"Sex Work Is Work" is a shit slogan.

[ScreamingMeMe]

I know the intent behind it is that sex work is nothing to be ashamed of, and it absolutely isn't. But there isn't a great deal of nuance to it, is there?

For every self-proclaimed "happy hooker" or Only Fans worker, there will be 1000s of women who have been abused and/or trafficed whose "choice" to do sex work wasn't really a choice at all, whose lives are grim and shit.

"Sex work is work" makes no such distinctions. So can we really expect the men who use sex workers to?

I'm trying to think of a better slogan, but can't come up with anything quite as catchy. But maybe simple, catchy slogans aren't possible for complex issues.

"Don't Shame Sex Workers"?

I dunno...

[ArabellaScott]

I liked this point.

[AssassinatedBeauty]

The intent of that slogan isn't about removing shame from the women who are involved. It's about normalising it for punters and for everyone else. To gloss over the obvious issues and make the debate into one about employment rights and employment protections rather than women's safety and status in society.

[ScreamingMeMe]

@AssassinatedBeauty

The intent of that slogan isn't about removing shame from the women who are involved. It's about normalising it for punters and for everyone else. To gloss over the obvious issues and make the debate into one about employment rights and employment protections rather than women's safety and status in society.

Do you think the Lib Fems who chant it realise this? I bet a lot of the wokey blokeys do anyway - I bet they can't believe their luck

[lotsofdogshere]

@AssassinatedBeauty

The intent of that slogan isn't about removing shame from the women who are involved. It's about normalising it for punters and for everyone else. To gloss over the obvious issues and make the debate into one about employment rights and employment protections rather than women's safety and status in society.

Exactly this. I’m old and sick of hearing c* trotted out about sex workers.

[Shehasadiamondinthesky]

Sex work is exploitation.

[SapphireSeptember]

I like to point out that pimps and those who traffick women and children into prostitution count as 'sex workers'. (I think that was from a post I saw on RadFem Black's FB page.) I detest the term 'SWERF', why am I in the wrong for wanting protect women and children from rape and exploitation? (Well I know I'm not, it's just another term to shut down women.)

I dunno what we could replace it with though, so that's no help. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Realista]

@ArabellaScott

I liked this point.

That’s a fantastic point. Really well written. Who made it?

[PinusSylvestris]

I was thinking along the lines of modern slavery is work too of course , but ArabellaScott's quote covers more and is better!

[Bollindger]

Self respect seems to have gone out the window, as internet useage rises.
What in heavens name has happened that people will broadcast anything for money.
Just because it's done without meeting up youngster of today have dissociated it from reality and feel they are empowering themselves.
However not all their clients will be attractive, do people even think about who is buying their self respect for a few quid.

[334bu]

How about "sex work" is often slavery

Nice ring to it.

[Mumsnut]

Sex work is dangerous

[Bollindger]

Could you do a poster of someone holding someone's arm behind their back. While from the front the person is looking invitingly at a punter.
Slogan
No one willingly sells their body, SOMEONE IS lusting after your wallet.

[WoolOfBat]

Why is this in sex - gender debate? I find this so confusing. Screaming, I completely understand your point and I fully agree.

However, I believe that all posters who may give us any insight into why this possibly could be a good idea are avoiding this sub board as the plague. I would be interested to hear views opposing mine as this would help me understand better. Would you consider moving it?

However, if you prefer to have the thread here I obviously support you fully.

[Coronawireless]

You’re saying sex work is wrong because women are trafficked or exploited.
What if it’s the woman’s free choice and she’s working for herself?
If she IS being trafficked or exploited, then that is not sex work, it is theft, abduction and rape and the penalty should fit those crimes.

Just like cleaning a house is cleaning a house. But if you are forced into doing it, that is abduction and slavery.

They’re not the same thing and ideally there should be clearer legislation around it all. While I would never encourage sex work as I think it’s dangerous and demeaning, those who do it ideally would register and pay tax so that it’s clear who is benefiting financially from it. However I can fully understand why governments don’t want to legitimise sex work as a career choice.

[wingsofsteel]

All very good points. Plus, if the meaning behind the 'sex work is work' slogan is supposed to be that sex work is to be treated exactly the same as any other kind of work and not just that men want an excuse to see exploiting women as a legitimate transactionthen what about the application of health and safety laws? If prostitutes had risk assessments like any other 'business' and had rules about vetting clients (including knowing true names and addresses etc) and protective clothing/equipment (like medical professionals who come in to contact with the same sort of bodily fluids) I doubt the punters would be too keen.

So for your slogan- 'Sex work is exempt from health and safety at work laws'. Or possibly- Sex workers are workers who don't deserve any protection'

[Bollindger]

Sex workers, just not a job you want for your family!

[Coronawireless]

Yes but it’s not “just” about men wanting to exploit women (although sadly they often do). Lots of women actively choose to do it. You don’t have to study or get a degree, it’s flexible, if you’re young and attractive you can earn a lot more money in the short term than you ever could with many other types of work. Again, I would never encourage it but lots of women would disagree with me.

[ArabellaScott]

Realista, something I picked up off the internet. A google suggests it came from this Tumblr account: misgenderer.tumblr.com/post/630075364674306048/one-of-the-most-baffling-things-of-the-pro

• but I have no idea who to accurately attribute it to, sorry!

[Xoxoxoxoxoxox]

ideally there should be clearer legislation around it all. While I would never encourage sex work as I think it’s dangerous and demeaning, those who do it ideally would register and pay tax so that it’s clear who is benefiting financially from it.

This wouldn't stop a coercive 'boyfriends' from exploiting a woman or the UK ending up with German style Megabrothels if sex work was taxed and legalised.
The only one's benifiting would be the Government with a new tax revenue income stream.

[Realista]

Thanks @ArabellaScott!

[SmokedDuck]

It reminds me of a lot of other slogans, like "Love is love" - true in some sense but missing the point, and utterly useless in terms of making an argument.

They hope people won't bother to question the premise and what it's foundations are.

[DysonSphere]

Self exploitation is still exploitation.

[ScreamingMeMe]

WoolOfBat my bad, I was lurking here last and didn't think to switch forums. I'll see if I can get it changed.

Coronawireless Sure. I said as much in my OP. I don't know anything about the origin of the phrase, and had assumed it covered all those involved in sex work, whether voluntarily or not. So that's where I was coming from. I could be totally wrong.

wingsofsteel or just "Protect Sex Workers" ? And that means employment protection and protection from violence Nd exploitation.

[ScreamingMeMe]

Oh it's been moved. Cool beans.

[ScreamingMeMe]

And this thread has moved on. That'll teach me to refresh!