Gay porn star Macanao Torres dies by suicide, at just 35-years-old
Spanish porn star Macanao Torres has died by suicide aged 35. (Twitter)
Macanao Torres, known for his decade-long career in the queer porn industry, has reportedly died by suicide aged just 35.
Torres, whose real name was Pedro Oliver, threw himself from the top of the Murcia, Spain, apartment block where he lived in the early morning of December 29, local sources told the outlet Shangay.
An outspoken HIV advocate, the actor challenged misconceptions around crucial treatments for the disease as well as the use of condoms and PrEP within the porn industry.
‘It can’t be that we teach new generations that it’s okay to f**k without a condom,’ says gay porn star.
Known for his work across studios and tubes such as JalifStudio, Hardkinks, Treasure Island Media, Butch Dixon and Dark Alley Media, a doctor’s diagnoses, however, cut Torres’ career short.
In 2016, the Spanish star was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma, with medial professionals saying he would have just 10 years to live.
He retired around the same time, the outlet added, but Torres continued his advocacy work as well as being involved in some independent projects until 2018.
Many HIV advocates and adult film actors have called on industry officials to better encourage regular testing for the disease, with some stating that centralised HIV testing databases serve to target and ban actors living with HIV.
Torres actively campaigned for better transparency from studios and challenged producers who filmed bareback videos to make their actors’ statuses public. Such blueprints for the adult film industry, activists argue, will help curb acquisition rates.
“It can’t be that we teach new generations that it’s okay to f**k without a condom,” Torres said on the issue.
If you are in the US and are having suicidal thoughts, suffering from anxiety or depression, or just want to talk, call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255. If you are in the UK, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123.
