Why Sex Workers’ Rights Are Queer Rights

Why Sex Workers' Rights Are Queer Rights

To celebrate Pride Month, the FSC (Free Speech Coalition) made the supportive case stating the sex workers' rights ARE queer rights. From the data that the FSC has collected, they report that over 59% of adult content creators identify as LGBTQ. The go on further to state that both the adult industry and queer community are dependent on the rights to privacy and bodily autonomy. They go on to point out that the groups that are advocating drag show bans, restrictions on gender-affirming care, and queer education are the same ones that support social media restrictions, age verification requirements, and financial discrimination against members from the adult industry. These conservative groups often use stigmas regarding sexual activity as a way to limit and ostracize sex works and the queer community, all under the label of morality.

 

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Those of us in the biz are all too aware of the state-by-state domino effect that is in place regarding age verification requirements under the idea of protecting minors from accessing inappropriate material. Under that umbrella, more and more states are making lawful requirements to restrict access of adult sites to the point that it is just easier for adult sites to pull out of those states. Pornhub is one of the biggies that has pulled out of multiple states. With studio sites, OnlyFans, and other porn sites restricted, how is the adult industry supposed to support itself?

 

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Prior to the age verification laws affecting the adult industry, there was and is ongoing banking and financial discrimination, urged on by conservative groups, towards sex workers. According to the FSC's Financial Discrimination and the Adult Industry Report, nearly 2 out of 3 people in the adult industry have lost a bank account and close to 40% have had an account closed in the last year. This goes hand in hand with credit card processing restrictions in place that affect any site or person that accepts credit or debit cards for content, goods, or services.

In addition to bank account closures, 50% have been denied loans, and 55% have reported to have been denied insurance. Fraudulent chargebacks are also an issue with 59% having experienced chargeback issues. 46% have had their accounts closed by a digital wallet or payment app.

 

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Are you a part-time adult content creator, or have had a Fans account at some point? Well, 3 in 5 performers have experienced some kind of discrimination at their mainstream place of employment. 30% have been threatened with or have been outed to their bank as an adult performer.

Have you been affected by discrimination for sex work?

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