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Prostitution as Media DarlingDr. Petra Boynton wrote up her predictions for the sex trends of 2007. One about prostitution caught my eye. With the murders of 5 working women in the UK, she feels that the press and entertainment industry are going to focus on prostitution in a big way. I agree. There are a couple of different trials (Pickton and Sex Work Professionals of Canada) that will be occurring in Canada this year regarding sex work and I am sure it will lead to lots of commentary on the subject. However, she thinks the results of this media exposure will be an emphasis on sex workers as victims while at that same time blaming them for violence directed towards them and for being home wreckers. I really hope this does not happen, but I would not be surprised if it does. A huge part of human sexuality (and relationships) is about control and ownership. Sex workers challenge this mode of thinking. They challenge the myth that people are inherently monogamous. Blaming them is one way society deals with this. Clients do get some attention in this blaming game too. Sweden criminalizes men who see sex workers. South Korea paid them to not see sex workers over the holidays. Based on my experience and those of other sex workers these tactics tend to drive sex work underground, worsen working conditions, and increase violence and fear of reporting it. If the motive is to improve the lives of sex workers (or even to get them to leave the industry) it is not working. Instead of blaming sex workers and clients I think it would be more productive to have brutally honest discussions on the expectations of marriage and of monogamy, to examine our desires, our needs and our fears. If only we could remove sex from the moral and religious realms. Instead it is all about stigma and shame when considering sexual acts between consenting adults and that just leaves us hurt and angry. back to top - back to sex work archive Condoms and an African TownI came across this interesting report on a town that has experienced the positive impact of condoms. The community of Naluwerere in eastern Uganda is a popular stop over for truckers and as such has a fair amount of commercial sex workers there. In the mid to late 1980’s HIV/AIDS began to spread but little was known about it and so the truckers no longer stopped in the town believing there was witchcraft involved. The town suffered economically as a result. Then the connection between the illness and sex became known and people began to learn how to protect themselves. Now that condoms are available as well as HIV testing and anti-viral drugs, the truckers have returned and so have the sex workers. The town is experiencing a regeneration. I found it fascinating to read about sex work as it is experienced in another part of the world. back to top - back to sex work archive Richard Gere Supports Sex WorkersBloggers have been putting an emphasis on how Rickard Gere has been dancing with sex workers. It does make for a catchy headline. He attended an AIDS awareness event in Mumba, India, giving out awards to sex workers who are spearheading HIV prevention programmes. He encouraged sex workers to use condoms.
back to top - back to sex work archive Communities Against Sex WorkersAriel Troster wrote an editorial for the Captial Xtra about how “community building” can really mean driving street based sex workers from one neighbourhood into another one until they pretty much end up working in dangerous isolated areas. For the intial neighbourhood in question it was based around noise complaints. In light of the murders of sex workers in different areas of Canada Troster finds these actions questionable. I cannot say I disagree with her. back to top - back to sex work archive An IM Conversation Between Sex WorkersDate: Fri Jan 12 2007 Seska Lee: I am reading this amazing book by a marital therapist and I really wish I could work with her. She seems to ask such good questions. L: Work with her in what sense? Seska Lee: As a client it would be interesting but I think my relationship with James is pretty solid. But I could still learn from her. The book has been very inspiring. L: You should write to her. L: What’s the book called? Seska Lee: Mating in Captivity: Reconciling the Erotic + the Domestic by Esther Perel L: Sounds SUPER interesting. Seska Lee: She deals with similar stuff that some of my readers do. That people who come to sex workers do. People who are not satisfied with their sexual relationship with their spouses. She does not judge anyone. She comes off as a facilitator for the individual and for the couple. To acknowledge their sexual erotic selves. L: Wow. Sounds like the gig I did the other night. I saw a couple. It was SUPER intense. Ii felt like a therapist. Seska Lee: Wow do tell! L: I had seen the man before, but not the woman. So the situation was bizarre from the beginning...not honest from the beginning. and I was the "surprise" for her. So once he told her at dinner, he called me to say she was very excited (had never been with a woman before). but he didn’t tell her I was an escort. he said I was a