Larry Flynt's My Hero
Pictured here is my copy of "Sex, Lies, & Politics - The Naked Truth", written by Larry Flynt. I bought it directly from him and had him sign it, while he was here giving a speech about his book, new porn laws, and fielded numerous questions (he's a very smart, funny and clever guy, for those who've never heard him speak publicly).
I say he's my "hero" because of his long and painful battle in life and the courts to ensure that our Freedom of Speech was not taken away. If you're not familiar with his story, you absolutely must watch the DVD, "The People vs. Larry Flynt". If it wasn't for him, porn would not be accessible like it is today.
In addition to everything else, his website is a great read as well. LarryFlynt.com
When I approached him to sign the book, I felt very odd. I mean...here was this powerful person with an unprecedented history in the industry sitting within arm's reach, and all I could do was hand him my book to sign and then fumble out something stupid like "Thanks for everything, man." As the owner of an adult entertainment company, you'd think I'd be pretty numb to something that most would consider insipid (I certainly wouldn't be in awe of any porn star), but with some similarities between us it must have hit home a bit.
By similarities, I mean that we both grew up in the harshest of the white trash South, came from nothing, found our calling in porn, and became successful (me only a little compared to him, of course). Regardless...I shook his hand, thanked him, and moved out of the way for the long line of people behind me to swarm in on him. Regardless of my groupie-like behavior, I'm happy I did it and hope that one day I get a set of balls as big as his.
