Shelley Lubben
Encyclopedia
Shelley Lubben is an American
former pornographic actress who performed under the stage name of Roxy. After she left the sex industry, Lubben became a born-again Christian and anti-pornography activist. She is the Executive Director of the Pink Cross Foundation, which reaches out to women and men in pornography and speaks in public forums, sharing about the hazardous working conditions Lubben claims exist in the porn industry, which include her personal experiences contracting genital herpes and HPV, which led to early cervical cancer
.
and Deseret News, Lubben stated that she was sexually abused
at the age of nine, worked as a prostitute from age 18 to 26 to support herself and her child.
An overview of Lubben's life has been featured in the documentaries Traffic Control and Out of the Darkness, the latter of which has been selected to be the opening film for the John Paul II Film Festival 2011.
During her pornographic career which lasted from 1993-1994 Lubben says she appeared in "about 30" hardcore movies. Lubben has stated that the sex acts that girls perform on film sets are physically harmful (including anal
and uterus hemorrhaging
), and psychologically traumatizing.
In February 2011, Lubben became the subject of a documentary entitled, The Devil and Shelley Lubben, created by porn industry advocate Michael Whiteacre. According to Mark Kernes of adult industry trade journal, AVN
, the film disputes Lubben's experiences in pornography and the trauma she says can be traced to those experiences.
organization called the Pink Cross Foundation. The group concentrates on outreach to and evangelism
of those in the porn industry, especially performers, and offers support to those wishing to leave the industry. The organization solicits donations online and offers an online support forum for individuals that are addicted to drugs, sex, and pornography. When Lubben identifies interested individuals, she sends care packages filled with religious literature, Bibles, Christian music, local grocery and department store gift cards, and other spiritual and practical supports. A secondary focus of Pink Cross is outreach to individuals seeking recovery from pornography addiction
. Pink Cross attends pornography conventions to educate fans about how porn is not glamorous and also reaching out to porn stars and letting them know they have options.
and the adult entertainment industry. Lubben supported California
legislator Charles Calderon on his efforts to tax the pornographic industry by speaking to lawmakers about her experiences. Lubben indicated that the scenes on the set of a hardcore porn film often involve a woman and several men who are doing "degrading acts" to the woman. Lubben describes the scene of a hardcore porn film as devoid of intimacy, and describes it as "all mechanical and beastly." She further writes that "women are vomiting off the set, and most of the actors are doing drugs and alcohol." In June 2010, she spoke to U.S. House and Senate members and their staffs in Washington DC about the damage she claims was done to her body from her time in the porn industry. She continues to be outspoken regarding what she calls illegal and hazardous working conditions in the industry, with sexually transmitted diseases being a workplace safety issue and public health concern.
Americans
The people of the United States, also known as simply Americans or American people, are the inhabitants or citizens of the United States. The United States is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
former pornographic actress who performed under the stage name of Roxy. After she left the sex industry, Lubben became a born-again Christian and anti-pornography activist. She is the Executive Director of the Pink Cross Foundation, which reaches out to women and men in pornography and speaks in public forums, sharing about the hazardous working conditions Lubben claims exist in the porn industry, which include her personal experiences contracting genital herpes and HPV, which led to early cervical cancer
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is malignant neoplasm of the cervix uteri or cervical area. One of the most common symptoms is abnormal vaginal bleeding, but in some cases there may be no obvious symptoms until the cancer is in its advanced stages...
.
Personal background
Lubben was born on May 18, 1968 in Pasadena, California. In an interview with Howard SternHoward Stern
Howard Allan Stern is an American radio personality, television host, author, and actor best known for his radio show, which was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005. He gained wide recognition in the 1990s where he was labeled a "shock jock" for his outspoken and sometimes controversial style...
and Deseret News, Lubben stated that she was sexually abused
Child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities , indecent exposure with intent to gratify their own sexual desires or to...
at the age of nine, worked as a prostitute from age 18 to 26 to support herself and her child.
Sex industry
She entered the adult film industry when she was 24 years old, where she said she contracted herpes and HPV, which led to cervical cancer. During her life in the sex industry, she battled alcohol and drug addictions.An overview of Lubben's life has been featured in the documentaries Traffic Control and Out of the Darkness, the latter of which has been selected to be the opening film for the John Paul II Film Festival 2011.
During her pornographic career which lasted from 1993-1994 Lubben says she appeared in "about 30" hardcore movies. Lubben has stated that the sex acts that girls perform on film sets are physically harmful (including anal
Rectal hemorrhage
Rectal hemorrhage refers to bleeding in the rectum. There are many causes of rectal hemorrhage, including hemorrhoids , rectal varices, proctitis , stercal ulcers and infections...
and uterus hemorrhaging
Gynecologic hemorrhage
Gynecologic hemorrhage represents excessive bleeding of the female reproductive system. Such bleeding could be visible or external, namely bleeding from the vagina, or it could be internal into the pelvic cavity or form a hematoma. Normal menstruation is not considered a gynecologic hemorrhage, as...