masseuse, and an exotic dancer, but with a very open mind. L: So anyway, I went to the hotel, set up the room with candles, music, champagne. It was good fun and romantic. But they arrived and she was SUPER giggly and nervous. Seska Lee: I would imagine. L: So I chatted with her for about 30 minutes. He looked bored, but I was thinking fuck him, I need to make this woman comfortable. L: He didn’t do anything to help. I got a good understanding of their relationship dynamic let me say. Seska Lee: kind of a his version versus her version of the fantasy. L: Exactly. L: Anyway, I walked her through the whole thing. She had her eyes closed the entire time! Seska Lee: Oh dear! L: It worked out okay. There were a few moments when she was super cute. She looked at me in the middle and said 'thank you, you are teaching me so much'. L: And I was thinking 'woohoo, one for the team!' L: Anyway, I got an email from her husband afterwards, she was VERY happy and wants to see me again. Apparently I opened up new doors of possibility for her that she wants to explore with me. L: It was VERY interesting, needless to say, and I truly felt the sex therapist in me. L: But I was very torn at particular moments. L: For example, the fact that I was contributing to a dishonesty in their relationship made me uncomfortable. L: Which is why I spent so much time with her, i think. Seska Lee: yeah it is hard when it is a direct lie. L: When I got home I held my boyfriend so tight and made beautiful love with him. I needed it. I really needed to connect with him at that moment, I was so proud and feeling blessed that I could. because watching this couple not able to do that, well, it made me sad. L: This woman was so down on herself, really didn’t know if she was pleasing her man. And he wasn’t saying anything to make her feel any better. L: He told me afterwards that he was quiet because he didn’t want to give away any clues to his wife that he had been with me before. He must have been suffering from so much guilt at that moment. Seska Lee: It is SO important to let your partner know you like something. L: I agree. L: Even if they cant fulfill. L: But so many of my clients do not know how to talk with their partners, and their partners don’t know how to talk with them. For fucks sake, this woman was so scared to admit to her fantasies, she had her eyes closed the whole time! L: And she said, don’t ask me, just do it! L: Because I kept asking her if I could do things to her, touch her in certain places. L: Anyways, it was intense, and very different to the gigs I normally do. back to top - back to sex work archive Media ExploitationHaving been exposed to smooth talking media producers in the past I can appreciate what sex worker resource groups are doing for the sex workers in the Vancouver East Side area. A very prominent multiple sex worker murder trial has begun and journalists are expected to hit the area in search of stories to tell and people to feature. Sex workers in that area may not want or be prepared for their image or words to become fodder for broadcast news or for the papers. The resource groups are offering support and advice in how to handle this media attention. Sounds like a humane and thoughtful thing to do.
back to top - back to sex work archive Porn & High DefinitionSam Sugar wrote about porn and high definition video over a year ago. Now a mainstream news source is taking notice of the issue – how porn is reacting to high definition. Coming from an amateur porn perspective I can see the appeal of true to life renditions of sex. There are viewers who want to see people have sex in situations they can relate to and with people they can relate to. They may have physical preferences, but these ideals are much more similar to everyday reality. Perhaps high definition porn will enhance this appreciation for reality. However, for those porn viewers who like a fantasy version of sex complete with Barbie doll versions of female bodies (tanned, no pores, no body hair, gravity defying breasts, no stretch marks, no cellulite), high definition will be very harsh to their eyes. The porn starlets who cater to such viewers are going to have to push the limits of cosmetic surgery and body modification. That scares me. Especially as more and more people who market themselves as alternatives to porn stars are looking like stereotypical porn stars themselves. back to top - back to sex work archive Travellers Working Down Under & Underground
