In order to be against something, one has to know what he/she is
against, correct? So, to be against porn would mean that one has either consumed
it, been a part of it, or somewhere in the middle, right? Well, I guess anyone
can say that they are “against” something, but if they have no knowledge of the
subject, then they probably aren’t a credible source.
There’s a group called “Girls Against Pornography,” and I’ve been
noticing their idiotic tweets more and more. Then, it struck me. GIRLS against
porn? Um…why do girls (minors) even have that strong of an opinion on
pornography? Who is letting these minors watch pornography, and who the hell
let that one slip under the radar? I began to feel very alarmed, and wondered
if I should call in a report of child abuse and possible involvement with child
pornography.
Then, it occurred to me that perhaps this group is actually
comprised of adult women, but prefer to refer to them as “girls.” Strange,
right? Are they menopausal women in denial of their declining beauty and rising
ages? Is it comforting to refer to themselves as girls? OR (the most plausible
explanation) does this group prefer to use the term “girls” because they view
all women (regardless of age) as young and defenseless? Ok, now we’re getting
somewhere! Perhaps that is the root of the problem. How else can one explain a
group of women that doesn’t believe in a woman’s right to her own body?
But wait…then something even crazier happened. GAP (lol great
acronym for an anti-porn group- thank you Chris Evans for pointing that out)
sent out one of the most naïve tweets that I have seen in a LONG while. For
their sake, I hope that they actually girls because I can’t accept the fact
that grown women would say something so stupid and inaccurate. GAP (hahaha
never gets old!) was tweeting some bullshit about protesting Backpage. I
tweeted them and asked what their solution would be if Backpage disappears, and
sex workers continue to be forced further underground, resulting in even more
harm and violence. Their response- “Its called getting a 9-5 job…Like the rest
of the world has to; plenty of groups who would help them.”
WOW. There are so many problems with that one tweet- where to
begin?!
Perhaps these “girls” should start approaching homeless people and
saying “Hey, why don’t you just go get a job!? There are PLENTY of resources
for someone such as yourself.” Fucking idiots- that’s the only way to describe
this group.
Maybe these “girls” need to take a moment to remove their heads
out of their asses and take a look around. There are people who have doctorate
degrees who cannot find work. Our economy is shit. Yet, they think it is so
easy to go out and find a 9-5 job! Oh, and expect that the job will pay just as
much as sex work. Sure, get real “girls.” Someone needs to knock the silver
spoons out of your mouths and bring you into the real world.
Also, where are these groups that are willing to help?? I tweeted
them asking for the name of even ONE, and got no response. Perhaps I am wrong-
do these groups exist? Is there an organization that takes ex-sex workers and
gives them the resources possible to land a 9 to 5 job? Resources including
money while searching for a job, money for higher education, someone to babysit
the children while they’re at work for 8 hours a day, I could go on. Or- how
about this- SEX WORK IS REAL WORK AND MANY WOMEN AND MEN ACTUALLY CHOOSE TO DO
IT! Some women would rather have sex making $400 an hour, rather than scrubbing
toilets for 40 hours to make the same amount (and it wouldn’t even be the same
amount. It’d likely be less).
So “girls,” where are these groups? These resources? Perhaps the
broke and desperate Pink Cross Foundation? Shelley Lubben is so broke that she’s
on Facebook begging for donations. Yeah, good luck with that “help.” Perhaps
Shelley should stop stealing and begging and get a 9-5 job as well.
Brilliant work, “girls.” Thank you for proving that white privilege
is alive and well, and that some people in this country really don’t understand
the economic, political, and social climate that exists. Sex work IS work, and
for some, it’s the best option. For some, it may be the only option. For
others, it’s an occupation that they truly love and wouldn’t give up for
anything. Stop stigmatizing sex workers, and get out on the streets and
actually fucking help someone.
Here is the tweet-
Thank you!
ReplyDeleteNo problem :)
DeleteI'm reading your blog right now, it's great!
