Chicago Reader: Sex work is not a monolithic culture of human trafficking and abuse. Conversations that break stigmas, explore empowerment, and encourage consent are a huge part of the adult industry. This isn't to say that people don't become involved in sex work because of unfortunate circumstances or that human trafficking isn't an alarming concern—those fears are valid. But as a former sex worker and current artist, I know what it can be like to be in the adult industry in the public sphere. For some artists, traumatic stories and personal histories are shared through their art. For others, documentation of queerness and sexual liberation accompany their erotic work.
2 comments:
Sex work is most definitely a lifestyle that isn't always talked about let alone portrayed on screen or in theater. I understand why, as the article points out, there are some seriously negative connotations when sex work is introduced, its often times associated with human trafficking, and domestic violence. It's hard to view sex work as something that is necessarily done out of their own volition, but I'm intrigued to see how these art makers are portraying something like sex work in a ore positive light. I mean, I always make the joke of, "I'm going to be a stripper at Cricket" to pay my way through college, but thats usually just me joking, but to see people that find a sense of purpose and confidence when talking about their sex work is highly intriguing, even for me. When it comes to the trauma aspect of sex work, that's also a story that needs to be told, not for our enjoyment, but for our awareness.
I have always found the public’s negative attitude towards sex workers unwarnented. Of course there are the horrible incidents of human trafficking and abuse that should be taken very seriously, but many people often forget that it is a profession that some individuals willing choose to be a part of. I’m happy to see an article written by a member of that industry that paints it in a more positive light. Sex is a topic that inspires a majority of art in the world and it’s satisfying to see this article address that. I found it interesting that there are events held in Chicago, as I am from there and I have never heard about them. It’s difficult to advertise, but it’s something I would be intrigued to see for myself, as I feel there are a lot of artistic directions each worker can express in a unique and challenging way.
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