Usually when I read an article about illegal workers in the sex industry the focus is on human trafficking or people who immigrate illegally to find work. The idea of students who are backpacking during their year off from school making quick cash by turning tricks is not my first thought. However, travellers working under the table is nothing new – I am sure they also work illegally as waiters, housekeepers, retail people, etc… I wonder in which sector it is most prevalent? I wonder in which sector it has the greatest negative impact on those who do work within the law? back to top - back to sex work archive Celebrity PornI came across a notice that some pseudo-celebrity will be starring in her very own porn video (yet again). She denied its existence and then denied she sold it. I am so sick of hearing that tale. Do people believe their denial? I suppose they might if they are not aware that in the United States there are regulations which require porn companies to have certain documents for the people who star in the videos – copies of driver’s licences for example. Reputable companies also want release forms. They know to cover their asses. If a celebrity sex tape is being sold by the likes of Vivid then the star in question is in on the deal. I am also frustrated with how celebrities and pseudo-celebrities use porn to gain some sort of media profile yet distance themselves from the impact of porn, its realities and its place in today's society. They just want the exposure. They do not stand up for their choices. They play coy and do the denial thing. Like making a porn tape and selling it to the highest bidder is something that just happened to them (same with the coochie flashing). To capitalize on porn without standing up for it or for yourself seems so weak minded to me, so selfish. It reinforces the idea that sex and porn have power, but only when shrouded in shame. Lovely. back to top - back to sex work archive Charities Fear StigmaA group of exotic dancers do an annual fundraiser in the name of one of their former co-workers who had breast cancer. In the past they were able to donate the money they raised, but this year the Breast Cancer Society of Canada does not want the money saying that their donors do not support an association with strippers. This kind of story is not new to me. Many of my online friends have experienced this when they have tried to donate money to charitable organizations such as those dealing with victims of Hurricane Katrina. Charitable organizations do not want money from perfectly legal adult industry businesses or entrepreneurs. I wonder if organizations that are aiming to eradicate diseases accept funds from businesses that pollute our water, earth and air (and employees that work of such businesses)? How about companies that sell and promote foods with little nutritional value that are linked to disease? Are their donations acceptable? What we do know is that if you deal in sex and pleasure between consenting adults – nope – your money is no good. back to top - back to sex work archive Lube in PornTrixie has a great entry up about a recent porn viewing experience of hers. She was quite offended by how the performers did not use lube. There seems to be an emphasis on dry condomless sex in a great deal of porn and that is actually quite dangerous (increase risk of cuts, abrasions and subsequently transmission of STIs). I agree with her that many porn viewers think women should just be wet enough naturally for sexual intercourse. They use the sight of wetness as a way of determining whether the gal is turned on during a scene (Trixie points out how a bored performance is more accurate). Using lube messes with their fantasy that women in porn are so aroused that they never need lube. Trixie thinks this assumption on the part of porn viewers demonstrates their ignorance of how female bodies function and their lack of compassion for porn performers. While vaginal lubrication is a sign of sexual arousal, how much lubrication is produced varies from woman to woman. Different medications can affect it (such as antihistamines). Aging and hormones also play a role. Even with sufficient build up to vaginal penetration a woman may not produce enough lubrication for intense or lengthy sexual intercourse. A few strokes maybe. In my case I find I do lubricate vaginally, but not enough for it to really make my labia slippery. I need to use lube to deal with the friction that occurs there - especially since I shave. As for a lack of compassion, there are certainly a fair amount of porn viewers who put their sexual satisfaction ahead of safety concerns or performer well being. A sense of mutual pleasure for both the performer (i.e. webcam girl) and the viewer is not their priority. They just want the performer to do what they want when they want and for the performer to want it (and if it is a group show they could care less about how they are sharing the performer with 100 - 1000 other people or that the room's vibe is important part of the experience for everyone involved). I know that for many people when they masturbate they are in a selfish state (I can appreciate that even though I think it does them a diservice). They have a goal in mind and they are using porn to help them get there. Thinking of other people’s comfort and pleasure is the last thing on their mind. For them that kind of thinking is for partnered sex. (Some, I know, don’t even think about it then. Example: a porn viewer who posted on a board I frequent looking for advice on how to get his wife to have anal sex. A bunch of people offered sensible and sexy suggestions, but because they involved some patience, discussion, experimentation, and foreplay he decided he would just get her drunk. Lovely.) All to say, I think using lube and the sight of it in porn is a signal that the performers in