We all want to protect and support sex workers, especially those who are in danger, addicted or have no other options. We don’t want any pimps or traffickers. But there are many unclear things about this industry, like how to talk about it and how to keep people safe who sell sex. This is more important now that more people do it because they are desperate. Writing this was hard for me. It made me think about when I was a hostess in a strip club.
I liked it most of the time and I earned good money, but I also saw (some, not all) dancers with drug problems. I had to deal with creepy men, bad managers and people who judged me for how I paid my bills that year. It was funny that some of them were my dates and some were customers who insulted the strippers… and then asked for a dance. I don’t get why people look down on those who provide sex services, but not on those who use them. Why don’t people shame those who go to places like Holbeck and try to pay less to broken women? It’s not fair to lose opportunities or be looked down on because of your job or past.