sex worker
Sells intimate services
A sex worker is someone who provides sexual services for money—including prostitutes, escorts, strippers, and pornographic performers.
The term emerged as a neutral, non-judgmental alternative to words like prostitute or whore: Sex workers advocate for decriminalization.
It emphasizes the labor aspect and is preferred by many in the industry.
Pleading for a cause
- decriminalizationEnding criminal status
- legalizationMaking something lawful
- unionJoining into one
- organizingSystematically putting in order
activism · safety · healthcare · consent · autonomy · agency · dignity · respect
One's regular paid work
- professionTrained occupational field
- livelihoodMeans of earning income
- incomeRegular monetary receipts
- clientOne who hires professionals
services · transaction · payment · negotiation · booking · boundaries · screening · rates
Evaluative selection process
- verificationProving something accurate
- boundariesLines marking separation
- condomsContraceptive barrier device
- testingExamining to evaluate
STI · PrEP · security · protection · alarm · check-in · blacklist · violence
Relegation to powerless periphery
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
ostracism · criminalization · stereotyping · outing · disclosure · secrecy · exclusion · bias
Those of equal status
- solidarityUnity among allies
- supportTo uphold or sustain
- networkInterconnected system
- collectiveJointly organized group
online · forum · mentorship · resources · outreach · destigmatization · visibility · pride
advocacy
Pleading for a cause
- decriminalizationEnding criminal status
- legalizationMaking something lawful
- unionJoining into one
organizing · activism · safety · healthcare · consent · autonomy · agency · dignity · respect · equality
occupation
One's regular paid work
- professionTrained occupational field
- livelihoodMeans of earning income
- incomeRegular monetary receipts
client · services · transaction · payment · negotiation · booking · boundaries · screening · rates · independent
screening
Evaluative selection process
- verificationProving something accurate
- boundariesLines marking separation
- condomsContraceptive barrier device
testing · STI · PrEP · security · protection · alarm · check-in · blacklist · violence · trafficking
marginalization
Relegation to powerless periphery
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- shamePainful awareness of failure
judgment · ostracism · criminalization · stereotyping · outing · disclosure · secrecy · exclusion · bias · misconception
peers
Those of equal status
- solidarityUnity among allies
- supportTo uphold or sustain
- networkInterconnected system
collective · online · forum · mentorship · resources · outreach · destigmatization · visibility · pride · culture
- sex tradeprostitution, brothel, escort, pimp, streetwalker
- inclusive languagegender-neutral, they/them, singular they, preferred pronouns, pronouns