All week on The Spinoff we are delving into our relationship with the world of work in Aotearoa. For more Work Week stories, click here. I am turning 35 this year. Every day is different but starts much the same — drinking too much coffee, clearing my cellphone and brainstorming ways to innovate my many hustles. I work independently, which means I handle my own advertising, client communication and workspace.
Sometimes I love my job, sometimes I hate it. Whorephobia has many faces, many of whom genuinely think they are doing the right thing by forcing the sex industry to stay in the shadows.
It prevents us from advertising via traditional routes and connecting with a wider range of potential clients, and from having our knowledge, skills and experience valued as professional expertise. Why am I info-dumping all this on you? Because, dear Spinoff reader, opportunities for authentic representation in mainstream media are rare, and I want you to leave this article with a better understanding of what we experience.
Decriminalisation without destigmatisation keeps our struggle in the dark and we need your help to create lasting change. Follow, support and amplify sex worker-led movements. I had the pleasure of working alongside them through the holiday season and they are fired up for good reason.
Imagine being expected to work a physically and emotionally demanding job from 7pm until 4am with no guarantee you will make any money, but ample opportunity to get exorbitantly fined for something as small as missing a stage spot or being short with management?
