Comments on: Conversation about sex work, college, money, and more

By: Amber

Amber — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:42:24 +0000

One thing I was frustrated about, though, is the fact that the discussion never ventured into the 100% legal forms of sex work out there. Without that crutch, it doesn’t seem like there is any reason to think of phone sex or stripping or nude modeling etc etc etc as any different than a job that you either love or hate or feel sort of apathetic about.

I know. I tried to steer it in that direction when I mentioned that the term “sex work” referred to a wide array of jobs, not just prostitution, but it seemed like that’s what he was focused on, so that’s where the conversation stuck.

By: Ellie

Ellie — Mon, 12 May 2008 00:45:41 +0000

This is a really amazing post. I agree that the analogy really fit there. One thing I was frustrated about, though, is the fact that the discussion never ventured into the 100% legal forms of sex work out there. Without that crutch, it doesn’t seem like there is any reason to think of phone sex or stripping or nude modeling etc etc etc as any different than a job that you either love or hate or feel sort of apathetic about. I know I had *much* crappier jobs to pay for school that made me feel more degraded than any client of mine has ever had.

Ultimately, his thesis of bad financial aid -> sex work (gasp!) is definitely full of problems. I’m glad you were able to have a productive conversation about it.

By: Being Amber Rhea » Blog Archive » Important announcement indeed

Being Amber Rhea » Blog Archive » Important announcement indeed — Sun, 11 May 2008 15:13:46 +0000

[...] not have the patience to be some kind of Bringer of the Progressive Message, unless it’s on a one-on-one or very small group [...]

By: Lia

Lia — Sat, 10 May 2008 16:37:40 +0000

Great post! You really do come up with some of the major issues facing sex workers… Some days I wish this were easier!

And thanks for the link to my blog.

By: Amber

Amber — Sat, 10 May 2008 14:48:18 +0000

Wow, thanks Melissa!

By: Melissa Gira

Melissa Gira — Sat, 10 May 2008 04:30:20 +0000

Just reading this exchange was exhausting — Amber, you hit so many good points, and with subtlety and insight. As much as people like Chris (and others) may want a one-size-fits-all resource to answer their questions on sex work, who does it, and why, seeing how this exchange of ideas and resources played out reinforced to me that there’s so many ways people learn, so many different approaches we can take to education. We’re getting to a point at BNG and related communities (Desiree, for one example) where we’re questioning internally how we should frame the public education work we do. This post captures a brilliant model of how to be responsive and compassionate and meet someone where they are at. God, I wish any of us were funded so we could hire you! (I’m actually serious, not that it’s in my power to make such decisions. But damn!)