What Sex Workers Need You To Know About Their Careers
Jessa Jordan
Pronouns:
She/Her
Occupation(s):
"I've dabbled in various types of sex work including work as a camgirl, an escort/sugar baby, a dominatrix, a burlesque performer, and a peepshow girl. Currently, I'm a stripper and nude model—which means I'm paid to pose nude, sometimes explicitly but usually for fine art, boudoir, fetish or even alternative fashion themes. I also shoot for, curate, and operate my own subscription-based app for uncensored adult entertainment content."
What has your time in the industry been like? How has FOSTA impacted you?
"My overall experience has been varied; as with any other occupation, it's been fulfilling in some ways and draining in others—I'm a womanist and I have had to really learn ways to mitigate the harmful psychological effects of the cis-heterosexual male gaze. Sex work has been my most steady stream of income for the past 7 years. The worst part has been the entitlement others have felt to persecute or fetishize me and since I'm Black, you can only imagine the misogynoir. The current socio-political climate has ensured that rampant whorephobia has increased, including trolling, harassment, and physical harm in real time.
"But even in that vein, I've met some of my best friends, seen and experienced more of this world than I ever would've thought possible due to my work. Unfortunately, FOSTA has ensured I have fewer resources to draw references for new clients or even platforms to meet new clients without going through tertiary means—which are often more dangerous, complicated, and unnecessary. FOSTA means I can have my social media, financial, email, or other accounts utilized for my businesses shut down randomly, which would destroy my ability to generate or continue receiving income I've already labored for."
"Being a sex worker is direct opposition to traditional norms and values surrounding what make a person respectable and yet it is also one of the most powerful and empowering occupations despite the incredible oppositions."
What should the world know about sex work?
"There have been a litany of posts regarding what sex work is and it's overdue that our society really discusses, unpacks, and educates people about what sex work is not. Sex work is the title bestowed to providers of services in the sex industry by a fellow sex worker and activist, Carol Leigh; it's an umbrella term and houses everyone from sex therapists to escorts. Sex work is not human trafficking. Sex work is not what people fall into just in order to pursue their drug habits, and it's not what people who make bad decisions do for work or just for dumb girls who are pretty and can't or won't do anything else. Sex work isn't often thrust upon someone; in fact, most of the time sex work is a choice—and even more often than not, it's an informed choice, given how accessible the industry has become because of social media and the elevation of the profession within pop culture. The sex industry is just that—an industry—and as such, its workers should be entitled to the same standards of dignity, empathy, and unionization as workers in every other field of work.
"Sex workers have graduate degrees (and loans to pay back), personalities, relationships, pets, families and friends just like other people because that's what we are—people. We are not asking for permission to exist and we are no longer entertaining the established, bizarre idea of morality that treats SWs as second-class citizens while abandoning scrutiny and justice for actual abusers, corrupt figureheads, and those who would rather keep marginalized citizens from true equity. We are demanding not to be murdered because 'no one will miss a whore.' We are demanding not to be raped, or to be believed when we do come forward because yes, you can be sexually assaulted even as a sex worker and no, that does not mean you are any less entitled to or deserving seeing your attacker be penalized to the fullest extent of the law... Being a sex worker is direct opposition to traditional norms and values surrounding what make a person respectable and yet it is also one of the most powerful and empowering occupations despite the incredible oppositions."
To read more, click "Next Page."
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Motor City native, Atlanta living. Sagittarius. Writer. Sexpert. Into all things magical, mystical, and unknown. I'll try anything at least once but you knew that the moment I revealed that I was a Sag.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Chizi Duru Takes Us On Her Journey To Hair Repair With SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection
This article is in partnership with Shea Moisture
Black women and their natural hair is often a shared experience with one another, and SheaMoisture knows all about it. That’s why they have launched the SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection. You have your days when your hair is flourishing, and you have your days when the elements in the air are causing an annoying amount of frizz. You have your days when you want to wear a protective style, and you have your days when you want to press your hair. And while there’s nothing wrong with switching things up, all the hair manipulation can cause damage to your luscious locks. This is something that beauty and wellness influencer Chizi Duru can relate to.
