The Other Professionals: Men & Transwomen in Sex Work

Posted on May 6, 2008 by Renegade Evolution

I wanted to link to this over here…and ask, if possible, in comments if anyone with information on Sex Worker Outreach, as it pertains to transwomen and men, could please post it in the comments?  I’m trying to gather some serious information on this, as well, I think it’s an important and sometimes way too over looked subject.

Thanks-Ren

(saving up for Chicago!!!)

 

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Filed under: Activism, Male Sex Workers, Sex Worker Rights, Trans Workers

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14 Responses to “The Other Professionals: Men & Transwomen in Sex Work”

  1. compassiontara, on May 6th, 2008 at 9:21 pm Said:

    Well @ SWOP, we have a trans-specific hotline. Currently it’s Chicago only, but we are looking at making it national, tho we also have a trans person that answers the main support line.

    Thanks for bringing this up, Men and Trans are definitely a part of the Sex Worker Industry. Just today I met another male sex worker!

  2. julie aurora, on May 7th, 2008 at 10:57 pm Said:

    St. James Infirmary, a sex worker health center in San Francisco, has a specific night for trans folks only. As a trans sex worker, i was happy to see this post because i definitely agree that we are often disregarded or not mentioned at all.

  3. Rev. Real, on May 8th, 2008 at 11:12 am Said:

    I found this to be true:

    The obsession in this society of labeling based on who you have sex with has resulted in many problems for those who do not conform. Just ask any bisexual.

    The man who has sex with men for money but is not gay is another creature who, because he doesn’t fit in any of the existing structures, gets placed in whatever cage is left over in the What Are You? zoo. Because sexual identity is such a charged absolute, and because the ramifications of not picking the right answer, these men are in a service and support twilight zone.

    The gay community doesn’t want them, the sex worker community won’t touch them. The guys don’t want to be labeled homosexual, they’re just having sex with other men.

    http://www.bayswan.org/male.html

    A lot of gay men don’t accept bisexuality. I often mention Kinsey scale but it’s hard to get that across. I find it almost hypocritical when talking to an older gay man who used to be married back in the day and thinks bisexuality doesn’t exist or is bothered by it.

    Crack cocaine is a major issue with dealing with gay men expecially the older ones. They like young pretty boys and the best way to get them is to buy them drinks and offer them to party on crack. When you don’t party like they do it becomes another issue - they want you to get down to your level but doing that will only fuck up your mind. It gets crazy after seeing so many different scenarios and it’s bad for business.

    In my community that I was in - a bar owner was found murdered and his off-on relationship partner killed himself
    http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2008/03/fl-gay-activist-michael-brown-murdered.html

    It’s a combination of things like these that put me off from sex work. It’s a tough and dangerous job and recently with the economic times most men think they can get it for free. Most sexual encounters are fueled by drug use.

    On transexuals, I found one of the best markets is in Vegas. I ran into a few trannies that were doing well. It seems that clients like to explore the freakier side of nature there. Also I remember there was a restaurant near Krave club that had only transgendered servers.

    I got fed up with all problems with gays that I’ve retired. I’m looking to get more involved with sex worker activism and hope to make it to the conference to network with other activist. Shoutouts to: $pread magazine, Melissa Gira, Audacia Ray for all your hard work.

  4. williamrockwell, on May 8th, 2008 at 2:03 pm Said:

    Excuse me, but why are crack cocaine, murder, and “the freakier side of nature” some of the first things mentioned when talking about men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgendered people?

    Have you even read $pread Magazine?

    I’ll be at the conference and if you start spouting stuff like you’re liable to get the s%& beat out of you.

    Just sayin’

  5. Rev. Real, on May 8th, 2008 at 5:21 pm Said:

    I’m speaking from personal experience when I talk about crack. It’s a problem and a lot of gays are ashamed to speak up about it.

    On the murder of the bar owner: It was a shock to the community that the bar owner died. I felt he was a good guy and was active in helping others. It’s just unfortunate that he passed away. I don’t think it was a reflection on his character either when the rumors were that his partner was ’straight’ and a drug addict.

    On the freakier side of nature: I’ve been around transexuals drama queens, transvestites, and a lot of them hang out in gay establishments. It’s common in S. Florida so..what’s the problem?

    I haven’t read $pread Magazine. What about it?

    If stuff like truth, honesty, and facts offend you - something is wrong with you. Violence begets more violence, so don’t make yourself look bad.

    Tell me more about yourself. Are you a male sex worker? What’s the flippant reply all about, huh?

