Agency-Based Male Sex Work: A Descriptive Focus on Physical, Personal, and Social Space.
Thirty male sex workers (MSWs) from a single agency participated in a qualitative interview about social and occupational aspects of their lives. MSWs established physical (defined areas where clients were not invited) and psychological (limitations of relationship with clients, other escorts, and the agency manager) boundaries to construct personal and professional space regarding sex work. Physical and psychological boundaries often were blended (e.g., bringing friends/family to the agency, utilizing the agency as a "drop-in community center"). The agency further mitigated negative aspects of sex work by providing job training, social support, stigma management, and dual-use space. Actors co-created a context wherein business could be conducted while meeting MSWs' psychosocial needs.
Department of Psychology, Susquehanna University.
Michael D
MD
Smith
Christian
C
Grov
David W
DW
Seal