“The journey with our natural hair isn’t linear. Sometimes you fall in love, you fall out of love with your hair and I'm in a space where I want to love my hair in all stages. In an effort to revitalize these hair bonds, I'm trying out the new SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection,” she says in the video. SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is a 4-step system powered by HydroPlex Technology and is scientifically proven to make hair 6x stronger with 84% less breakage by repairing and rebuilding broken hair bonds (compared to non-conditioning shampoo).
The collection’s formula is infused with Amla oil and AminoBlend, which are fortifying amino acids that strengthen the hair from root to tip and give you visibly healthy hair after just one use. Chizi shares her step-by-step process of using the collection and getting her hair health back on track. “Of course, we've got to remove any buildup, so I'm using the Bond Repair Shampoo, which smells incredible. I've had a sew-in for over two months. So yeah, we've got to get this scalp clean,” she says.
As a beauty content creator, Chizi is no stranger to giving the girls a lewk. From knotless braids to, more recently, a bouncy bob, she continues to showcase a variety of styles. Chizi highlights the ingredients used in the collection that were made to transform dry hair from heat damage, color in type 3 and 4 hair, and protective styles to soft, shiny hair. “So I've been playing around with heat, which, as you guys know, can damage the bonds in your hair,” she admits. “So I love that this line has natural and strengthening ingredients like amla oil and shea butter to help strengthen my hair. Then I'm gonna go in with the Bond Repair Conditioner, which helps strengthen and repair signs of damage in curly and coily hair.”
Last but not least is the SheaMoisture Bond Repair Masque. Using the hair masque will give hair the nourishment it needs as the last step to achieving ultimate healthy hair. “And for ultra moisture, I'm gonna use the Bond Repair Mask. One thing I forgot is the power of a good hair mask is gon’ revive what it needs to revive,” she says. “So join me on the journey of revitalizing my hair and enjoying every stage of it thanks to SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection.”
Step One: Bond Repair Shampoo
Rejuvenate your hair with SheaMoisture Bond Repair Shampoo, your go-to solution for luscious locks. Packed with hella hydration power, this shampoo adds moisture by 60% while removing buildup without stripping your strands. This shampoo gently cleanses impurities while significantly enhancing shine, smoothness, and softness.
The Bond Repair Shampoo is the first step in the 4-step Bond Repair system, all of which are infused with the uniquely formulated AminoBlend, and HydroPlex technologies that rebuild hair bonds.
Step Two: Bond Repair Conditioner
Tailored to repair styling damage, this creamy conditioner locks in 12x more moisture than standard non-conditioning shampoos, boosting damaged hair strength by 1.5x with significantly less breakage. The creamy SheaMoisture Bond Repair Conditioner deeply hydrates, enhances manageability, and leaves your hair looking healthier and shinier.
Step Three: Bond Repair Masque
This UltraMoisturizing reparative masque is a moisture-rich game-changer for those dealing with the aftermath of hair damage caused by styling. The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Masque delivers 13 times more moisture compared to non-conditioning shampoos, ensuring your hair feels nourished and soft. Designed to repair and rejuvenate, this masque significantly strengthens damaged hair — making it twice as strong while reducing breakage.
Step Four: Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner
Elevate your curl game with SheaMoisture’s Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner. Lightweight and hydrating, the Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner provides 12x more moisture than non-conditioning shampoos and tames frizz with 24-hour humidity control. Designed to define curls and coils, the leave-in conditioner enhances softness and shine, allowing you to detangle effortlessly.
Bonding Oil
The SheaMoisture Bonding Oil is a multitasking all-in-one formula that acts as a heat protectant and provides the hair with moisture, strength, shine, damage protection, and intense nourishment. This lightweight oil not only offers 24-hour frizz and humidity control but also fortifies your tresses, making them up to 5 times stronger with significantly less breakage.
Feature image @chiziduru/ Instagram