Why a Blog for Sex Workers?

Why a Blog for Sex Workers?

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anybody that escorts around the country are tuned in to how the media cover our work, and our lives.

It may, however, come as a surprise to some that sex workers in many sectors have something to say about it. They have insight, they have analysis and they have outrage!

When sex work is in the press, the coverage most always brings to the surface more issues than a single organization’s statement can address. As advocates, it would be impossible to make a statement that truly reflects the voices of this dynamic and diverse community.

BoundnotGagged is a space for these voices to be heard. It is a place for sex workers to respond to the way that they’re portrayed in the media, the way that sexist laws are used to undermine women’s rights and their feelings about the ethical dilemma of exposing a client list. The issues are deep and broad. The stories are powerful and frustrating.

BoundnotGagged is our way of responding to the injustice and hypocrisy that keeps sex workers’ voices muted and faces hidden. Sex workers may be in hiding, but they refuse to be silent. This blog will give you an inside look at the true inner-workings of this mysterious business.

The Desiree Alliance is committed to creating space and campaigns that address the real needs of sex workers. We are proud to sponsor this project to provide a platform where sex workers can speak for themselves.

Sincerely,
Stacey Swimme
Desiree Alliance

45 Responses

  1. jill brenneman, on May 5, 2007 at 5:14 am said:

    In solidarity with those who, like me, refuse to be silent or silenced. More tomorrow once sleep cures my jet lag

    Brenneman

  2. Viviane, on May 6, 2007 at 7:16 pm said:

    Hi – I’ve posted about your new blog. Congratulations.

    Clicking on the names bring up the posts each contributor has written – will there be an individual bio page with links?

  3. staceyswimme, on May 6, 2007 at 7:38 pm said:

    Thanks so much Viviane!

    A bio page may be coming soon! This wonderful project has taken off quickly and we expect the style and content of the site to evolve as we catch up on all the various tasks and helping contributors access the site! Keep an eye out for updates!

  4. Delaney Bliss, on May 8, 2007 at 11:53 pm said:

    Finally, good on you, looking forward throughout our industry to raise our voices against this dirty hypocrisy
    x Delaney Bliss

  5. Jenn, on May 13, 2007 at 5:03 pm said:

    Thank you for creating a public voice for the hundreds of intelligent and successful women that have a secret life as a sex worker.

  6. Tracy Quan, on May 29, 2007 at 4:06 pm said:

    Thanks for doing this! It’s a great resource. I’m sorry to be a little late in posting here. Have been working on a new writing project and I am sort of buried. Keep the faith… xox

  7. Tara, on July 12, 2007 at 3:47 pm said:

    Thank you for this! I will be checking back often, I’ve enjoyed reading this very much thus far.

  8. Sasha, on September 21, 2007 at 8:55 am said:

    Right on Girl! This is very interesting.

  9. Michael Goodyear, on September 24, 2007 at 9:51 am said:

    This is a terrific resource Stacey, congratulations. I have placed a link on my website.

  10. Mistress Perfection, on October 25, 2007 at 2:10 pm said:

    Thank you for all you do!

  11. Cynthia M. Booth(Miller), on December 14, 2007 at 12:46 am said:

    I’m so glad to see that you are doing something to open peoples eyes, its time people realize that this is a real profession with real people that need to be treated with respect. Thank You!

  12. Being Amber Rhea » Blog Archive » Semantics, on January 25, 2008 at 9:50 am said:

    […] girl ring” is not factually inaccurate. But it’s sloppy reporting, and sex workers were rightly pissed. Because each of those words is pretty loaded. They carry with them assumptions that are embedded […]

  13. KRISTY MARTIN, on February 21, 2008 at 11:40 pm said:

    Thank you so much for giving me a place to see that there is a place for me to go for answers.I appreciate you so much.

  14. Crappy dialouge and asumptions « Reweaving, on March 18, 2008 at 12:37 pm said:

    […] know I need to learn more about those working in the sex trade, and thats why I read Rens blog and Boundnotgagged but that doesnt mean my own views should be dismised, if its important to listen to all beople […]

  15. alexa, on April 4, 2008 at 10:49 pm said:

    it would be so nice and realistic if any of yr blogs were 100% true…..alas most of them are 90% lie or untrue cause you love to be the victim always to gain sympathy….sorry but please get a life rather than !!!!!!!

