What Sex Workers Need You To Know About Their Careers

Blaksyn

Pronouns:

They/Them/Theirs or He/Him/His

Occupation(s):

"As a sex worker, my focus lies in a few areas. Firstly, the type of sex work I mainly engage in is Professional Domination. This is a type of sex work that utilizes some or all aspects of BDSM in order to provide an experience that falls into the category of alternative sex practices. Through the use of BDSM, while being mindful of consent and safety, I am able to enjoy deeper understandings of the wants and needs of my clients through concise communication followed by physical and verbal acts meant to manipulate the body, mind, and/or spirit. Secondly, as a sex worker, I am also an educator concerning BDSM and advocate of and for the better treatment of sex workers."

What has your time in the industry been like? How has FOSTA impacted you?

"My experience as a sex worker has been that of a lot of highs and lows with more highs. Before I continue, it is important that I convey the amount of privilege I experience concerning my body composition, assumed gender, and type of sex work I mainly engage in as I consider these experiences. Sex workers endure a litany of negativity and hazards including but not limited to assault, stalking, cishet men, law enforcement, and death. From the perspective of a professional dominant, I command clients to act while exerting control as an authority figure. Factor in the presentation of a man, a baritone voice, and a 6'1, 240-pound stature and it is easy to see why I have had more highs. That privilege allows for less assault.

"I have been stalked or threatened, but never harmed. This is unique for sex workers, as many are assaulted and murdered every single year. On the other hand, this work has introduced me to amazing, interesting, and talented individuals in my travels for work. SESTA and FOSTA greatly impacted my sex work in numerous ways. One of the biggest is that it pushed me from a more safe environment like the internet and into the world at large. On the internet, I can cross reference a 'John' for safety with other sex workers while also ensuring I get pictures of identifying documents like a driver's license, which creates a paper trail in case any harm come to me. In the streets, I can't do that as spontaneity occurs more often and I rely on word of mouth and more visibility, which puts me at risk for run-ins with law enforcement."

"Sex work is work. Sex work is liberation."

What should the world know about sex work?

"Many sex workers are often part of several marginalized communities including that of sex workers. White supremacy, patriarchal control, disenfranchisement, socioeconomic disparities, and numerous other contributing factors have created a climate in which sex work is becoming more commonplace. However, one of the biggest reasons why we engage in sex work is because we fucking want to do so and have the ability. Over the years, there has been the all too common narratives that try to explain why we would do something that causes society to treat us less than human. This is an excuse to think of us as less than human at every level.

"Sexuality is a way for the marginalized to exercise autonomy and control in a world not built with them in mind. I love the control I have over my body and choices as someone who is not only self-employed running a business where I am CEO, but also because of the sense of freedom that inhabits my heart. Sex work is work. Sex work is liberation."

To read more, click "Next Page."