Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

Bareback Portrait: Treasure Island Porn Star Dawson on Fame and Controversy
by Rick Reed
2005-05-25

This article shared 141058 times since Wed May 25, 2005
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


Treasure Island Media has been generating more and more controversy as the fledgling porn film production continues to grow in fame and—depending on your point of view—infamy. It's fair to say that this little San Francisco-based company, for better or worse, has become the leading force in the rapidly growing porn sub-genre of gay bareback porn. The company, founded and headed up by Paul Morris, is attracting legions of fans for their hardcore sex videos, which push male-on-male sexual gratification to the limit and concerns about safe sex to the background, so far in the background, in fact, as to be invisible. That's what the many guys who are buying titles like Plantin' Seed, Slurpin' Jizz, Plowed, and others ( complete catalog at www.treasureislandmedia.com ) love about the films: the hot sex, the unbridled passion, and the complete lack of pretense for even the simplest of storylines. In fact, the company's slogan is 'Documenting Male Sexuality for the 21st Century.'

The very things that have been causing the company's sales to soar are the same things detractors deplore. In a March story in the New York Gay Blade, writer Mike Lavers quotes Jon Winkleman, a member of the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City, as saying that Treasure Island eroticizes HIV and AIDS. At a premiere of a recent feature starring Treasure Island Media star, Dawson, Winkleman passed out fliers that screamed, 'Treasure Island Media makes snuff films.' The film, Meat Rack, shows the handsome and vital Dawson ( whose picture should appear in the gay dictionary next to the term, 'power bottom' ) on a weekend sojourn to Fire Island. Dawson takes on what seems like dozens of tops.

Recently I had a chance to talk with Dawson. I found him to be a surprisingly frank, gentle young man who knows exactly what he's doing. His previous two movies, Dawson's 20-Load Weekend and the subtly titled, Cum Sloppy Buttholes ( filmed on location at last year's IML ) have garnered him a legion of fans and made him a stand out among Treasure Island's stable of comely male stars. I wanted to know more about this man, who was willing to take the semen of nearly 30 men in one weekend and put it on film and try to see if I could find out what made him tick. The surprising thing about him is that he seems very down to earth … and maybe even a little naïve about the controversy of his on-screen dalliances.

Dawson was born and grew up in small town Maine, where his father worked hard to support Dawson and his eight siblings and his mother stayed home. Dawson was the baby and says even though there were nine children, his parents spoiled all of them. 'Being the baby I got spoiled the most.' He attended college after leaving home, then moved on to Boston, but visits home frequently. 'Family is very important to me.'

Dawson's life off-camera bears little resemblance to the wanton persona he portrays on DVD. But, when not filming, Dawson is a regular member of the work force in Boston, handling sales for a biotech company. In his spare time, he loves 'to be outdoors, playing tennis and hanging with friends.'

I wondered too about Dawson's love life. Dawson says he has 'No significant other at this point. Not many people can handle the porn thing, let alone that it's bareback. It'll take a special person to see past that.' What about his family and friends? 'My family doesn't know and I'd like to keep it that way. My true friends see beyond their personal opinions but I have lost some friends. I didn't expect anyone to even know I did a movie! I was naïve and thought only me and a small circle of people would ever know but then it hit the local paper here in Boston. People that used to say hi around town were no longer talking to me. But I don't have regrets.'

So how did a small town boy end up in some of the nastiest porn going? It started with a fantasy. 'I had always been a huge fan of TIM movies so I sent an e-mail letting the company know I was interested and the rest is history. I got to meet Max Sohl ( director for Dawson's videos ) and we hit it off. He is an incredible guy with a great visual sense; the fact that we share a piggy mindset was a big bonus.'

What about critics who decry his choices as a roadblock to the fight against AIDS? 'They need to get off their soap boxes. People are adults and if they decide to watch a bareback movie, that's their choice. Living in the U.S. means you have freedom. I couldn't care less what someone who doesn't know me has to say about my decisions. It's my choice to have bareback sex and it is someone else's choice to watch it. I know many guys who have watched my movies and get off on it but don't bareback. If watching my movies fulfills a fantasy and gets them off, then it's worked.'

I wondered if Treasure Island takes any measures to protect its actors against AIDS and STDs. 'They take steps to have the men checked out ( for STDs ) before a shoot and if a guy has anything they are encouraged to not perform. As for HIV, I have been positive for a while. It was after turning positive that I made the decision to look into doing a movie for TIM. I had seroconverted a few months before I contacted them and put things in motion that wound up being Dawson's 20-Load Weekend. I don't make a point to ask what the other performers' ( HIV ) status is but TIM does and informs someone if they want to know if they are going to do a scene with them so they can make an informed decision.'

Dawson enjoys his new fame, but is still a little surprised at the attention. 'It has been very strange getting recognized, especially outside of Boston. I'm just shocked at how many people have approached me and said they've seen my movies. But most of them have been complimentary.'

