Served in the Army during World War II and awarded the Purple Heart.

A member of the Mattachine Society, he became its president in 1953.

Sold gay erotica at his Adonis Bookstore.

Opened a J/O club named Circle J where he filmed a number of guys buffing their bananas. He also filmed guys performing on his gold couch in what became to be called the Gold Couch Series. These films and some from other sources were used for his Adonis Cocksure series.