DIY Resource on touring as a sex worker in Australia

I worked as a sex worker in different states in Australia for about a year. I managed to do it, and do it well, by the grace of a few lovely and talented sex workers who taught me the ropes. As a result, my philosophy on sharing information on working safely and successfully in providing sex services is to share, for free, whatever information I have.

Sadly the reality is that sometimes I am inundated with requests and questions from people wanting to get into the business. I am flattered you asked me for my advice! But I will tell you that what you think is a simple question – is not. People contact me, I think, because they can see that I am a professional, community-minded, and that I love what I do. All these things are true. However! This means that I have a lot of information and knowledge and so when you ask me a question, I just can’t do you justice by giving you a simple answer. Selling sex services might look like a simple process – advertise, book, fuck – but it is skilled work that takes some thinking and planning. So please keep this in mind if you send me a request, and please  - write me back, tell me how it went, continue to share information, and at the very least – I love me a thank you.

Over the past year I have offered a very DIY workshop called Working It Down Under: Escorting in Australia a few times. I recommend a trip to Oz to anyone who wants a sunshine holiday and the opportunity to work in a decriminalized environment (in only some Australian states). Of course, there are some limitations, some of which are discussed on the handout below.

Legally things are changing over there, especially in Western Australia. Also sex workers are embroiled in constant fights with city councils to keep brothels firmly on the agenda during elections. Australian and migrant sex workers down under are very well organized to fight back against the moral crusade to keep laws on our bodies.

All this to say that my caveat is that some of the information on this handout I made back in July 2010 might be inaccurate or a bit misleading (since I couldn’t give the whole story), I hope it gives you all a taste of what to expect. I highly recommend going on over to Scarlet Alliance to get the whole 411 on what’s happening now, and of course, to make friends with some of the smartest, sluttiest and most empowered hookers I know.

Edited: January 9th, 2011

Desiree Alliance Conference, Here Comes Lusty!

I’m so excited, because I’m going to Vegas! Desiree Alliance is holding its annual conference July 25-30, 2010, with the theme “Working Sex: Power, Practice, and Politics.” I’ve always guiltily loved Vegas, and now I can’t think of a better reason to go there than to spend time with a few hundred other sex workers.

My workshop proposal for the business development track was recently accepted. Here is the description, please email me with any comments or ideas you might have to make it even better:

Working It Down Under: How to Escort Successfully in Australia

Interested in working and holidaying in Australia? In some parts of Australia, sex work is decriminalized. Come to this workshop to learn from a fellow traveler how to take advantage of the rare opportunity to escort legally and safely in this beautiful and friendly country. Topics include: how to apply for visas to Australia; best practice tips for maximizing your fun and funds in brothels, including how to score clients, charge for extras, and keep drama to a minimum; how to work within the law; how to access health care for sex workers; managing your income between countries, including income tax restrictions; dealing with advertising guidelines in print and online publications; analysis of racism and transphobia in the Australian sex industry and what it means for your business; negotiating big-money clients; how to turn your perhaps ordinary accent into $$$; introduction to Australian sex worker organizations and cultural groups; doing self-care and dealing with homesickness when traveling especially while working in the industry. The workshop will focus on full service work in brothels as well as independent GFE escorting. Your questions and experience welcome!

Edited: March 24th, 2010

Advertising Discrimination for Sex Workers

Dear advertisers,

I’ve edited my text from “lips” to “L1PS”, suggested explosions and release instead of orgasms, and implied I offer “erotic services” instead of plain ol’ sex. I have done all this, and more, to meet your needs, the needs of online websites and newspaper companies who gladly take my money to run my sex work advertisements (and who often charge me heaps more than any other category of advertisement) but who don’t respond to my needs for responsible and accurate representation of what I offer and what I don’t offer to prospective clients. Partly this is about following the law, but partly it is about you making a buck. “This is not large commercial brothels, this is individual sex workers being charged several times more than other advertisers. There seems to be no reason for this difference.” says Janelle Fawkes, CEO, Scarlet Alliance, Australian Sex Workers Association. It is discrimination because we are sex workers. Plain and simple.

This is about my safety, people. And that has me hopping mad today. You will hear from me again.

Love,
Lusty Day

Does any other businessperson have the difficulty in reaching appropriate clients that sex workers do? I spend a great deal of time crafting my advertisments, researching escort websites, taking accurate photos and ensuring that my business takes place in a discreet manner to protect my clients, minors, and my business (i.e. in areas of the Internet safeguarded by parental controls, and with appropriate adult content warnings, and accessible via iPhones and other mobile devices so clients can access my photos more discreetly). And yet! All forces seem against me when I attempt to reach clients responsibly. (more…)

Edited: January 11th, 2010