Do We Really Need A Gay Porn Awards Show?

The Sword reported today that the GayVN Awards may not happen this year—and even if they aren't cancelled, they'll still be delayed. What's our reaction? So what? Who needs 'em!

OK, the GayVNs—put on by trade journal Adult Video News—are pretty cool and it's nice for great movies and performers to get the credit they deserve, but do we really need them? No. After all, there are the Grabbys, the Cybersocket Awards, and all the other accolades the the industry bestows upon itself. Winning the award is a great way for the studios to market a movie ("Winner of 19 million GayVNS!!"), but the reality is that the fans vote for their favorite movies with their hard-earned cashed—and their pumped out loads. We don't need a random board of "experts" letting us know which is the best porn, we'll judge for ourselves! It's not like everyone is into the same thing anyway.

The thing about the awards that we will miss, that is even more powerful marketing for the porn companies, was that the GayVN party weekend was the one time that the hallowed porn industry would come down from their erect ivory towers en masse to mix with the people. The blind, hairy-palmed rabble were allowed to buy tickets to the show and the attendant parties where they could meet all their favorite stars and directors all at once. This, my friends, is an excellent idea.

Seeing a star or two during a personal appearance at your local gay bar is one thing, but walking into a bar to see a dozen of them drinking and cavorting is a powerful experience that any gay porn fan would love and definitely ingratiates the fans to the industry that they support. While such an event has historically revolved around the awards show, that doesn't need to be the case. So, porn studios, get your acts together and plan us a Porn Pride weekend. Just pick a date and a city and get to work. We'll all repay you with our attendance, gratitude, and loyalty.