  16. Amanda Brooks, on April 5, 2008 at 7:06 am said:

    Alexa,

    I think you’re confused. Media and academics like to portray all sex workers as victims. Most of the sex workers here do not identify as victims of anything but prejudice (and the messed up legal system). Even when we’ve survived bad experiences, the attitude is one of strength and survival, not victimhood.

    And we’ve heard the “figments of imagination” arugment before. Everyone here is a real live person with real individual lives.

  17. Marisa Christensen, on April 17, 2008 at 1:57 pm said:

    Hello,

    I’m an undergraduate student at UNLV. I’m conducting a research project on sex workers’ blogs and was wondering if someone would be interested in answering a few questions via e-mail. Please e-mail me if anyone would be interested or if there are any questions I could answer! My e-mail address is marisac184@aol.com. Thank you!

    Marisa Christensen

  18. Las Vegas Courtesan, on April 30, 2008 at 9:46 pm said:

    Hi could you please update my link from my old wordpress blog to my new domain? THanks!
    -=cali=-
    http://www.thelasvegascourtesan.com

  19. Jessica Land, on May 1, 2008 at 3:40 am said:

    Done! Thanks for letting us know!!

  20. Kit, on May 1, 2008 at 8:26 am said:

    I love this blog and have been a reader for a while. This may be the wrong place to ask, but I’d like to get started in this profession (but on the internet with my identity protected).

    Any suggestions?

  21. Amanda Brooks, on May 1, 2008 at 10:41 am said:

    Totally self-promotional: my own book series, EscortMBA.com

    OR

    check out my sex-worker library.

    XX

  22. Being Amber Rhea » Blog Archive » R.I.P. Deborah Jeane Palfrey, on May 1, 2008 at 11:35 am said:

    […] for information and updates. And I think now is a fitting time to revisit the words on their page, “Why a Blog for Sex Workers?” When sex work is in the press, the coverage most always brings to the surface more issues than a […]

  23. Emilie Dice, on May 3, 2008 at 10:03 pm said:

    Thank you ladies for putting this blog together!

  24. Emilie Dice, on May 4, 2008 at 1:29 am said:

    Wondering if there are any short bios available on the authors here. I see their names linked on the right, but it only brings up their articles.

  25. Amanda Brooks, on May 4, 2008 at 6:11 am said:

    I don’t think we do the bios because 1) not all would submit bios and 2) it would be an administrative nightmare figuring out where to put them.

    But I’m pretty sure if you start Googling the names, you’ll find plenty. And most authors have links to their blogs on here in the Blogroll, though that doesn’t mean you can easily match names/blogs.

    XX

  26. Daniel, on June 27, 2008 at 4:49 am said:

    You may find my book, An Island Away, interesting. It is all about a young Colombian mother who works as a prostitute in Aruba. You can find an excerpt and more through my blog at http://www.bentpage.wordpress.com. Thank you for your consideration. Be safe.

  27. Daisy Loveless, on August 16, 2008 at 2:24 pm said:

    I adore the Desiree Alliance so much. Thank you for this weblog.

    – DL
    – Industrial Workers of the World 690

  28. Devon Hunter, on March 25, 2009 at 6:16 pm said:

    I wanna play! How can I be part of this dialogue?? Are boys allowed in this clubhouse?

  29. Amanda Brooks, on March 26, 2009 at 8:47 am said:

    Devon,

    Boys are very welcome in the clubhouse! All genders, persuasions, etc. The only requirement is to be human (and hopefully humane).

    Nice interview with Stacey, by the way!

    XX

  30. Devon Hunter, on March 26, 2009 at 9:49 am said:

    oh, how fun!! yay yay yay 🙂

  31. Jacky V., on March 30, 2009 at 5:45 am said:

    Congrats on the blog! I’m not in the business but a supportive ally.

  32. Stiletto, on September 2, 2009 at 12:57 pm said:

    Fabulous blog and I’m definitely a supportive ally as Jacky V coined it.
    Keep up the informative writing.

  33. Volodya, on December 11, 2009 at 6:20 am said:

    Just stumbled on this blog, i’m going to advertise it wide. Thanks for all your activism.

  34. make her squirt, on December 13, 2009 at 3:04 pm said:

    Wow, this is incredible. More power to you – I bet most people wouldn’t expect such a professional approach because of their stereotypes. Great job. I’ll mention it to everyone that I know.

  35. red light district, on February 20, 2010 at 1:52 am said:

    It’s important for the concerns of sex workers to be better addressed. All too often we simply stigmatize and ridicule sex workers, and that serves to further dehumanize them. They need to be portrayed in a humanly and sympathetic light.

