Loving The Skin He’s In

Corbin Colby Celebrates Gay Black Pride

By Phil Bessimer

Corbin Colby recalls a difficult childhood growing up biracial in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  As half black, half Italian, he felt like he didn’t fit in anywhere. He was disowned by most of those on the white side of his family for being too dark and often bullied by black kids in his neighborhood for appearing too white. 

“I’ve been called all types of the n word,” he reflects today.

It might lead some to think Corbin wouldn’t be proud of his black skin.  They’d be wrong.  Raised by a strong black mother, Colby embraces black culture today and this black gay pride, is celebrating the peaceful protesters who have found their voices and are working to stomp out systemic racism in America, once and for all.

What does Black Lives Matter mean to you?  
BLM means so many things to me. However, I think what it means most is how it has inspired a lot of people to embrace the beauty of being black. I’ve watched as people have found themselves throughout all of this and I love it.

Does being a public person impact your ability to participate in protests?
My title means nothing to me.   

Is there a concern that if you were arrested, your name and your occupation would be splashed all over mainstream media?  
I live my life authentically and have done so for a very long time. My family knows about everything I do so I have nothing to hide.  Truthfully, I would so much love to be out there marching for equality.  Unfortunately, my partner has lupus and my being out there would put him at a higher risk of getting COVID. I’m doing what I can, though.  I’m donating money to bail funds and to black trans women organizations.

How did you find your way into adult film?
I stumbled into it through a roommate of mine. He opened the doors for me and I took over from there.

Is there a reason you chose to work exclusively with Helix Studios?
Helix made me feel the most comfortable.  They took care of me, and valued my opinions and feelings. They have been so great to me over the years.  Also, the quality of their films is a cut above the rest.

Is the industry everything you expected it to be?  
I didn’t really have expectations going in it. I just did it to do it and then stuck with it.

What is like to be a person of color in the gay adult business?  
There are a lot of stigmas placed on people of color in the industry. One studio I worked with forced me to cut my hair because of how “unkempt” it was.  Helix later encouraged me to grow it back out.  That’s actually another reason why I’ve stayed with Helix for so long. They’ve allowed me to be me and not fit into some “image” the industry wanted me to be.

Do you feel America is finally recognizing the hardships of Black America?  
I feel like it’s always been recognized but continuously ignored. Truthfully, I feel like we are making very little progress.

What else needs to be done?
We have to reshape the government. It’s a system that is dated, prejudice, and created for equality of white men. Yes, there have been some amendments that have helped achieve rights for people of color, but it’s not enough.  We need to start fresh and create something new.

Will you be voting this November?  
I’m voting and I encourage everyone to vote. Not only for the president but all elected officials. Also, the electoral college needs to be abolished.

Learn more about Corbin Colby at HelixStudios.net

Related Posts

14 Years of Sunday Service

All Photos Courtesy of Royce Soble For more than 14...

Pride is Political: Why Celebrating Matters Now More Than Ever

Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt As rainbow flags fly high, glitter...

The Last Dance for Sunday Service

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt All Photos Courtesy of Royce Soble Documenting...

Where’s the PRIDE Party?

The Atlanta Pride party is here! While you can’t...

A Wickedly Good Time

By Mikkel Hyldebramdt After an extended hiatus caused by the...

Let’s Get Soaking Wet: URGE Festival

By Tim Blankenship URGE Miami Festival returns this Thanksgiving weekend...