As someone who has been active in trans and sex work organizing for many years, I have to say that Esperanza Fonseca comes up almost every time and it is a source of never-ending frustration (my comment above mentions within it the importance of not over-relying on “Exited” sex workers as sources) because the organizations she works with are funded by right-wing Christian evangelical groups that protest abortion rights and trans health care at the same time that they advocate for increasing border police funding to “save” migrant women from sex trafficking.
No need to feel bad, I didn’t call you out directly because that particular essay is largely her personal experiences (which is an aspect of sex work discourse that I talk about in my essay up above) and so on its surface its hard to find fault with her sharing it; without knowing more about Esperanza I understand why so many people share her work. It feels like important inside information from a marginalized voice that has lived it. However what she does is leverage the shock at her personal trauma to push really dangerous ideas on behalf of really dangerous people and then shut down counter-discourse as being bigoted, discriminatory, or pro-abuse. This type of rhetoric is very popular across the political spectrum, and so I don’t blame someone who isn’t more involved for reading that and then sharing it. That’s the trouble with someone who has personal experience: they can create an air of being a moral authority. Only deeper engagement can make the true impacts of this kind of discourse apparent, but of course most people are not sex workers and thus aren’t likely to engage deeper.
ANYWAY, sorry to type so much, point is don’t beat yourself up, it’s really great you want to read more. I have a comment above at the end of my long essay chain that is just books you can read about feminism/abolition, and on the topic of sex work specifically Revolting Prostitutes is fantastic entry-level dive into sex worker movements, advocacy, and the different legal models and their impacts on the lives of street workers.
It feels like important inside information from a marginalized voice that has lived it. However what she does is leverage the shock at her personal trauma to push really dangerous ideas on behalf of really dangerous people and then shut down counter-discourse as being bigoted, discriminatory, or pro-abuse.
This is what got me, and thank you for clarifying it.
Either way, I am working through your essay, and it makes far more sense so far! I really appreciate it. The bit on active vs former sex worker voices was important for me as well, I can see how identity can be weaponized against marginalized groups.
Just got to the 4 models section! Will also add Revolting Prostitutes to my list.
Edit: finished it! Like I added above, thank you very much, it corrected my misconceptions and helped me better understand sex work in general.
ANYWAY, sorry to type so much, point is don’t beat yourself up, it’s really great you want to read more.
I think the biggest takeaway is that unless I am thoroughly involved in activism and regularly speaking with directly impacted individuals, I should be extremely careful before speaking if it’s nevessary in the first place, and take a step back otherwise. I’m not trying to beat myself up, I just want to be a better comrade. Thanks again, I mean it!
As someone who has been active in trans and sex work organizing for many years, I have to say that Esperanza Fonseca comes up almost every time and it is a source of never-ending frustration (my comment above mentions within it the importance of not over-relying on “Exited” sex workers as sources) because the organizations she works with are funded by right-wing Christian evangelical groups that protest abortion rights and trans health care at the same time that they advocate for increasing border police funding to “save” migrant women from sex trafficking.
I feel terrible now for recommending it, I apologize.
Is there a better text on sex work I can read? I want to do better, I took down the original comment.
No need to feel bad, I didn’t call you out directly because that particular essay is largely her personal experiences (which is an aspect of sex work discourse that I talk about in my essay up above) and so on its surface its hard to find fault with her sharing it; without knowing more about Esperanza I understand why so many people share her work. It feels like important inside information from a marginalized voice that has lived it. However what she does is leverage the shock at her personal trauma to push really dangerous ideas on behalf of really dangerous people and then shut down counter-discourse as being bigoted, discriminatory, or pro-abuse. This type of rhetoric is very popular across the political spectrum, and so I don’t blame someone who isn’t more involved for reading that and then sharing it. That’s the trouble with someone who has personal experience: they can create an air of being a moral authority. Only deeper engagement can make the true impacts of this kind of discourse apparent, but of course most people are not sex workers and thus aren’t likely to engage deeper.
ANYWAY, sorry to type so much, point is don’t beat yourself up, it’s really great you want to read more. I have a comment above at the end of my long essay chain that is just books you can read about feminism/abolition, and on the topic of sex work specifically Revolting Prostitutes is fantastic entry-level dive into sex worker movements, advocacy, and the different legal models and their impacts on the lives of street workers.
This is what got me, and thank you for clarifying it.
Either way, I am working through your essay, and it makes far more sense so far! I really appreciate it. The bit on active vs former sex worker voices was important for me as well, I can see how identity can be weaponized against marginalized groups.
Just got to the 4 models section! Will also add Revolting Prostitutes to my list.
Edit: finished it! Like I added above, thank you very much, it corrected my misconceptions and helped me better understand sex work in general.
I think the biggest takeaway is that unless I am thoroughly involved in activism and regularly speaking with directly impacted individuals, I should be extremely careful before speaking if it’s nevessary in the first place, and take a step back otherwise. I’m not trying to beat myself up, I just want to be a better comrade. Thanks again, I mean it!