Are We Doing Enough to Protect Male Sex Workers?

[Steven_Draker]

http://spektralquartet.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/telegraph_logo-221x54.jpg

 

October 17th, 2014

 

Are we doing enough to protect male sex workers?

 

 

Almost half of sex workers in Britain are men, so why does the idea of a male prostitute remain a social and political blindspot, asks Gareth May

 

 

Whenever we hear the term 'prostitution' it conjures up images of women selling their bodies to men on the streets. We may imagine escorts in rouge-hued hotel rooms – but seldom do we think of those escorts as male. Yet last month, statistics released by data collecting website Import.io revealed that nearly half – 42pc – of all prostitutes in the UK (totalling 104,964) are in fact male. Furthermore, in the 21st century, the oldest profession in the world contributes £8.856bn to the UK economy.

 

This is contradictory to figures from the Office of National Statistics, which puts the total number of prostitutes in the country at 60,879 and suggests they are worth just £5.314bn. Why the discrepancy?

 

The answer is in the methodology. Thanks to the rise of e-technology, prostitution services are widely marketed on the web. Import.io collected data from these online sources, specifically the ‘active’ accounts of the online marketplace for adult services, AdultWork.

 

In comparison, the ONS used a more traditional method of data collection. It collated figures from a study conducted by the charity Eaves Housing For Women, which attempted to count all the female prostitutes in London over a 6 month period in 2004. Male prostitutes simply did not factor.

 

Of course, the Eaves Housing For Women charity have no obligation to measure male prostitution (the report explicitly states that “no information is included regarding men working in the sex industry”) – but the same cannot be said for the ONS and Government, especially as they wish to include illegal transactions of drugs and prostitution in the national accounts and overall GDP from this year onwards.

 

There is, though, another much more pertinent reason for a true evaluation and measurement of prostitution in the UK: health and safety insurances and provision. The narrative often focuses around the need to regulate female sex workers and forgets about their male counterparts. Socially, men who work as prostitutes remain a blind spot.

 

Dr Thomas Crofts, a contributor to Columbia University Press’s recent collection of essays, Male Sex Work and Society, agrees that, on the whole, “sex work policies are driven by concerns about women as workers and when males are thought of in relation to sex work it is generally as clients. Male workers tend to be ignored, perhaps largely because they are less visible to mainstream society.”

 

One male escort who is increasingly visible in mainstream society is male escort Josh Brandon. The UK-based Brandon earns up to £4,000 in a single night and, according to some reports in excess of £300,000 per annum. Such figures have seen him interviewed for The Guardian, the BBC and Vice. During the interview with Vice’s Michael Grothaus, Brandon had this to say about the dangers of being a male escort:

 

“Reports that come in from NUM (The National Ugly Mugs Scheme) show males and females are more or less equally likely to suffer violence from clients. I weigh, like, 110 pounds with a 25-inch waist, so I guess I’m in the same boat.”

 

Aside from violent individuals, there is one other obvious health and safety concern for prostitutes, whether they are male or female: the transmission of STIs, particularly HIV. However, a 2013 study by the Center for HIV Educational Studies and Training (CHEST) in New York found that 70pc of male escorts reported using a condom with their last client and that ‘attracting the right client’ and ‘the legality of escorting’ were greater concerns. In fact, out of a list of 13 concerns, HIV/Aids prevention ranked twelfth. Affordability of health care, self-defence and boundary-setting were considered higher concerns.

 

The practice of safe sex by male escorts is backed up by a BBC 5 Live investigation earlier this year that found that out of 50 male escorts asked if they would have unsafe sex, 38 said ‘no’. However. some would do it for an extra £50.

 

But to consider violent individuals and HIV transmission as the sole threats to male sex workers alone would be to simplify the issue. A very candid pamphlet published by Manchester NHS and titled The Good Escort Guide cites other STIs (such as Hepatitis A and B), depression, general personal safety, and legal rights as considerations for every potential male escort before deciding to enter the sex worker industry.

 

Much of the information available to male sex workers makes one dubious assumption: that the majority of escorts are providing services for other men (as Dr Crofts confirms: “male sex work has in the past been conflated with homosexuality”).

 

Professor Victor Minichiello, the editor of Male Sex Work and Society, says this perception however needs redressing. “Globally there is a male escort industry and this also existed in ancient times. [Yet] the notion that male escorts are only gay is incorrect. As society moves towards more diverse sexuality options we are finding bi and straight men doing 'gay for pay' sex. We estimate that less than half of the escorts are non-gay identifying.”

 

Minichiello goes on to say that “increasingly women are also seeing the male body as a commodity and as they have more income and power they purchase it if appropriate to them. It is no longer the case that men are only the buyers of sex; some sell it to others. It is a reality and governments need to recognise the changing face of the sex industry as a result of e-technology and broader acceptance of sexualities.”

 

According to Miller, when governments have recognised the industry and provided support and education to its workers, the incidence of STI transmission has been "significantly reduced.” But, as pointed out above, STIs aren’t the only issues facing male escorts.

