sex worker

[Fay_Galore]

It wasn't until I found this forum that I came across the term 'sex worker' and it always gets me thinking, I don't consider myself to be in the sex industry, not because it sounds bad, but to me it just doesn't really cover what I do, at least that's what I thought. But I'm not so sure. The phrase itself isn't very clear anyway.

so my questions are,
What is a sex worker (to you)?
Do you consider yourself to be a sex worker?


I'm mostly curious about that vague 'line', is a playboy model a sex worker? a nude art model? a neo-burlesque dancer? people who pack up dildos in factories?

 

[motherbrain]

I consider myself an "online stripper" of sorts. Nude model, self-proclaimed amateur porn star, etc.
I don't really know if I'd call myself a sex worker because to me, those are the girls who do most of their work IRL (or "hands on", so to speak ). Although, if someone called me a sex worker I don't think I'd be offended or thrown off.
More than anything I like to classify my line of work as "adult entertainment".

 

[JickyJuly]

If the people paying you need to be of legal age, you're a sex worker.

 

[mynameisbob84]

I've always thought of camming as sex work, even if there's no sex involved. Cam girls ultimately provide sexual gratification in exchange for money. They provide a lot more besides that (non-sexual entertainment, companionship, an online space to unwind in, other stuff) but generally speaking, it's the pursuit of virtual sexy time that brings members to the sites in the first place, even if that's not what keeps them coming back.

Others may disagree and there all sorts of terms cam girls could use to describe themselves (or be described as by others) - adult entertainer, virtual stripper, internet geisha, online boobs lady - but camsites are very much a part of the sex industry and even if you're a non-nude model, it's hard to escape the fact that the environment you work in is one of a sexual nature. You may not be getting undressed at all yourself, but you are dependent on a customer base that is, in large part, primarily there because of the models who are getting undressed; plus, your ability to turn fleeting visitors into paying regulars hinges on them being sexually attracted to you.

Being a sex worker doesn't mean you can't be a butt-load of other things as well though. To use Fay as an example, she's also an awesome burlesque dancer, a quick change artist (or maybe just a skilled video editor... [errybody needs to visit Fay's room when she's next online and see her "be right back" video]), a Pictionary player extraordinaire, and an owner of snazzy hats :twocents-02cents:

 

[AmberCutie]

I think the term sex worker refers to any profession involving selling your sexuality.

Camming certainly falls within that category. I know there are girls who don't even get naked during their shows on cam sites, but if they are utilizing a site (MyFreeCams, Streamate, Chaturbate, etc) that is heavy in sexuality, I believe they would still be considered in the category.

To name my job more specifically, I like to call myself a digital or online stripper, or digital adult entertainer.

Edit: of course while I was typing this, Bob came along and said it even better!

 

[LaughingLux]

Really the term 'sex worker' has become a term to envelop all women and men in the Adult Industry whether it be entertainment or service. Having an umbrella term like this is just a way to show solidarity between all workers in the industry no matter their job description. I'm fine with the term and call myself a sex worker in the adult entertainment industry if I want to get fancy.

As for what jobs are considered sex work, I would say any job in the adult industry that holds a negative stigma. I know that's a weird way of thinking about it but someone who makes dildos in a factory certainly doesn't deal with the same issues and risks that strippers or full service escorts do. In this way even non-nude workers like some cam models and phone sex operators are still considered sex workers.

I don't think people should be afraid of this term. I understand some girls get very defensive about it which I totally understand. I think it creates a sense of community though and I plan to use it as such. :dance:

 

[Fay_Galore]

You may not be getting undressed at all yourself, but you are dependent on a customer base that is, in large part, primarily there because of the models who are getting undressed.

ah yes, you've got a very good point there! Haven't thought of that before, it's also very much about context.
(also, just to double-state, nothing against the term sex working, just been thinking about it)

Being a sex worker doesn't mean you can't be a butt-load of other things as well though. To use Fay as an example, she's also an awesome burlesque dancer, a quick change artist (or maybe just a skilled video editor... [errybody needs to visit Fay's room when she's next online and see her "be right back" video]), a Pictionary player extraordinaire, and an owner of snazzy hats :twocents-02cents:

seriously Bob, that's real sweet, thanks!