question want to have sex and they want it to feel good. That is why I use it both on camera and off. I want to have a good time. I find if you think about it that way as a porn viewer you will enjoy yourself as well. back to top - back to sex work archive Raunch vs Sex WorkIn a recent article Tracy Quan examines the concept of raunch culture as it is perceived by writers like Ariel Levy and how it differs from sex work – in particular prostitution. According to Quan, throwing raunch culture in with commercial sex work is oversimplified. Sure, there is some overlap, but the interactions that go on between people outside of sex work tend to be different that those that go on within sex work. Motivations are different (sex work is primarily about money while attending a strippercize class or flashing your boobs while drunk is not). Attitudes and expectations are also different. It is an interesting read and I recommend you check it out. I would add though that not all porn is cut from the same cloth. Just last night I was doing my webcam show and discussing with my viewers how important it is for me to be sincere with my sexuality both off camera and on. I know I am not the only porn performer who prefers to work this way. While there are those viewers who prefer caricature versions of sexuality (maybe because they have so few other options), there are those individuals who are drawn to more genuine fare. I am sure that an experienced sex worker such as Tracy Quan knows this, but I wanted to clarify this for my readers who may not. There is so much of the 'cartoon' version out there that it is easy to overlook the more authentic stuff - especially when the fantasy stuff is marketed as reality. back to top - back to sex work archive $pread InterviewCory Silverberg has a great interview up at sexuality.about.com with the editors of $pread Magazine which is a print publication about the sex industry by and for sex workers. They discuss why the magazine is so important for both people in the sex industry and for the general public, as well as some of issues that surround paying for sexual services. Great insight here. A must read. back to top - back to sex work archive Job SatisfactionA study of 250 Australian street, home and brothel based sex workers aged 18 to 57 in found that those who work in the legal areas of prostitution are just as satisfied with their jobs as women who work outside of the sex trade. Those working outside of the law on the streets did not fare so well. Read the details here. back to top - back to sex work archive Collective & ProtectiveA BC group is looking to set up a sex work collective as a way of making the work safer.
I think their suggestions and ideas are very promising and based on trends within the sex worker rights movement here in Canada and around the world we will be hearing more about these kinds of changes from other sex workers in the coming months and years. back to top - back to sex work archive How to Be Good AlliesAudacia Ray of Waking Vixen has been dealing with people outside the sex industry submitting to some sex work based projects she is heading. She came up with a useful list of ways such people can offer their support as well as some thoughts as to why it is important to leave certain spaces and roles to sex workers themselves. back to top - back to sex work archive Consequences of StigmaI read this op/ed piece from The Badger Herald (the largest daily independent campus newspaper in the United States) that I thought summed up the stigma sex workers face and the consequences of this stigma (namely violence) very well. Many of those who left anonymous comments might not agree with me, but I think their experience with sex workers is different than mine. The whole ‘walk a mile in someone’s shoes’ kind of thing.
back to top - back to sex work archive Partner or PimpWhen you look at sex work from an around the world perspective you will find a great deal of diversity in terms of working conditions. Some areas have pimps, others do not. It seems in India there is a trend for sex workers to hire men to act as their partners so they have the illusion of not being in part of the sex trade. While at first this may be a good set up, it seems that many sex workers are now being exploited by their partners. After transferring their property to the man’s name he will disown the sex worker and keep her property. This kind of thing is almost expected and considered par for the course. back to top - back to sex work archive Fine Clients of Street Based Sex WorkersProstitution was legalised in New Zealand in 2003 and there were various regulations put in place that were to ensure worker safety among other things. A review of these regulations is taking place and the report will be propose fining clients of street based sex workers in order to restrict the work to brothels.
While I personally think there are benefits to having brothels, I know that there are workers who prefer the street. Fining clients will not necessarily make workers move to brothel work – especially if they are under age. They will go further underground, take greater risks and be more isolated.
