Today as part of our labor day programming frequency feminisms is honoring a job that is close to our proverbial hearts as women. We are spotlighting the contribution of the “oldest profession” in keeping our communities functioning, healthy and economically productive. That's right, we are talking about sex workers and sexual labor.
Why? Because sexual labor is a primary source of national and transnational wealth and profit. Even though sex workers are marginalized in mainstream culture it's our work that keeps the wheels of our economy turning. Even more importantly, we are talking about the value of sex work to combat the violence and abuse meted out against us by promoting a view of sex workers as essential workers instead of objects, victims and criminals.
Here are 10 reasons why our work, the labor of sex workers, is vitally important to our communities.
1.Sex workers promote relaxation, release and productivity: My client list includes people that work in every stressful profession in the book including doctors, lawyers, firemen and plenty of police officers. Sexually satisfied people can work harder, longer and more efficiently. Do you really want the brain surgeon who is removing your granny's tumor to be preoccupied with pent up sexual frustration? You can thank a sex worker for making sure that he can get off so you don't have to worry.
2.Sex workers promote family values: We save marriages by making sure that partners have an avenue to pursue their sexual desires as an alternative to having an affair. We also act as relationship counselors. I can't tell you how many times I've helped troubled husbands and boyfriends talk through their issues so that they can return to their wives and girlfriends refreshed and ready to love them the way that they deserve.
3.Sex workers can do AND we can teach: We teach our clients how to have hotter sex with their current and future partners. We give hands-on instruction in practicing skill and technique. As a result, our clients often make for better lovers.
4.Sex workers promote better hygiene and safer sex: We often do the hard job of telling that guy in your office that smells like ass to clean up his act and that dude you slept with that one night to wrap it up. As part of our work we learn to do this with compassion and tact. More often than not our clients our fresher and safe sex savvy by virtue of seeing us.
5.Sex workers help prevent sex related crimes: By destigmatizing fetish sex workers provide a space for people to fulfill their sexual desires rather than repressing them and eventually acting out in violence. We also assert the importance of consent in any sex act by promoting the primacy of the “no means no” rule. Furthermore, we allow for open, frank discussion of the terms of each sexual encounter so that clients can learn to engage in similar talks with their other partners.
6.Sex workers promote sex positivity and healthy sexuality: The World Health Organization defines sexual health as the integration of physical, emotional, intellectual and social aspects of sexual being in ways that are positive, enriching and enhancing of personality, communication and love. For many people achieving this definition of sexual health is only possible through the involvement of sex workers. We normalize kink and create a space where sex is healthy, positive and fun.
7.Sex workers provide sexual services to people with special needs: Disabled people deserve sexual satisfaction just as much as anybody else. However, for many people with physical, emotional and intellectual disabilities, meeting and maintaining sexual partners can prove difficult. Some disabled people have specific needs that require accommodation by a skilled professional. Sex workers play an important role in ensuring that these people have access to a happy and fulfilling sex life. Also, sex work provides a career path for people like myself who have disabilities that make it difficult to obtain or maintain a job in another field so that we can be economically productive members of society despite our limitations.
8.Sex workers put money back into the economy: We make money and we spend money. A lot of the money that keeps the tourism industry thriving is either from us or our clients. We spend money on hotel rooms, airline tickets and meals amongst other products and services that are closely related to our work.
9.Sex worker promotes the financial independence of women: Sex work is a viable income stream for women facing tough times and there is no glass ceiling for women in sex work. We rule the industry. This means that in the sex industry, the woman's place is on top, even when we are playing power-bottom.
10.Sex workers are rad: By virtue of engaging in work that is often stigmatized and illegal, we challenge societal norms every day that we work, identify as a sex worker or fight for the rights of sex workers.
This labor day lets extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to our local sex workers who keep our communities healthy, sexy and fun. And please remember, tipping is not required but it is very, very much appreciated.
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