Holly Ryder | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1966 or 1967 (age 57–58) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupations |
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Lisa Marie Abato, known by the stage nameHolly Ryder,[1][2] is an American anti-pornography activist and formerpornographic film star.
Abato worked in the adult film industry for over two years, performing in 200 films.[2][3] During the early 1990s period of theAIDS endemic, Abato moved away from traditional pornography and into specialized films, which did not require intercourse, includingBDSM films.[2] Abato participated in the Adult Video Boxing Championships in October 1992, fighting Laurie Pike.[4] In December 1992, she retired from the adult film industry.[2][3]
After retiring, Abato founded the Holly Ryder Foundation, an organization that funds research aroundrunaways. In 1993, the organization donated $250,000 to theUniversity of California, Los Angeles to research runaways in the sex industry.[2] Abato also became an anti-pornography activist, defining the industry as a crime that is linked to drug trafficking and money laundering.[5] She created apolitical action committee, the Holly Ryder Commission with the goal of ending the pornography industry in California.[3]
She began collecting signatures for aballot measure banning the sale of pornography in California and changing the definition of pornographic films to forms of prostitution, which she wanted to appear on the ballot for the November 1994 elections. Her efforts have been opposed by pro-free speech advocates.[3] She funded her efforts with an inheritance from her grandmother.[2]
As of 1993, Abato was studying to be astockbroker.[3]
Media related toLisa Marie Abato at Wikimedia Commons