not circumsized, which I know it is strange for a Jew to be uncut, but about half of Russian Jews are not circumsized. My foreskin happens to be short, so when my dick is hard it pulls back. That's probably why you thought is uncircumsized.

See, I'm definitely uncut.

How was your trip to Ft. Lauderdale? I didn't get a chance to catch you while you were down here. Can we expect any hot scenes from your Ft. Lauderdale trip in your next movie? -Ruben
My trip was fantastic and you can absolutely expect some great scenes. I filmed three great movies down there: two Auditions films including Auditions 18: Florida, which will be released May 15th, and another movie that I haven’t titled yet that will be out May 29th. We’ve already begun uploading scenes from the first Florida Auditions for streaming video on our website, so you can catch those now if you are a member.

Jonathan Vargas and Jason from Auditions 18-Florida

Ray Star and Todd in Auditions 18-Florida

Why don't you wear more leather? ;-) Your hottest photo shoot so far was in leather. -Peter
Well, everyone has different taste and I don't think leather was ever my market. I do wear leather pants now and then, so maybe I will get more into it at some point.

Has it ever happened that during a shoot the fuck was so intense that it continued off camera?
It doesn't usually continue off camera because the last thing they do is cum, but a lot of times the guys are really into each other and want to see each other again.

What happens when hot porn stars are gathered for the shoot? Do you ask to them to save their energy for the fuck scene or they are free to warm-up?
We ask the guys not to have any sexual activity with their partner before their scenes. So no, there are no warm-ups.

Have you had sex with Kent Larson off camera?
Kent Larson is a very nice guy :-)

You have already shot in Moscow, Paris, and Barcelona...I think it's time you come to shoot here in Brazil!
-Paolo
I've visited Brazil and it's a beautiful country. I performed in Sao Paolo at a club called Level several years ago.

Posted by Michael at 03:48 PM | Comments (6)

March 28, 2007

Updates and Q&A

I know I haven't been making too many updates to the blog lately, but I've been super busy these past few weeks. My company's making 3 movies a month now so I am constantly in production. Next week, I will be jetting off to Hungary to shoot another two movies and then heading back to New York to film Lucas Entertainment's next big production (stay tuned for the details). I might even return to Fire Island this summer to shoot Fire Island Cruising 9 and 10. Also, HX Magazine contacted me recently and asked me to begin writing a weekly column for them... so yes, I have a lot of work ahead of me!

I haven't done this is in a while, but now seems like a good time to take questions from my readers. So, just post a comment to this entry with your question and I will answer it in my next entry. Ask me whatever you want--don't be shy!

Posted by Michael at 05:29 PM | Comments (17)

March 26, 2007

La Dolce Musto

I just got my good friend Michael Musto's new book La Dolce Musto and it was so interesting, light, and witty that it only took me a couple of days to read. I've followed his column for the past ten years, but this book is wonderful since covers over 20 years of his hilarious writing. I especially loved his excerpt about visiting Russia in 1993 and his stories about celebrities like Rosie O'Donnell (who called him a "gay Nazi") and people who have been dragged out of the closet by him over the years. Almost nobody goes unscathed... it's fantastic. Thanks to books like this more celebrities like Anderson Cooper will finally come out the closet as well. Michael is known for his openly gay personality, but just when you thought he couldn't get any gayer, he puts out a book cover like this:

Posted by Michael at 03:58 PM | Comments (1)

March 21, 2007

Looking for Locations

Hey Guys,

It's that time of year again...

Do you know of any LOCATIONS where I can shoot my company's lovely gay adult movies?

Apartments, lofts, offices, restaurants, underground dungeons, saunas, fashion boutiques... anywhere I can fit two or more guys and a cameraman is what I'm looking for.

In and around New York City is preferred, but if you know of a gorgeous villa or sprawling ranch somewhere, I'm interested in hearing about that too. The one thing is that they MUST be cool with a gay adult film crew on their premises.

Send photos and other details to locations@lucasentertainment.com.

Thank you!
-Michael

PS - Both my company and my exclusive Wilfried Knight now have Myspace pages! Add them both!

Posted by Michael at 05:59 PM | Comments (3)

March 19, 2007

Go home with me tonight... really!

I've always been asked why I had my own company but not my own dildo. To be honest, there was never a specific answer other than I'd always been so busy making movies in my 12-year career,