I checked out several books in the Teen Room and Children’s Room at the Nashua Public Library about children who identify as transgender. Among the large stack of books was “You’re in the Wrong Bathroom” by Laura Erickson-Schroth in which the author promotes “sex work” as a viable career for gender-confused kids.
Related: Sex Work is Not “Work”
Here are excerpts from the book:
Page 53:
Sex work comes in countless forms, any of which can be done by people trans or cis. Though sex work is a last resort for many, it is not always done in desperation. Transgender sex workers have consistently been in high demand and often find this type of work lucrative. Transfeminine people engage in sex work at nearly twice the rate of transmasculine people. Transgender pornography – primarily transgender women with functioning penises, but also transgender men with vaginas – is among the most sought-after forms of pornography. The largest consumer demographic for transgender porn is heterosexual men.
Page 54:
Sex work may not involve direct exchanges of bodily contact for cash. Instead it might include acting in pornographic movies, having photos taken, or online “camming,” in which an individual performs as dictated by paying subscribers via webcam. Camming and online porn reach a wealthy and sometimes lonely demographic, often furtively watching at a safe distance from home and office, and well-designed cam websites facilitate the easy transfer of money from viewer to entertainer. Neither camming nor pornography involves actual human contact, and both provide a measure of safety to the sex worker.
Transgender people also function as escorts and “kept women.” These individuals are often quite elegant, accompanying their clients to professional or cultural events;they may have brief or long-term relationships with clients. Some clients provide apartments and a monthly cash “allowance,” essentially hiring these women as private mistresses available on demand.
Page 55:
The belief that sex work is inherently humiliating is not universal. Many trans and cisgender pepole involved in the industry report it to be a rewarding profession. Rather than finding the work demaning or objectifying, many trans and cisgender people regard it as uplifting and sometimes approach the work believing they are providing moments of joy to lonely individuals who otherwise have few options for sexual or physical intimacy. Not everyone has the luxury of a partner. Some sex workers consider their trade akin to psychotherapy.
Sex workers who report a sense of empowerment also claim that this work provides body autonomy and sexual confidence. They feel desired and confident about their lives and bodies, and can raise large sums in short periods- money often needed for college or other expenses- leaving them free to pursue other activities without the drudgery of more time-consuming jobs. Many sex workers point out that our society has little difficulty with people who use their physicality for money in other ways (construction workers, dancers, athletes), and they feel that sex work is no different; they outright reject that sex work is morally wrong.
I sent in paperwork asking the Nashua Public Library to remove this book from their shelves. I also requested that the library have local speaker and sex-trafficking survivor Jasmine Grace give a presentation for the community on her experiences and how to help rescue people who are being trafficked.
Our young people deserve better than to be led into a life of selling their bodies and being trafficked by pornographers and pimps.
Read Jasmine Grace’s editorial: Sex Work is Not “Work”.
| Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash