Anora- should sex work continue to be destigmatised?

[mids2019]

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/05/anora-missed-chance-to-spark-real-change-say-sex-workers

I am conflicted on one of the results about this Oscars success is that a spotlight has been thrown in sex work leading to calls for more decriminilastion and normalisation of sex work.

Though I have a great deal of sympathy for those whose circumstances that lead into sex work isn't a greater legitimacy of sex work a greater legitimacy of sex work itself including the clientele?

So if you hear sex workers calls for more legal protection and customisation then you have to decriminalize the activities of men surrounding this profession. Although possibly a financial lifeline for some women surely we must take into account the impact on society as a whole into accoint?

I would have to think deep and hard about being an 'ally' to sex work.

Thanks for replying. The internet means discussions are visible to a general public. People, like me, will discover this thread, even if the immediate buzz had died down.

Degrading people for their line of income (even if it means sex work) is not ok. People of all genders deserve support to cope with their situation, help to escape when they need to, aid while they still want to stay in it. Adding more stigma is not ok.

Those (of all genders) who offer and those who buy sexual services need a better society, where radical femininists and social conservatives don't govern the agenda in an unholy co-governance. Shaming should, if needed, be directed towards those who hinder basic human rights for people, including women. A society in which services between consenting adults are "criminalised, penalised and shamed" will be less open.

People that doesn't know the full extent of the word "consent" should be teached about it. And, possibly, about the fact that the socialist heaven, in which the utopia Marx preached about, is nowhere in sight. I pay my montly rent with money, and I consent to do things for pay.

I don't know about you, but I know a lot of women that I consider human beings. I speak to, listen to, and interact with them on a daily basis. Not for pay, but because I enjoy the interaction with human beings. I also happen to think sexual capital is real capital, and that it can be exhanged for value.

Then, what types of work would you stop your daughter choosing or contemplating? Do you have a list?

What 'basic human rights' are you referring to? That if a person wants to have sex then it's their RIGHT to have this, even if they can only get it by paying for it?

I detest the term 'sex worker', but then I don't spend my life defending the right of men to abuse women.

There's a big difference between tolerating something and destigmatising it.

In a way don't you need the stigma to protect women. The more legitimized prostitution becomes the more prone vulnerable women will become to try it as means of gaining income. I wonder how many OF models saw OF as easy money for strong confident empowered sexual woman but probably need a lifetime of therapy in future?

Having Hollywood present itself as an ally to this can't be a good thing?

I happen to know that MaggiemcNeill is closely linked with the extremely dodgy paedophile research organisation Prostasia. I will look into the others. Some people who defend this are questionable, to say the least. How many, I couldn't say..yet.

Not sure if Akerman is the best choice, given Jeanne Dielmann of Quai de Commerces Bruxelles ends up stabbing her client to death.

Lilya4ever is a very upsetting film about trafficking which however films the assaults from Lilya's POV so you feel her terror but it's not exploited to titillate. (I have a soft spot for the director, Sweden Lukas Moodysson, who also did the excellent Show Me Love, one of the best lesbian films, again respectfully & empathetically presented)

A bit like Jeanne Dielmann, then, which shows the woman's stultifying domestic life & simmering rage over her clients

But this would be better. I wish someone would make it... We need more indie films..

I am very pro Nordic model but I think we need to be clear what the issues are. AFAIK, there is a minority of escorts who have a lot of measures which give them autonomy over what happens during the transaction.

We need to be clear that the issue is not that all sex work is like your description,but that most 'wirkers' here are trafficked slaves.

Some men do gay for pay porn, I know little about why.

I've read some accounts that a subsection of the worst clients write on punternet & similar & the majority do not. This was from former sex workers who were not pro the sex trade. Not sure tho..

Tbf, some of those films, like Klute, Elmer Gantry & Monster, are complex & Klute & Monster esp didn't just portray the sexworker MCs as objects for a male audience.