DeleteI bet dollar to donuts that these are the same young girl that were protesting outside of backpage on Wed.
ReplyDeleteI know that you are in favor of defending people who choose and enjoy sex work, but what about those who choose it because they feel it is their only option but would prefer to do something else? I think that's an entirely different population that those who are contented, and it seems like you lump them into the same category. As you say, it is an economic reality for some men and women, but I think that's sad. What are your thoughts there? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI think it's the same as 99 percent of our country- people who work because they need to, and don't love their job but don't hate it. Think about it...how is it any different from anyone else who works? We all work to pay the bills, but most of us would probably quit (or at least reduce our hours) if we won the lotto. I remember working as a waitress, and fucking HATING it. I did it because I needed the money, even though I felt degraded many nights. Perhaps it's all pretty sad, but it's reality, and thank god that sex work exists for men and women who need it to survive. I am pro-sex worker, anyone who is of legal age and consenting to be a sex worker.
DeleteSex workers should be given respect, rights, and resources just like any other worker in this country. If they want to change careers, they should be given resources to do so. Sadly, many do not have the opportunity due to the shame, stigma, and criminal record that are a part of the job for many. It's almost impossible to get hired with a record. The current state of criminalization harms every type of sex worker, whether they are content with their job or dissatisfied with it.
DeleteI guess my one concern with that is that, as you said, sex work can bring shame, but working in a restaurant (as I also have done) is pretty forgettable for most who eventually move on from it. I definitely think there should be opportunity for anyone who wants to make a change from any career, but I don't see very many people advocating for how to help or what resources there are. Any chance you would write an article about what women should do (or actually do, for any you know) who want to leave the industry?
DeleteThe most problematic shame is that which society places on sex workers. I have heard it time and time again from current and former sex workers- that the worst part about the job was people's perceptions of them. So, the solution? For society to stop being so fucking dense and judgmental.
DeleteOr perhaps you are talking about internalized shame? That can come from PLENTY of careers- waitressing being one of them.
The problem is that there aren't any resources for women who want to leave the industry. Good luck getting a "real" job (and I resent that term) if all you've ever done is porn/sex work. Once again, the root of the problem is our society and it's moralistic crap. And with the economy the way it is...oh geez. Let's not even go there.
I suppose it would be the same advice that I'd give to anyone who doesn't like their job. Market your skills, network, see what else you're qualified to do, and start applying. Unfortunately, it's not that simple for those that have worked in stigmatized careers (once again, the stigma that society places on them). Sex work should not be a shameful career. The whole problem is very cyclical, isn't it?
Perhaps there are former sex workers who can answer this question better than I can. I will post this query in my private facebook group.
BTW, I think your concerns are valid. I also want to point out that groups such as Girls Against Pornography only INCREASE the stigma against sex workers. Groups such as these tell the media that porn is dirty, that it is wrong, that it is not a valid career choice. They say "just get a 9-5 job." Think about the stigma that GAP places on women who choose to do pornography or other forms of sex work. They claim to provide resources, but they don't, and they're only making the problem worse.
DeleteReally? Face the facts, you couldn't even get a real job even if you have "adult entertainer" on your resume. Yeah, "it's your body" with all the deseases you'll be carrying. Try telling that to a person whom you want a relationship with.
DeleteOh, is this the same Dale that admits to being an anti-semite racist piece of shit? Yes, yes it is. How lovely of you to give traffic to my blog- thank you.
Delete1. Being an entertainer/sex worker/porn performer IS a real job.
2. "Deseases?" Learn to spell. Educate yourself before you post on my blog, thanks.
3. Performers have lower rates of STDs than the general population. I would rather have sex with a performer than a new boyfriend. Performers get tested every 28 days- do you get tested that often? Doubtful. Maybe you need to read some of the facts before you make false and idiotic assumptions.
4. Who said anything about relationships? Many performers are married with families. Not everyone is as close minded and you and your anti-semite friends.