What lies ahead for Dawson? 'I just finished up the sequel to Dawson's 20-Load Weekend. I'm disappointed that I won't be in Chicago this year for IML, as I had so much fun last year. But I will make a point to be there next year.' Treasure Island will be filming their third video in a row at this year's IML. Hit 'em up at their booth in the leather mart and maybe you can be the next Dawson.

Or maybe not.


This article shared 141058 times since Wed May 25, 2005
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

'Cheer' star receives prison sentence 2022-07-07
- On July 6, Jerry Harris, the former star of hit Netflix docuseries Cheer, has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for child pornography soliciting sex from minors, Variety noted, citing USA Today. Harris, 22, ...


Gay News

Artist Rick Sindt explores queer desire and pornography in 'Skin Remembers' 2022-05-25
- Rick Sindt, a Chicago-based artist who recently moved to St. Louis, explores the discovery and development of queer attraction in his exhibit "Skin Remembers." Sindt transforms pornographic stills, repurposing them into images of intimacy. Sindt recently ...


Gay News

Black transgender artist Heather Hills releases single, video from Trans Trenderz 2020-11-20
--From a press release - (New York, NY) Electro-pop/rap artist, Heather Hills, has released the new single and video, "Get Dun," on the Trans Trenderz label. "Get Dun" is not for those expecting trauma porn. "I got a cute beat and ...


Gay News

NATIONAL Judicial nominee, stay of execution, revenge porn, Amy Klobuchar 2019-11-05
- A federal appeals court nominee broke down in tears during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing when confronted with a scathing letter from the American Bar Association (ABA) that deemed him "not qualified," NBC News reported. The ...


Gay News

ART Mike Burton offers unique voice with gay porn thumbnails 2019-10-30
- While most artwork has a deeper meaning, Mike Burton's work offers a unique voice distinct in the Chicago LGBTQ community. A transplant from Wadsworth, Ohio, the 28-year-old Burton moved to Chicago two years ago to fully ...


Gay News

CONCERTS Roselit Bone and Reverse Cowboy; New Pornographers; Charli XCX 2019-10-22
- Alhough the chilly winds and the abundance of pumpkin-flavored coffee-creamer ads on television have signaled the end of summer, the year for queer music is nowhere near winding down. This summer turned out to be the ...


Gay News

WORLD Brazilian video, HIV incidents down, Malaysia's problems 2019-03-12
- Brazil's far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, has sparked outrage, disgust and ridicule after tweeting a pornographic video in an apparent attempt to hit back at criticism of his administration during this year's carnival ...


Gay News

BENT NIGHTS Panic! at the Disco; The New Pornographers 2018-08-14
- Panic! at the Disco vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and one-man band Brendon Urie (who recently came out as pansexual) looks exactly like what he is—a Las Vegas entertainer in rock-star drag. Despite his fashion-model ...


Gay News

Reports: State rep resigns after revenge porn allegations 2018-08-01
- State Rep. Nick Sauer (R-Libertyville) resigned Aug. 1 after allegations broke that he'd posted intimate photos of his ex-girlfriend, Kate Kelly, on a fake Instagram account, where he additionally engaged in sexually-tinged ...


Gay News

Billy Masters 2018-03-14
- "I'm sorry. I recognized you, but I thought maybe from porn!"—A waiter in a restaurant in Italy to Eric Bana. After telling the story on The Talk, Julie Chen said, "Now we know what he does ...


Gay News

MOVIES HUMP Film festival celebrates amateur sex cinema 2018-02-07
- A porn festival for people who don't like pornography? That's how syndicated sex columnist Dan Savage described the HUMP! Film Festival, a two-day annual event coming to Chicago's Music Box Theater on Feb. 16-17. In a ...


Gay News

HUMP Film festival celebrates amateur sex cinema 2018-01-26
- A porn festival for people who don't like pornography? That's how syndicated sex columnist Dan Savage described the HUMP! Film Festival, a two-day annual event coming to Chicago's Music Box Theater on Feb. 16-17. In a ...


Gay News

Billy Masters 2017-02-15
- Palm Springs, March 2000. I was cast in Ronnie Larsen's new play, Shooting Porn—not to be confused with his hit play Making Porn. Shooting Porn is the stage version of his award-winning documentary, also called Shooting ...


Gay News

Dan Savage, uncensored 2016-04-06
- Dan Savage is many things—columnist, activist, author, "It Gets Better" co-founder and pundit. However, he'll don another hat when he hosts his HUMP Film Festival—which showcases homemade porn—later this week ...


Gay News

Billy Masters 2015-12-02
- "My interest is trannies. I love trannies. I'm attracted to trannies. I don't like no muscle like me."—Formerly straight, now gay, boxer and gay porn star Yusaf Mack proclaims his personal preference. I smell a sequel... ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS






Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.