💥 Sex Work Mythbusting: Let’s Set the Record Straight

by Ally Cat

When it comes to sex work, there’s no shortage of hot takes—and unfortunately, a lot of them are just plain wrong. From wild generalisations to recycled stigma dressed up as “concern,” misinformation about sex work is everywhere.

But we’re not here for the shame spiral—we’re here for the truth. Let’s bust some of the most common myths about sex work and start replacing judgement with understanding, and assumptions with facts.

❌ MYTH #1: “Sex work isn’t real work.”

✅ TRUTH: Yes, it absolutely is. Sex work is labour—emotional, physical, and entrepreneurial. Like other service industries, it involves managing clients, building relationships, maintaining safety, and navigating inconsistent income. Unlike most jobs, it also requires dealing with heavy social stigma, legal grey areas, and a lack of labour protections.

People do sex work for all kinds of reasons—survival, autonomy, financial freedom, flexibility. Just because it doesn’t look like your 9-to-5 doesn’t mean it’s not valid.

❌ MYTH #2: “No one would choose to be a sex worker.”

✅ TRUTH: This is a deeply patronising assumption.Many sex workers do choose this work. Some find it empowering, some find it practical, some see it as the best option available. There are, of course, people who don’t enjoy the work or who are in it due to limited choices—that’s true across most industries (hello, late-stage capitalism!).

The key issue here isn’t whether someone “loves” their job—it’s about respecting their agency and fighting for safer, more supportive working conditions for all workers.

❌ MYTH #3: “Sex workers need rescuing.”

✅ TRUTH: Nope. What they need is rights, safety, and respect.The “rescue” narrative often does more harm than good. It centres outsiders and strips sex workers of their autonomy.

What sex workers have been asking for—loudly and clearly—is the right to be heard, to work safely, to be free from violence and stigma, and to be part of the conversations that affect their lives.

Trust: they don’t need saving. They need you to listen.

❌ MYTH #4: “Sex work is exploitation.”

✅ TRUTH: Exploitation can exist in sex work (just like in any industry), but sex work itself is not inherently exploitative. Many sex workers negotiate their own boundaries, rates, and working conditions.

Conflating all sex work with trafficking or coercion erases the voices of those who choose this work and makes it harder to address real cases of exploitation.

We can care about preventing abuse without criminalising or silencing sex workers.

❌ MYTH #5: “If you respect women, you shouldn’t support sex work.”

✅ TRUTH: Respecting women means respecting their choices—even ones you wouldn’t make for yourself. Sex work and feminism are not at odds. In fact, many sex workers are at the forefront of feminist movements, advocating for bodily autonomy, economic justice, and gender equity.

If your feminism excludes sex workers, it might be time for a tune-up.

So, What Now?

If you’ve ever repeated one of these myths, you’re not alone. We’ve all absorbed a lot of stigma from media, school, and society. The good news? You can unlearn it.

The next time you hear someone spouting judgement or misinformation, you’ve got the tools to speak up. Educating yourself is one of the most powerful ways to be an ally—and it’s a key part of building a pole community that’s respectful, inclusive, and rooted in the truth.

Because sexy doesn’t mean shallow—and respect is always in style. 💋

Sex Work Mythbusting.pdf

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