Growing up in Waterford, Theo Ford had a golden experience, coming out by simply introducing his boyfriend to his parents. Since then he’s become one of gay porn’s busiest performers, with over 120 movies under his belt. Now living in Sydney, he talks to Brian Finnegan about the good and bad sides of a career in the adult entertainment industry, why he thinks porn actors have a responsibility to educate, and the politics of exclusion within the LGBT community. Photo by Michael Stokes.

This article was originally found in the December 2016 Sex Issue of GCN which is available online here.

“My life has been somewhat of a whirlwind,” says Theo Ford. With a Franco-Irish mother and a French father, the 28 year-old adult entertainment star was born in Nice in the south of France, but grew up in Waterford, a place he adores so much his stage name comes from it. (He’s not forthcoming about his real name, saying “I prefer to retain a small part of ‘me’ for myself”.)

“It was such a safe and pleasant life,” he says. “I attended an incredible Quaker school. And the values taught there have been within me ever since. Being gay was a non-issue. I knew I was different and attracted to guys early on in life. One day it became clear and without an ounce of doubt I accepted myself and my sexuality. I never really came out; I just introduced a boyfriend to my parents. I’ve always said that being gay was the best thing that could have happened in my life. It gives me the ability to navigate life without the structure that society forces on straight people.”

Like the porn star François Sagat, who is also interviewed in this issue, Ford studied and worked in Fashion Design in the same college in Paris after leaving school, and his entry to the world of adult entertainment was propelled by a love of porn.

Harnessing Sexuality

“I had always fantasised about porn actors and the way they could harness their sexuality in a way to feel empowered,” he says. “I was attracted to the idea of letting go of my own insecurities and doing something rather outrageous. When I turned 25 a studio called French Twinks asked me to film for them. Antoine, the producer, is such a sweetheart, so full of positive energy, that I was easily swayed into joining the studio. Within a week I was on set.”

Ford describes his first day on that set as the most awkward experience of his life. “I had no idea what I was doing. I was so shy, and I’m not even sure the scene was any good. But with time and experience I became more confident in my body and ability to act out my sexuality in front of a camera, to the point where I would nearly direct my own scenes knowing what worked or not.”

One month following the release of his first scene Ford was listed as one of the top ten best international newcomers in France’s biggest gay magazine, Tetu. “I suddenly realised that people were actually watching me. It was a very odd feeling, one that quickly became excitement.”

Since then he’s starred in over 120 adult films, working for the biggest names in the industry, including Falcon Studios and men.com.
“There are very few negatives to leading a life in the adult entertainment industry,” he says. “You discover the world and lead a bohemian life, and being able to meet so many different people is enriching.”

Balancing Act

Ford acknowledges the downsides too. “The main one is definitely the constant travelling. I always made sure that my work never took priority above my personal life, but being able to balance both sides can be difficult.”

This balancing act may have played a part in Ford’s divorce earlier this year from the American model, Shawn Stolz. “Being far away from your loved ones can be tough to handle. Especially when you have a partner or husband like I did,” he says.

Away from the adult entertainment industry, Ford is pursuing another love, and it’s one that helped him through the dark days following the end of his marriage.

Keep reading to find out more about Theo Ford’s other love, discrimination in the LGBT community and his views on PrEP.

Creative Writing

“Last year while living in London I studied creative writing. I’ve been writing since I was a child, screenplays and poetry. As an adult I’ve moved into more introspective essay pieces based on how my emotions fluctuated through life events. Having this therapeutic outlet has been an incredible focal point of my recovery after my separation and divorce.”

He also publishes blog pieces on the UK website GTENmedia as a platform to speak out on issues within the LGBT community in Sydney, which are echoed in cities across the world.

“I see exclusion being carried out daily due to race or what some call being ‘masc’,” he says. “My last blog was about sexual racism and homophobia within our own community. I’ve become extremely outspoken and a strong supporter of individuality.

“The fact that in Sydney the gay ‘scene’ is extremely limited forces everyone into the same few venues, hence there is no room for difference. Most people are content to be part of the mass, not wanting to stand out and it leads to an automatic rejection of anyone who isn’t the same as everyone else.

“The other issue is the stigmatisation of HIV positive men, which prevents many from getting tested on a regular basis for fear of maybe having something. Working towards educating the community is the number-one priority in my eyes.”

Responsibility

Ford also believes his fellow performers in the gay adult entertainment industry have a responsibility in this arena. “I believe porn actors should be more outspoken about the ways of staying safe,” he says. “A study in America showed that 60 percent of gay and bisexual men are not aware of PrEP. That’s incredibly scary. Even though condoms are still the only way to prevent most STIs, PrEP is a strong tool in fighting HIV.”

In terms of whether the films themselves have a responsibility in promoting safe sex, he’s not so sure. “Porn is only a fantasy and should never be looked at as reality. You wouldn’t watch Spiderman and then think you can swing from spider webs across Manhattan.”

Working with young LGBT people in Sydney is one of Ford’s short-term ambitions. “I feel I am now in a place where I can focus on others a lot more and share my experiences, to give back to the community and help more people,” he says. In the longer term, he’s focused on more writing. “I’m building my confidence and ability to write to publish more pieces, short stories and potentially novels too. I’ve a fluid vision of what my future will be and I always do my best to evolve as a person.”

And although he didn’t feel Irish when growing up in Ireland, part of that person will always be rooted in his childhood home, which he says he still misses.

“I will forever be from Ireland. I had the best childhood I could have asked for there and I would love one day to send my kids to study in the same boarding school I attended. I haven’t been able to visit home in a while, but I have strong bonds with it even I’m far away.”