A Conversation with Dawson

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A Conversation with Dawson

Dawson is a handsome guy who exploded onto the gay XXX barebacking scene this year. With only two movies released, he has won two awards from the People's Choice-style Bareback Video Awards, and was runner-up in three other categories. His self-titled "Dawson's 20-Load Weekend" won five awards, plus a sixth Video-Of-The-Year award for the most 1st place awards.. Follow that? Dawson is bright and well-spoken; he lives in Boston's South End, where he is the talk of the neighborhood, and sat down with myself and Our Manrique for a morning chat.

Mark: So - what do you think about being an award-winner?

Dawson: I don't even know what I won yet. Max Sohl at Treasure Island sent me a link to the winners, but I haven't had a chance to look at it closely.

M: Well, you won Best New Bareback Performer..

Manrique: Yea!!!!

M:...and Hottest Ass.

D: Well, that's flattering.

M: And you were runner-up as Best Cumhole Bottom. Not bad. How did you get involved with all this?

D: Ever since I've been single, I was figuring I might as well get paid for doing what I enjoy. I contacted Treasure Island, as I'd always been a fan of their movies, and before I knew it, I was out there shooting a movie for them.

M: How was your first go at it?

D: I had really good experience the first time. It just went really well. If I didn't have such a great experience, I probably wouldn't have done it again,

M: Do you have any interest in doing more...er, "mainstream" gay porn?

D: Interestingly enough, I had actually interviewed with Falcon years ago. I didn't pursue it any further because I didn't want everyone in the gay community to know what I was doing. So I did this "niche" video, which I thought would get a small audience, and also because it is a niche I really enjoy. I thought no one would know.

Manrique: Wrong again!

D: Very wrong. Before I knew what was going on, they were showing it at The Vault every night.

M: Did you really want it not to be known?

D: I have nothing to hide, really. I'm not ashamed, I'm not hurting anyone. And I"m enjoying it. But I just didn't think as many people would find out about it as they did. I figured everyone carried the Falcon-type of movie, but not this.

M: Little did you know.

D: Oddly enough, I was just in Montreal, and it's illegal to sell bareback videos in Montreal. But I still got recognized at the Black and Blue Party. They get it thru mail order, I guess.

Manrique: How do you feel about using condoms?

M: I have sex all the time with condoms. I prefer without. For me, it's just a connection issue. I feel it's much more intense and intimate without, but I have had plenty of sex with condoms.

M: What's your opinion on studios like Titan and Falcon that a no-barebacking models policy?

D: I have had sex with Falcon models who have unsafe sex all the time. They all have their rights to their policies, I understand what they're trying to promote. But I also know performers like Sean Storm, who barebacks and is in some Raging Stallion movies. My mindset is, if you don't want to watch it, don't rent it. The companies should put out what they want, but it's the public's choice whether they want to view it. I don't think anyone should make a stance across-the-board.

M: What about health issues? Does this concern you?

D: Every performer has that to consider when they're doing bareback. I've been fortunate in that I don't pick up a disease every time I do one of these. They (Treasure Island) take steps to make sure we're all clean before we do it.

M: Would you do movies for another studio?

D: I've never done anything other than for Treasure Island. I am an exclusive there for a year. When I was in Chicago, I was approached by Hot House, but I'm with Treasure Island for now.

M: The image the public has of bareback performers is not always the best.

D: It's very hard to get guys to do bareback on camera. The stigma of doing bareback on camera is the challenge. Every movie I've done, it's been difficult for the casting director to get guys, even in SF, where you wouldn't think there would be a problem. That could be the reason why some of the guys you see in the movies aren't the highest quality.

Manrique: It's not that these guys don't do barebacking off-camera.

D: It's all about the public image. I've never been one to care about what the public image of me is. I am what I am, I enjoy what I am. It has been difficult, being here in Boston where people are pointing and talking about me. I've had some amusing encounters. I've had close friends who've been disturbed by it, but I've also had friends who've been supportive.

Manrique: Guys are always asking me at the gym about you.

D: What gym? [laughs]

Manrique: Do you watch your own movies?

D: The first one, I did before it was released. I wanted to prepare myself for what people would see. The second one, I haven't seen yet.

Manrique: Well, it's quite interesting.

D: [laughs] The third movie I made is my favorite.

Manrique: What makes it so special?

D: The first two movies, I had no say on who was in them. As I've done more, they've given me the courtesy of having some input as to who I want and don't want.

M: Does your family know?

D: Unfortunately, someone called my mother and told her I was spiraling out of control, having unsafe sex with strangers. That was a big blow. We haven't discussed it much. I didn't think anyone would take that kind of step. And work knows.

M: What's your real job?

D: I work for a biotech company in Cambridge and they have

been as supportive as one could imagine. The stance that they have is that

what people do on their own time is nobody's business but their own. My

coworkers have been very cool about it and even joke with me about being a

porn star. I have been fortunate in that area.

M: You had to know this was all going to balloon out of control.

D: Maybe I'm naive, but I really didn't anticipate that it would be as big as it has become. I just didn't think that many people would rent or buy a bareback movie. I really thought that I'd be one of the few to rent a bareback video.

Manrique: Come on!

D: I never really watched that much porn.

M: Why bother? You live it.

D: Well, I guess I am living it now. The interesting thing

about these people around town who point and talk about me in a negative way

is that they are the very people who went out and bought or rented the movie

as soon as they found out about it. I accept that people love to gossip. I

didn't do the movie for them, I did it for myself so their opinion of me

really doesn't impact me one bit.

Manrique: Not only that, but they see you walking around. They know you're from the neighborhood, and they know where you live.

D: I was out in SF walking the streets, and three different people in an hour walked up and said, "Hey Dawson." That was a little strange.

M: When your contract with Treasure Island runs out, are you going to keep doing this?

D: I don't know - I'm taking it day by day.

Dawson's next release for Treasure Island is called "Meat Rack," and was filmed on Fire Island last summer. He doesn't have his own website, but he does have a Yahoo! Groups, where there are pics and messages, at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AwesomeDawson/. His movies can be found at www.treasureislandmedia.com.