Sex Work and the Web: Digital's Role in the Industry

Sex is no stranger to the Internet, and yet sex workers — including porn actors, escorts and webcam models — continue to face unique hostility in the digital age.

In addition to stigma, negativity and “rescue" efforts, many sex workers face discrimination from online services that most of us use without thinking twice. For example, Amazon has allegedly deleted sex workers’ Wish Lists, while Chase Bank recently began canceling non-criminal sex workers’ accounts.

“Our speech is often what they come for first,” said journalist and former sex worker Melissa Gira Grant at the Theorizing the Web conference on Friday night. “So, if you want a preview of what will happen to everyone else on the Internet, this is a really remarkable opportunity.” Read more...