Diversity Rules Magazine

Sex Workers - Con't from page 15 more long-term ac vity where it filled a monetary void in my life easily and quickly. I found not only did it sa sfy a temporary need to supplement lim- ited resources, but it also provided a service to mar- ginalized men, both straight and gay, or those who simply were not being fulfilled in exis ng rela on- ships. What makes this service to the community any less important than someone working a job to feed their families, and which derives them some degree of sa sfac on for doing so? All while doing it, there was an underlying worry that some would find out about what I was doing, and due to society's looking down upon such ac vi- es, it created a sense of guilt at the same me for doing it, as it fostered a sense that I was less wor- thy of a human being for doing something as old as me itself, and that is recognized as a legi mate profession in many countries. As me went on, those feelings dissipated, as I met very nice men, some of whom have become more than just clients, but friends to confide in. How is that aspect of being a sex worker bad? While I have other means of income to rely upon during this me of limited personal contact and the threat of this virus, I empathize and sympathize with my compatriots who are suffering from a lack of clients and who have experienced a severe loss of primary income from being a sex worker. I most as- suredly advocate on their behalf, and I am appalled that our government has cast them aside as irrel- evant components of our economy by not providing the same assistance to them, as it is providing to most Americans through the s mulus program. They are unable to find work, for the reasons stated earlier in this essay, and are being le to fend for themselves. Also, as we all know, the very same people mocking and disparaging the commission of escorts and other sex workers, are the very same people who u lize their services. It is hypocri cal, at best, that the sex workers they partake of are the same persons which they deny exist, and deprive of needed assistance. This pandemic will surely subside, and our lives will indeed get back to normal. We should take this opportunity to examine how we treat our fellow Americans in professions that are deemed less than worthy by those in power many mes. Sex work- ers are friends, family, and fellow Americans who are deserving of respect and dignity. To do other- wise is an abdica on of our duty to care for and ex- press concern for our fellow human beings who are struggling during mes of crisis. It is high me that our na on becomes more pro- gressive and accep ng of sex workers and legi miz- es and legalizes the ac vi es which they rely upon to earn an income, as other countries have done. To do that we must purge our na on's governing structure of those mired in religious zealotry and bigotry, and who feel they are supremely guided to judge others for who and what they are, and more importantly for what they do. It is me to treat sex workers and how they make money, as legi mate players in our economic structure, and a profession that produces billions in revenue, so they are not persecuted and le behind once again when the next pandemic strikes. Sex workers of the world unite and become a force to reckon with! The me has come to demand the rights that we deserve and that have been deprived to us for so long. 20 Diversity Rules Magazine May 2020

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