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Mention the word transgender and images of a busty female with a cock between her legs are sure to quickly come to mind. Buck Angel is here to change all of that. Born into the body of a woman, Buck is the world's first female-to-male transsexual porn star. Often referred to simply as the "man with a pussy," (a title he has trademarked) Buck has single-handedly pioneered the FTM porn genre. Along the way he has also helped open the mind of many who at first glance simply considered him a freak. His road to self-discovery and acceptance hasn't been easy, but through his work in adult films Buck has come to terms with his sexuality and grown to love his true self.

Buck Angel was born the middle child in a very normal family. As the second of three girls, he came to be the tomboy and even earned the nickname Buck. It wasn't until puberty hit that things really became complicated. Struggling to come to grip with his sexuality he came out to his family as a lesbian, although he truly felt he was a man. His inner turmoil and problems at home led him down a dark path of alcohol and drug abuse. It was at his lowest point that Buck came to a realization, "I knew I was either going to kill myself, or become a man," Buck admitted in a recent interview. Today he is proudly 18 years sober and his choice to take the steps needed to become a man on the exterior, not only changed his life, but ultimately the world of adult entertainment forever.

"It's what I set out to do - I set out to put us on the map," Buck states when asked how he feels being the founder of FTM porn. However his rise to porn fame wasn't an easy one. "A lot of the FTM community felt I was exploiting them by making porn, and were angry." Buck has always been stubborn and unfazed by critics and naysayers and had his first signing with Robert Hill Releasing. They released More Bang for the Buck, but after a brief partnership Buck decided to branch out on his own and launch his own production company, Buck Angel Entertainment. Through his studio Buck has the freedom to direct and star in films he wants to make. Features like his favorite film Buckback Mountain. "I don't want people to think all of my other films suck, though," he quickly clarifies with a chuckle, "I love them all."

The critics have also loved his features. In 2007 Buck earned the rights to another first, he became the first female-to-male transgender performer to win the coveted AVN Trans Performer of the Year Award. A very impressing feat for someone who, at the time, had only been filming for about three years. "Winning was a great honor," he admits. "If anything I thought it would take a lot longer to receive that kind of recognition."

Recognition however has closely followed Buck Angel's career. In 2007 his scorching performances also caught the attention of Titan Men, one of the leading producers of gay porn. In a career milestone, and yet another first, his appearance in Cirque Noir was a landmark for both studio and performer. His scene with Logan Steele and Tober Brandt became the first appearance of a female-to-male transsexual in a gay movie. Appearing in a gay film, although monumental, was also totally natural for Buck. He refuses to label himself. "It doesn't matter who or what you are," Buck claims. The only thing he looks for in an on-screen partner is "a sexual connection."

Buck's work with Titan introduced the transgender star to a whole new fan base, one that has openly accepted him. Gay men, as a whole, have been more supportive of Buck's "differences" in part because they, too, had to undergo the scrutiny that comes along with embracing their own homosexuality. In fact, like gay men, it may seem that lately everyone is more open to different types of porn, in particular the transsexual niche. Buck believes it's due to the "forbidden" factor. "MTF/Shemale porn is almost exclusively for heterosexual men to fulfill deep fantasies related to cock (sucking, being penetrated) without having to apply the related stigma of ‘being gay.' He further states, "The reverse is true for FTM porn - gay men love the idea of penetrating a vagina without losing their sexual identity. Plus, they're always looking for new, fresh things in porn." Regardless of the reason, Buck has welcomed his gay fans by filming the kind of movies they want to see. In the recent years Buck Angel Entertainment has continued to release FTM/gay films like Buck Off, Even More Bang for Your Buck and Even More Bang for Your Buck 2.

