...So today on another adult forum there was this very condescending porn star who went off on escorts saying we were degraded and dirty for having sex for money. I said, " The only difference here is YOU do it unsafely, and in front of a camera, and how does that make you any different or better than those of us who choose to have sex for money discreetly and in a more sensual and engaging environment?" And then a bunch of strippers jumped on me and said " I would NEVER fuck men for money, I dance!" No, really. You give men hard ons for twenty bucks and get tips thrown at you for degrading yourself on a stage for a few dollars. And trust me, men do not pay VIP room fees of a thousand and up just so they can see your ass dancing.
I think it's just pathetically sad that other sex workers have to relegate even the classiest and most honest of sex workers, the escorts, US, to the bottom of the totem pole of the sex industry. Same thing I guess, the whole need to feel better than someone else. And even amongst us, there's always that " Well I would never take it up the ass but so and so will." I just wish, and wishful thinking this is, we can all learn to get together in a marginalized profession in which safety is paramount and so is sisterhood.
Originally Posted by alluringava
Please excuse the late inclusion of the OP quote. There was just a lot of stuff between the OP and this modest rant.
Sex Work is a "marginalized profession." One aspect of this profession is more marginalized than others, specifically prostitution. Porn is legal. Dancing/Stripping is legal. Escorting is LEGAL! Prostitution is illegal. Taking money from a person and then having sex with that person is seen as prostitution. (It may not meet the legal definition, but it meets the intent and spirit.) The perception places escorts on the wrong side of the legal curtain.
The OP says, "I think it's just pathetically sad that other sex workers have to relegate even the classiest and
most honest of sex workers, the escorts, [us], to the bottom of the totem pole of the sex industry." I have certainly met some very classy women who escort, but I'm not sure your fellow professionals see escorting as the most honest part of the larger profession. In their eyes, it's a case of "what I do is legal," and "what you do is illegal." They have a W-2 and 1099s from their employers. What do you have? Again, it's a perception issue. If their perception was that an escort had a platonic relationship with her/his client(s), and nothing more...and received the sums of money many of you make...I think you would be at the top of their totem pole, and they would be knocking your door down to learn your secrets to success.
My perception is some are jealous, some are truly unhappy with what they do and why they do it and want to distance themselves from what they perceive to be the seemlier side of the sex industry. This will always be the case in this industry because of the legal division between the various elements of the profession, and to some degree the moral issues as well.
That said, treat each other well - clients and providers. We need and rely upon each other, we fulfill each other, we keep each other safe. As for the others - ignore hecklers!