The Iron Cross, for example, is often used in surfing and skateboard culture in a completely non-racist manner.īut then, on or around July 13, NakedSword suggested to Diggs that he could issue his own statement-by way of a comment on a Str8UpGayPorn blog post-to 'clear his name,' as NakedSword's publicist told VICE. It was entirely possible, of course, that Diggs wasn't a racist at all, and the tattoos were just a very unfortunate coincidence. As the controversy continued to grow, neither NakedSword nor Diggs responded to multiple requests for comment on the tattoos' significance, or lack thereof. (Disclosure: I was employed by NakedSword as a blogger and screenwriter between 20.)ĭespite the backlash, NakedSword (the company for whom Diggs filmed the majority of his scenes) continued to promote his work, as well as a live appearance in Chicago at an industry awards ceremony last May. Upon the release of a scene for San Francisco–based gay porn studio NakedSword last April, commenters on gay porn blogs (including industry news blog Str8UpGayPorn, which I've been the editor of since 2013) excoriated Diggs for the tattoos-specifically the Iron Crosses on his chest and the SS Bolts on his hips, both of which are classified as hate symbols by the ADL.
