For the last couple years, John Gechter kept a secret from his friends, his classmates at Grove City College and even his family back home near Philadelphia.
All that came to a screeching halt last Thursday when someone on campus saw pictures of John engaging in gay porn on the internet. He tells us, "By Friday morning, I would say a good 1,500 students had received that e-mail."
For the last several years, Gechter had been working as a model. Then he says someone approached him to do gay porn -- something he tells us helped pay his tuition at Grove City, making $3,000 to $5,000 a shoot. Once his secret was out, things on campus changed quickly. He says, "People would laugh. They'd mock me. They'd throw fruit at me in the cafeteria."
Just days later, and only weeks before graduation, he says the school issued an ultimatum: withdraw from school, appeal the charges against him or be suspended.
Grove City is renowned across the country for its conservative reputation. The student handbook states its standards of conduct "are based on biblical principles" , listing sexual misconduct or other disruptive activities as violations which could be disciplined. Gechter admits he knew one day he would be caught, adding however, "I never considered that the school would kick me out."
For the record, the College says Gechter voluntarily withdrew from class, issuing a statement claiming the student acknowledged his work in adult entertainment, knowing that violated the student code. On-campus reaction is mixed from those supporting Grove City, to those who believe Gechter's work is no one else's business, to those who think the discipline may have been heavy-handed, but also admit the College's image can't be left to chance.
At this point, Gechter says he's not sure where he'll turn next. He says he'll probably need to find another school to take the last few credits he needs to graduate.
Right now, he's trying to get his family past the shock of learning what he's been doing, but he tells us they're growing to accept him for what he is.
In the meantime, you can listen to our full conversation with him on our website. You can also take part in our on-line poll asking if you think Grove City acted fairly in its discipline of Gechter.