Yeah, being in porn is definitely a real job. If they think all you have to do is show up, spread your legs and let some guy have sex with you, well they are technically right but that kind of attitude and work ethic is only going to keep employed for a couple months at the most.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to answer the person above me who asked about people who get into sex work because they see it as their only option. All I know is, if that is the case, then that is a sad situation because I really believe that the only people that should do porn or become prostitutes should be people that actually love to have sex. The ones that don't are the ones that end up strung out on drugs or flaming out in some other manner. Obviously it doesn't happen to everyone and some people that get into it because they love sex end up in the same place but I think my point still stands.
What percentage of people do you think go into it for the love of sex as opposed to feeling it is their only option to make money?
DeleteOften, it's not one's "ONLY" option, but perhaps the best and highest paying. Or, it's supplemental income, like in the case of a student who's stripping on the side.
DeleteWell, considering how young most people are when they get into the industry I would say it's pretty high on the side of people doing it because they love sex.
DeleteThere are probably plenty of people in the middle though. People that love sex and figure out "hey, I like sex, why don't I have it on camera and make some money while I'm at it."
There are other people that enter the industry as a way to pay for school. I know a lot of girls in the industry that did just that. They would fly out to LA for 2 or 3 weeks and line up a ton of work and then fly back home and go to school for a semester and then do the same thing on the next break. I myself went into stripping to pay for school and now I have two degrees, a great house, a wonderful partner, twin girls and most importantly I definitely could have done something else but I loved showing off my body and using my sexuality as part of my job.
Interesting thoughts. Thanks for sharing. I know that Christina Page (there's two Christina's, so I am trying to clarify) and many of those who enter the sex industry believe that making more money than other work is as good a reason as any to take the job. At the same time, I am willing to bet that many of us with more liberal-leaning beliefs would criticize someone who chooses to work, say, on Wall Street, when their stated reason is that they can make $300K there as opposed to $60K at what many would consider a more "honest" job. Does making a decision for financial reasons inherently give a person a pass for that choice? I know you do not fully believe there is "no such thing as morality" (because you believe it is morally wrong to condemn a sex worker), so how do we handle this question of making choices based on money? How do we draw the "moral" line between greed and earning a decent living? It seems like an incongruity in the way we tend to address the issue when it comes to other careers that we don't respect (like working on Wall Street or running a Super PAC), at least at face value.
DeletePersonally I have no problem with someone taking any job for the money as long as they enjoy their work at the same time. People that decide to go and work on Wall Street probably had that plan when they entered college and on some level, they enjoy doing it. I can't imagine that the level of stress involved in working on Wall Street could be cancelled out by the amount of money being made. Eventually your unhappiness will catch up with you and you will spiral out of control.
DeleteIt seems that you're saying that perhaps there's something inherently immoral about sex work?
DeleteWhat differentiates an "honest" job from another job? Hell, I think sex work is pretty damn honest. I also don't see a problem working on Wall Street though. At the end of the day, we all need to eat, and if you can look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day, then power to ya.
