Viktor Belmont

The transgendered community. What can I say? They're kicking ass and taking names, and they're not accepting prisoners. And Viktor Belmont is paving new ground in the escort world. He won Best Newcomer at this year's Hookies Awards, held in New York City.

When I saw his images online, what made me jump to work with him were his torso scars, his toned, inked-out arms, warm eyes and translucent skin.

Bottom line, Viktor is the epitome, this Gay Pride, of what people, from all over the world, come to San Francisco to do: talk the talk and walk the walk. As Rentboy.com's first trans man cover model, the provocation and sensuality takes a quantum leap forward. Bravo! To Viktor, and here's how the story goes.

Cornelius Washington: When did you realize that you are transgendered?

Viktor Belmont: I would say one of my most defining moments in my understanding of my gender was when I met an amazing person online (on MySpace, 'cause let's be real; we all had one) who, herself, was trans. She opened my mind and heart to something I hadn't known or understood. She taught me to live with an open mind and try and love myself as the man that I am, even if one day at a time. She was an incredible soul, and I wouldn't be the same person if she hadn't spent time listening to me and becoming my friend.

What are the best and worst aspects of being transgendered?

I think everyone has a different experience and I couldn't speak for every trans person, but in my own personal transition, there are definitely some really awesome parts and some hard learning experiences.

One of the things I love about being trans is the strength and empathy it's given me. I have the upmost love for everyone, right where they're at. I've gone through so many changes to have agency over my body to present a certain gender, and it's made me appreciate everyone for their uniqueness. There have been hard moments, it's been a battle for sure, but I realized that everyone has a battle to fight. I try to meet everyone on the same level and try to give room for growth. It's the spectrum of experiences I've had that has taught me that loving yourself is the most radical thing you can do, but, it's the start to a wonderful relationship you're going to have for the rest of your life.

As for worst, I think that it's the system that's so steeped in binary. It's in your face all the time. Everything can become a production. Going to the bathroom, traveling, getting mail, cashing your paycheck, seeking employment, getting healthcare, finding a place to rent, trying to get an ID, approval from family, having friends, seeking partners. All of a sudden, everything has been made about your gender, how you identify, and its overwhelming at times.

But, at the end of the day, there is no one way to be human. It's our diversity that makes us all so beautiful.

I love that your imagery features you bare-chested. What is your fitness regime?

Thank you! Haha, oh my goodness, did you see all my shirtless pictures on Instagram? I have a selfie problem! I travel a bunch for work and started doing some bodyweight exercises a couple months ago just to get some strength back after surgery. I love how I feel working out, blasting music and sweating early in the morning. It makes me feel like a total diva.

I usually force myself out of bed for the incentive of coffee and I incorporate that into my morning routine. Wake up, do some push-ups as the coffee is being made, grab a mug, throw some squats in there, fill my cup, maybe do a pull up or two. If I'm feeling ambitious, I'll go on a run or actually to the gym. It's also a great way for me to get through books on tape, which I love. There's something about listening to Young Adult fiction and doing deadlifts at the same time feels ridiculous and amazing.

Please give our readers a grooming tip.

Grooming tip? Brush your teeth, say "please" and "thank you," drink water, because dehydration sucks. And, saying an affirmation in the mirror every morning feels silly, but honestly, you're wonderful and deserve all the sweet words.

What makes you feel your most masculine?

Oh, Lawd! The most masculine? I don't really feel super-masculine or super-feminine most of the time. I mostly feel goofy and excitable. I like traditionally "masculine" things, but I also feel incredibly in touch with my feminine side. I'll ride my motorcycle after getting a pedicure, while wearing a pink jockstrap and a new harness. I want to go see trash talk with my friends in weird drag. I want a beard and to wear eyeliner. I never feel one way or another, I just kind of want to have fun and be myself.

However, I feel really centered in nature. I feel like I belong and I'm whole when I'm next to big pieces of the earth. I do feel super butch when I'm setting up a tent, though! Let's be real; those rods that put together a Coleman, or whatever, have a vendetta against humanity.

What is your opinion of the strides that the transgendered community is making in art, entertainment and media?

