Though most don’t consider the word “prostitute” pejorative, it’s more damaging to sex workers than any other slur. There’s no true neutrality to be found in a word whose verb form Merriam-Webster defines as “to devote to corrupt or unworthy purposes.” But precisely because it is used in polite language, because of its patina of… Continue reading The P Word: A 101
Tag: Prostitute
Activist Spotlight: Audacia Ray, on Telling Stories and the Tricky Politics of Inclusion
Audacia Ray is perhaps most renowned in the sex workers’ rights movement for her longtime editing of the now sadly defunct $pread magazine. But as a sex workers’ rights movement activist, Audacia has really been everywhere and done everything: blogging for years about her sex working experience as Waking Vixen; publishing her book, Naked on… Continue reading Activist Spotlight: Audacia Ray, on Telling Stories and the Tricky Politics of Inclusion
The Week In Links: September 14
We are sad to say goodbye to dedicated sex worker rights activist Robyn Few, who passed away yesterday morning. Few was a co-founder of the Sex Workers Outreach Project-USA and one of the original organizers of the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. The Atlantic ran a brilliant review of After Porn Ends,… Continue reading The Week In Links: September 14
Quote of the Week
Four years ago, I quit my full-time teaching job to be a whore—to travel the world and to make art. […] These days I continue to work as an escort in LA, but I am at the tail-end of my sex work career. Burnt out and jaded, I have seen and done it all. In the… Continue reading Quote of the Week
The Week In Links: September 23
Days after her naked photo scandal erupted, Scarlett Johannson was spotted partying with Kieran Culin at famed Parisian strip club Crazy Horse. NYC cabbies who object to strip club ads on moral grounds can now refuse them Porn performers Andy San Dimas and Bobbi Starr appear in Drive, which stars Ryan Gosling (who sadly is not… Continue reading The Week In Links: September 23