HOLLYWOOD, Calif.—The venerable Avalon on Vine Street, the one-time home of mainstream television shows, hosted the 2025 Trans Erotica Awards Sunday night. (photo gallery)
There were two red-carpet entrances, featuring step-and-repeat backdrops naming the event’s 29 sponsors: one just inside the foyer hosted by web personality Banksie, and one on Vine Street hosted by Natassia Dreams. “I’m just really happy to be here, to celebrate and uplift each other,” Dreams told AVN. “This is my fifth year hosting the red carpet. Third year sober,” she added with a chuckle.
“It is the most wonderful time of the year,” director Siouxsie Q told AVN as she waited in line for the red carpet. “I look forward to this show every single year, because I don’t know of another gathering of sex workers — primarily trans, non-binary, and their allies—that come together to celebrate our wins in this world. It’s revolutionary. It’s kind of a big deal. I’m always glad to be a part of that incredible joy that we all participate in.”
“This is my first nomination,” Best Trans Masc Performer nominee Coby Webb said. “And this is my first time at the TEAs.” Randy Denmark, Best Non-Trans Male Performer nominee, said he was looking forward to “networking. Seeing everybody. Like they say, it’s an honor to be nominated, I’m just happy to be here.” veteran trans performer Natalie Mars told AVN, “I’ve been on a hiatus. This is just a visit.”
In the lobby, the bar did a brisk business and attendees posed for roving photographers and hand-held phone selfies, cycling in and out of the staircase in the center of the lobby and the alcoves with couches near the restrooms, which had been re-signed Gender Neutral for the show.
Best New Face and Best Hardcore Performer nominee Blake Lovely said she was looking forward to presenting an award on stage: “Best Female Non-Trans Performer. It’s kind of a tongue twister.”
Inside the auditorium, the floor is filled with reserved tables, with a program and an enamel TEA 2025 pin at every seat. Sponsor logos rotate through the large screens on the side walls and upstage as waitstaff arranges wine glasses and water glasses at one table in preparation for bottle service.
“I’m nominated for a couple of scenes, I think, but I’m here to support my trans friends more than anything,” director Ricky Greenwood said. “Trans is the genre I started with in 2017. It was Sweetheart and TransSensual. They have seen me grow and learn the ropes. They were there for me, and now I’m there for them. When I started it was a different business. It was very hard to get a cis woman with a trans woman, it was almost impossible. They didn’t want to jump genres. It was hard to get male talent.
“Now, it’s a different world. I did the first trans scene for Dorcel, Emma 4 You with Emma Rose, and after that we did a girl/girl/girl scene for More with Emma Rose. They’re now open to trans and bi. In 2016 it was not even a possibility. It was very niche: a bi scene, a gay scene, a trans scene. People thought it would be impossible. Now, the viewers are changing. And if you want to attract a younger generation, you need to appeal to them. It’s not as taboo for them. I think we’re moving in the right direction.”
“I was looking forward to meeting all the new girls. There’s a new wave of new talent I’m loving to meet,” Emma Rose said. “I’m also enjoying my last awards show for a while, because I’m taking some time off to build my studio this year. I’m taking a much-deserved break.”
As the audience comes in to find their seats, jessica drake and Casey Calvert pose for a photographer, publicist Erika Icon finds her table, Aiden Starr crosses in front of the stage, Aliya Brynn joins the makeshift press section near the back of the auditorium. Casey Kisses walks through in a Pornhub letterman jacket with KISSES 69 on the back.
The show started with a rap performance by performer/director King Noire, followed by The Gurls, led by Domino Presley. When Presley is introduced as host, she asks, “Where was all that energy when we were performing?” before theatrically taking off her floor-length feathered coat, revealing a skin-toned dress with THANK YOU in black sequins across the hips before turning around to show SHUT THE FUCK UP in sequins in front.
The first award, Best DVD, went to Gilligan’s Trans Adventures from Gender X Films, leading director Jim Powers to say, “Ricky Greenwood, eat your heart out… I didn’t know DVDs were still around. This was a fun one. Thank you.”
The Best Industry Professional category had two honorees: first, director Siouxsie Q, who received a a standing ovation before saying, “All I have ever wanted was to make space for queer people—for us. This is the revolution, this is the magic, this is the joy that we’re fighting for that is our birthright. We deserve everything in this world that is good. It’s because of our community. When we’re together, we’re unstoppable. I love you all, and I will never stop fighting to create a safe space for you.” This was followed by an award for photographer Rick Garcia, who was honored for his efforts to include trans performers at mainstream-adult events. Garcia admitted, “I am so uncomfortable right now… This represents something my dad taught us, and that’s to respect everyone. Until they disrespect you… Then fuck ’em.”
Casey Kisses won Best Cam Performer, observing “I started my career in the adult industry on one of the very first cam sites, and without that foot in the door I wouldn’t be here, or who I am today.”
Black-TGirls Model of the Year winner Cloudy Vi thanked “a special someone who has been very special to me, has been by my side through all my endeavors in the industry. That special person is—my butthole. She’s been with me through thick and thin, when the shit hits the fan, pun intended. Seriously, thank you, everyone, for giving me the opportunity to be myself, and I encourage everyone to be themselves as well.”
