Lou Maletta was a pioneer of not only gay porn but a perpetual mainstay of the New York underground sex scene.
He was the man behind the GAY CABLE NETWORK and the Channel 35 program “Men in Films” and along with Robyn Byrd was a staple on free New York TV porn and sex.
Bizarrely enough I ran into Robyn yesterday in Central Park and today I find out that Lou has passed way.
In 2008, The Edge blog wrote “Maletta made a name for himself as the producer of the long-running cable TV series, “Gay USA.” The first program dedicated to LGBT news (or news from an LGBT perspective), “Gay USA” ran on Channel 35 in New York City and elsewhere in the country and even overseas at various times. Maletta also produced the equally pioneering “Men on Film,” the first program that explored the world of gay pornography. Maletta interviewed hundreds of porn actors and reviewed films.”
I used to watch “Men in Films” regularly and was always amazed that gay porn was going out live for free on local TV – and yes, as a young pornographer it shaped how I viewed sex on video.
Lou used the offices of the Gay Cable Network to host sex parties. As we suffered in NYC under the Giuliani puritanical mindset to clean up Manhattan – where Times Square became Disneyland and you couldn’t find a sex club or a glory hole anywhere – Lou stood firm.
First known as the GCN parties, then pushed further under the radar and simultaneously known just as “The Studio” or “Lou’s” – shut down several times to only reopen months later in a new secret location. Maletta provided a place for gay men to have sex.
Dawson’s 50 Load Weekend was supposed to be partially shot at Lou’s until some anti-barebacking zealots called the Department of Health on Lou and I. Lou was a character. He brought me into a dark back room/office when I went to meet him about shooting in his space and said in his husky Brooklyn voice – “yeah I love Treasure Island – you can shoot here kid”. He did not show his age – if you had told me he was 69 years old at the time I wouldn’t have believed you. And even this year at the age of 74 – Lou was still hosting sex parties.
I always say if I made you cum then I have done my job well.
Well – if you are gay and you have lived in NY or if you ever even visited NY and went to a sex party – most likely at some point Lou Maletta was responsible for making you cum.
Rest in peace Lou and thanks for everything.
P-Town Edge Lou Maletta Obituary
Gay Cable Network on Wikipedia
I followed Lou’s party from address to address for many many years. If it weren’t for his parties I’d have had no sex at all. I consider what he did for a living a “calling”. He provided an essential service and provided it with class. His places were very clean, comfy, homey. He offered soft drinks, condoms, lube, TV (gay porn, of course), even cookies on occasion. I lived for those parties. He didn’t discriminate. All gay men were welcome. And he didn’t gouge. Lou was truly one of a kind. I will miss him. I do hope that his parties will go on. It would be a fitting legacy. And of course I’ll be there, primed for action.