Trans Ethics: How did you get started in the Industry?

Brooke Zanell: I was traveling with TS Lady Godiva escorting, we were in Hollywood, Florida and she asked if I wanted to come with her to her photo shoot with Tonya for Tonyaworld.com. And Tonya asked if I wanted to shoot and I did. I fell in love with the camera.

TE: You do have a flair for it. What awards were you nominated for at the 2015 Transgender Erotica Awards?

BZ: The Transcendence Awards sponsored by Dr. Sinclair

TE: The Transcendence award? Tell me about the specifics of that award, and did you win?

BZ: It is an imaging and branding award. I didn’t win, but I did present the best non us performer award to Miran which was awesome!

TE: That’s a gorgeous dress you wore to the awards.

BZ: Thank you it’s my mom`s favorite color.

TE: How did your parents react to your transition?

BZ: I began dressing in girls’ clothes at 13, so they were confused at first. As I began my transition and they seen how serious I was, they became very supportive.

TE: How old were you when you started transition?

BZ: With hormones — 21.

TE: You mentioned that at 13 you started wearing girls’ clothes. Were you out at school as a teen?

BZ: Absolutely! I am, and always, been pretty fearless in my life and decisions. In school if you called me by my [birth] name, I would fight you. So after a while I became respected for standing up for myself and how I felt about things. I’m definitely not to be pissed off. (laughter)

TE: Sounds like you had to be pretty fierce to be your true self as a teen. Were you accepted as a girl by other girls at your school?

BZ: Well they played that katty shit, calling me a boy, and they always made sure to tell the guys I was a boy. But that made it easier for me. I didn’t have to spill my own tea.

TE: Wasn’t that traumatic?

BZ: Not at all… made the boys like me more.

TE: What advice would you give to a trans teen?

BZ: To tackle the problems you have head on. Don’t shy away… let your presence be noticed. There will always be bully or someone saying what you can’t do or shouldn’t do, and the best thing to do is a prove them wrong by excelling in whatever you do.

TE: When you were in school, did  you meet any resistance in using the proper restroom?

BZ: Honey I liked being able to go to the boy’s room –the girls couldn’t come. Do you know how much sex I had in there? (laughs)

TE: You had sex with male students in the boy’s restroom?

BZ: Yes, honey. And it was absolutely consensual! (laughter)

TE: Oh my god! That’s awesome! (laughs)

TE: What advice do have for parents of trans teens?

BZ: Love your children no matter how much you don’t understand [their gender issues]. Parents always have to remember to support their trans children. I encourage education [on the topic] and be a supportive parent.

TE: There are a few bills out there –HB583 in Florida, for example– that are intended to prohibit and or punish trans women from using the ladies’ room. What is your reaction to that kind of legislation?

BZ: Outrage! It’s the ladies room, not the pussy room. Can we girls a break somewhere?

TE: What would you say to the people who drafted such legislation?

BZ: Can we get to some issues that really need our attention? Like our Justice System… building [positive] relationships with our police departments and representatives… our communities?

TE: How would you go about changing the way society perceives trans women?

BZ: I live by a simple phrase my mother taught me: Treat other how you want to be treated. So, I lead by example. But I am also a girl who is not afraid to stand up for myself. I the a kind girl who leads by example… by treating others how I want to be treated. I help others. I love being in public. I like the world to know [that] I am here, so if I’m treated respectfully and I treat others respectfully, over time society’s view will turn. So I say: Lead by example, as any lady of any society would.

TE: How do you respond to critics who would say that being in sex work is not a good example for trans women?

BZ: I would say I’m not running for president. I would say it’s a billion dollar empire, and I’m just trying to get my million. Obviously trans porn is on the come up. We’re making history.

TE: How has being in the porn industry affected you as a person?

BZ: It gives me something to strive for, and who knows what avenues it will open? The porn industry has not been a negative experience. It has taken me places I never thought I would go, put a roof over my head, and fed me. So it has been something positive in my life.

TE: What’s your response to people who say that the sex industry is unethical?

BZ: I would say to each their own, but everyone has an opinion… so I would say we would have to agree to disagree.

TE: What are your plans for the future?

BZ: I plan on building my own site with Grooby partnered with Model Centero, and producing my own material. I’m trying to talk to Radius Dark about releasing Dirtyblondetranssexuals.com out on DVD. And [I want] a boob job. Those are my 2015 goals.

TE: One more question: Do you have any advice for someone who may be entertaining the idea of getting into the Industry?

BZ: Don’t go into porn because you think you will rich and popular. Go into porn because you love having sex, and love being recorded, and then capitalize on it. Take opportunity when it presents itself. Blaze your own path like those before us: like Foxy Angel and Holly Sweet, and Wendy Williams, TS Jesse, Venus Lux, and Michelle Austin.

TE: Thank you for chatting with us today.

BZ: Anytime doll. Thank you. This has been wonderful!

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