This question is primarily for the ladies. Do you consider the term "hooker" to be offensive? In particular, I'm interested about when the term is used in a neutral or otherwise positive-tone context by a fellow escort, client, journalist, writer, or anybody else who is _not_ using it in a clearly derogatory context/manner.
I'm interested in this from a primarily philological perspective, and how usage and perceived acceptance in the sex industry has changed in recent years.