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Chloe Bloom's avatar

As a former sex worker (online), I had to really fight myself to take the time to read and engage with this, because I tend to be of the belief that this is a nuanced issue that is best left spoken about by women who’ve actually been in it. I have my own complicated feelings and opinions about sex work and the ways it affects people negatively, though I may not fully agree with you (and that’s fine). I think that the desire to glamorize or romanticize sex-work comes from those within the industry constantly having to defend it. I think a lot of the valid criticisms can be said of modeling or physical labor. The way it affects our obsession with appearance or the way we must exploit our bodies under capitalism. I’m not of the belief that men who pay for sex or consume pornography are any more immoral than the women creating it. And I don’t find sex-workers immoral. It’s also easy to forget how many sex-workers identify as trans, disabled, or otherwise unhireable, and therefore sex-work is a lifeline for them. It’s the oldest profession because it’s the one thing that certain oppressed groups (typically women and femme individuals) have been able to monetize when we have no other options. Sex-work isn’t meant to be feminist. It’s meant to exchange money (which we all need) for a good or service which a customer base wants (in whatever way the service provider is able or willing to). When woman wear makeup to their corporate job because they don’t want to be seen as unprofessional or tired looking, that is not feminist, but it is a means of survival.

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stella tate's avatar

this is so well written and you’re right!!

on the other hand, i think it’s a pity you have to include 1000 disclaimers about how your opinion on patriarchy and sex work doesn’t imply you’re calling for modesty culture or othering prostitutes or calling them immoral… it’s the i love pancakes so you hate waffles rhetoric. pro sex work feminists more often than not try to bring down our arguments projecting women hating. it’s exhausting. you did a good job <3

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