I'm a Toronto sex worker: Here'south why I find my job empowering

Who wouldn't desire to be paid well to do something that makes them and others experience good?

I have been working in the sexual practice trade since November 2008. Like the sex workers featured in Selling Sexual practice, a documentary presented past The Passionate Eye, I also notice my chore to exist lucrative, enjoyable and empowering.

In that location's a negative stigma around the industry that desperately needs to change. Many people view sexual practice workers as victims who have been pushed into this piece of work by circumstances beyond their control or sheer desperation. I am neither; I do this job by choice.

Simply for more than than a decade, I didn't talk about my work much with others — mostly because I didn't want my family unit to be afraid for me, merely also because I found my job made other people uncomfortable.

In the film, British filmmaker Louis Theroux presents the stories of sex activity workers with respect, compassion and humanity. Documentaries similar this are integral in helping to dispel stigmas against those who willingly work in the sex industry.

Breaking those stigmas is the reason that I decided to come out every bit a proud sex worker to my community of friends and family a year ago.

Why I became a sex worker

In my early teens, I aspired to exist an Olympic-level figure skater, a fashion designer, a instructor, and a mom but never a prostitute.

By 2008, I was working as a clothing department manager at an adult store and living alone in a 2-bedroom apartment. I couldn't pay my rent and wanted more freedom in life. And sex work seemed similar an appealing fashion to meet my financial needs in a manner that gave a good return for my time and free energy.

I reached out to a practiced friend who I knew was working as an escort, and she (somewhat reluctantly) gave me guidance on how to safely enter the business. Initially, I felt ashamed. Fortunately, my first appointment was wonderful, and the initial pangs of shame I felt melted away equally I re-counted my money at home.

Sex activity work has also served as a vehicle for my ain sexual self-discovery. Most of my co-workers adopt heterosexual, monogamous relationships in their personal lives, but I am bisexual, dear kink and am definitely not a monogamist. Sex work is a perfect way for me to nurture all these aspects.

How I detect empowerment in sex work

Similar two of the three women interviewed in Selling Sex and many sex workers in the manufacture, I have a history of sexual and psychological abuse. I find commodifying my body a way to take back ability both physically and psychologically. Men enjoy my visitor and tell me that I'k brilliant and attractive. I feel confident and worthy.

What'southward really empowering is knowing I help clients feel good almost themselves, too. Some of my clients are also sexual abuse survivors, and with them, I ensure that they aren't participating in whatsoever sex acts that are harmful.

I don't want to add to another person's trauma, so I treat all my clients with the aforementioned respect and dignity I, and all people, should exist treated with. I'k proud of the role I play in education clients all the ways to have a good for you and enjoyable sexual connection.

Understanding how laws touch on sexual practice workers

In England, it'south legal to "sell sexual activity" so long as it doesn't involve coercion, exploitation or abuse, isn't causing a public nuisance, and doesn't involve a brothel. But not in Canada.

Here, Bill C-36, called the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act, makes it legal for workers to sell sex but illegal for clients to pay for it. We're restricted in how we advertise our services and demand to work indoors in small (but hidden) brothels, our ain homes or travel out to a client. This puts usa at risk because nosotros demand to be discreet. Although most of our clients are safety, the police force makes information technology difficult to screen clients to protect ourselves confronting sexual predators. And if at that place is a problem, calling the police force often isn't an option.

Telling stories of women who are involved in sex work from a positive viewpoint is important to change people's attitudes. Once we change our perceptions nearly sex activity workers and the people who seek our services, I hope that the laws volition modify to make our working environment safer.

After all, who wouldn't want to be paid well to exercise something that makes them and others feel expert?

Spotter Selling Sex activity on The Passionate Middle.

Available on CBC Jewel