Straight men are traditionally the most intolerant of the transgendered community. Straight men are also the primary consumers of transsexual porn. This is why adult tube sites pepper clips of transsexuals in with other, "straight" offerings. These companies know that, behind closed doors, many straight men sample transsexual porn.
In this way, ts performers have become X-rated ambassadors of the transgendered community. The more comfortable straight men become masturbating in private to these performers, the more tolerant they will be in public of the transgendered community.
Not only do these rogue performers represent the transgendered community, they also embody the rainbow of diversity that exists in human sexuality and gender. In an effort to better understand this increasingly popular form of erotica, as well as the GLBT community as a whole, I caught up with the lovely TS performer, Tyra Scott.
When you were growing up, did Halloween give you the freedom to dress as a woman?
As a child, Halloween was strictly controlled by my mother. If she didn’t approve of my costume, I wasn’t allowed to wear it. We also never had store bought costumes. We would wear whatever my mother imagined. I remember being dressed as a clown, a lawyer, a hobo, and a cowboy... I wasn’t allowed to go trick or treating once I turned 13. My parents believed “teens” were too old to trick or treat. I didn’t really start enjoying Halloween until I was an adult and could drink.
You first started to realize that you were a woman trapped in a male body around 7 or 8 when you wished Santa would bring you girl clothes. Was it just a coincidence that you got your boob job on December 27, 2011, or was this a long awaited Christmas gift to yourself?
I actually never thought of the symbolism between wishing Santa would bring me girl clothes and having my breasts done at Christmas time. I never planned it that way, but I do guess things happen for a reason. I guess that was the universe giving me what I desired for so long, just many, many years late. But I think I had to go through a lot of personal struggles and self-revelations first. When I had my breasts done, I did change and I don’t deny that. I found a new confidence in myself. I feel more complete when I look in the mirror. One of the reasons it happened around Christmas is because it was an easy cover up for all the people at the office. They all just thought I was on vacation for Christmas. They didn’t realize I had my breasts done until a few months later when I stopped wearing loose shirts and sweaters.
At 17, you started watching gay porn and frequenting gay chat rooms. Now when you masturbate to porn, what genre do you prefer: gay, straight, transsexual or a mix? Also, what avenues do you use to meet potential partners: gay bars, straight dating websites, Tinder?
I still watch porn. Nothing specific. I mostly watch porn when I am doing cam shows. It helps. I guess I would say I watch a mix. I don’t really search sites for potential partners. The only "fun" I have outside my relationship is when I shoot hardcore scenes.
At what age do you think a transgendered adolescent should be allowed to start taking hormone replacement therapy or undergo plastic surgery?
I really think that is best for the parents and medical professionals to decide. There is a lot of discussion about whether or not that should happen before or after puberty. I also applaud all the parents who recognize that their child is transgendered, even at a young age, and allow their child to identify with that sex. I do feel however that plastic surgery shouldn’t happen until the body has stopped growing. I have gone 32 years and the only plastic surgery I've had is breast augmentation.
A friend who is also TS convinced you to move from Richmond, Virginia to Las Vegas in 2003 because there was money to be made in Sin City. At the time, you had no money, no man, no family support, and no job other than working behind a bar. What kind of jobs did you work when you first moved to Vegas?
When I moved here to Vegas, I had no idea what I was going to do. I had no direction in life and, to be honest, I was immature. I wanted to go out and drink and have fun. But I did find a job within 7 days of moving here. I first worked at Kmart at the checkout line and then at the customer service desk. I then worked for Planet Hollywood in the housekeeping department cleaning rooms, and then as an office assistant in the housekeeping office. After working for Planet Hollywood for a year, I started working for an alarm monitoring company as a dispatcher, then was promoted to monitoring station supervisor. I worked there for 5 years, then took a job with an HOA Management Company in the accounting department and have been there for 2 1/2 years. I enjoy what I do and have been very fortunate and successful with working here in Vegas.
You’ve been living full-time as a woman since you legally changed your name in 2003. Is there anything you miss about living as a man: shorter bathroom lines, not having to worry as much about maintaining your appearance, being able to drink at a bar without constantly being hit on?
I have never been asked this question before, and I like it. I don’t regret or wish I could go back to my old life. There are times I will be sitting around with my female friends harping on how much time we girls take to get ready and how guys never appreciate it and how all they do is throw on whatever clothes they find on the floor and put on some deodorant and they are all ready. And then I find myself saying “if only I had a dick it would be so much easier.” Then my best friend will look at me funny and I remember, “Oh wait I do,” and we all laugh. But I love my life. I am very happy and wouldn’t change anything.
You got into adult entertainment after placing an ad on SexyJobs.com. You filmed a few solo scenes with your natural, unenhanced chest for SheMaleStrokers.com. Is there a lot of pressure for transsexual performers to undergo plastic surgery or hormone replacement therapy? Do you know any successful transsexual performers who have abstained from making any chemical or surgical change?