 

[Gen]

I actually feel pretty differently on this. Personally, to me, a sex worker is a prostitue. The term "sex worker" was coined specifically to give more legitimacy and to emphasize the "work" aspect of prostitution, and to give a less stigmatized name to it.

Now, when we use sex worker to describe everyone from full service girls to phone sex operators, I think it gets confusing and has taken the term away from the people whoade it specifically for the purpose of having a name for themselves. So if sex worker is now an umbrella term, we're back at square one because now there's no specific term for prostitute other than maybe escort, which isn't applicable to everyone.

And personally while I like solidarity, I think it creates false equivalency. For example in Canada there have been changes to our laws surrounding sex work (as in prostitution), about what will be legal and what isnt. The press have been overall quite good as referring to this as sex work, but if we lump everything together, that doesn't make sense or (in my opinion) put enough focus on the specific ways that full service workers are harmed by the legal system. To me, a phone sex operator who works a legal job where she has no immediate risk of danger from clients doesn't have enough in common with someone who may be arrested for their work and is routinely at risk for violence to lump them together.

So personally, I think of all of us (strippers, camgirls, PSOs, escorts, etc) as wing on the adult industry or in the sex industry, but I don't consider myself a sex worker because of camming.

But that's just my thoughts and I can definitely understand where everyone's coming from. There are certainly a lot of similarities between all the jobs (stigma, safety risks, etc), I just think the differences are lost in an umbrella term and that those differences are really important.

 

[AmberCutie]

I actually feel pretty differently on this. Personally, to me, a sex worker is a prostitue. The term "sex worker" was coined specifically to give more legitimacy and to emphasize the "work" aspect of prostitution, and to give a less stigmatized name to it.

Now, when we use sex worker to describe everyone from full service girls to phone sex operators, I think it gets confusing and has taken the term away from the people whoade it specifically for the purpose of having a name for themselves. So if sex worker is now an umbrella term, we're back at square one because now there's no specific term for prostitute other than maybe escort, which isn't applicable to everyone.

And personally while I like solidarity, I think it creates false equivalency. For example in Canada there have been changes to our laws surrounding sex work (as in prostitution), about what will be legal and what isnt. The press have been overall quite good as referring to this as sex work, but if we lump everything together, that doesn't make sense or (in my opinion) put enough focus on the specific ways that full service workers are harmed by the legal system. To me, a phone sex operator who works a legal job where she has no immediate risk of danger from clients doesn't have enough in common with someone who may be arrested for their work and is routinely at risk for violence to lump them together.

So personally, I think of all of us (strippers, camgirls, PSOs, escorts, etc) as wing on the adult industry or in the sex industry, but I don't consider myself a sex worker because of camming.

But that's just my thoughts and I can definitely understand where everyone's coming from. There are certainly a lot of similarities between all the jobs (stigma, safety risks, etc), I just think the differences are lost in an umbrella term and that those differences are really important.

I can certainly see that side of the coin, too.

 

[LaughingLux]

I totally agree that the differences must be recognized. Those in the illegal part of the industry or in a more public eye certainly are at a higher risk and it's important to point that out. We can't say we all have the exact same problems when the level of risk is so different. However I look at 'sex worker' as the start of the description. I do say yes I'm a sex worker, I'm a camgirl like I would say yes I live in this state in this city.

In the public eye I do think most people hear 'sex worker' and think of a full service sex worker. I think it will take some time before people think of sex work and wonder 'what kind?'. I think it's helpful in general because it emphasizes how we in the industry are in fact workers when so many people think we don't have 'real' jobs. I don't think it takes away from the full service sex workers for others in the industry to adapt the name as well but I do think the focus should remain on their work being work the most until hopefully their jobs are made safer and hopefully decriminalized.

I see and agree with chunks of both sides of this discussion for sure. In my head I don't feel there's a right answer for it because it's something we're living right now. I think it will develop further as time goes on and as we keep discussing it. Not to mention the impact the media and society may have on it. I'm interested to see how the whole idea will continue to evolve surrounding our industry and all of the adult industries.

 

[Deleted member 8603]

I think that when it comes to any name you're going to be calling someone, just ask what they prefer and use it around them.

Like, I have no issues with camgirl, sex worker, internet stripper, etc.
But maybe someone else will have had a bad experience that makes one of those not fun for them.