 

A government that doesn’t include male escorts in their national statistics is at best ignorant to the modern incarnation of the sex industry; at worst, woefully out of touch and therefore flagrantly ill-equipped to deal with the dangers those in the sex industry face each and every day. Recognition of this large group of workers – from the Josh Brandons to the men out on the street – is the very first step in providing appropriate regulation and support.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/11169544/Are-we-doing-enough-to-protect-male-sex-workers.html

[Steven_Draker]

In sex work industry, women sex workers in different type would always be the first that comes to people’s mind, especially the street sex workers – they carried the most iconic image as someone negotiating prices with someone in the car. Occasionally the image of “Belle de Jour” – women who provide their services in a more classy settings such as hotel.

 

However it is also true male sex workers do exist, for example: Male Escort Stories & Britain’s Most Expensive Male Escort

 

Yet because of the population ratio compared to women, they often less get chances of voicing up. It is also believed/rumoured that charities or radical feminists have a strong preference to remain sex workers as “the ones who were under the thumb” of men. This would be especially beneficial for Radical Feminists, because of their distrust and dislike of men. “Sex work policies are driven by concerns about women as workers and when males are thought of in relation to sex work it is generally as clients. Male workers tend to be ignored, perhaps largely because they are less visible to mainstream society.” Thomas Crofts a contributor of essays on male sex work commented in Telegraph, he pointed out that men often seen as the client when talk of sex work, which resulted not just the difficulties for them to be visible but also the same amount of risks as any sex workers in general such as STIs and violence. The types of violence male sex workers often received were based mostly on homophobia, for mostly their decisions to go to sex work gone against the idea of masculinity even some male sex workers served women too.

 

As a result there are 2 BIGGEST ISSUES I felt need a proper addressing (which I presume some already are working on them):

 

1. Recognition of Male Sex Workers (& other types of sex workers such as trans)’s existence

 

2. Able to equip them the knowledge and support for preventing violence and caring for personal safety

 

 

source: http://ss10cshc.wordpress.com/tag/male-sex-worker/

 

 

[devonhunter]

The publisher sent me a copy of Male Sex Work and Society. I need to pick it back up. I read the first chapter or two and then put it down. I need to get back into that.

[cooldemo03]

I just find it interesting that female sex workers are referred to as prostitutes and males are referred to as escorts. This could be a reason for the distinction. They are both prostitutes IMO. If you are exchanging sex for money, that's what one is. And there's no shame in that. A well known escort actually got offended when I referred to him as a prostitute. I guess my point is that maybe male sex workers see themselves as "escorts" who are just spending time with clients, whereas female ones are not afraid to admit that its all about money for sex.

[devonhunter]

That isn't true. I have clients I have seen for years with whom I have never had sex.

[adriano46]

That isn't true. I have clients I have seen for years with whom I have never had sex.

 

Devon, I can attest from personal experience that just enjoying a late breakfast with you, sharing stories, light conversation and looking into your eyes is -- well -- very sexual. Of course, getting to see you with the clothes off is more icing on the cake ;-)

[cooldemo03]

That isn't true. I have clients I have seen for years with whom I have never had sex.

 

Not sure if you were responding to me, but I was referring to male sex workers. If you aren't having sex with clients, then you aren't a sex worker.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

Devon, I can attest from personal experience that just enjoying a late breakfast with you, sharing stories, light conversation and looking into your eyes is -- well -- very sexual. Of course, getting to see you with the clothes off is more icing on the cake ;-)

 

+1

[SteveEscort]

I don't believe that half of the sex workers in the UK are men because a quick look at adultwork shows that most of the male sex workers in my area (radius of 20 miles of Newcastle Upon Tyne) are mainly men using the site looking for sex who have uploaded a profile, with the attitude of "well why not give it a go".

 

In my area, there's probably about half a dozen of serious, real male sex workers, most of whom I know or know of.

 

About 6 months ago, I was shouted down on this forum because certain people didn't believe tha a gay make sex worker in a provincial city in the North of England could be as busy as I am. I was basically told I was lying, however that was and is never the case. I do about 75% of my appointments at home. I travel to London regularly for overnights and I travel to Germany almost every month. The bigger longer appointments are all with wealthy gentlemen who wish to spend time with me and chose me over and above the vast amount of gay male escorts in my country. I don't charge stupid top dollar prices, I keep my prices at a level that I feel comfortable with and which will guarantee me a regular stream of escort work. I would rather charge £100 to visit a gentleman regularly than £150 to be his guilty pleasure.

 

I have spoken to Josh Brandon about his £300 per hour / £4000 overnights. We have a mutual friend who is not a sex worker and the newspapers took his earnings completely out of context. I enquired how he was earning £4000 a night when his website says £1000 a night and apparently the newspaper told a completely different side to his earnings, I was personally worried about such wild and wonderful earnings because the UK revenue and customs officials troll newspaper articles media reports and then start up Tax investigations based on allegations made by newspapers, etc. I think it's always unwise for escorts to declare their earnings so publically.

