richard simonton is best known in certain communities for his interest in alternative lifestyles. in 1932, he met and became inspired by ernest holmes, the author of "the science of mind" and founder of religious science, a metaphysical movement. throughout his life simonton was interested in similar topics, travelling to india and the philippines to explore non-western ideas. his interest in body piercing would also have been considered shocking at the time, and as he explored these interests later in life he adopted the name doug malloy to preserve his privacy. his family was largely sheltered from his involvement in the piercing movement and in aspects of the gay or bisexual lifestyle newly emerging in the 1970s.