Ariel Demure ran to the stage and hopped up the stairs after winning the Transfixed Best Acting Award (many of the TEA awards are sponsored), observing that “there aren’t a whole lot of studios that prioritize a really strong narrative, building out a whole universe in each scene, even though people aren’t really here to see the acting in porn. It means so much that you thought mine was good enough. I appreciate it.”
Demure also won the GenderX Films Model of the Year award, receiving it from Jim Powers and Deacon White and saying, “Remember what I said about the directors who still book me? Here they are.”
Presley took a break from hosting to relinquish the stage to TEA Executive Producer Kristel Penn. Penn introduced Transcendence Award sponsor Dr. Alexander Sinclair, who opened the envelope and announced the winner: Domino Presley. Presley was lauded for her charitable work for the trans community, funding therapy and transition support for trans people. “Back in the day when I transitioned, when there were pterodactyls in the sky, you’d have to go to a pharmacy and order your hormones. I come from that era; if I can make it easier for you to make changes, you get my money. Let’s get back to the fuckin’ show.”
Back at the host position, Presley led a chant of “Boy Pussy! Boy Pussy!” before introducing Best Trans Masc Scene, which went to Austin Spears, Joey Michaels and Michael Jackman for A Hole Lotta Love. Michaels also won the award for Best Trans Masc Performer, telling AVN, “I was very surprised to win, but I will say I have been working very hard for the last few years, so I was hoping. But as they say: Hopes high, expectations low. But I won. I’m looking forward to doing more amazing queer trans stuff in the community. I think it’s such an honor winning this year, but I cannot wait to see the future generations of trans men winning in the next years because most of my career, all of my career, has been just advocating for the boys. It’s pretty hard being a trans man. I can’t wait to see what the future of the industry brings for trans people, especially during these trying times when I think we need it the most. It was amazing to feel the energy everybody gave me.”
The seven-performer Bachelor Party Surprise won Best Threesome/Moresome Scene, but only director Jim Powers and Brittney Kade took the stage, leading Powers to ask, “Where is everybody? Somebody’s in jail.”
A Lifetime Achievement Award went to performer Yasmin Lee, who said, “we’re living in a time where the rights of humanity and the LGBTQ+ people—especially trans and the sex work family are under attack. Policies are being written to erase us, and rhetoric is being used to dehumanize us, and violence against our community is rising. Let me be clear: We are not going anywhere. We have fought too hard, brought too much beauty into this world to let hatred define our future… This war on us is nothing new, and we fight it by living and celebrating life. Our community is one of resilience, creativity and love. And despite the challenges that we face, have never been more hopeful because every day I see people showing up, not just in protest but in joy. In celebration.
“Like tonight.
“In the simple and radical act of purely existing.”
Longtime Grooby director Buddy Wood also was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. He told the crowd that he thought working for Grooby would be “a fun thing to do for a few months, while I was looking for a real job. Twenty-two years later, I still haven’t found a real job. But I stopped looking a long time ago, because I love what I do.” Wood’s speech was followed by a video of him at work (“I’ve lost a few pounds since then.”) and performers congratulating and thanking him.
Siri Dahl won Best Non-Trans Female Performer, and accepted with a defiant, “I’ve been in the industry for 12 years and this is the first award I’ve ever won. It’s the most meaningful. I’ve been saying for years that I don’t give a fuck about awards—but this one I fucking give a fuck about, because this matters. Thank you to everyone in the room. Thank you to the adult community, every trans performer in this industry. I’m queer, I’ve said this from the start. I will never stop fighting for the trans community. I want to fuck all of you before I die. Every one of you! Okay, I’m done. Thank you.”
Best Non-TS Male Performer went to Steve Rickz for the second year in a row. “I’ve shot straight, gay, bi, and trans, and trans is my favorite. Thank you to all the models here tonight, thank you to all the directors who filmed me, and everyone in this audience tonight.”
Pornhub Model of the Year went to Emma Rose, who logged 150 million views and has more than 125,000 subscribers. After thanking her co-workers, she used the moment to recommend to performers getting top surgery not to get silicone: “It’s the stupidest thing you can do to your body. When you fall at a pool party and you think you’re gonna die, it’s not fun any more. Only go to good doctors and do your research.” Rose made an immediate return trip from backstage to receive the next award, the Fan Choice Award. Best New Face winner Avery Lust said she was “honored to be with every one of you beautiful people.”
At 1:45 am, Presley announced “Thank God it’s over,” introducing Chris Epic and Ana Foxxx to present the last award, Best Hardcore Performer, which went to Brittney Kade, who thanked “everyone that supported me, and loved me, and has been nothing but nice to me. Thank you so much to my agent, every director I’ve even worked with, everyone who ever gave me a check, or cash, or PayPal. Thank you so much!”
Reflecting after the ceremony as the room emptied, Best Non-Trans Female Performer nominee Coco Lovelock said, “I lost” with a small pout. “But I liked everybody got a chance to say their piece, and accept their award. It’s more, like, family-oriented, like a community. Not so businesslike.”
For the full winners list, click here.
For a photo gallery, click here.
