Venus Rising: An Interview with Transexual Porn Star Venus Lux

The pornosphere is one of the few public forums where the uniqueness of transsexuals is not only on display, but celebrated. Many adult sites regularly pepper transsexual content in with “straight” porn as heterosexual male viewers are the primary consumers of TS erotica. As more viewers become comfortable with transsexuals popping up in this fantasy realm, the more acceptance transsexuals will likely receive experience in the public domain. In this way, transsexual performers are on the vanguard of human sexuality, promoting a world of tolerance one orgasm at a time.

One such gender revolutionist is Venus Lux. Lux was born in San Francisco in the early 90s to parents of Chinese and Mongolian descent. She began her physical transition in 2009, undergoing hormone replacement therapy and breast augmentation surgery. As a new woman she worked as a bartender, a stripper, and an escort. In March of 2013, Lux was recruited by the San Francisco based BDSM website Kink.com to shoot her first adult scene. I caught up with Lux to ask about the personality effects of hormone therapy, if t-girls are as obsessed with dick size as cis males, where she buys her heels, the importance of coming out as transsexual, and more.

Alfie: What were some unexpected changes in your personality when you began taking hormone replacement therapy? 

Venus Lux: The changes to my personality when I'm on hormones are dramatic. It’s like taking a pill to induce a period, but without the menstruation. I'm bitchy, emotional, irritable, and confused. Especially the first week when you get your monthly or bi-weekly hormone shot; I felt like wringing someone's neck! Of course, after your body adjusts, everything mellows out. 

Alfie: Do TS girls have as much of a complex about their dick size as cis males?

Venus Lux: If you are wondering if TS girls compare cock sizes, then no. For me, it's just what I have. In my mind, how I look and behave is that of a female. My cock isn't something that makes me who I am; hence, there is no pride aspect. I assume this applies to other TS girl. We all wish we were born female.

Alfie: Many transgender women try to hide their transsexual side. What benefits do you see to coming out as a transsexual woman?

Venus Lux: Unfortunately, it is true that many transgender women have their qualms about being fully open about being TS—solely due to discrimination. But, I know that once more TS women from various backgrounds and ethnicities take pride publicly in who they are—that will be the day for change... This is a community that needs more awareness, resources, and allies. I’m not implying that we are a charity seeking donations, but that we are a suppressed community that has yet to wield a communal voice for universal change in mainstream society. 

Alfie: When you first got your boob job, did you stay home for a week and play with your implants, or were you eager to buy new clothes and take your new boobs out on the town?

Venus Lux: I had to stay in to complete the healing process for about three weeks. It sucked, as I was eager to get out and show them off! I must admit it was an awkward, yet fulfilling moment, massaging my boobs as advised by the doctor. I was like, “Wow! These are huge compared to the A cups I had before surgery!” But after my healing was complete, I definitely went on a shopping spree, though it wasn't very successful. Most clothing doesn't have "pornstar sizes" – a petite frame with a big rack. I feel like I have to wear clothing made of spandex just to fit my boobs.

Alfie: What is your favorite type of sexting picture to send?

Venus Lux: I don't really send too many sex pics, as almost every inch of my body is Google-able. Now and then I'll get a request in my private life. I usually send a full nude with an erect cock... It helps sustain the momentum, especially when you are expecting a booty call.

Alfie: Where is the best place to buy high heels that fit your feet? Are they listed in women's or men's sizes?

Venus Lux: Thank God I don't have basketball player sized feet! I'm a size 9 or 9.5 (European shoes), which tends to be the most common size for women, as most of the time that size is sold out. Women’s shoe measurements are a little higher than men’s shoes. In men’s shoes I’d be an 8 or 8.5. I pretty much can shop for shoes anywhere, unless they sell out of my size: (I have a shoe fetish, so I follow the stores that suit my taste. Bebe and Christian Louboutin have orgasmic shoes that always get me excited!)

Alfie: Do you think you would be as comfortable with yourself if you never shot porn?

Venus Lux: Before porn, I was firm in my identity, accepting both my perfections and flaws, but I was not confident enough to disclose my identity to random people. Porn has definitely pulled out the inner "iron woman" in me. Being in the public eye and bombarded with ignorance, my life as a transgender woman has empowered me as an individual to make an impact on society, either with my voice or my actions, regardless of any backlash. Had it not been for porn, I would still be dwelling on my insecurities and hoping for change. 

Alfie: When dating, do you exclusively seek men who are attracted to transgender women, or do you date men who assume you are a cis female?

Venus Lux: Before porn I would typically be open to any man who found me attractive. Nowadays, being in porn and running a company leaves me little time to siphon through candidates. I'm at the point where, if a man is experienced with TS women, has a steady job, and is cultured and drama free, then I'm game. I get plenty of offers from my fans and others, but I just don't have time to explain my lifestyle, my personal preferences, or to educate a guy on transgender women… A guy has to do his homework if he wants to date me. This is why I’d rather not play games with a guy who assumes I'm a cis (genetic) woman.

Alfie: Are there any major differences between a strip tease by cis women and those by transgender women? Do you emphasize different aspects of your body more? Is there lip-synching? Are the stage shows more theatrical?

Venus Lux: When it comes to stripping as a transgender woman, I don't do anything different than what a regular woman would do. Although, I would emphasize my femininity with my body moves and gestures. Lip-synching doesn’t interest me. In my mind, lip-syncing is more an aspect of drag and drag shows, which is not something I like to convey. I have noticed that a lot of transgender women like to do more theatrical lip-synching shows, which I really don't understand. I’m not judging, but it’s just not for me.

Alfie: Did growing up in San Francisco make it easier for you to come out as transgender?

Venus Lux: Yes. Growing up in San Francisco has made is much easier to transition. Not in the sense that I can go out wearing a G-string and have people be ok with it. But it was a much easier transition compared to say, in Kentucky. Fortunately, San Francisco, being a very liberal and open-minded city with an eclectic and diverse community made it an opportune place to transition. 

Alfie: What are some of the pros and cons of dating a trans woman as opposed to a cis woman?

Venus Lux: Pros of dating a TS woman: no periods; no kids—most of the time; Greek sex all you want; more options when it comes to sex; a level of common understanding of a man’s lifestyle/behaviors; we take care of our aesthetics.

Cons of dating a TS woman: can't reproduce; we have to prepare beforehand for intercourse; we sometimes have more insecurities than regular women

Alfie: Which countries do you think are most accepting of transsexual porn?

Venus Lux: As of now, Japan, Brazil, Italy, Canada, and the United States are the highest consumers of transsexual pornography. Fact. 

Alfie: How do you think futanari differs from transsexual porn?

Venus Lux: In the sense of futanari defined as androgyny, it's different from transsexual pornography because we are distinctively portrayed as a female with a male part. In the sense of hermaphroditism, we only either have female or male genitals, but not both.   

Alfie: Why do transgender women tend to have such elaborate nails?

Venus Lux: For me, what can I say? I'm into my aesthetics. I love to adorn and embellish my fingers with style.

See Venus Lux’s explicit body of work at venus-lux.com