Update: It seems that the desire to ban street sex work and fine clients are those of individuals and not the full committee. The report is still being written. back to top - back to sex work archive Music Video VixensFeminisiting posted about Snoop Dog’s views on the dancers in rap videos as a choice issue which I think it would be if there was a greater variety of themes and styles to choose from as a female dancer. Not to mention the much larger and more general issues of work options available to women as well as the amount of prestige (or implied prestige) that goes along with the work. Feminisiting’s take on it was a labour issue which I totally appreciated as a sex worker activist. Other related issues such as misogyny and status (as well as other examples of ho culture in other genres of music) came up in the comments for the post. A really good read. By the way, I decided to post about the issue of ‘video hos’ here because of the tie in between labour issues and sexuality. While female dancers in rap videos are not engaging in explicit sex work and most people would not consider them sex workers per say, they certainly are using sex appeal and sexual imagery in a commercial entertainment product. Plus the word ho is used by the rappers they are helping to promote. The word also definitely has sex worker roots and connotations. I also want to mention that I totally see the connection between sexuality in music videos and porn. The very same style is often used. Objectification occurs (which in and of itself I think is normal with most any kind of imagery – a human reaction to a still life or to moving image distanced from one’s self). However, I think when it comes to sexual imagery and sexual representation, be it in a music video or in porn, it can be positive or negative depending on the context, depending on the intent of the producer, and depending on the amount of commercialization involved. Not to mention informed consent and a whole bunch of other things. Definitely a complex issue. One where I see lots of shades of grey. back to top - back to sex work archive FallenI was in Toronto for the weekend. I gave a presentation on DIY porn at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre as part of their Sexy Salon series. On Friday I attended one of the other Sexy Salon events – a modern dance ensemble called Project Sugar that presented pieces inspired by cultural representations of prostitutes. It was called Fallen. I was really moved by the final piece. It was inspired by the scandal photography of the 1950s.. It reminded me of some of my experiences as a sex worker and how at certain industry events Amateur porn performers like myself will get swarmed by men with cameras. They will take our photos and use them on their sites to make money without crediting us or linking back. Some even create false stories about us. Just make stuff up. Of course, they have not even bothered to speak to us or learn our names. One gal I know used to try to ruin the photos by putting her arms up in an X. I am not sure that it worked but she sure did make a statement with her actions. This kind of exploitation (as well as a heck of a lot of vitriol that comes from the very people who make money off of a porn performer’s work) occurs within the industry, but sex workers are also affected by it from the outside. People are quick to judge based on myths and stereotypes. They love to talk about sex work but not actually with the sex worker (I say this because recently I have realized how common it is for people to approach others about me rather than actually speak to me). They are happy to visit a sex worker (be she/he a stripper, a webcam girl, an escort), but not to actually stand up publicly and be counted as a customer, much less fight for a sex worker’s rights to a safe working environment. They like that sex work has a dirty connotation and want to keep it that way. It is a mix of titillation, shame and fear. Fallen, I found, did a great job of representing this. back to top - back to sex work archive RegulationThere is not a consensus among sex workers about what is an ideal working situation other than being safe. Some argue for a decriminalized system with no government interference. Some would prefer a legalized system with set standards. Some are content to work in an illegal or criminalized situation thinking any involvement of the government is more dangerous than the work. Here is a report on a group of sex workers from Peru (where prostitution is legal) who are asking for regulations. back to top - back to sex work archive Stereotypes & Myths vs RealityA new study from Simon Fraser University looked at prostitution in the Vancouver area and found that 80-90% of workers do so off the street and of these workers two-thirds have not encountered violence on the job.
