Sex Work: Writings by Women in the Sex Industry

by Frédérique Delacoste and Priscilla Alexander

Book Overview

A landmark collection of writings by street prostitutes, exotic dancers, nude models, escorts, porn stars, and massage parlor workers. Since publication in 1987, SEX WORK has generated much discussion and has changed the language we use to talk about sex for money.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0939416115
• ISBN13: 9780939416110
• Release Date: January 1988
• Publisher: Cleis Press
• Length: 349 Pages
• Weight: 1.06 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Very personal look at women in the sex industry

Now that I've read, Whores and Other Feminists, Tales from the Clit, Sex for Sale, Out of Bondage, The Lusty Lady, and Brothel, Sex Work gives a personal touch beyond what Whores and Other Feminists has to offer. There is a line of reading that one must read to truly listen to the feminist minority that sex work is part of being a woman. Whether women get paid to have sex or not, all women live with social stigmas attached to them not only by men (police, politicians, and clients) but by women (wives, the feminist majority, and other sex workers). The book explores the good girl/bad girl status of a woman. There is also a lot of question between Madonna/Whore demarcation between women in the sex industry. It answers the question as to where did these women come from.Women in the sex industry are mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters. They are friends and co-workers. Sex workers are women who love and women who hate. They enjoy sex and don't enjoy sex. There is political activism and victims of the political process. The very personal accounts read as poems, diary entries, or stories that the reader asks whether it is fact or fiction. Whatever it is, Sex Work explores a world that we all seem to assume we know all about. The sex industry is expansive and limiting, liberating and oppressive. The question now must be asked how can we structure our society so that women aren't labeled for their sexual choices? There are so many women that are defined as prostitute, living under the cloak of legitimacy.

Exopa Terra says Sex Work is Great!

We love the inside view provided by Sex Work. It not only humanizes sex workers but provides considerable insight into experiences that have been ignored and denied by the mainstream media. We think Sex Work is a great book and highly recommend it to anyone who is working to gain insight into the mysterious world of the sex business.

Amazingly eye-opening

I couldn't believe what I was reading. Throughout the book I was learning more about the industry and the women who choose to pursue a career in it. I wish I had read it earlier. It dispelled many of my previous prejudices about the sex industry and those who are in it.

Highly Recommended

As an activist for sex workers' rights and the decriminalization of prostitution I highly recommend this book for everyone who is interested in a realistic, unbiased portrayal of sex work in North America. The first part of the book consists of first-person accounts of sex workers (escorts, street prostitutes, strippers, adult film actresses, peep show workers, etc.) discussing their experiences--the good and the bad--working in the sex industry. These accounts are followed by an overview of organizations dealing with the issue of prostitution (from the pro-decriminalization organization "Coyote" to the prostitutes-as-victims organization "Whisper") and an excellent discussion of the feminist, racial, religious, political, social, and cultural implications of sex work. Outstanding!