CYBERSPACE — Trans performer and producer Wendy Williams recently spoke out about the connection between trans visibility in the adult industry and its connection to trans acceptance in society.
Along with performers Casey Kisses and TSBlondieNYC, Williams expounded on whether the adult industry plays a role in furthering that acceptance.
“I’m not sure acceptance and visibility are one-in-the-same,” said Williams. “[I]t’s a double-edged sword. Visibility means we can say loudly, We exist! but others then can use our existence for political issues that actually hurt our existence. In the long run, we will need those bumps in the road if we want to further a positive agenda.”
One area she highlighted where the adult industry can be helpful is in introducing appropriate language through a forum where many men first encounter transgender people.
“When it comes to sites like Pornhub, it’s great seeing them change categories from ‘shemale’ to 'transgender,'" she said. “Many men are first introduced to trans women from porn, so positive terms help them learn to use appropriate language.”
"When you have companies like Wicked Pictures and Burning Angel hiring trans women in features, it 100 percent helps for men and women to accept our presence in the adult industry,” she continued. "There are still parts of the industry that could show improvement. We need to see more trans women as producers, saleswomen, toy moldings. Why not use our knowledge to benefit behind-the-scenes work, too?”
Williams was named the 2010 XBIZ Trans Performer of the Year and received the Trans Website of the Year award in 2011.
You can read the full interview here or visit Williams’ Twitter page.