Butts: That's a wrap!

What do you think of performers who say they won't use condoms?

From the male perspective, I can see why they would say that, because from a guy's perspective, it interferes with their work. I don't understand why someone would say that from a woman's perspective. There are still risks involved -- just because I'm putting a condom on a guy doesn't mean I'm not going to ask a girl to give a guy a rim job.

It seems like this couldn't have come at a worse time, politically.

I would have to agree with that assessment. Right now the Bush administration, Ashcroft, the Department of Justice, they've declared war on pornography as well as drugs, Iraq and abortion.

Needless to say, this is more fodder for that right-wing political machine that it feels it needs to legislate the morality of America. The rumor right now is that from 49 to 57 companies are under investigation, and they're not only going after so-called pornographers, but cable providers as well.

Their strategy is to drain us of money and put us out of business that way. It's very expensive to fight the government. Maybe it's a lot of pomp and circumstance coming from them, because it's election time, and they want their religious-minded constituents to see that something is happening, something is being done.

The question is, do they have the time and money to dedicate to this, and is that what the American public wants? I know that a very small, very vocal percentage might, but they don't speak for everyone.

What has been the reaction to your announcement from others within the industry?

I've heard everything from "Congratulations!" and "Bravo, I'm going out to spend a hundred dollars on your products!" to "You idiot, you've just made the biggest mistake of your life!" and "I didn't think there was a way to make your movies any more boring, but you've just done it."

Mostly, the other companies are jumping for joy, because they think no one will want to buy this. I think they're sadly mistaken and think time will show that. I've had calls from male performers who have decided they will only wear condoms now, interested in working with me.

How is this handled in the gay porn community?

They basically assume that everyone has it and put condoms on everyone, but don't do testing. I'd want to have testing and have people wear condoms.

Have you chosen not to work with people before because you suspect they might be sick?

If I think someone's using, or comes in all sketchy, yeah, I don't work with them. And if you don't want to wear a condom, who cares -- you do what you're asked to do.

Supposedly, if you work in a brothel in Las Vegas, you are required to use a condom. If you're competing in the National Football League, you have to wear a helmet. The closest comparison to porn right now is this: It would be similar to NHL players who won't wear facemasks, because it's still optional. It's a macho kind of thing. I don't see machismo behind this, but it's that same kind of choice being made.

And their personal choices are affecting other people. If you could rely 100 percent on honesty and integrity, that'd be great. But someone is going to get into a money jam, someone's going to budget into a situation where they're not thinking, they're going to get into a situation where they're not paying rent or not eating and will work when they know they shouldn't be.

I'm in it to make a living, to provide entertainment, to open up lines of communication, but not to have anyone who works for me die.

What do you think of the media's coverage of the outbreak and your announcement?

Oh come on. The Drudge Report has, top story, "HIV outbreak!" I think it's natural, it's the nature of the media of today. Porn is a buzzword, HIV is a buzzword -- put them together, you've got a double buzzword. The media likes a double buzz.

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