With the dawn of a new century came the dawn of another sort for feminist porn fans; the emergence of a new breed of male porn star. Gorgeous. Young. Seductive. Seemingly custom made to fulfill their wildest fantasies.
Joey Ray, a strapping, muscular, savagely handsome man, was one of those hunks who teased and titillated female viewers with his starring roles in a number of femme porn titles. In fact, in an industry in which few men ‘star’ in much of anything, Ray was the focal centerpiece of the 2006 femme porn staple, Ranch House Lust; a film directed by the brilliant Nina Lennox for the signature femme porn studio known as Inpulse/Lennox Films.
In Ranch House Lust, a western romance, this strapping cowboy presented his perfect body for the female viewer, the camera lingering on him as he made passionate love to his leading ladies. This was a tour de force of beefcake for women’s eyes only.
Ray also appeared in at least four titles produced by Playgirl: Deep Indulgence, Soaked in Sex, Explosive Fantasies and 2 Hot 2 Handle–and as memory serves, it was.
Another look at Ray’s filmography reveals titles from a myriad of couples-oriented studios, films including Women On Top and For Women Only. And while character names such as The Pool Boy may not seem revolutionary to some, it cannot be overstated that Joey Ray (cited as an influence by current leading adult stars like Seth Gamble) played a role in the women’s erotic revolution; a movement that still continues today, as we continue to demand quality erotic films for the female gaze.
Joey Ray was a troubled muse who took his own life last weekend. His passing gave me pause to reflect on a web review I once composed of Ranch House Lust; one that comically referenced another romance involving a cowboy.
“Joey Ray,” I wrote. “I wish I could quit you!”
On second thought–no, I don’t.Â
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