While JanieBelle informs us on her blog about the seeming flood of Republican representatives and commentators who are being exposed for their participation in the sex industry (as clients, so far), I thought I'd let you know about a rather different sort of story that appeared in today's Style section of the New York Times.

It seems a former porn star is working on becoming an Episcopal minister, and he's doing it all right out in the open. No hiding.

The article is interesting for a few reasons. First of all, as is common in the Styles section, it's a rather long feature, and as is not always common in the Styles section, it is very thoughtfully written.

Ronald Boyer, who acted under the name Rod Fontana, has worked in porn since 1975. He's married to retired porn actress, they have a young daugther, and he spent time in the Army both before becoming a porn actor and during a hiatus in his porn career.

When asked, he allows that he thinks pornography is sinful, but he puts this in context:

"“So is eating carrot cake until you’re sick to your stomach,” he continued. “And so is punching somebody in the face. That’s a sin.”

In discussing why he wants out of the porn industry now, and why he wants to become a minister he does follow the stereotypical conversion narrative, turning away from all that came before so he can have a clean new life. He explains a process of becoming disenchanted with the porn industry, with what he perceives as the increase in violence and degradation, and the increase in hate. He talks about how he loves the sex and the performance, but describes his increasing boredom, and the turning of his attention toward spiritual things partly because of a traumatic illness that his infant daughter suffered.

If he makes it through and is ordained in the Episcopal church, it will be an interesting moment for the church. The Epsicopals, remember, are in the midst of quite a split over whether or not gays should be ordained. He is currently being trained to be a deacon, and then will need to study in the seminary for at least two years before he can be considered for ordination. Ordination is not a given for those who complete seminary. Remember that it is the Episcopal church that is currently suffering a dramatic split over the question of whether or not gays can be ordained.

Boyer intends for his ministry to be aimed at sex workers, "bringing comfort" but not "condemning" them for their work. He was turned away from several churches before being accepted in Oak Park, where he is now working with the vicar, Rev. Hank MItchel.

I applaud Rev. Mitchel for accepting Boyer. It will be interesting to watch Boyer's journey. I hope he doesn't come to a point where he repudiates his past and that he continues to minister to those sex workers who want an understanding pastor who will accept them and not condemn them.

...because public space really matters!

Elizabeth