Sex workers are professionals who provide various sexual services for their clients, such as companionship, massages, flirting, romance, kissing, cuddling, etc. Their work is often stigmatized, degraded, and criminalized. Racial stereotypes are also prevalent against Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities. These intersect to create unique challenges for sex workers of color.
Clients may have negative attitudes towards sex workers based on their race, which can lead to discrimination and violence. This includes refusal to hire, payment reduction, verbal abuse, physical assault, rape, murder, and more. Sex workers may be seen as less attractive due to stereotypical beliefs about their bodies, intelligence, sexual skills, or behavior. They may face social rejection from family members and friends because of their occupation.
Broader society has its own set of stereotypes about sex workers, including that they are promiscuous, immoral, dangerous, deceitful, drug addicted, exploited, unclean, and vulnerable. This makes it harder for them to access healthcare, financial support, housing, and other resources. The government may target them with laws aimed at eradicating prostitution. Police officers may profile them as criminals, leading to arrests and incarceration.
To navigate these overlapping stereotypes, some sex workers use strategies like camouflage (blending into mainstream culture), adaptation (changing their appearance or behavior), resistance (fighting back against oppression), or solidarity (supporting each other).
A Black woman might wear business attire instead of revealing clothing, while an Asian man could present himself as intellectual and professional. A Latina may join a support group for victims of trafficking, while a Native American may organize a protest against police brutality.
Sex workers of color must also challenge the societal norms that justify prejudice towards both their race and profession. This includes challenging racist beauty standards, advocating for decriminalization, demanding safe working conditions, and educating people about consent and respect. By doing so, they can improve their safety and dignity while making their work more accessible and socially acceptable.
How do sex workers of color navigate overlapping racial and sexual stereotypes imposed by clients and broader society?
Sex work is an industry where people with different races and ethnicities come together for commercial sexual services. This brings about both positive and negative experiences due to the existence of racial and sexual stereotypes that are imposed by clients and the wider society. Sex workers of color experience various challenges while navigating through these stereotypes.