In response to the series of tragic performer deaths which have shaken the adult industry in recent months, British performer Miss Leya has launched Pineapple Support, a service which offers around the clock support for all adult industry performers “without discrimination, judgement or stigma.”
Leya says one thing she noted in the wake of the recent deaths of performers August Ames, Olivia Lua, Yuri Luv, Shyla Stylez, Roxy Nicole and Olivia Nova was “the lack of help, advice, support and reassurance available to people working in the adult industry.”
“I was devastated and heartbroken to learn of the deaths of all these beautiful, young women,” said Leya, who has been adult performer for eight years now, herself. “They were women in their 20’s and 30’s who were successful in their careers, with family and friends who cared for them. It is absolutely tragic that they were lost in such a manner. The media referred to these tragedies as ‘deaths of despair’ and I can’t get these words out of my mind or my heart.”
Launched at Exxxotica Denver earlier this month, Leya said the aims of Pineapple Support include providing 24/7 support, free and subsidized professional therapy sessions and mental health advice, creating a safe, caring environment that performers are proud to be part of, alleviating the feeling of isolation so often felt by performers, promoting mindfulness and positivity, encouraging performers to be proactive in caring for their own mental health and to “spread happiness and enable everyone to be part of the positive change.”
The name of the organization is a nod to the fact that “pineapple” is the most commonly used and recognized safe word in the industry, Leya said.
“What is required is a proactive network where performers have the support they need, realize they are not alone and are reassured that the help is there for them,” Leya said. “I want to provide a safe place for all performers and hopefully avoid such tragedies from occurring in the future. It is from the current need for such a support system, that Pineapple Support is born.”
In addition to professional therapy and advice Leya said veteran adult performers will take part in weekly podcasts, to talk about the issues and obstacles they face and how to overcome them. Pineapple Support also offers a blog on which performers “can anonymously submit their own experiences, allowing peers to express themselves and support each other without feeling vulnerable.”
“It will be a community without stigma, it will be friendly and non-judgmental,” Leya said. “A community that every performer will want to be a part of. If we can save even a single life, all our time, money, and hard work will be worthwhile.”
If you’d like to aid Pineapple Support with its mission to provide much-needed assistance to adult performers, please visit their donation page.
