Sex work IS work (And why I'll die on this hill)

Sex work has been around for decades and has had a rollercoaster of history. Where once it was an allowable profession, and in some instances a coveted position, it has become largely a stigma and taboo topic. Why though??

COVID-19 turned the world upside down for so many people and I'll admit, myself included. Like many others, I needed to supplement my income, and I needed to do it NOW. Working in the service industry and sales my whole life left me with next to no options. Retail was out. Service was out. Everything was shut down and you couldn't be around people. What was I even qualified to do? Talk to people??

Now unless you've been under a rock for the last two years, you've probably heard of OnlyFans. For those of you claiming rock life, OnlyFans is an internet content subscription service based in London. Content creators can earn money from users who subscribe to their content—the "fans". It allows content creators to receive funding directly from their fans on a monthly basis as well as one-time tips and the pay-per-view feature. You can find everything from music artists, to painting artists, to yoga instructers to subscribe to. These days, OnlyFans has become synonymous with sex workers though.

Sex work (Prostitution) is not currently legal in the US (with the exception of parts of Nevada) even though a number of countries have made moves to legalize it over the last few years. Before the twentieth century, it was allowable and state-regulated, but as concerns rose over sex trafficking and immigrants being transported across state and federal borders for "prostitution or debauchery" legislation cracked down on sex work. People began to assume that all sex workers were trapped within the industry and desperate to escape. Although this was not the case, it was difficult to distinguish between who was willing and who was not. How to save one and protect the other.

The difference between a sex worker and a sex trafficking victim is a critical distinction to understand. A prostitute is broadly defined as a person who “[engages] in sexual activity in exchange for money or other compensation.” In contrast, a victim of sex trafficking (specifically, severe forms of trafficking) is a person who is “induced [to perform a commercial sex act] by force, fraud, or coercion.”

Also worth mentioning, there wouldn't be an industry for sex work if there wasn't a demand for it. Whether it's companionship or sexual release, there has been a demand for it for as long as time. And where there is demand, there are people who are willing to supply. So why punish those who are looking to make an income by satisfying a need? And why not allow them to do it legally? Safely? (And why is it we punish only the worker and not the person seeking out their services - a convo for another day 😅)

Sites like OnlyFans allow sex workers to earn an income, not only on a schedule that works for them, but also from the safety of their home. They decide their boundaries and income. They never have to put themselves in a dangerous situation with a stranger ever again. They also allow those who have always been interested in the industry, or living out a fantasy a safe place to explore. These sites make you fill out a W-4, making it a taxable, legal, income. 

So why does society have such a problem with this? Why is this taboo? It's no different then what happens between couples dating or married. A consentual interaction where one person is seeking a service and/or feeling and another person provides that service and/or feeling. The only difference is that this service is then compensated monetarily. 

OnlyFans, and sites like this, have helped people find financial freedom and stability and have also helped many with self esteem issues, body confidence, and regain body autonomy. It has empowered and liberated a whole network of people across the globe.

A woman, in her 20s, says she "loves" her new source of income and refers to it as "one of the best things" she has ever done.

"(It's) very, very liberating. I'm in control of my own content and of my own body and I can do whatever I want with it because you can set your own levels."

What I find interesting is that it isn't just broke college students trying to pay their way, or single parents struggling to provide for their families. Stereotypes have gone right out the window, and I believe we can thank the pandemic for breaking this barrier and allowing this world to be explored. Safely. There are people with full time careers looking to explore their sexuality, couples looking to add a new dynamic to their relationship, and people looking to supplement their exsisting income with a little bit of fun money. And none of these people deserve to be shamed or looked down on for dipping their toes into this world. (Or cannonballing, if they choose)

I've always jokingly said, "My mom always told me to stick to what I'm good at..." In the service industry, I capitalized on that because I'm a people person. I love talking to people. Being stuck at home during COVID, not allowed to be around people was torturous for me. Thanks to OnlyFans, I found a community of people like me, who embraced me for me, and encouraged me to explore all of the things that I wanted to. In my own timeline, in my own way, and as loudly or quietly as I wanted to.

These days, I've actually mentored several people looking to explore the digital side of sex work. Friends have referred people to me who have questions, and I've helped more than a few get the ball rolling. I love what I do, and I love helping those who are genuinely interested. I'm brutally honest, this isn't for everyone, but for those who are looking to take a leap, know that you already have a cheerleader in your corner.