Unfortunately, being or seeing a prostitute can have immense social and familial repercussions. Sex workers themselves have the impetus to stand up and say something because it is their rights and their safety that is at stake, but clients don’t have that same motivation and are probably repelled at the idea of doing anything to out themselves.

Not all clients. But the vast majority.

I followed the case in Ontario (I’m from Canada) when the superior court of justice struck down prostitution laws. I sent people articles, and at first people were kind of confused/offended/disinterested but I feel over time I created enough intellectual dialog to “sway public opinion” in my small reaching circle of acquaintances, and reading you blog definitely helped me facilitate more meaningful discussion.

So thank you 🙂

And it is really great to have this space, and others created and controlled by sex workers. I think that our safety and wellness – in a world that wants to fuck us while also wanted us dead and/or arrested – is paramount.

But I also think we need to keep pushing and going outside of our comfort zones when we are able to do so. Part of me wants to retreat to my community, commiserate and get support there, and stay in that bubble… but I know that nothing will change unless we can speak out to people who don’t support us, but would if they thought about it some more, if they saw a fellow human being with this experience in front of them. There are people who hate us – but there are also people who will listen. We need their solidarity if we are going to change things.