Writer Brontez Purnell Pens Tribute to Black '80s Gay Porn Performer Gene Lamar for 'Them'

Writer Brontez Purnell Pens Tribute to Black '80s Gay Porn Performer Gene Lamar for 'Them'

LOS ANGELES — Acclaimed cult writer Brontez Purnell has penned a heartfelt tribute to legendary Black 1980s porn performer Gene Lamar.

In an essay for news and culture website Them, Purnell, who is currently promoting his new book, “Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt: A Memoir in Verse,” praises Lamar as a “vers” icon and highlights his “epic rise as the classic face of 1980s porn and his complete disappearance from the porn world in 2003.”

Lamar’s IADF page includes over 100 credits, most of them between 1985 and 1998, with a smattering listed up through 2005, though some could be reissues of earlier material.

“There was one man who had lurked in the shadows of my imagination for years,” Purnell writes of Lamar. For Purnell, seeing Lamar for the first time in “Soul and Salsa 2,” which features a spectacular Black and Latino orgy, was a formative experience. 

“What made him noteworthy was that he was a vers Black actor, equally bottoming and topping in most interracial scenes, defying the industry trend of predominantly showing Black men topping in such scenarios,” he explains.

Purnell contacted a friend who worked as the archivist for classic 1980s porn studio Bijou Films, and dug up an interview with Lamar conducted after the first decade of his career.

“Through the conversation, I learned that Lamar was born and raised in Los Angeles — the Watts neighborhood, specifically — and was the third oldest of five brothers and sisters,” Purnell writes. “His mother was a vocal coach; he was also a singer. In the conversation, he asserts that he started as a runway and print model when he was 18. At 22, he married a woman, with whom he had one son. Elsewhere, he shared, ‘I like guys more so than women,’ though clarifies he didn’t get into gay life until he was 32.”

Much of Lamar’s work, Purnell notes, “hasn’t made it onto a digital file (and there’s quite a lot), rendering much of his legacy in a liminal space.” 

Declaring himself a die-hard Lamar fan, Purnell shares a wish list of select titles he intends to procure in VHS, the only format available to experience his idol’s work: “Balls To The Wall 5: A Touch Of Salsa And Coffee,” “Best Of Blacks, Black And Packed 5,” “Black Balled,” “Black Balls 2,” “Black Bullet Video Pac 12,” “Black Heat,” “Black Secret,” “Cream And Coffee 5,” “Duo 1,” “Hot Chocolate,” “Hung And Dangerous” and “In The Black.”

Purnell concludes the article by thanking Lamar for bringing beauty into the world and offering “a sense of joy and erotic hope in a racist and homophobic world.”

To read Brontez Purnell’s “Searching for Gene Lamar, the Vers Legend of ’80s Black Gay Porn,” visit Them.com.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Angela White Stars in New Interactive Scene From Brazzers

Multi-XMAs winner Angela White stars with reigning and two-time XMAs Europas Male Performer of the Year Christian Clay in a new interactive release from Brazzers, titled “Taking Angela Back To Your Place.”

Marvin Love Directs 'Rich and Horny Weirdos' for Brazzers

Brazzers has released a new scene directed by Marvin Love, titled “Rich and Horny Weirdos.”

Julia James, Sage Hunter Topline 'Lesbian Sister In-Laws' Sequel

Julia James and Sage Hunter headline the latest release from Girlfriends Films, titled “Lesbian Sister In-Laws 2.”

Jade Greene Fronts Latest From TeamSkeet

Jade Greene stars with Nicky Rebel in the latest release from TeamSkeet.

Bree Mills Wraps Production on Pure Taboo Thriller 'Let Me In Too'

Adult Time has announced that production has wrapped on the Bree Mills thriller sequel "Let Me In Too."

Emma Rosie, Rebel Rhyder Topline Latest Volume of 'Hookup Hotshot: E-Girls'

Emma Rosie and Rebel Rhyder headline Brian Gozzling’s “Hookup Hotshot: E-Girls 28” from Evil Angel.

Agatha Vega Fronts Latest From Ricky's Room

Reigning XMA Europas Female Performer of the Year Agatha Vega stars in the latest release from Ricky's Room, titled "Agatha Habla Sucio."

Taylor Vixxen Makes Her MILFY Debut

Taylor Vixxen has made her debut for Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint MILFY, alongside Dan Damage.

Catherine Knight Makes Her Vixen Debut

Catherine Knight has made her Vixen debut alongside Dan Damage.

Andi Avalon Headlines 'Slutty Nurses 3' From Reality Junkies

Andi Avalon toplines the third volume of "Slutty Nurses" from Mile High Media studio imprint Reality Junkies.

Show More