  6. anon, on May 9th, 2008 at 2:26 pm Said:

    Holy shit. Do you really think trans people represent “the freakier side of nature”?

  7. Rev. Real, on May 11th, 2008 at 11:53 am Said:

    Yes.

    And BTW williamrockwell couldn’t you give a more proper introduction or is this part of a drama game?

    Haha shit I’ve been some incredible drama with trannies. I could tell you stories.

  8. William Rockwell, on May 11th, 2008 at 5:29 pm Said:

    Feeling a little self-conscious, “Rev”? Is it “truth, honesty, and facts” OR bigotry to call trans people freaks and connect murder and crack with the “gay community”?

    As if straights and oh-so-”manly” bisexuals such as yourself didn’t have dependence issues and didn’t love to play who’s-got-the-bigger-dick. As if dependence wasn’t also the fault of stigma and state programs isolating the most marginalized in queer and trans folks, the working class, and people of color.

  9. Rev. Real, on May 12th, 2008 at 1:17 pm Said:

    No as a matter of fact I consider myself hyperconcious. I’m so real it’s scary to some people. The Principle of Self Scrunity is process that is always running in my mind.

    As far as the Reverend title, it is self-proclaimed and it draws from my own spirituality drawn from the Church of Reality. I’ve been a member for about 10 years and actively participate on the forums but most importantly I live it in my daily life.

    Trans people are freaks. I don’t see what the problem is in using that word. I’m a freak myself. HBO did a documentary a few years ago on Middlesexes and it documents all sorts of mutations (freaks) of sexuality.

    I’m not making sweeping generalizations about the “gay community”. Not all gay men that are looking for sex are crackheads or murderers…so quit fucking with me like that.

    You know I just listened to you on the NPR broadcast: Behind Closed Doors: The Reality of Prostitution and you presented yourself very well except now you are hating on my game for some unknown reason. Don’t make a fool out of yourself and create a scene here.

    If you want we can settle this one-on-one with a private session. You can experience some of the work I’ve done with my clients, but I’m not doing any community service for that. You’re gonna have to give me some motherfuckin’ money for that.

  10. anon, on May 12th, 2008 at 4:14 pm Said:

    You know, some trans people might identify themselves as freaks just as you do, but a lot of trans people are just regular people living their lives. It’s insulting to use that word to describe someone who doesn’t describe themselves that way.

    Also, who the hell are you to judge who is and isn’t presenting themselves well here? From where I’m sitting, you’re the one coming off as an ass. A bigoted ass at that.

  11. Rev. Real, on May 12th, 2008 at 5:25 pm Said:

    Look up the wiki and urbandictionary on freak. And I do mean it in a good way.

    I’m to judge because I’m a human being that has a sense of what is right/wrong and good/bad, and I’m not afraid to speak my mind. In the same manner that I judge people I allow to be judged in the same way.

    And look up the word bigot while you are at it. I don’t mind being called an ass.

    If you go back and read the original blog post, this is about listening and learning. You came out with a remark that was intimidating - something you should know better as a sex worker activist.

    So I challenge you to check my profile and my references, and if I ever get to see you in public, we’ll see if you have the same attitude.

  12. staceyswimme, on May 12th, 2008 at 6:32 pm Said:

    I’m feeling an over-whelming sense of intolerance toward assholes tonight. It’s just fucking sick. I mostly feel like the crazies speak for themselves and as I’ve been following this thread, I’ve been quiet because I wanted to listen to responses from William and others. There is an obvious need for a terms of service agreement here so that we can establish where lines are for commenters.

    People are welcome to express disagreements here. Language that is abusive, comments that promote or tolerate discrimination or violence or anything that discourages sex workers from participating here for fear of harassment or assault are absolutely not tolerated.

    “Don’t make a fool out of yourself and create a scene here.”

    Wise words Reverend. Practice what you preach.

  13. Rev. Real, on May 12th, 2008 at 9:31 pm Said:

    Drama it’s the stuff of life. I try to stay of of it, but it comes to me.

    I have a motto: It’s not of competition but of cooperation.

    We need more cooperation among ourselves to have a greater effect. Will that include you.

    A big problem with sex work for me in a private club was that no one was willing to cooperate. Well sometimes but it was all self-serving in the end. For example: If you work in a strip club and someone comes up to you asking you about another dancer, I would go to that dancer and hook them up with the customer. I’m not getting any money from the customer, so why not help another dancer get it and give the customer what they want. But the thing is that other dancers would not reciprocate.

