NEW YORK — In an open letter to the gay porn community, Lucas Entertainment CEO Michael Lucas writes, "porn actors are among the highest-profile casualties of gay suicide."
"We do not have good support systems in place for people in our industry. We need to talk more about this as a community. We need to be there for each other."
Lucas' letter is in reaction to the suicide deaths of Roman Ragazzi, Arpad Miklos and most recently Wilfried Knight. Alarmed by what is becoming a disturbing trend, Lucas not only asks the gay industry to look after its members, but offers himself to those in need of someone to talk to.
The following is Lucas' letter in its entirety:
March 12, 2013
Dear Friends,
Like so many others, I am heartbroken by the news that our beautiful friend and colleague Wilfried Knight has committed suicide. I was lucky enough to work with him many times.
Beneath his tough exterior Wilfried was, like many guys in the adult-film industry, a sensitive and intelligent man. And like many guys in the adult-film industry, he struggled to maintain his external image and his sense of self-worth.
Coming so soon after the suicides of Roman Ragazzi last year and of Arpad Miklos just last month, Wilfried’s death is deeply troubling. I am scared at what this trend suggests about the gay world. It’s not just porn stars who are killing themselves; about ten guys in my gym alone have recently committed suicide. (Wilfried’s partner, Jerry, killed himself just two weeks ago, as Wilfried wrote about here).
But porn actors are among the highest-profile casualties of gay suicide, and are especially vulnerable in some ways. We do not have good support systems in place for people in our industry. We need to talk more about this as a community. We need to be there for each other.
To anyone in the porn world who is reading this: If you are feeling depressed, or despairing about the future, please know that you’re not alone. If you’re in trouble, call me. My phone number is 917-449-3101 and my e-mail is Michael@LucasEntertainment.com.
I will do whatever I can.
Life can be rough but it’s a gift and you only get it once. Your pain will pass. We have to remember that and help each other. This pattern can’t go on. Please, let’s break it.
Love,
Michael Lucas