Book: Coming Out Like a Porn Star

Coming Out Like a Porn Star, edited by Jiz Lee, is, as the title instantly gives away, a collection of essays focused on the act of revealing (or being exposed) authors’ roles as pornography creators. The pieces have varying focus, from emotions associated with family and friends’ reactions, through problems of living a double life, to an impact on work, politics and random encounters with strangers.

The reality of modern, American porn shooting and the personal stories behind participation are interesting enough in themselves. The backgrounds and views presented are diverse enough to give something to think about to everybody, no matter whait is her stance on pornography. I won’t even attempt to list or quote any of them, there was so much great material.

However, I have been engaged the most by the process of coming out, as generalised to any activity: whenever the star tried to conceal her activity, omited a revealing “detail”, and worried about being understood and accepted by someone they respect or love, I projected my own tendency to shut myself off in various aspects of my life. Many times, while reading, I envied essayists’ openness towards their friends and family. These stories remaind me that, ultimately, my fears are my own, and that there is (almost) always a way of working out something better than giving in to them. That only by confronting these fears and opening whenever possible I can restore personal coherence.