I don't think that there's anything wrong with it, if someone chooses to go along with it.
Same thing with being an escort. I have friends in the business, and my mom used to manage an escort business and has gone as an independent escort. It's not always about sex, but it can come into the picture.
I should mention that there's a bit of a difference between the hooker on the street corner and a professional escort -- especially in terms of money and the types of clients you get. Not to say that there aren't some shady escort business... that's true of any business, really.
I also wouldn't say it's for everybody, either. I have connections if I wanted to get into, for example, but it's just not for me. But I'm not going to tell my friends, who do it because they want to, that it's wrong. It's not my place. As long as it is consensual and they stay safe, I have no qualms.
I think one of the things that also made the decision easier was that my SRS was funded (at the time) by my provincial health insurance. If I had no funding, there's a part of me that would consider it -- especially when you can have rates around $500/hr up to $3000 an evening (yes, that's an actual rate of one trans escort I knew, who got calls constantly... pulling in $10,000 a month or more... not bad. Most clients also became usuals, and not all wanted sex either... there's plenty who just wanted companionship, a few cuddles, and someone to talk to).
There's one caveat to the money, however, it can be hard to leave behind... especially if your pre-op trans and you know the money maker is that you're pre-op and in a niche market.
Another pitfall, of course, is if you get involved with drugs... with having a lot of money around, it can be easy to party it up. Unfortunately, besides your own health, it also affects clients and your work -- this is where you have the girls on the street corner doing $20 jobs or for a couple rocks (crack). It's where you get the sleezy pimps doubling as your dealer, too. It's very unfortunate. When I used to live down town, I lived in an area where there were lots of street people and women on the street. I knew many, talked to them, and treated them like a person. At that point, they were doing it out of necessity and addiction. It's a very rough life style, and the clients you get aren't screened at all ('cause they are just ppl who drive up). It can be a very difficult, up-hill battle for these women and men to get help with their addictions and getting into programs to help them get back into their feet. There are a few places here that help, like the Women in Needs, that has programs. I've known people who have been on the streets and been able to get off the streets through these programs (which, sadly, are often underfunded for the work they do to change lives). Often, it can be hard for people to remember that these people on the corners hooking are people, too. Often, the corners are the bottom and not a fun place to be, and not always something that someone does out of choice.
Post Merge: May 12, 2010, 11:56:57 PM
I should also mention that being a professional escort is work. Often one joins a reputable agency because of client screening, better money, and protection. Also, most reputable agencies often will also require that you are clean, you use protection, and you're not a junkie, etc. A good agency will be there for you.
