Most men and women in the porn world have a shelf life of about 1-3 years, the latter if they are really lucky and can find longevity. Rarely will you find someone who gets themselves to a decade in the business and remains relevant in doing so. Diesel Washington is one of those, as he been one of the top performers in the industry for the past twelve years. Even before he entered into the industry though, something that he was very aware of was the lack of diversity when it came to the amount of African-American men in mainstream movies. One of Diesel's goals was to change that, and hopefully find a new way on on how mainstream films are done when it comes to inclusion of all races in their films.
Diesel has always been an incredibly honest and upfront kind of guy, as we have seen on social media and at many events (Most recently the Str8UpGayPorn Awards, where he addressed this topic on stage before presenting an award). I saw this firsthand, and found his candor to be very fresh and necessary, especially with this topic being very prevalent in other aspects of our community as well.
I recently sat down with Diesel to discuss all of this, including how he found himself in the industry, how his honesty has led to detriment for some of the major studios within it, and the hopeful message that he has for the newer generation.
What inspired you to get into the adult industry?
Always had an interest in porn, when I was a teenager I would spend hours jerking off to straight porn. And then down the road it was gay porn. I often watched gay porn but was wondering… “Where all the black guys?” There weren’t many models that I could relate to because they were all white. Instead of bitching and moaning, I decided to take plunge myself. I wanted to prove that I had what it takes to be in mainstream movies.
Was there anyone that you idolized prior to getting into it that helped your decision?
So many models inspired me: Bobby Blake, Jack Simmons, Jeff Stryker, Lexington Steele, and Vanessa Del Rio to name a few. Meeting Chad Hunt really opened my eyes to the possibility that I can do this. He said I had a hot cock.
At what point did you realize there was a major lack of diversity within the industry, or did you go in knowing that already?
I went into the Industry with something to prove. I studied the studios that I wanted to work with. I already knew there weren't many models of color on the mainstream side, and I came ready to shake up things in this industry.
Were there any specific examples that you dealt with regarding this issue, and how did you handle it?
Where to begin? From the start, I wasn’t doing any stereotyping roles. This includes No Thug/Homie/Homeboy/Gangsta… none of that. I was NOT trying to play characters who had to be black. Then it was overcoming models who had racial hang-ups… which is still a problem. How can I thrive or get work if some models had racial hang-ups? I had to prove how valuable I am by promotion and consistently turning out hot scenes that pushed the limits of this Industry. I had to stand out in every single one and create a brand known for high intense scenes.
So, basically, I had to work five times harder than your average white model. My body had to be on point all the time. Each performance had to be better than the last one. I wanted the respect from my peers as a performer/model, I wasn't some token black model inputted in scenes just to give the movie some color. I’m not just some BBC on the screen… it was a long road and a lot of work to reach this level.
What is your take on the industry now, and what can they do to improve itself on becoming more diversified?
I have seen some improvement in the last ten years, but we still have a long road before the industry becomes really diversified. Sometimes gay porn is locked in a time warp. So, it takes a while for gay porn to reflect on what is happening in today's society. It's still locked into these outdated cliches/ideas. Studios would need to take a risk and actually push a model of color instead of every average looking white model. Instead of allowing models to dictate whom they want to work with like a dating service or something. Studios need to put their foot down and stop allowing models to run casting like an E-Harmony or something. This is not Christian Mingling… you’re paid to do a job so do it.
Would you ever consider going back?
I get asked a lot if I would return. Maybe… I just think I ran my course for now. After twelve years, I want to step back and let the newer generation have its shot. But I'm always there and always ready in porn shape. So, I don't know what the future holds for me currently. I want roles that are interesting and ones that maybe cast me with another big name. Or work on a project that is groundbreaking or just different from the norm.
You are very outspoken with this issue amongst others. Do you ever feel like that can be to your detriment?
