Last week, Yusaf Mack, a prominent former boxer in Philadelphia (and a father of 10 children and engaged to be married to a woman), was involved in a bit of a scandal when he was identified in a gay porn. It showed the 35-year-old athlete in a threesome with two other men, and at first Mack claimed he'd been drugged into doing the gay scene, with Philly.com floating the idea that maybe he'd been given GHB. "They gave me a pill and a shot of vodka," Mack said. "I took the pill down with the vodka."
Then gay adult film site DogPoundUSA.com responded, releasing a statement to Gawker, that stated that it was all lies:
"DawgPoundUSA.com is a reputable company which has produced high quality videos of men-of-color since 2002. At no time have we ever coerced or drugged any of our models. The claims made by Mr. Mack are false, slanderous, and vehemently denied on our part. We intend to take all legal steps necessary to protect our good name and reputation against these patently false and preposterous claims."
After threat of legal action by the site, Mack retracted his previous allegations and released a new statement. As Towleroad reports, his public apology included his admission that he is in fact bisexual:
"The second situation, which further explain the first, concerns my lifestyle. I did participate in the adult film because at the time I needed money but also because I am a bisexual man. Meaning I enjoy safely being intimate with whomever I choose."
Mack also addressed "the reason" why he lied:
"My life was completely destroyed once it had been outed that I participated in a gay film. I selfishly tried to cover the truth and remain in denial, rather than accept the fact that I was leading a double life secretly.
"After reflecting on the mess I had made I realized that I hurt a lot of my loved ones and the people I cared about the most were left disappointed and confused. It was unfair and time to come clean. I want to say sorry to my children and my ex fiance, I am so sorry that I was a coward and hid a huge part of my life from you all."
He says some of his former friends "now feel disgust" knowing he's bisexual, so Mack replied: "I'm sorry, but this is my life," adding:
"I'm not looking for sympathy or even understanding, I've kept this secret for a long time. It is time to move forward and this is me walking in my truth.
"There are other men and women that are set up in the similar situations and I just hope I can be inspiration to be just be you. The extreme taboo and harsh criticism of living a same-sex lifestyle, especially as an African- American male, makes it hard to be completely honest and comfortable within yourself.
"But I had to remember that I am a champ & I can fight and will fight through this. I am more than my sexual orientation. To all of my supporters I thank you dearly."
