Home Interviews A Conversation With My Mom

A Conversation With My Mom

I do these interviews because I want to talk with other sex workers about our work, and because I think we all have interesting stories. But, after interviewing Matthew and his telling me he was coming out, it occurred to me that I didn’t have to worry about that. I acknowledge that I am very privileged to have a mom who isn’t freaked out by my work, but we’d had very few conversations about how she felt about my work. Actually, we hadn’t had any. I tell her about sessions, and I told her when I started working, but beyond a few mentions here and there that was it. I wanted to know what she thought about my work, and since she’s a preacher, if she thought it clashed with our religion at all. I didn’t know what she was going to say, I swear, but I committed myself to reproducing whatever she said no matter what.

(Obviously this isn't my mom and I.)

What was your first reaction to finding out about me doing sex work?
I appreciated your being honest. I have to admit I didn’t understand and I also have to be honest and admit that it was something we knew and were waiting on you to tell us because it was important for us to respect you in your choices. That was very important to me. At the same time I wanted to make room for me to understand and learn ways to support you. Even if it was to support you to have enough power to stop, but I knew that wouldn’t be possible if I didn’t allow you the room to be honest to me. I’m glad now that making you stop isn’t something we had to discuss.

What do you mean by “make you stop”?
I mean literally make you stop.

But why?
Because at the time I thought you were doing something that was against the law, that’s why I was glad you weren’t. Instead it became about understanding what you’re doing and finding a way to support you. I want to find ways to support my daughters no matter where they are; I don’t have to understand. That seems fair to me, and you know I’m all about fair.

Did you have any preconceived notions about what sex work was?
Sure.

Like?
Well I didn’t understand the depth of the occupation; the different things that are classified as sex work. My understanding was really limited, I thought it was only prostitution. From a clinical viewpoint that wasn’t something I wanted you involved in because of risk of disease, you know? It didn’t seem like something that would build ones self-esteem or help one become a better person either. So, I really wasn’t down for that. I also knew that at the end of the day you were going to do what you wanted to do, so my job was to find a way to support you in doing it. With LOTS of praying.

What do you think about sex work now?
Well, I think it’s very interesting. I want to be a sex worker when I grow up! It’s intriguing. I think it’s really good that it’s a way someone can earn a living and take care of them-selves without a degree or training. On the other hand it makes me sad that there are people who don’t have the ability to meet their needs without it.  And that they have to engage in encounters with someone who is initially a stranger…although, that’s how any relationship begins, so I guess it’s all in how you look at it. The main thing for me is that I know you’re ok.

What do you think about my particular kind of sex work?
Well, I love the stories! And I think the clients are particularly interesting. Their lifestyles, the things that they do, and the ways in which they have chosen to engage the world beyond what you guys do are especially interesting. On the other hand I am always baffled by the idea that someone wants people to hit them for fun, it always seems very strange. And then they pay for it!

I do understand that on some levels I am very prudish when it comes to relationships. So, the other sides of my personality get to live vicariously through you! And, I think you are pretty cool and brave, because you took a big risk in telling me. I could have rejected you, and I don’t think that would have been good for our relationship. I’ve always been supportive of the things you girls do, so I would have been acting out of character, but you took a risk.

Do you think sex work is against our religion in any way?
No. At the end of the day it’s important that people have agency in their decision-making. Christ expects us to engage in relationships that are about mutuality and reciprocity, so what you do in that relationship is just what you do. I guess that’s a controversial way to look at things, for a person of faith, but I don’t think Christ would have a problem with us engaging in relationships that are about mutual agreements and understanding and that’s what you do.

What advice would you give to parents who have kids doing sex work?
I would say that before you make a decision as to what is ok or not, you need to get to know your kid. You can’t influence them if you aren’t in relationship with them. As a parent we don’t always understand, but our job is to guide and facilitate you being your best selves. But, we aren’t always there. I can’t be around if I’ve alienated you. I lose my opportunity to help you if I do that. We have to always respect the choices our kids make too, even if we don’t like them. In my case, pray, so that if it’s not what you’re supposed to be doing, you’ll make the change, and if it is you’ll be protected. Even though you aren’t engaging in behaviors where you’re sharing your body with someone else you still deal with people who may unwell. And if you decide to find another job, I have to help you transition, but if I’ve kicked you out of my life I can’t be there when you need me. As a parent, we have to know that our place in our children’s lives is important, to the end.

Has how you looked at me as a person changed because of sex work?
No, girl! Well, yes. You seem freer because you’re being honest and you can talk to me about stuff. We’ve gotten closer, if anything. I think there’s something to being able to truly talk to your parent about what’s going on with you. I think it liberates the relationship. You’ll always be my honey-bunny-firefly.

What would your sex worker name be?
Hmmm, I guess I’d be “Red Domina.” My tagline would be “I don’t talk a lot, I get down to business!”

You’re so weird. Thanks, Mom!

SHARE
Hello there, I'm Bettie. So nice to meet you, and in such welcoming surroundings! This is a bio, so let me tell you some things about me: *I like old things. Old films, old clothes, old men, almost anything really. *I am a philosophy student. *I like to travel. Like. A lot. And by bus! *I am a sex worker. Specifically, I give spankings. I'm a Pro-Domme. *I am also a feminist. The mouthy kind. The one who ruins tv and movies for you. *And a woman of color. As evinced by my snazzy portrait displaying my brownfulness for all the world to see. There are things about me that are incredibly old world and Southern, like my intense love of barbecue and mint juleps, but I swear I'm a modern lady. Lady here is defined by me, not any dictionary. I like to think of myself as a gypsy, my Mom just thinks I'm unstable, both are applicable. Hey MOM! I have a sincere disdain for class privilege, conspicuous consumption, blatant and covert racism, and people being nasty to each other for no damn reason. I insist on being ladylike at all times; it's my fetish and I won't change it for you, you're not my real dad! Also, I believe very much in side hustles and am an avid shoe wearer. It's so nice to meet you, darlin'. With love, B. My Twitter My Tumblr

8 COMMENTS

  1. This is amazing. Every time there’s a “parents + sex!” tidbit featured in the world it’s inevitably “OMG they’re so clueless and isn’t this hilarious?!” I love how this IS humorous but also doesn’t present her as bumbling or non-inquisitive, but instead as loving and intelligent and curious.

  2. I love love love all the interviews y’all have been doing here at T&S, and this one made me cry! Your mom sounds completely awesome, and like many wonderful preachers I have met over the years, seems thoughtful, considerate, and open-minded… I wish a bigger majority of Christians in America would take a cue from her interpretation of Jesus and his explicit wishes for human understanding and compassion.

  3. I’m really quite jealous of you right now. I would love to be able to have that kind of discussion with my mum.

    By the way…. how would I go about approaching you to see if you want to link blogs? I love what you do here 🙂

    Lani xx

  4. Wow, that was refreshing and you are a lucky girl. I so wish that I could be honest with my mom about what I do. Never thought I’d hear about a preacher being cool with her daughter being in sex work either and saying Jesus is cool with it (though he totally is).

  5. I think most people in the sex industry would love to be able to speak so freely with their parents. I also think your mom is very unique in her view, and the point she made about it being important for parents to actually get to know their kids is spot on. Most parent-child relationships could probably be hugely improved if there was more understanding without judgment.

    • For sure! I love my old lady for that, because I’ve yet to freak her out. I feel free to be as honest as possible. I do wish all my sex worker comrades had that too, it would change lives.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.