It already is. Several studios refuse to hire me because I'm very outspoken on this subject. I can be intimidating with my tongue sometimes. But that is me, I'm not changing my personality to fit in or not to cause waves. I have opinions and like to speak clearly so I'm understood. Why become this porn model if you can't use some of your celebrity to make a change or to right a wrong? Or shedding the light on a topic that is important to me? I'm not just here for a check, I'm also here to incite change.
Anything else you want to add?
Just that I hope the industry keep evolving and starts to include everybody. Beauty is more than white boys with blonde hair and blue eyes. There is a full spectrum of color out there being underrepresented. A shame to have so much beauty in so many races, but it’s not being seen. I get so many emails from young black men thanking me because I gave them a vision of a black man in mainstream gay porn. So, I think back to that day when I was in my 20's looking for someone who looked like me in mainstream. I didn't see many. Hopefully I inspire the next generation to not to just sit and complain but do something about it.
Check out his official Twitter account here.
She is going for that Biggest
She is going for that Biggest Crybaby of the Decade Award.
Diesel likes attention and he
Diesel likes attention and he knows if he goes off about how gay porn is racist is is going to get him some attention, it's his way or staying in the spotlight so to speak. It's getting old though. What does he want to do have studios start using racial quotas in their videos or using "the token" black guy for every video? Fact is not every porn is going to be some racial rainbow of diversity that's not why porn is made it is made for people to watch and get off too. So it tends to focus on sexual fetishes and desires some people like all black guys in their porn some don't. Don't buy it if you don't like it. I like black, brown, white men If I am in the mood for a racially diverse gang bang I know the studios that are good for that so I go to them. I don't jump on twitter and bitch and moan about the ones that don't being racist, cause studios have their audiences they target and if they don't happen to put a black guy in each video doesn't make them racist just like the studios that are all black men are not racist against white guys.
Diesel needs to get over himself. I never did find him all that hot anyway. Champ Robinson is way hotter.
Just FYI, black men cannot be
Just FYI, black men cannot be 'racist' against white guys. Get a clue.
What comes out of Diesel’s
What comes out of Diesel's mouth is so true. Well said Diesel
THIS DUDE IS A IDIOT . HE
THIS DUDE IS A IDIOT . HE REALLY THINKS THAT HE IS CHANGING THE WORLD WITH HIS DICK . IT'S PORN YOU IDIOT . PEOPLE BEAT OFF TO IT AND MOVE ON . YOUR NOT IMPORTANT AT ALL . STUDIOS DO NOT WANT TO WORK WITH HIM BECAUSE HE IS OLD AND IRRELEVANT IN THE INDUSTRY . ALL HE DOES IS CRIED THAT HIS PUSSY HURTS MORNING NOON AND NIGHT.AND HE TARES EVERY MODEL AND STUDIO APART AT THE SEEMS. I WOULD NEVER HIRE HIM OR WORK WITH HIM …REGARDLESS OF WHAT THAT OFFERED ME. HE IS A ASSHOLE . HE IS LIVING I'M THE PAST TRYING TO RECAPTURE" THOSE GLORY DAYS " AND THEY ARE IN HIS REAR VIEW MIRROR.
DIESEL YOU ARE A CUNTY ASSHOLE BYTCH
And you need a spelling and
And you need a spelling and grammar lesson (or two).
I stopped when he said “how
I stopped when he said "how could I work if some models had racial Hang-Ups?"
You went into an industry where most people were different from you and you wanted to impose on them that they should ignore the differences. There is a whole set of complicated issues here. Racism is a terrible thing but it's not necessarily the reason somebody doesn't want to have sex with you
Although it’s sex work, it is
Although it's sex work, it is still work. He's not a different species. Not working with someone, or demanding more money to work with them, based on the color of their skin, is illegal and wrong. He stated that actors wouldn't work with him because he is black.
That had to be the dumbest
That had to be the dumbest response ever. You are hired to do a job. You don't get to choose who you work with on someone else's dime. You fuck who the director says fuck. If you don't want too, find another job.