I think that it's awesome! Visibility is so important for everyone. We're seeing a wide spectrum of folks coming out and giving a lot of hope and support for other trans people. I always say that there is no one way to be human, just like there is no one way to be trans. We're all here and we all belong. Seeing so much diversity is really important.

Putting one type of person on blast and making that be the model of how everyone should be is never a good idea. Being represented in art, entertainment and media gives space for folks to be themselves. To open a book, turn on the TV, lurk the internet or stumble onto some art and see something you can really identify with is an experience that everyone should have.

What did your Hookies win mean/represent to you?

Winning Best Newcomer at the Hookies was a huge deal to me. Partly due to having the win be decided by online poll, which blew my mind. It meant that I put myself out there and folks took the time to vote. People I've never met told me they voted every day! I got so much support from other escorts and performers as well.

After years of being told that no one would want what I had to offer, all of a sudden, I was on stage, holding a giant purple crystal as an award and getting a hug from Alaska Thunderfuck to applause that seemed to be never ending. It meant that I was wanted. It meant that I was respected. It meant that I finally had a home in the hearts of the industry. It represents to me a world where I don't have to live in fear to be who I really am.

Humanity is beautiful and it was just another example of how love and support can change your life.

How does it feel to be RentBoy's first trans man campaign model?

It feels absolutely amazing! Rentboy has been nothing but sweet to me and I feel truly lucky to be featured as one of their campaign models. They have always been inclusive and haven't skipped a beat to make sure that I feel welcomed and wanted. My work means the world to me. To share that passion and love for what I do with so much support lets me know that these guys have my back. We're one big family and I couldn't be happier to share these moments with them.

A couple years ago, if you had told me I could be a model for anything, I wouldn't have believed you. It's the support of my community that has made me strong. It's the beauty of diversity that makes us all so wonderful. Now I'm all smiles and want to give it back, a hundred fold.

How did you create your porn name?

A boy can't share all his secrets! I'll give you a hint: Castlevania.

What do you bring to the escort world that's unique?

Well, for starters, every escort is unique. Everyone has a different style, different specialty, and different spin on their work.

I mostly specialize in the BFE (boyfriend experience) and take folks around San Francisco. I make sure someone has the most incredible adventures with me. How about walks up to Coit Tower with champagne and a picnic to watch the sunset? Wandering through China Town to catch Zongzi and happy hour at the Empress of China? Or even just making our way through the ferry building and playing around in the Musee Mecanique? I love making sure my clients get what they adore. Have a certain green juice and thread count you prefer? I'm on it. Don't like to walk, but want see incredible views and get front row seats at the symphony? Too easy. Want to party like a rock star and see the best drag in SF on a Tuesday? I know just the place. I curate priceless memories and do it with a smile.

Who wouldn't want a night where you get everything you want, just the way you like it, and the morning after, getting neck nuzzles in Dolores Park, while being fed ice cream?

What do you now know about escorting that you wish you'd known beforehand?

Having a selfie in your ad, compared to quality professional photos, makes the biggest difference. It's worth shelling out some change for good photos. I know that iPhone 6 is cute and all, but, if I can only see some mirror selfies, that isn't very professional. For your clients to know what you actually look like, and for your success in the industry, get some good photos.

In your personal life, what's your favorite sexual thing to do?

Eating pizza and getting head at the same time. Just kidding!! But, that is awesome!

My favorite thing is to spend time really learning someone's body, and also to kiss someone when they cum. To share that moment with someone I adore makes my heart melt. Also, post-sex cuddles and giggles. They're the best!

Do you have any transgendered role models? If so, who are they, and why?

I do! Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera are two role models for me. I learned about the Stonewall riots when I was in my late teens, but I wasn't aware, until my early twenties, that both Marsha and Sylvia were involved in the first riot and how they also founded STAR. As an escort and a trans person, knowing that two incredible activists helped shape where we are today, I am so in awe of how strong those two incredible women were and can only hope to keep the momentum and create a space that's safe for all people.

What are your professional and personal goals?

My professional goals are to keep working on raising visibility for sex workers and help take the stigma away of being an escort. I'm also in production for a couple fun art/porn films that will explore sexuality and attraction, regardless of gender.