 

I've been in this industry a long long long time, it's a very transient line of work where escorts (male and female) come and go every day of the week. Very few stay and make a career out of it like myself, something I don't think is reflected in the reports etc that are published.

[devonhunter]

Not sure if you were responding to me, but I was referring to male sex workers. If you aren't having sex with clients, then you aren't a sex worker.

 

Yes, I'm replying to you. :-) I didn't say I don't have sex with clients. I said that I have clients for whom sex is not the primary reason for booking time with me. So I am disagreeing with the idea that "it's all about money for sex." Many of the clients I do have sex with aren't placing the sex at the top of of their list. As adriano46 was nice enough to point out, there is more to all of this (whether sex ends up being involved or not) than simple prostitution. There isn't anything wrong/shameful about prostitution in my mind; however, I think what I am disagreeing with is the idea that all my art and skill is nothing but a money trap for paid orgasms.

[Rod Hagen]

Good/interesting article. I might be pushing my luck, but when I read about protecting male escorts (not street guys, that's got obvious potential for danger), I always ask myself "am I just extremely lucky, or do professional escorts exaggerate the risks to make it sound more interesting?" In 15 years of escorting, I've never had anything approaching an uncomfortable incident. Yes, I may be lucky, am probably lucky, but consider again 15 years is a long time to be lucky.

 

Right, now probably tomorrow I'll meet my first jerk, and it will all be because I said out loud, I'm lucky! :-)

[Juan Vancouver]

Yes, I'm replying to you. :-) I didn't say I don't have sex with clients. I said that I have clients for whom sex is not the primary reason for booking time with me. So I am disagreeing with the idea that "it's all about money for sex." Many of the clients I do have sex with aren't placing the sex at the top of of their list. As adriano46 was nice enough to point out, there is more to all of this (whether sex ends up being involved or not) than simple prostitution. There isn't anything wrong/shameful about prostitution in my mind; however, I think what I am disagreeing with is the idea that all my art and skill is nothing but a money trap for paid orgasms.

 

Beautifully put, Devon!

 

Sadly this is not an argument that will be settled anytime soon in this forum. There are many clients and escorts for whom the profession is about selling sex and there are many others for whom it's about companionship with all the different flavours in which companionship comes. Yes, I also have some clients, some of them good regulars with whom I have never engaged in anything sexual aside from enjoying being in the company of someone with whom one feels sexual attraction.

 

However to be fair I guess we have to understand some people's inability to even imagine hiring an escort to talk, to hang out, to go out to the Opera, to have a safe space where they can be themselves.

 

And in spite of what they may think, at least in my case, being adamant that what I provide is time for money is not because I am ashamed of "selling" sexual acts. Granted, I have never sold sexual acts, but I will be the first letting everyone know that I am very glad giving them away for free. No sexual shame here, just a very rounded understanding of my work, my repertoire and the wide range of needs that different clients might have.

 

But to each his own!

[Steven_Draker]

In 15 years of escorting, I've never had anything approaching an uncomfortable incident.

 

I think the article mentioned not only violent individuals, but also STI/HIV transmission as potential "threats" for the sex worker.

 

I'd like to add another one: the slippery slope of drug abuse. http://www.companyofmen.org/showthread.php?99853

[desertguy1954]

Juan and Devon,

 

Thank you both for those wonderful responses. I feel that some people do find it difficult to think that someone would want to spend the evening with an escort and not have sex. There are the times for me that the main purpose in spending time with an escort is for the company. To be with someone for the evening who enjoys a nite out with a special dinner and a show and can talk about all of that is wonderful.

I do know that there are allot of you out there that also enjoy evenings like that.

For me allot of times it is the companionship which makes the evening great of course the sex is also very nice. Again, the ones of you who have been successful and have the great reviews, know that the companionship that you offer in what ever form is what has made you a success in this field.

[bigvalboy]

Juan and Devon,

 

Thank you both for those wonderful responses. I feel that some people do find it difficult to think that someone would want to spend the evening with an escort and not have sex. There are the times for me that the main purpose in spending time with an escort is for the company. To be with someone for the evening who enjoys a nite out with a special dinner and a show and can talk about all of that is wonderful.

I do know that there are allot of you out there that also enjoy evenings like that.

For me allot of times it is the companionship which makes the evening great of course the sex is also very nice. Again, the ones of you who have been successful and have the great reviews, know that the companionship that you offer in what ever form is what has made you a success in this field.

 

+1 agree, nice responses from Juan and Devon. I also agree with you. As I age, hiring for companionship will most likely rule the day. I have recently invited an escort away for the weekend, and sex was not the first thing on my mind. I happened to become very connected to him, and was thinking initially only of the companionship. As Juan mentions, it is part of his work and repertoire. I think it takes special skills from and escort to fill that void.

[Steven_Draker]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KiopZHmBkDE/U-tFmVuWOpI/AAAAAAAAKi8/zMXvxZhZWtw/s1600/thread_hijack_in_progress_sign.png

 

The OP would like to invite you to stay on topic and not to hijack the thread.

[AdamSmith]

http://thebtheory.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/slingshot1.png?w=700&h=350