Are you a sex worker?

[ElaySmith]

This seems to be a hot topic these days so lets talk about it! IMO, yes, cam girls/clip makers/pso's whether your nude or non nude, explicit or not you are a sex worker. A sex worker is by definition someone who works in the sex industry or who sales sexual services for money or goods. Sexual services include, but are not limited to, cam shows, stripping, escorting, phone sex and yes prostitution.... which is probably what most people outside of the industry think of first when hearing the term "sex worker" and why a lot of other types of sex workers lean more toward calling themselves adult entertainers instead.... but Im not sure you can really be one without being the other. What say you?

 

[MatureSwiss]

I totally argree with you!

 

[ThePrincessLuxy]

Can the 1 person that voted no step out and explain? Would love to hear their thoughts.

 

[Gia_Xo]

I consider myself a sex worker. I think some people might not like how that sounds, but it is what it is. We can call ourselves whatever we want, but by your definition, we are sex workers.

 

[LittleLei]

Proud sex worker here! I think of sex work as a big tree that has many branches with camming being one of them.

I would like to hear anyone's opinion or any stripper's opinion who may feel they do not fall under the sex worker tree. Not often, but I have encountered strippers or seen online that some strippers do not group themselves with cammers, porn stars, adult entertainers etc. Instead they classify themselves as more of entertainers/dancers. Personally I still think it's sex work. No judgement if you think differently

 

[Gen]

I do consider cam models to be sex workers, but I used to say no, we aren’t. Not out of ~internalized whorephobia~ or anything, but because the term “sex worker” was coined for prositutes as a more legitimate, unstigmatized title, and I felt like sharing that title with everyone under the sun was confusing and watered it down in a sense. I would’ve said we all work in the adult industry/sex industry but not used “sex worker” as an umbrella term.

But, discussions on here changed my mind because the term really is broad, just in its wording. “Sex worker” just meaning someone who works with sex. Pedantically it made sense that everyone would fit under there.

I use “full service sex worker” for what I would’ve originally just called sex workers now. I don’t love that terminology, but there’s no point in clinging to old usages if language has moved along. I would like a better word for FSSWs but I don’t really have one.

 

[AmberCutie]

because the term “sex worker” was coined for prositutes as a more legitimate, unstigmatized title, and I felt like sharing that title with everyone under the sun was confusing and watered it down in a sense. I would’ve said we all work in the adult industry/sex industry but not used “sex worker” as an umbrella term.

But, discussions on here changed my mind because the term really is broad, just in its wording. “Sex worker” just meaning someone who works with sex. Pedantically it made sense that everyone would fit under there.

This is me as well.

Though I honestly will not use the term when telling someone what I do for a living. Outside of our community and industry, people do still associate the term only with prostitution. And no offense meant, but when I want someone to understand my job, that term doesn't make them understand without having to go into the whole explanation of how the term has changed over the years.

Edit to add: and no I don't feel it's my duty to explain and try to spread knowledge about the term. I'm just doing my job, not trying to change the world. So before anyone assumes I'm just part of the problem and tries to jump on me for that, just don't.

 

[Gen]

I agree @AmberCutie. Also I don’t really understand cam models (or PSOs, porn actors, strippers, etc) who say “I’m a sex worker” instead of just saying camgirl/stripper/whatever. I think it’s unclear in a way. (Not judging those who do, just don’t personally get it.)

 

[Gia_Xo]

I agree @AmberCutie. Also I don’t really understand cam models (or PSOs, porn actors, strippers, etc) who say “I’m a sex worker” instead of just saying camgirl/stripper/whatever. I think it’s unclear in a way. (Not judging those who do, just don’t personally get it.)

Don't get me wrong- I don't ever say 'I am a sex worker', I definitely say cam model. But I believe we are classified as sex workers.

 

[SaffronBurke]

I agree @AmberCutie. Also I don’t really understand cam models (or PSOs, porn actors, strippers, etc) who say “I’m a sex worker” instead of just saying camgirl/stripper/whatever. I think it’s unclear in a way. (Not judging those who do, just don’t personally get it.)

When saying what I specifically do, I say cammodel or fetish model, but just referencing my part in the industry as a whole I say sex worker. It usually makes sense in context, or at least I hope it does. I try to speak in ways that don't "other" certain types of work, especially given how often I see other models using the "ew I'm not a ~prostitute~" response.

 

[AudriTwo]

I use sex workers as an umbrella term.

Rough example: I'm an American, but more specifically I'm a Floridian since I live in that state.

