Straight Gay Porn Star Tom Katt Quits Adult Film Industry
Posted on | February 28, 2006
While browsing for links for my last "In Brief" entry, I ran across a link on Queerty to The Dallas Voice talking about how gay porn star Tom Katt has "found God" and will quit doing porn. Katt, whose real name is David Papaleo, made the announcement that he was quitting porn and renounced the industry on a Christian television program called "The Gravedigger Show". Katt, who identifies as heterosexual, has been in quite a few porn film starting during the 1990’s and quit in 2003. Some of his titles include Behind the Barn Door, Cowboy, Crash of the Titans and Total Corruption 2: One Night in Jail.
I have some mixed feelings about the whole article. I started off getting kind of huffy because I have seen Tom Katt in porn and even watched him take it up the ass. But then I started reading the interview and found myself changing my mind.
While I applaud his efforts to fix what he views as problems in his life, in his interview with the Dallas Voice Katt seemed to reinforce one stereotype that kind of ticks me off about the porn industry. He says he was "constantly altering my mood with chemicals to convince myself I was having such a good time." Of course by "altering my mood with chemicals" he means he was taking drugs which does seem to be a not-so-rare problem with individuals who do pornography no matter if it is gay, bi, or heterosexual. But I have a problem with the association because it makes it a problem caused by the industry rather than a problem the lies with the individuals themselves. In the biography on his website, my favorite porn star Jason Branch says the following in response to a question about what advice he has for people who want to get into doing porn:
"First, you need to be sure that this is what you really want to do. Porn isn’t for everyone. If you aren’t comfortable with people knowing that you are doing porn then don’t do it. You can’t do well in this industry if you are ashamed of what you are doing."
That nails it on the head right there I think. People get into porn because they think it will bring them lots of easy money, some think they will become pseudo-celebrities, and some come because all they really have is the looks. Branch also touched on this in an interview while performing in the theatrical production "Making Porn", however I cannot find the site with the interview. These individuals arrive in the industry having some sort of fantasy about how they will have a wonderful time without really considering the ramifications of it such as when friends/family find out or if they get recognized as I noted earlier in the case of Pete Ross who was fired from his job as a flight attendant when his porn career was discovered. Or they run into things like trouble maintaining romantic relationships, being thought of as a whore, and the psychological consequences of earning an income with sex. While some can handle it naturally and others seek out more legitimate coping mechanisms like psychotherapy, others seek out self-medication with drugs and alcohol because they are easy to get. Tom was one of those who went in for the money as doing porn enabled him to make more money than he was getting as a personal trainer and also gave him more time to train for bodybuilding competitions and chose the wrong coping strategy.
To his credit, Tom does not portray himself as an "ex-gay" when he proclaims his heterosexuality but rather as someone who is heterosexual and happened to do gay porn. He mentions that he attempted to have relationships with men and that while there was physical attractions, there were no emotional connections. That may have been a byproduct of his career in porn but if he honestly feels he could not have a meaningful relationship with other men then he is right to proclaim his heterosexuality. It strikes at the core of the whole "it is about sex thing" because obviously Tom was able to carry on sexual relationships with men quite easily given his career as a porn star.
While I think his whole turning to religion and even going so far as to go into seminary school is a bit hokey, he does offer up an interesting interpretation of what the bible says about homosexuality:
“If you look at it historically, culturally and you’re not pulling things out of context, the Bible says ‘don’t to go against what is natural.’ If you are naturally heterosexual and you’re having sex with men, well, first, you’re treating that guy unfairly. But the Bible’s not saying heterosexual is natural as far as from nature’s point of view — it means going against what’s natural for yourself.”
Blog Links:
External Links:
- Dallas Voice - A Porn Star is Reborn
- Jason Branch (Not Work Safe)
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2 Responses to “Straight Gay Porn Star Tom Katt Quits Adult Film Industry”
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March 1st, 2006 @ 8:52 am
He was in the bareback era right? anyway, i read his article and he actually seems pretty bright.
Hey, let’s face it I have no business begrudging anyone their peace of mind through whatever means they choose. If that’s god, well then that’s fine too.
I used to lead a lifestyle that was predicated entirely on sex, drugs (and a lil rock and roll) and i can tell ya, that’s no way to live. Obviously this guys felt the same way.
The seminary business seems a little over the top, but you knw what? who cares.
In fact, it’s all kinda hot.
p.s. i found you through Pam’s blend i am love your fresh and smart take on stuff.
March 2nd, 2006 @ 1:28 pm
Of the couple of stills I have seen of him in action, there’s a condom on him or whoever is topping him at the time.