Deleteas a sex worker, i can definitely say i hate the GAP girls, and everyone like them. first, what i do IS work. it takes time, effort, and a solid ethic like any other job. of course i could only do the "9-5" but why? i make more escorting than i do at my real job (which is teaching at a trade school). the sex work pays more bills, is less hours, and generally less stress than my "real" job. my biggest problem, however, is that the GAP girls make it sound like anyone will hire a sex worker. untrue. i would bet my annual salary 99% of employers would never hire me if i admitted to prostituting. and i do sex work for the money, so why would i take a massive pay cut to work longer hours with more stress and not even make enough to cover rent? that would create stress and a situation i cant escape. at least if i choose to leave sex work, i can save up to make a jump. i can't do that with other jobs.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you consider stripping as sex work. Personally I don't but I know some people do. Anyway, as I said above, I did that through college to pay the bills and to pay for college and I made enough to do all that and buy a nice size condo when I was 20. That's a pretty good position to be in at such an early age in my opinion. Now I don't dance as much as I used to but I do still do private parties and it pays very well for a few hours of work. Probably more than a lot of people make in a week or possibly even a month at a "regular" job
DeletePart 1
ReplyDeleteI think we can all agree the reason prostitution has always existed and always will, is because of poverty. We are living in a recession where our system is set up that your lucky to find a job paying 8 to 10 bucks a hr. Sex workers are not willing to work for wages that don't begin to cover their basic expenses. 1 out of 5 families in the US are on food stamps, which proves we are not paying wages that cover basic living expenses. We have thousands of homeless and unemployed and all we have done for years is cut services and increase the number of non violent prisoners; with the war on weed and prostitution. This is a HUGE business for law enforcement, and people like Dr Farley who make there living by collecting donations for victims, while providing these victims with no services. The we allow the justice dept to fund 30% of Dr.Melissa Farley's fraud scheme, by creating public hysteria about teens being exploited. We have uncovered that this was all JUNK SCIENCE and a complete fraud, and still even the media refuses to print the truth.
In 2010 we spend 250 million for law enforcement to stalk and arrested 80,000 people for prostitution. Less than 1% were underage.
I see the governments criminalizing sex workers because they refuse to be exploited for wages they can't live on. Our whole system is set up to punish sex workers and run them out of their own communities. We give them criminal records so they are forces to stay in the sex industry. And make them lose what little stability they have struggled to create for themselves and their families.
Lets look at how society punishes those who won't submit to their ideas. We criminalize sex workers so they can never get gainful employment again. We SEAL THEIR FATE. We also allow law enforcement to stalk, harass, abuse them, jail them and fine them. Law enforcement also refuses to investigate violent crimes against sex workers. 1000's of US sex workers are murdered each year, 10's of 1,000's are being raped each year. We allow this injustice by this insane idea that saving a few teens from being exploited is more important than all the dead bodies being left in the wake. We encourage HATE CRIMES against sex workers by promoting "they get what they deserve attitudes".
Prostitution laws were created as public nuisance ordinances, to "stop a women from showing her wares in public", they were never intended to be enforced, by stalking adult women online down to their homes, to police their sex lives. We have created prostitute free zones, and even though they were ruled as unconstitutional, they are still creating new ones. The courts have ruled that Craigslist and Southwest companions are legal websites, yet the attorney generals office and law enforcement are still on the MORAL WITCH HUNT.
We have created laws that stop sex workers from receiving any public money, even though these women are tax payers and citizens. We do this by not allowing any federal dollars to go to any group who does not oppose all forms of prostitution. Therefore many of these women are forced to stay in sex work.
Part 2
ReplyDeleteREALITY:
We can't police even 1% of the adult industry on a good day, so they punish the sex workers further by publishing their names and addresses. We allow law enforcement to police this one law with more zest than any other.
THERE IS A SOLUTION:
If law enforcement and the attorney generals office would do there jobs, they would be advocating to decriminalize indoor prostitution, between consenting adults as a harm reduction strategy to protect both sex workers and exploited teens. They would create laws requiring both parties to check the ID of the other, before engaging in any sex act. Then we would create laws that said anytime a man is caught having sex with a minor, they would get 25 years. This would shut down pimps at a alarming rate,because the only men that would not check ID would be the PREDATORS. All adult sex workers, or member of the community, would be free to report knowledge of any minors or women who are under another persons control. Sex workers would be able to report crimes against themselves and expect police assistance, and the would legally we allowed to pay taxes, without the fear of the FED"S charging them with money laundering, or the MANN act, if they happen to have crossed a state line.
I will never understand why any women who claims to be a fem, does not agree that all adults should have the right to make decisions over their own bodies, sexualities and their personal affairs with other consenting adults in private. These are basic civil rights, that we have taken away by created many unconstitutional laws.