 

[passmeawhiskay]

I dont think i'd tell anyone I'm a sex worker. If I did tell anyone at all i'd say cam model. Too me sex worker conjures up images of.....I dunno, prostitution. And who are cam models having sex with? Not the audience, maybe your significant other or your friends. No one is paying YOU to have sex with THEM. To me that's what a sex worker is.

We're cam models, we show off, play on cam, and talk to people for their sexual enjoyment. Just my opinion, I think sex worker is kind of a disparaging term. Ugly almost.

In the end it's semantics I guess, would you consider yourself a porn star if you've never been paid by a 3rd party (production company) to have sex with another person but are on Pornhub? I'd say no.

 

[sevie]

I don’t have a problem with people considering me to be a sex worker, but ultimately I don’t see how it’s that different from regular actresses who do sex scenes.

 

[LilyOhRiley]

I consider myself a sex worker and identify as such when talking about my job. The fact that I touch dicks on camera to earn money really isn't that many steps away from touching dicks for money, imo, so I don't see any shame in stepping under that umbrella; it's all about selling a sexual service, in the end.

With that said, I do make a point of clarifying in my conversations what kinds of sexual service I provide. I don't think there's anything wrong with FSSW, morally, but it's also not something I have any interest in doing so I make a point of setting that boundary (because there's a startling amount of photographers/videographers out there who seem to think that it's acceptable to proposition someone for illegal activities).

Tbh, though, I think part of the strength of the term "sex work" is that it's so broad. The laws that attack one quadrant come after the rest of us eventually - I mean, just look at FOSTA/SESTA - so I feel as though it's important for us as a community to have one another's backs whether the work we do is in-person or digital.

 

[passmeawhiskay]

I consider myself a sex worker and identify as such when talking about my job. The fact that I touch dicks on camera to earn money really isn't that many steps away from touching dicks for money, imo, so I don't see any shame in stepping under that umbrella; it's all about selling a sexual service, in the end.

With that said, I do make a point of clarifying in my conversations what kinds of sexual service I provide. I don't think there's anything wrong with FSSW, morally, but it's also not something I have any interest in doing so I make a point of setting that boundary (because there's a startling amount of photographers/videographers out there who seem to think that it's acceptable to proposition someone for illegal activities).

Tbh, though, I think part of the strength of the term "sex work" is that it's so broad. The laws that attack one quadrant come after the rest of us eventually - I mean, just look at FOSTA/SESTA - so I feel as though it's important for us as a community to have one another's backs whether the work we do is in-person or digital.

Thats a great point, how long has mainstream camming really been a thing? Not too long, not as popular as it is now! Think about vaping, relatively new, FDA is going after it like a tomahawk missile. The #THOTAudit, while probably a fringe movement, could be the beginning of new regulations on private people doing what they have the right to do in their own homes for people over the interwebs. Mark my words.

 

[caireen]

Thats a great point, how long has mainstream camming really been a thing? Not too long, not as popular as it is now! Think about vaping, relatively new, FDA is going after it like a tomahawk missile. The #THOTAudit, while probably a fringe movement, could be the beginning of new regulations on private people doing what they have the right to do in their own homes for people over the interwebs. Mark my words.

I'm confused about why that would be inspired by #thotaudit.. ?

 

[AudriTwo]

Thats a great point, how long has mainstream camming really been a thing? Not too long, not as popular as it is now! Think about vaping, relatively new, FDA is going after it like a tomahawk missile. The #THOTAudit, while probably a fringe movement, could be the beginning of new regulations on private people doing what they have the right to do in their own homes for people over the interwebs. Mark my words.

camming has been a thing since the 90's. so we looking at over 25 years. it's not as new as some people like to think. if anything it is becoming more accepted in mainstream. there are OG camgirls who used dial up 56 kbit/s to stream laggy pixelated frames.

And US govt are already trying to put silly regulations in place for missintended reasons. I suggest you read up on FOSTA/SETSA and the other one that could fuck us receiving payments. Oh and this very interesting story out of Polk county, FL where a couple was arrested for producing porn out of their own home.(https://www.theledger.com/article/LK/20110604/News/608084874/LL/).


The ThotAudit is nothing being it is based on insubstantial evidence. people are under the assumption that camgirls, clip makers, and over adult content creators don't pay their taxes. When the truth is they don't know anything about the business side of porn.

 

[passmeawhiskay]

I'm confused about why that would be inspired by #thotaudit.. ?

Inspired? Not inspired, but it brought unnecessary media attention to our industry as cam models. Which can lead to a bigger government microscope on our industry and their obsession to regulate things further. It could lead to more rules and shit, which well, noone wants.