back to top - back to sex work archive Regulating the Porn IndustryCory Silverberg blogged about a recent report suggesting regulation of the porn industry and I was surprised that no one else wrote about it. It is a pretty controversial subject. Perhaps I am not looking in the right places. I think it is an important and interesting subject worth looking into. Worker safety is now accepted as essential in most fields, but when it comes to porn so many people don’t want to hear about it. Many consumers want to see the performers have condomless sex as they want to see fantasy sex even though very real people are taking very real risks. Many producers don’t want to cover the costs of testing. They like their bottom line the way it is. Many performers stick with the status quo because they fear for their jobs. It makes me think of many industries of the past where worker safety just was not a priority. A couple of years ago I took part in a project where a group of sex workers gathered together to look at law reform. The focus was on decriminalization of prostitution but other kinds of work was also discussed and there was debate and discussion on whether there should be regulations put in place to ensure a safer working environment. There was no agreement on this issue except that sex workers should be part of the process, from consultation to administration. Personally, I am comfortable with some form regulation in terms of my sex work as I see it as a legitimate form of work and as such employers should take responsibility and action to best ensure the safety of employees (or contract workers or whatever we end up being called). I do not see it differently than a construction site, a mainstream Hollywood movie set, or a hospital where they have to meet certain safety standards. back to top - back to sex work archive Privilege, Differences & ChoicesLaura Agustin, a UK based writer who has researched the issues related to migrant sex work was asked to write about the United States’ task force on sexual labour in other countries for the Philadelphia Inquirer. She is about to publish a book about the overall subject and her commentary takes into consideration the realities beyond those of the privileged crusading politicians and religious leaders.
back to top - back to sex work archive Sex Museum MovingA sex museum in a red light district in India is moving because of the building that houses it cannot stand the effects of the Monsoon season. This museum is has various displays and models used to educate and raise awareness about HIV/AIDS among sex workers, though many school and college classes also visit the museum. There are concerns that the move of the museum will take it too far away from the population it seeks to serve. back to top - back to sex work archive To SurviveI have trouble when people take a purely moralistic view of sex work calling for abolitionist laws without addressing the other factors involved. It is much more complicated than what is ‘right’ and what is ‘wrong’. Here is a description of a Zimbabwean teacher who is also a sex worker. In a country that has so much corruption with many men in a position to have their pockets lined with bribes and so many women in dire poverty, you can see how sex work becomes a means of survival. back to top - back to sex work archive Shaming ClientsIn Sweden the laws are such that they hope to abolish sex work by criminalizing the clients. The police used to send correspondence regarding the crime to the men’s place of eoployment, but now they will be sending to their homes instead. They admit they use a system of shame to try and control the behaviour. back to top - back to sex work archive Stigma Is A BarrierStigma is a big part of sex work and it can result in dangerous working conditions and a barrier to seeking health care and other resources. A new health clinic in Uganda is using peers to encourage sex workers to see education and treatment and it has been a great success so far. back to top - back to sex work archive Condom TestingIn India new flavoured condoms were tested by a group of sex workers and the flavour that came out on top was Paan because it was most familiar. I think it is great that the company is working with sex workers in developing their product. Tapping into sex workers’ experience with safer sex tools makes such sense and can be used for the population at large. back to top - back to sex work archive Hotel Training Video for Booting Out EscortsIn Canada it is not criminal for consenting adults to exchange sexual services for money as long as it all goes down in a private space. A hotel room is such a place. But it seems hotels don’t want this kind of business happening under their roofs and have made a training video to put a stop to it.
back to top - back to sex work archive Videotaping HarassmentHere is an editorial about a group of residents in an area of Atlanta who are harassing street based sex workers by following them around, videotaping them and posting the videos on YouTube. Activists say that this kind of treatment does not help the mostly transgendered sex workers in finding other ways of making money. It just increases hostility and puts both groups at risk for violence. back to top - back to sex work archive Voices from the MaritimesLeslie Jeffrey (University of New Brunswick) and Gayle MacDonald (St. Thomas University) collected stories from sex workers and published them in the book Sex Workers in the Maritimes Talk Back. They hope that by giving the workers a platform to share their stories in their own words will give them a sense agency and help others appreciate their experiences and how stigmatization puts them at risk of violence. Read some coverage of the book launch here.
back to top - back to sex work archive Stage NamesTrixie, a fellow web-based porn model and performer wrote up a great account of consumers of porn who desperately want to know your ‘real name’ and what she thinks it says about them and sex work in general. back to top - back to sex work archive International Day to End Violence Against Sex WorkersSex worker rights groups from around the world will be gathering to honour those lives who have been lost to violence as well as to denounce this violence. Montreal based sex worker rights and resource group STELLA will be having a Red Umbrella March to honour those whose lives have been lost and to speak out against the violence and discrimination that sex workers face due to criminalization, stigma and hypocrisy.
From the STELLA press release. Read more here. |
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