Getting back to poverty. Its real easy to judge others, and sex workers are not looking for anyones approval, we simply want to be able to co-exist. I know if anyone one of us was cold and hungry enough, that they could be convinced to turn a trick for a burger and a blanket.
Matthew 21:31
Truthfully be told, prostitutes will enter the Kingdom of God, before most who call themselves Christians.
Hating on HOOKERS is society's need to misplace their own SHAME, for BULLYING OTHERS to CONFIRM + SUBMIT TO THEIR IDEAS.
This was written by Mrs Robinson, who has worked as sex worker, in the adult industry for almost 30 years.
Great post Christina. I checked out GAP's webpage & was not surprised to find a note called, "Wives/Girlfriends of Addicts." It seems GAP believes only males watch porn, & women are just victims of their hubby's "addiction" to it. The anti-porn lobby always pushes the idea that "women are victims, & men are predators." This is such a sexist view. Many women, including myself, enjoy watching pornography. And many women work for the sex industry & are very proud of their career. I believe women are strong, independent, & intelligent enough to make their own career choices.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that burns my ass about this is when some former sex workers, like Melissa Petro, do get "real" jobs and then promptly get fired or forced to leave if their sex work background gets out and, heaven forbid, they aren't even contrite about it. Where are the GAP people when that happens? Why aren't they standing up and supporting women like Melissa who have taken the path they so desire? My bet is they're too busy trying to keep former sex workers away from their kids to support her.
ReplyDeleteSo real jobs in the teaching profession are out. What other professions would people deem as inappropriate for those who have once chosen to do sex work?
Sex work is real work and deserves to be respected and valued. It will take time to get to that place but I have to believe with work and perseverance from sex workers and allies it will happen.
Tess- thank you for your comment. I completely agree. Sex workers are all told to "move on and get real jobs" (completely unrealistic for many individuals) and yet, our society makes it very difficult for them to do this. Same thing goes for Stacie Halas, a science teacher who was recently fired due to her past in pornography (A LEGAL INDUSTRY!) I wrote an article when it happened, a few months back. Absolutely ridiculous. She was fired for "moral turpitude." What a crock of shit.
Delete"In order to be against something, one has to know what he/she is against, correct? So, to be against porn would mean that one has either consumed it, been a part of it, or somewhere in the middle, right?"
ReplyDeleteI'm against the piracy that occurs off the Somali coast. I'm not personally involved in any way. I simply know of it and i'm against it. People can understand accounts of what porn is without having seen it.
Yes, critical thinking means one doesn't have to be black to know what KKK means, or that racial hatred and bigotry are destructive, however, one must have a foundation of knowledge about the subject. The more emotion that is attached to the subject, the harder this can be.
DeletePorn is a hot-button issue -- it has its defenders and detractors, but because it relates to issues of sexuality AND morality, the debate surrounding porn is often obscured by ideologues. Opposing porn on the basis that one believes it to be sexual immorality as prohibited by the Bible is not a "rational" position; rather it is a position founded in faith or belief. I don't begrudge the religious their beliefs, but those believers will never be swayed by any logical proof.
In the case of Somali pirates, the pirates have few or no supporters. That they engage in criminal (as well as immoral) activity is a given -- piracy is illegal and the root word 'pirate' is part of their title.
You write "People can understand accounts of what porn is without having seen it." Yes, one can understand an account, but that does not mean the account is true or representative. If I were to tell you a lie, you may have the mental capacity to 'understand' it, but of what value would that understanding be?
To paraphrase Maggie McNeill, every profession from war to banking to politics to hairdressing has its disgruntled ex-members, but only in sex work are these individuals imagined to be representative.
Critical thinking requires one to take into account diverse, divergent voices and evidence, and to weigh them all. Anti-porn crusaders -- and this is true in every case I can think of -- refuse to do this. Even the putative intellectual leader of the movement, Gail Dines, has explicitly stated that there is no evidence, study, or data that will ever change her views about pornography. Essentially, she has admitted that she is an academic fraud.