from www.queerty.com – The death of Wilfried Knight upset many in the gay-porn industry, coming as it did so soon after other porn-star suicides—as well as that of Knight’s own partner, Jerry.

Is there an epidemic brewing?

Michael Lucas, the controversial owner of Lucas Entertainment, issued a statement about the situation:

Dear friends,

Like so many others, I am heartbroken by the news that our beautiful friend and colleague Wilfried Knight has committed suicide. I was lucky enough to work with him many times.

Beneath his tough exterior Wilfried was, like many guys in the adult-film industry, a sensitive and intelligent man. And like many guys in the adult-film industry, he struggled to maintain his external image and his sense of self-worth.

Coming so soon after the suicides of Roman Ragazzi last year and of Arpad Miklos just last month, Wilfried’s death is deeply troubling. I am scared at what this trend suggests about the gay world. It’s not just porn stars who are killing themselves; about ten guys in my gym alone have recently committed suicide. (Wilfried’s partner, Jerry, killed himself just two weeks ago, as Wilfried wrote about here.)

But porn actors are among the highest-profile casualties of gay suicide, and are especially vulnerable in some ways. We do not have good support systems in place for people in our industry. We need to talk more about this as a community. We need to be there for each other.

To anyone in the porn world who is reading this: If you are feeling depressed, or despairing about the future, please know that you’re not alone. If you’re in trouble, call me. [telephone number and email redacted]

Life can be rough but it’s a gift and you only get it once. Your pain will pass. We have to remember that and help each other.

This pattern can’t go on. Please, let’s break it.

Love,
Michael Lucas