Candidate Roger Montoya Says Gay Porn Past Inspires His Political Work

A Democrat in the running to represent his district in the New Mexico state house has admitted to appearing in gay porn decades ago following release of a report from a conservative group that exposed his short-lived adult film career. Roger Montoya took time off from his campaign for New Mexico's District 40 state representative to admit he appeared a series of gay pornographic films while he was a struggling 22-year-old dancer and performer living in Los Angeles during the 1980s. Details of the investigative report appeared in the Pinon Post, a right-wing media outlet.

"Thirty-eight years ago, as a 22-year-old struggling college student, I was a modern dancer and performer living in Los Angeles," Montoya wrote in a statement posted to Facebook. "I worked hard to earn my own way, never relying on anyone else, including my parents."

While "auditioning for commercials" and doing his "best to succeed," Montoya says he made the decision to appear in two unnamed adult films. "I am not proud of that choice, as I was young and naive, but those experiences helped me to understand the exploitation young people face."

"Those experiences do not reflect who I am, and they are insignificant in the scope of my life's work, yet they helped inspire my dedication to my community and the work I do to make sure that youth have opportunities, support and confidence," he continued.

Montoya is running against Republican Justin Salazar-Torres, who issued a statement of his own supporting his Democratic opponent and disavowing the report.

"We're here to offer any support that we can, whatever that may be," Salazar-Torres is quoted in the Santa Fe New Mexican. "We live in a society that tends to bully, that tends to nitpick at everybody, and that's not what we're about."

Montoya admitted to appearing in two films, although the Pinon Post said the investigative report claims to have found many other titles. The report, which was not linked, said Montoya appeared under the name Joe Savage or Eric Martinez in additional hardcore titles like Hot Male Mechanics, Spring Training, The Lumber Yard, and Hot Chili Peppers 2.

Montoya has a long history supporting local marginalized communities in New Mexico. He co-founded Moving Arts Espanola, which provides not just training in the arts, but also free meals and academic tutoring for disadvantaged students and their families. Montoya was named a CNN Hero for his work with high-risk youth in the state. He also leads HIV education classes and is open about his status as a man living with HIV. He has also had multiple days named in his honor by both state and local government. It is this record rather than his past filmography that he hopes voters consider in November.

"Over the past three decades, I have brought people together from all walks of life to tackle some of our state's most pressing issues," he said. "I'm proud of helping people in rural New Mexico deal with life-threatening illnesses during the AIDS and COVID pandemics. I am proud of bringing arts to the schools in a new and creative way that included an entire community. I am proud of the non-profits I've founded and the work they are doing today to inspire our community, to provide food and shelter to our homeless, to feed and nourish, and address chronic substance abuse. I am proud to have worked alongside so many in this community to bring change for the better, and nothing will change that." The Democratic Party of New Mexico stood alongside Montoya, calling the release of the information "unacceptable and hypocritical," in a statement. This came after the New Mexico GOP had called the videos "irresponsible," reckless," and "unbecoming of any candidate or elected official."

"I am committed to telling the truth," Montoya wrote on Facebook, before later adding he trusts "voters to make a better choice because we have so much at stake this November."

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