It's just easiest that way and any person worth talking to will tell you what they prefer and it'll never be an issue.

Personally, I both respect the unionizing power of one word for everyone, and I understand that that itself can cause issues.

 

[HiGirlsRHot]

This is probably only semantics without a difference. I think of cam girls as been part of the sex industry/porn biz, but not sex workers, because sex workers is so often used as euphemism, for prostitutes/escorts/call girls. I almost never hear anybody describe a stripper or "dancer" as a sex worker, so I am not sure why you'd want the term to apply to cam girls.

It seems to me cam girls are cam girls. It doesn't help to try and lump them in with prostitutes, strippers, porn stars, playmates, Lingerie models, and Hooter Waitress and say they are all sex workers, even though sexual appeal is an important part of all of their jobs.

 

[JickyJuly]

I actually think accepting that you're a "sex worker" is bigger than solidarity. It's a step toward change. Most of society doesn't want differentiate between different forms of adult work. They want to box us into a stereotype and a stigma. For example, that article about Niki Skyler/Drew Carey. She's a woman who's successful in her field and making 6 figures a year easy. Instead, they made it sound like she was a desperate single mother that got saved by a rich dude. When I hear a camgirl saying they AREN'T a "sex worker" because x,y,z... what I hear is "the ugly stereotype doesn't fit me personally". If, instead, we said "I am a sex worker and this is how I run MY business..." we would show that the stigma and stereotype doesn't fit us as a whole. We all work differently. We don't fit into a box. The girls who can't handle the word sex worker are essentially trying to climb themselves out of the box instead of climbing in with the rest of it and busting it to pieces.

 

[The Insider]

I don't have an issue with being called a sex worker even though I approach it from a different end.
I've always felt that if you feel embarrassed by something you are doing than don't do it.
It doesn't fit me to dance around the topic and try to word it in such a way to make someone else comfortable, this is what i do, i am in the sex biz.

In my opinion trying to apply so many differentiations to everything is counter productive (ie: i'm non-nude/semi nude/nude in pvt/nude all the time/ATM Fiesta!).
If you are trying to give something a name, describe yourself as "adult entertainer" as a standard nude & does stuff on pvts cam model, i feel it means you aren't comfortable doing this work. And there's nothing wrong with that, people are entitled to feel however they want.
For example, yesterday an extremely popular model was on after a while away, she was sullen & had a recent family tragedy. Without being specific someone close who knew what she did said she never seemed happy. And she confessed they were right, she was never at ease with losing her sexual privacy, live on cam. Yes the money was good but she said she always felt she could do better.
This is not an easy biz to make inner peace with.

If you are trying to give is a shiny name to tell to others than I feel that's just to make them feel better. Because people, our friends, families & loved ones might have issues with it. That doesn't make them bad. All that Jezebel crap where anything that's not into what you are is either an ism or they are ists and it's all SOCIETY !!!!!! blah blah blah. It's Ok to make them feel better about it, we don't need to tell the truth 100% of the time. If it makes your mom feel better tell her a little white lie. Don't give her this "if you really loved me you'd accept anything I do" stuff either cause that's not true either.

I had a mother whom I didn't tell and I have a daughter I did. I didn't tell my mom cause I knew she wouldn't get the gist of it. My daughter understood but there was never some deep followup conversation about it and I didn't push for one

 

[LaughingLux]

I'm starting to get interested in why some people deny the term sex worker so vehemently. It's reminded me of the supposed 'whorearchy' that some people use to make themselves feel better then other girls in more hardcore parts of the industry. In the same breath people say they don't think they're better then full service sex workers or strippers while defensively denying the term sex worker to describe their own job. I can understand the fear of being in the same category as women who provide full service or are in more contact with guys because in a way society stigmatizes them a lot more. I am glad that there are people who make inclusiveness and solidarity a priority when it comes to the politics of the industry.

Also everyone is really being literal with the term sex worker. That would suggest a non-nude model is not a sex worker but a girl who has sex with her boyfriend on cam is because of the SEX in sex worker, but really I think it's supposed to describe workers in the ADULT INDUSTRY aka 18+ Adult entertainment and services. Let's stop focusing on the power word SEX and thinking it only means physical intercourse. The sex industry is much more then just foreplay and intercourse acts.