  36. naked truth, on May 13, 2010 at 6:47 pm said:

    Wow – came across this blog and I’ve been reading it for hours! What a fantastic resource… thank you! I’m definitely going to including your link on my website with hopes that everyone I know comes to check it out.

  37. thecommonprostitute, on July 5, 2010 at 4:22 pm said:

    Hi, I live in Canada and identify myself as an escort. As of right now I am facing discrimination and ridecule-people are trying to force me out of my home even though I have not committed a crime. Prostitution in Canada is not illegal, but certain aspects of running our business is. That said I run myself completely legally- I do outcalls only going to clients homes. That is one of the only aspects that is not illegal here-outcalls. Incalls and communication as well as “living off the avails” are illegal here.

    That said I get called names over the fence all the time and verbally abused by my neighbour. Police will do nothing to help me.

  38. thecommonprostitute, on July 5, 2010 at 4:22 pm said:

    Oh and forgot to add, I do like your blog and even though I am in Canada I do find it relevant to me.

  39. nadiarey, on September 23, 2010 at 7:47 pm said:

    How do I create a post on this blog? Any help is appreciated.

  40. Amanda Brooks, on September 24, 2010 at 10:27 pm said:

    We have to approve you as an author (meaning verified sex worker) or one of us can post it for you. The blog’s email address is in the lefthand column.

    XX

  41. Kelly James, on November 8, 2010 at 6:11 am said:

    Awesome quote I just came across and wanted to share…

    “The verdict you pronounce upon the source of your livelihood is the verdict you pronounce upon your life” Ayn Rand

    🙂
    love always, Kelly

  42. Cris Sardina, on February 22, 2011 at 3:04 pm said:

    Stacy, do I need an invite to contribute to your blog? Cris

  43. erica, on March 16, 2011 at 2:24 pm said:

    HookCollective

    INTERSECTION: Stories Through Art by Sex Workers of Color
    in part with the San Francisco Sex Workers Film and Arts Festival

    The San Francisco Sex Workers Film and Arts Festival (http://www.sexworkerfest.com) was established in 1998 to provide a forum for the accomplishments of sex worker film, art, performance and video makers, and to screen works about sex workers and the sex industries from around the world. The Sex Worker Festival provides an opportunity to recognize and honor prostitutes, dancers, porn performers and other sex workers, who have historically been a dynamic part of arts communities.

    This year, the HOOK Collective [hookcollective.wordpress.com] is curating an art show that will be showcasing arts about and by sex workers of color! Because the identity “sex worker” oftentimes portrays the image of a white empowered middle-class worker, and because the sex industry encapsulates an expansive range of experiences and identities, the goal of INTERSECTION is to provide an intentional space where the stories and art of people of color in the sex industry take the principal role at the festival.

    We prioritize a variety of mediums – including installation art, performance art, and spoken word – and encourage participation by everyone who identifies as a non-white person who works or has worked in the sex industry. Street workers, trans, queer, differently-abled folks, and folks who don’t even identify with the term “sex worker” are encouraged to apply! English is optional, as we will work to accommodate for any language barriers that may arise.

    To submit your work, please send us the following:

    -A short description of your art, spoken word, or installation work

    -Any videos, recordings, or photographs of your art (not required but would be helpful)

    -A brief explanation why you think your artwork is suitable for INTERSECTION

    -Any tech, space, equipment, or accessibility needs you have

    Please send digital submissions to: HOOK.Collective@gmail.com
    If you would like to send us samples of your work via mail, please email us to make arrangements.

    DEADLINE is April 8, 2011

    San Francisco Sex Worker Film and Arts Festival
    P.O. 210256, San Francisco, CA 94121

    http://www.sexworkerfest.com

    Producers: Carol Leigh AKA Scarlot Harlot & Erica Fabulous
    Movie Curator: Laure McElroy
    Arts Curator: Tobias Ex

  44. EmilyRoseSmiles (@EmilyRoseSmiles), on August 27, 2012 at 5:12 pm said:

    I REALLY love your message. I have added your banner to my blog: http://emilyrosesmiles.blogspot.com/ in hopes of others connecting with you.

  45. Lorelei Nixie, on December 30, 2013 at 2:41 pm said:

    Congratulations Bound, not Gagged! You have received the Versatile Blogger Award:
    http://lore-lei.com/mydiary/archives/380

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