As for personal goals, I would like to craft a space in which I can spend all my time supporting LGBTQ youth. I grew up in a place that was harsh and I had my knuckles bloody far too often. I fought tooth and nail to get where I am today. I don't want to have our youth worrying about being able to get services, because of their identities or orientations.

I don't want kids living in fear; I want to make a space that anyone can come to at any time and know that they can get fed, have a hug and try and find a safe place to sleep at night. It's a human right to be loved and I have a real big heart. I want to hustle hard to make sure I can help support our future. I might not be able to change my past, but I sure as hell can put my money where my mouth is and make enough to put resources back into the community. I'm going to stay on my grind so I can get a space here in SF and have proper funding and resources available for folks.

I've always wanted people to know that they're loved. It's kind of my life's purpose. When you lose it all and hit rock bottom, it makes you realize how important love and help is.

Any hobbies?

I have all the hobbies! I'm that person that gets excited by everything. I adore cooking. It's one of the ways I love people. I put my heart and soul into my food. I grew up with a very culinary family. One of my youngest memories is sitting in a prep kitchen, peeling cucumbers. California is amazing for produce, and I love going to bodegas and feeling up melons and avocados. It's the best when I'm surrounded by friends and I've made a meal for them. The smiles, the full bellies, the laughs, the memories made over homemade food are priceless.

Another hobby of mine is drawing comics. I didn't have a lot of friends growing up and found so much love and kinship in comic book characters. I bonded with them and got so excited to learn about their adventures! I always loved reading shoujo ai about pretty boy princes. I didn't see a lot of trans characters in comics, so, I started drawing little bits about my life. Slowly, I started making my first comic (that I'm still working on) called Keeper. Turns out it takes a really long time to make a comic by yourself.

You have a beautiful speaking voice. Do you sing and, if so, please tell me of your musical background (preferred genres, instruments, bands in which you play, etc.)?

Aw, thank you! I do sing, actually. Testosterone has made my voice drop a lot, so I'm still trying to get in that sweet spot where I have decent control of my range, but practice makes perfect.

I also play music whenever I can, however with traveling recently it's taken a little bit of a back seat. I like mostly playing punk and hardcore, but I also have a penchant for covering Top 40. Like, a cover of super bass on Uke? It's pretty cute. I grew up in a really musical family, so I consider myself lucky to have had access to knowledge of instruments and different kinds of music.

Who are your favorite male and female celebrities?

I'm a Janet Mock fanboy and totally unashamed to admit it. I also have a super soft spot for Marlon Brando. I like to dream about him and James Dean cuddling. It's a thing.

What is your favorite body part? On yourself? On men? On women?

That's a hard one. I tend to fall for someone's mannerisms and quirks. However, I have a huge weakness for hands. I can tell so much about a person from their fingertips, callouses, tender curves. Hands can craft songs that will bring me to my knees. Hands can set fire to my skin and burn trails down my body I'll never forget. Hands can hold me through the night. Hands can give me behind-the-ear rubs that make my mind go numb. Hands can write volumes and draw masterpieces. Hands can wrap around my body and bring me to a plane of existence I never thought I'd reach. Hands can ground me. They can make me feel safe. They can lift me up. They can open doors to rooms I never thought I'd explore. They're just damned lovely.

What's your favorite article of clothing, that makes you feel your most sexual?

That's an easy one; jewelry. I love elements and precious stones. The weight of rings on my hands, the slow and constant weight of a necklace pressed across my collarbones. And, of course, jockstraps.

What do you want the hetero and LGBQ worlds to know about trans men?

That we're all humans. We're the same as you, if you cut us, we bleed. We are all made of flesh and bone. We all deserve to be here. We all deserve to be treated equally and with good nature. Trans people, hell, all people don't owe anyone an explanation about their genitals, surgeries and life story. Also, it's okay to be curious or mess up. It's the intention to be kind and treat us as equals that matters. Put in the effort. It means the world to folks.

Follow Viktor Belmont at https://twitter.com/mstrvktr

Visit Cornelius Washington's website www.cuirphoto.com