Heritage Foundation appoints conservative education advocate Corey DeAngelis despite past in gay porn past

The Heritage Foundation, a Washington DC-based "research and educational institution whose mission is to build and promote conservative public policies", has appointed Corey DeAngelis, a prominent conservative education advocate, as a research fellow within its Centre for Education Policy, despite renewed attention on his past appearances in gay adult films. 

DeAngelis, a leading figure in the school‑choice movement and a frequent critic of LGBTQ+ inclusion in education, was announced in February 2026 as the organisation’s latest hire. He will focus on advancing policies such as expanding school vouchers, challenging the influence of teachers’ unions, and shaping cultural debates around race and gender in schools. He described the role as “a tremendous honour,” praising the Heritage Foundation as “the world’s leading conservative think tank.”

His appointment has drawn scrutiny due to a controversy that first surfaced in 2024, when DeAngelis confirmed that he had appeared in several gay adult films during his university years under the pseudonym “Seth Rose”. Critics labelled the revelation hypocritical given his prominent anti‑LGBTQ+ rhetoric and his work opposing discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.

DeAngelis has previously acknowledged the videos, calling them mistakes from his past and asserting that they should not define his career. He has often framed the backlash as politically motivated, accusing opponents of attempting to “cancel” him because of his conservative views. In interviews, including with Christian Broadcasting Network, he said he regretted the decisions he made as a young adult and insisted his experiences now fuel his determination to protect children from what he argues are harmful influences.=

Before joining the Heritage Foundation, DeAngelis held roles at several right‑leaning organisations, including the American Federation for Children, from which he resigned after the porn allegations resurfaced, as well as the Cato Institute and the Hoover Institution. He was also a contributor to the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 policy blueprint, which proposes sweeping conservative reforms to federal education structures.