From Queerty:
Ladies and gentleman, meet the new Josh Peters. You remember our former Morning Goods selection, who complained about "finding myself on these stupid gay sites"? Now Genre magazine is facing a similar scenario with straight model, aspiring actor, University of Central Florida student, and former Queerty Morning Goods choice Benjamin Massing, who was featured in the magazine's March/April issue and says the "cruel and vulgar" shot has subjected him to unwanted advances and harassment from gay men. So he's taking Genre and photographer Rick Day to court, claiming invasion of privacy.
Supposedly, Massing wanted the photos for his personal portfolio, and never expected to see them published. Except, as is the case with most model-photographer relationships, if Massing signed a standard release form, he's got no case, since he would have signed off on allowing photographer Day to use the pictures.
Of course, this isn't really a case about Massing being displeased that his photo was published. It's that his photo was published in a gay magazine, and that the gay readers liked what they saw. Worth noting: Massing has posed for Abercrombie & Fitch, a veritable magnet for the attention of gay men.
Or maybe we're wrong? You tell us. Should a model like Massing be able to dictate what types of publications he appears is? Or do industry rules, and his signing a release, say his picture is fair game for anyone to use?
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