BTW I'm not thinking of anyone specifically on this thread as I type these thoughts. I'm basing it off how I see our culture as a whole discussing this topic like in the media on tumblr and on these forums.

 

[SaraXLive]

I am a non-nude model and I feel like I'm still a sex worker, though I don't have the same exact job description or trials & tribulations as someone who chooses to do something more or different than I do, I do enjoy the solidarity of being considered under the same umbrella.

I have found in my decade as a stripper-turned-camgirl that "society in general"/the vanillas/the people who don't frequent camsites or strip clubs/aren't familiar with the industry still tend to assume that if you are a stripper or a cam girl that you must be not only fucking yourself publicly but also handing out blowjobs & slinging your various orifi around all over the place for cheap or free... Essentially getting the same stigma as a full-service sex worker no matter the extent of involvement in the adult industry.

 

[SaffronBurke]

I'm starting to get interested in why some people deny the term sex worker so vehemently. It's reminded me of the supposed 'whorearchy' that some people use to make themselves feel better then other girls in more hardcore parts of the industry. In the same breath people say they don't think they're better then full service sex workers or strippers while defensively denying the term sex worker to describe their own job. I can understand the fear of being in the same category as women who provide full service or are in more contact with guys because in a way society stigmatizes them a lot more. I am glad that there are people who make inclusiveness and solidarity a priority when it comes to the politics of the industry.

That brings to mind an argument I was present for where Hooter's girls were calling strippers "sell-outs" and vice versa, each thinking her job was "better".

It's a job. It's how you feed/clothe/house yourself. Nobody is "better" than anybody else for their career choice, srsly.

 

[yossarian]

It's really a semantic argument. You can call yourself whatever you want, but society calls you a "sex worker." You can either run from that (the same way some women claim they aren't "feminists" because they don't like the connotations of that word, yet subscribe fully to feminist ideals), or you can embrace it and fight for respect as a sex worker who isn't afraid of the term.

But, ultimately, it's just words. If you don't like the term, you can always make up a clever new one.

 

[The Insider]

It's reminded me of the supposed 'whorearchy' that some people use to make themselves feel better then other girls in more hardcore parts of the industry.

I really think that hits the nail on the head much of the time. There is an undercurrent of one upmanship. Like someone feeling they are above another because they are only nude in free chat while another model (lesser in her eyes) is nude in free and masturbates.

 

[Sevrin]

If the people paying you need to be of legal age, you're a sex worker.

So, there goes thinking my career as a liquor store cashier would make my mama proud.

 

[Ambers Troll]

If someone else is getting off on what you do and you are paid for it, then you are a sex worker. In theory this might exclude a few models.
But there is nothing wrong with being a sex worker, it is much like being a comedian, we all need it sometimes.

 

[JickyJuly]

If someone else is getting off on what you do and you are paid for it, then you are a sex worker. In theory this might exclude a few models.
But there is nothing wrong with being a sex worker, it is much like being a comedian, we all need it sometimes.

This is an asinine idea. If the actions of someone else define your career, what's the point? Tons of people get off on things that aren't actually sexual. Your definition would mean a librarian with a creeper diddling himself quietly in the corner is a sex worker. Someone with a foot fetish could easily get off on watching a shoe salesman or a salon worker who does manicures/pedicures. Just, no.

 

[LadyLuna]

I'm starting to get interested in why some people deny the term sex worker so vehemently.

Why do you say they deny it vehemently?

The arguments that have been brought up are:

-sex worker was originally defined as a prostitute, and not a stripper or porn star, we are not prostitutes, therefore, we're not sex workers.
-people hear the term sex worker, they think "prostitute", not "someone in the adult industry".

This is not vehemence. This is just stating the facts that are there. You want to define yourself as a sex worker. Other people don't. Why do you have a problem with that? Why do you have a problem with people actually giving it a definition, and then identifying that camming is not part of that definition?

 

[LaughingLux]

I'm starting to get interested in why some people deny the term sex worker so vehemently.

Why do you say they deny it vehemently?

The arguments that have been brought up are:

-sex worker was originally defined as a prostitute, and not a stripper or porn star, we are not prostitutes, therefore, we're not sex workers.
-people hear the term sex worker, they think "prostitute", not "someone in the adult industry".