Buck's introduction into the gay community has also allowed him to meet many, who like him, were unfortunately born into the wrong bodies. To them he has one major piece of advice, "Do research. This is a life-altering decision and shouldn't be taken lightly. It's not about being ‘trendy,' it's about reconciling who you are with the body you've been given. Changing that body affects your entire life." Buck readily admits that those first steps were the most difficult for him when he decided to make the transition. "Not knowing how to do it was difficult. There's so much more information available now than there was. The hardest part was actually finding out what was going to happen physiologically and psychologically. That and taking the first shot of testosterone."

His life experience has also allowed him to give insights for those who are looking to get into the adult business. "Number 1 - Don't quit your day job!" He exclaims with a hearty laugh. "A lot of people get into porn impulsively, without thinking of the long-term effects it may have on their lives. It's not instant millions of dollars as a lot of people think, and if you're young and star struck by the potential to become wealthy having sex on film, you might not be thinking clearly about how it will effect your life both now, and in the future." Buck is very committed and thankful to the adult industry and now in the role of producer he values above all things authenticity. "The adult industry is so mechanized and choreographed that it's my goal to work outside the machine by filming 'real' people having 'real' sex. I like to find people who haven't had sex on film before. Authenticity is everything."

As a producer Buck isn't just interested in shooting authentic films but also films that showcase his involvement in the fetish world. Buck has long been an active member of the BDSM community, "at least 15 years," he admits. "I started out as a bottom, learning how to sub." Clearly Buck has evolved from the submissive role in spite of the fact that he enjoys penetration. "I've always been a daddy at heart. When I'm getting fucked, I consider it getting service - I am totally in control." That's a common misconception often made by those who are misinformed or ill educated about the BDSM/Leather lifestyle. Another misconception Buck is quick to clear up is the thought that he is not a man simply because he doesn't have a penis. To those who say he can't be a real man without one he says, "I laugh in their faces. It's a ridiculous big box everyone is put in - is a man who loses his penis in a car accident less of a man without it?"

Even with all of his success as an adult star Buck Angel is still, above all things, an activist who hopes to use porn as a stepping-stone into mainstream media. "I love doing porn," Buck says, "but I want to cross into the mainstream and eventually remove the shock value entirely and make it a more open-minded place. I think it's imbecilic to focus hatred, fear, and ignorance on something as trivially and fundamentally human as what's between your legs, or what you put between your legs. Why not focus that fear and rage where it would be more appropriate - like, I don't know, war?" His strong sentiments carry over into the gay community whom he feels very close to. Sadly he notes that homophobia is a bigger threat than transphobia. "The difference between sexuality and appearance produces profoundly different results where people's fears, and bigotry are concerned." He explains. "A man that dresses as a woman is less threatening than a man who wants to have sex with other men."

The current state of affairs for those who choose to live an alternate lifestyle, especially in the US, are part of the reason Buck decided to relocate south of the border. Now a resident of Yucatan, Mexico, Buck feels significantly less stress about following his chosen path. "Doing legal work without fear of prosecution is a big relief." Buck goes on to say, "in the US, I struggled to do everything, and that the stress of doing what I wanted was flat-out unhealthy and counterproductive. Living outside the US has afforded me more opportunity for world travel, and has given me a life I'd have to be 'rich and famous' to afford in LA."

Today Buck spends his time traveling in support of his work. He's done a lot of work in Europe and is currently working on a show in London. As a FTM porn pioneer he has appeared in several international talk shows. Buck even made an appearance in Madrid's highest rated talk show where he was asked to do a striptease. "It was a riot," Buck exclaims about his experience, "the next day little old ladies were coming up to me on the street!" Undoubtedly no one can resist this charming performer. When not at work you can find Buck at home with his wife, body piercer Elayne Angel. He doesn't like to talk about his life outside the cameras but one look in his eyes and you can see he is a very content man.

At first glance, he's intimidating - covered in tats with his head shaved and sporting a handlebar mustache. But strike up a conversation with the man and you will realize he is a well-spoken, easy to talk to, funny and level headed average guy who happens to have a vagina. That's the best way to sum up this controversial performer. His life's work has served to defy and shatter stereotypes and for that everyone owes the man with a vagina a debt of gratitude.