    Occasionally I would see guys work in pairs, but it was rare. A lot of the dancers that walked out of a VIP room with $200+ did it by tricking. I know that because it came out of their own mouths - they would brag about upselling and not putting out. Eventually that was bad for business because an unsatisfied customer probably won’t come back if they got ripped off. I never felt comfortable tricking because I strongly believe in honest business practices. After dealing with the rich and wealthy, I changed my views a bit. A lot of rich guys made their money by hook or by crook, so playing a trick on them might be justified. Still I didn’t like doing it.

    The club where some of my girls worked had a mandatory tip out rule: tip a percentage of your total tips to DJ, doorman, house mom, manager. That environment tended to work out the best because everyone was being taken care of. Still I prefer voluntary practices, but it seemed to work out well.

    Oh by the way here’s a crazy story that came from the private club I worked at:

    http://nymag.com/news/features/43914/

    Drugs, drama, married rich guy with a closeted sexual lifestyle, man whore…makes for a story to tell.

    I don’t think it’s out of line to complain about the drug issue. (I’m a pot-head BTW)

  14. Rev. Real, on May 13th, 2008 at 12:48 am Said:

    I re-read this article and wanted to point out a case where this was true…

    To harp just a little more, I was disappointed but not surprised by the lack of interest shown toward me by the mainstream media. Here I was, an active working prostitute who was not in jail or hooked on crack, someone who went about his business without causing crime rates to rise in his neighborhood, someone in good health with an optimistic outlook on life, someone who contributed to his community.

    Not one interview, not one question. No one wanted to hear what I had to say about anything. To be fair, I did receive lots of support from certain individuals…

    Issues for Male Sex Workers
    http://www.bayswan.org/male.html

    I’m sure many of you heard of Mike Jones the male prostitute that exposed televangelist Ted Haggard. He did it to expose hypocrisy and the aftermath was tramatic for him because he was shunned by even the “gay community”. No one wanted to help him out except the Joe.My.God bloggers. Those who had sympathy for him send him some money via Paypal and that helped him pay off some bills. I emailed him and send him my thanks. What he did was extraordinary and great. Here’s one of his emails he wrote to JMG:

    As far as trying to make money of these situations as I am being accused of, please consider this information:

    I did not attempt blackmail on Ted Haggard. I actually could be on the Church payroll if I blackmailed him and still have my private life intact. Of course if I had done that, he still would be condemning gays and the evangelical voting block would still be as powerful as always and I would have money in the bank instead of the $500 I have now. Remember, Harpers magazine stated that no pastor held more political sway than Haggard.

    Did I attempt to blackmail Craig? No. I could have though but I thought it was more important to keep him to his word of resigning instead of me making money. I had and have nothing to gain from this situation. I have learned that there are others that have had dealings with Craig. But they do not want to come forward. I seem to be the only one who has the guts to do it and tell the truth, for which I am condemned for.

    Here is a detailed account of my situation regarding the Craig story. First I would like to thank the people that can really see what it is and supported me from Haggard to this. But mostly this is a response to the people who are so quick to judge. Here is a big piece of the story that people do not know and who are accusing me of riding the wave for attention.

    First of all I did not have a long term situation with Craig. I only saw him one time. I did not know who he was until his recent story broke. When I saw him on the news, I said to myself, “I cannot believe this hypocrite, he came to see me.” There are a couple of things that made him stand out to me for me to remember like, “Do you follow politics Mike? Then when I said yes he quickly changed the subject. Right then I said to myself, this guy is a politician. Certainly not my first. But his question was a give away. Through sources that I gave for a time frame that I say he saw me, it was verified that he did travel to Colorado during that time. So you see, that was my verification to myself that that was him. You might say coincidence but really, I remember him and how would I guess the date from several years ago?

    Several news organizations have had my story for six weeks at least. I was in constant communication with them. I told them I did not want my story out unless Craig reversed his promise to resign. The story would have probably run but I told them to hold off. And if I was doing it for publicity I would have run with it immediately. And by the way all the major news organizations wanted me on TV with this story. But did you see me on FOX or CNN regarding this? NO. I did not make this about me. I made it about being honest and holding people to their promises. Once again the word is hypocrisy. And remember which Senator voted against the Hate Crimes Bill! Sorry, I need to stand up and speak!

    When we judge so quickly we in a sense are no better than the religious right. We hate it when they judge because of dislikes, but many people have done the same to me. If you dislike me because of jealously, or lack of information and knowledge, then I cannot change that. I am not perfect and have never claimed to be, but I, Mike Jones, have no regrets for who I am.

    I haven’t kept in touch, but it looks like he is getting out and doing public appearances.

    You can follow the story here:
    http://joemygod.blogspot.com/search?q=mike+jones

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