This is not vehemence. This is just stating the facts that are there. You want to define yourself as a sex worker. Other people don't. Why do you have a problem with that? Why do you have a problem with people actually giving it a definition, and then identifying that camming is not part of that definition?

I didn't mean to put anyone on the defensive here and I also said in my post I'm not talking about anyone specifically. I was speaking more in a general sense about this topic. I used the word vehement because this discussion tends to bring up a lot of strong feelings of defensiveness. If someone doesn't consider themselves a sex worker I'm not sure why they're getting offended when someone else says they consider themselves a sex worker when they have the same job. Is it because they don't want to be associated with that term so they don't want anyone but full service sex workers to use the word? I'm not sure. I'm unclear as to where I stated I had a problem with people not wanting to use the word. I was just curious as to why it's such a big deal and wondered if it was because they're such a strong stigma against full service girls and they don't want to be connected to that.

I do wish everyone would accept the word but I don't care if someone doesn't label themselves with it. I just wish they wouldn't act like people who do use the word can't define it for themselves, or discuss a different definition. Why are people so against being in the same category as full service girls. That's my real question.

And yes I have seen girls deny that word passionately as if it's a dirty word and they are far above it. So far as to trash other girls in the industry. NOT on this thread. That's what I was talking about when I said vehemently denying.

 

[Rose]

Meh, I fuck myself for money. I'd consider that doing sex work. I purposefully create masturbation material, even if all of it isn't nude or 'traditional porn', it inspires boners and relieves aching balls. :handgestures-salute:

I guess I'd ultimately say anyone working in the adult industry (in front of the camera, or hands on) would be a sex worker. It's a really broad term though and it feels too umbrella-y, but it does serve its purpose in society.

I'm not sure where I was going with that..... I had a point and then lost it.

 

[The Insider]

i saw that point, agreed with it, and than also was distracted & forgot what I was thinking about

 

[All_Mina]

anyone who's performing sexual acts/arousing people for money would fit the criteria of a sex worker. those who ridiculously argue semantics and feel as if they need to justify what they do are lying to themselves and thus, trying to separate themselves from the rest of the people who are doing pretty much the same thing if you look at the big picture. the only ones who get all pissy about being referred to as a sex worker are those in the SEX INDUSTRY. the 'vanilla world' see us as all the same, 'birds of a feather'.....

 

[Gen]

anyone who's performing sexual acts/arousing people for money would fit the criteria of a sex worker. those who ridiculously argue semantics and feel as if they need to justify what they do are lying to themselves and thus, trying to separate themselves from the rest of the people who are doing pretty much the same thing if you look at the big picture. the only ones who get all pissy about being referred to as a sex worker are those in the SEX INDUSTRY. the 'vanilla world' see us as all the same, 'birds of a feather'.....

:roll: the whole point of this discussion was semantics and I think it's presumptuous to assume anyone's reasoning behind their opinion (as in, not everyone is ~lying to themselves because they don't agree with your definition, which as this thread shows, is quite arbitrary).

I also strongly disagree that everyone in this industry is viewed the same.

 

[All_Mina]

Gen, the overall outlook I gather from the camgirls on this forum is pretty open-minded, progressive and honest in regards to camming and sex work. My initial post wasn't in reference to any response in here (didn't read the entire thread). It was a rant stemming from conversations with other women who were in the sex industry who had obvious hang-ups about their work and tried to make it sound 'less severe' or 'more classy' by avoiding certain labels. I do agree about striving for more solidarity in the adult industry because as with most stigmatized communities, it does no good to be bickering or tearing each other down, which I've witnessed in the past (i.e. "at least I'm a not a _____", "I only do ______!"). If anything, it keeps us stigmatized because at the end of the day, the rest of the world doesn't care who's getting doubly penetrating anally on camera vs. who's a topless dancer. The degree of stigma may vary but there's still an underlying judgment. Lack of unity within a non-dominant group happens too often and serves no purpose long-term. If anything, it helps the dominant group gain remain in power.

 

[Gen]

I am running out for the night & I want to reply properly BUT I wanted to quickly say I appreciate way you're saying & I'm sorry I was snarkier than I meant to be in my reply