), and psychologically traumatizing.
In February 2011, Lubben became the subject of a documentary entitled, The Devil and Shelley Lubben, created by porn industry advocate Michael Whiteacre. According to Mark Kernes of adult industry trade journal, AVN
AVN (magazine)
Adult Video News is an American trade journal that covers the adult video industry. The New York Times notes that AVN is to pornographic films what Billboard is to records...
, the film disputes Lubben's experiences in pornography and the trauma she says can be traced to those experiences.
Pink Cross Foundation
In 2005, Lubben initiated an aggressive online marketing campaign, utilizing social networking Web sites in order to reach out to the sex industry. In 2008, Lubben established a faith-basedFaith-based
The term faith-based is a neologism , mostly current in US English, to describe any organization or government idea or plan based on religious beliefs, specifically Christian beliefs....
organization called the Pink Cross Foundation. The group concentrates on outreach to and evangelism
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
of those in the porn industry, especially performers, and offers support to those wishing to leave the industry. The organization solicits donations online and offers an online support forum for individuals that are addicted to drugs, sex, and pornography. When Lubben identifies interested individuals, she sends care packages filled with religious literature, Bibles, Christian music, local grocery and department store gift cards, and other spiritual and practical supports. A secondary focus of Pink Cross is outreach to individuals seeking recovery from pornography addiction
Pornography addiction
Pornography addiction, or more broadly overuse of pornography, is excessive pornography use that interferes with daily life.There is no diagnosis of pornography addiction in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , and as with the broader proposed diagnosis of sexual...
. Pink Cross attends pornography conventions to educate fans about how porn is not glamorous and also reaching out to porn stars and letting them know they have options.
Legislative activities
The organization also lobbies against pornographyPornography
Pornography or porn is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purposes of sexual arousal and erotic satisfaction.Pornography may use any of a variety of media, ranging from books, magazines, postcards, photos, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording, film, video,...
and the adult entertainment industry. Lubben supported California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
legislator Charles Calderon on his efforts to tax the pornographic industry by speaking to lawmakers about her experiences. Lubben indicated that the scenes on the set of a hardcore porn film often involve a woman and several men who are doing "degrading acts" to the woman. Lubben describes the scene of a hardcore porn film as devoid of intimacy, and describes it as "all mechanical and beastly." She further writes that "women are vomiting off the set, and most of the actors are doing drugs and alcohol." In June 2010, she spoke to U.S. House and Senate members and their staffs in Washington DC about the damage she claims was done to her body from her time in the porn industry. She continues to be outspoken regarding what she calls illegal and hazardous working conditions in the industry, with sexually transmitted diseases being a workplace safety issue and public health concern.
Media appearances
Shelley Lubben has been a guest on numerous TV and radio shows where she often shares her story and talks about the negative effects of pornography. Some of the programs and documentaries she has appeared or been featured in include:- Howard Stern ShowHoward Stern ShowThe Howard Stern Show is an American radio show hosted by its namesake Howard Stern. It gained wide recognition in the 1990s when it was nationally syndicated on terrestrial radio from 1986 to 2005...
– Shelley was a guest on November 8, 2010 to talk about her book and how God has healed her life and marriage - ABC News Nightline – Is There Life After Porn for the Stars?
- Briefing at U.S. Capitol Sponsored by the Coalition for the War on Illegal Pornography – June 15, 2010
- Out of the Darkness – Documentary by Anteroom Pictures which features Shelley's journey from a life in the pornography industry to a life in Christ.
- The 700 Club – Shelley Lubben: A Porn Star's Deliverance
- The Joni LambJoni LambJoni Lamb is a Christian broadcaster and the co-founder, vice-president, and executive producer of the Daystar Television Network. Joni and her husband Marcus Lamb have been involved with Christian television since the mid 1980’s and are most well known for their work with Daystar Television. Joni...
Show (various appearances) - Laura IngrahamLaura IngrahamLaura Anne Ingraham is an American radio host, author, and conservative political commentator. Her nationally syndicated talk show, The Laura Ingraham Show, airs throughout the United States on Talk Radio Network...
Radio Show - Fox 11 News LA – Porn Industry Health Clinic Shut Down
- AP News – Performer's HIV Test Prompts Porn Shutdown
- Traffic Control: The People's War On Internet Porn
Recording background
In January 2011, Lubben released a Rap/Hip Hop album with the proceeds going to the Pink Cross Foundation to help women and men recover from porn. The first single, called Killer Fantasy, features the message of a porn star speaking to the porn fan about the truth behind the adult industry.Published works
- Lubben, Shelley. Truth Behind the Fantasy of Porn: The Greatest Illusion on Earth, CreateSpace, 2010. ISBN 978-1453860076