Hold raffles on your shows? I do. Spin the wheels were sometimes the member doesnt get a prize? I do. Government looks at that and says, hmm gambling, time to shut that down! and then this and this etc

 

[passmeawhiskay]

camming has been a thing since the 90's. so we looking at over 25 years. it's not as new as some people like to think. if anything it is becoming more accepted in mainstream. there are OG camgirls who used dial up 56 kbit/s to stream laggy pixelated frames.

And US govt are already trying to put silly regulations in place for missintended reasons. I suggest you read up on FOSTA/SETSA and the other one that could fuck us receiving payments. Oh and this very interesting story out of Polk county, FL where a couple was arrested for producing porn out of their own home.(https://www.theledger.com/article/LK/20110604/News/608084874/LL/).

Ugh, my home state, I love it to death and as soon as I can get outa this midwest cow town I will, but why does it ALWAYS have to be Florida #floridaman

 

[AudriTwo]

Ugh, my home state, I love it to death and as soon as I can get outa this midwest cow town I will, but why does it ALWAYS have to be Florida #floridaman

It's why I love living here. Full of batshit. My kinda people.

 

[caireen]

Inspired? Not inspired, but it brought unnecessary media attention to our industry as cam models. Which can lead to a bigger government microscope on our industry and their obsession to regulate things further. It could lead to more rules and shit, which well, noone wants.

Hold raffles on your shows? I do. Spin the wheels were sometimes the member doesnt get a prize? I do. Government looks at that and says, hmm gambling, time to shut that down! and then this and this etc

Yah but that has more to do with the industry than what "private people have the right to do in their own homes". Like, if someone is making money off of it, they are required to pay taxes or follow the law.. that's something totally different than private people in their own homes.

Edit: and realistically camgirls avoid paying taxes probably at about the same rate as self-employed people in any industry

 

[passmeawhiskay]

It's why I love living here. Full of batshit. My kinda people.

Having seen some of your vids babe, I totes agree It's gotta be the fucking sun. My brain was fried by the time I was 16. Palm Beach County is the worst lol think we have been on "Cops" 20 times since the 90s

 

[passmeawhiskay]

Yah but that has more to do with the industry than what "private people have the right to do in their own homes". Like, if someone is making money off of it, they are required to pay taxes or follow the law.. that's something totally different than private people in their own homes.

Edit: and realistically camgirls avoid paying taxes probably at about the same rate as self-employed people in any industry

In my first post here, I admitted to accidentally not paying taxes for all my CB income. I did it for a year and I quit right before tax season! It didnt even cross my mind. CB didnt give me a W-2 form so I didnt think twice about it. I was never bothered by the IRS but I've since remedied that with them for peace of mind since the THOTaudit. Ignorance, but still it happens and a lot of people dont think income from online camming needs to be provided to the IRS.

So while you are right that cam models (I refuse to use the word sex workers) probably have the same tax evasion rate as normal workforce, you have to think about the politics and bureaucracy we live in.

One republican in some religious anti porn power trip gets a hold of this #thotaudit thing and he takes it to the department of commerce and we are under a microscope. It doesent become about taxes at that point but what can he do to shut us down.

In the political world its lobby vs lobby. I know Porn industry has a lobby, but are we as cammers included? and how powerful are we.

My point is, for any budding industry thats not highly regulated, government microscopes are never good, it just leads to more and more regulations and rules, and maybe the THOT audit didnt make it to Senator Joe Blow Holes desk, but maybe it did

 

[curvyredhead]

Yes.

 

[ElaySmith]

I just want to say I agree with everything above as far as identifying as camgirl or whatever term you choose. I don't go around saying I am a sex worker, I say cam girl or if I am trying to be more vague adult entertainer, but if somebody asked me if I was a sex worker I would say yes bc I truly believe what we do falls into that category.

In the end it's semantics I guess, would you consider yourself a porn star if you've never been paid by a 3rd party (production company) to have sex with another person but are on Pornhub? I'd say no.

I wouldn't but society and a lot of members do. I cant count the number of times someone has come into my room or emailed me and told me Im there favorite porn star or a variation of that.

 

[VeronicaChaos]

I do, maybe because I was a stripper beforehand so I've always considered myself "in the industry" so to me sex worker has always been a comfortable term, but I also don't have any issue with camgirls who don't want to use it. Solidarity in the industry is awesome but not every camgirl is in the position or has the desire to take on the stigma of being a FSSW and I think that should be respected.