Zachary Zane
Zachary Zane
Occupation: Journalist and Ambassador for Queer Sexual Health Campaign #WeNeedAButton
Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States
The Sex In My Business: Sex is my primary beat. I write about everything from polyamorous relationships and bisexuality to how cannabis can improve your sex life and how to bottom like a goddamn porn star.
A Typical Day: I wake up around 8:30 am and read emails in bed to see if anything is urgent, which would require me to jump out from under the covers and rush to my laptop. If not, I shower, consume an entire French press of Kirkland Signature coffee, and then start reading through pitches to see if any capture my interest. Then, I start writing. That’s really it. Around 6:30 pm I usually call it quits for the day, head to the gym, and binge-watch a show on Netflix.
The Best Part: I love talking about sex and the fact that I managed to create a career where I get to talk about it all I want. I even get paid to go to sex parties, fuck a bunch of folks, and then write about it! My 17-year-old self could not be happier. I also love receiving messages from readers on every continent in the world (yes, I even received a “Greetings from Antarctica!” message before), thanking me for the work I do. These sentiments bolster my conviction that my writing and advocacy are making a positive impact.
The Worst Part: Deadlines, when a piece is cut, or when I receive hate mail. But I guess if you don’t receive any hate mail, it means you are doing something wrong. I think my work should be at least a little controversial, so not everyone is going to agree with everything I have to say.
How I Got Here: I was actually applying to get a Ph.D. in clinical psychology when I realized I did not want to be an academic. For a seemingly altruistic profession, researchers are cutthroat and will steal your work. Most importantly, it would be close to two decades before I had my own lab and could ask the research questions that most interested me. So, I started writing on a whim. I figured it was something I always wanted to do, so why not give it a shot? The first piece I wrote was for XoJane’s infamous “It Happened to Me” vertical. The piece was titled, “I Came Out as Bisexual and Now I Can’t Date Anyone Gay or Straight,” which went viral and enabled me to get work afterwards and transition into writing full-time.
What Society Thinks: I mean, it is definitely better than it would have been two decades ago, but of course, some people are still going to feel uncomfortable when you talk so directly and honestly about sex. I have been very lucky, though, and have a family and friends that love and embrace my line of work.
When I’m Not At Work: I am actually on a gay water polo team in New York City. I love being in the pool, or any body of water for that matter.
Published in Issue V: Taboos