I never know how much of a fan following I had before I had my breasts done, but a lot of my fans were upset that I had them done and preferred me before. But I don’t think a lot of the girls in the business who have had a lot of work done to look more “real” look down on the girls who are just starting in transition while shooting porn at the same time. I personally don’t know any transsexual performers out there who have had no chemical or surgical changes, but I am sure they are out there. I don’t think girls should do what other people pressure them into doing or put them down for not doing.
While you are naturally a bottom, in a recent scene for TSSeduction.com, you were filmed penetrating another man. You mentioned that before the scene, you were worried you wouldn’t be able to “perform.” How much more difficult is shooting a sex scene when you have to worry about maintaining and getting an erection on demand?
Oh it can be extremely difficult. It is all work to do, but work is also fun. It can be extremely worrisome for me when I am shooting for a new director or company and know I have to “perform” and get that almighty and powerful cumshot. I think I put more pressure on myself to perform well and give them what they want from the scene. Sometimes I just have to say I need a break so I can get my head back in that space. I take 5 minutes to relax and then I am ready to get back in the saddle.
Why are so many transsexuals only half hard while receiving anal sex?
Sometimes it is mainly due to hormones. Personally speaking, I am currently not on hormones due to laser hair removal procedures that I have done monthly. Sometimes when I am shooting I am only half hard during scenes, but sometimes I think that is just due to having very hot film lights pointed at you, a camera in your face, bending your body in certain ways to make sure the director can get the right shot, and always actively thinking and making sure you look good on camera. Porn is more than just sex. It's acting.
In a previous interview, you said that you are still a virgin in the Biblical sense, meaning, I assume, that you’ve never had sex with a woman. Would you ever film a sex scene with a woman? Do you think you would have any trouble maintaining an erection with a female performer?
Yes I did say that and yes it is true. I have never been with a woman. I know that is a bridge I will have to cross as some point, though I fear that bridge is fairly close. I would like to think that I will be able to maintain an erection during the scene but I honestly don’t know. So I guess we will all have to wait and see how that goes.
You have not ruled out filming sex scenes with other transsexuals, though, to my knowledge, you have yet to film such a scene. From your understanding of the industry, do TS fans primarily want to see male performers fucking transsexual women?
I have not yet filmed a scene with another transsexual, but it is something I want to do. Years ago I think fans did only care for just male and TS performers, but now, like all things, times change and desires changes. We always crave more. And now I think that is where we are, with the “translesbians” and the TS performers doing scenes with genetic women.
You’ve been on and off hormones for nine years. What are some of the physical, mental, and emotional changes you experience while on these drugs?
When I am on them, I feel more focused, grounded, calm. I am off hormones right now, and I am focused and grounded. With hormones I guess that circle of “calm” is complete. There are also physical changes within my breasts. I also notice my skin is softer and has a glow about it. When my body is adjusting to the hormones, I am very emotional. I will cry at the drop of a hat and then bite your head off. But once I even out, I am good.
Are there any advantages a male body gives you in looking more feminine? For instance, is it easier to keep off fat, do your legs look more muscular in heels, are you taller than most women...?
Well I never looked at it like that. There isn’t much muscle definition anymore, but I think my legs look fabulous in heels. With hormones, you do tend to gain weight, and I have, but I also love love love love food. The women in my family are generally shorter and the guys are tall, but I was lucking to get the women's genes in my family when it comes to height. I am only 5’6 and love my heels.
One of your long-term goals is to get SRS (sex reassignment surgery). Will you wait to get the procedure until you are finished filming sex scenes, or would you like to come back and perform as a woman like Kimber James did? Does being a pre-op transsexual give you an advantage in this industry that you would lose if your penis were removed?
I would like to have SRS, but that will come later. Once I retire from being in front of the camera, I will have the surgery. Once I am retired as a performer I will start producing and directing. I will still be involved somehow in the adult industry. I have been lucky to have wonderful people around me teaching me the in’s and outs of the business. I do think being pre-op does give me an advantage. Guys want a pre-op transsexual. As they say it’s the best of both world. It fills that fantasy. I think that after I “lose it” I won’t be that same person anymore.
You recently started working fulltime as an accountant. Has the experience taught you any tricks that might be helpful to other adult performers in terms of doing your taxes on the income you earn in porn?
I have actually been working as an accountant since July of 2011, but I enjoy it. I think it would help a lot of girls with their taxes and what not. I do my taxes myself every year. I hear a lot of girls say they haven’t filled a tax return in years, and after I pick my jaw off the floor, I tell them “Girl, you are crazy. They gunna come get you.” I have always done my taxes, personally and professionally. A lot of girls don’t know how to handle their money. I am watching every penny, when it comes in and when it goes out. I know exactly what money I am expecting and what money is invested and I invest in myself to grow the business of Tyra Scott. I think managing the finances of my home and “business” is a job all its own. But my concern is making sure I have a future where I can retire and travel like I want to do.
Follow Tyra Scott on Twitter at @tsTyraScott and see explicit content of her at TyraScottxxx.com .
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