Sex Work is Real Work, Even in Romance

I want to say it’s hard to believe, in this day and age, that sex work is more heavily shamed than it is supported, but unfortunately, it’s true. The true demographics are impossible to collect, but the stigma is very slow to work its way out of cultural consciousness. While folks who engage in the criminalized sex work categories might garner more empathy in contemporary conversation, those who choose to make their money in other forms of sex work—including adult entertainment, cam work, paid BDSM work, and other types of tittilating work that include the use of their bodies for visual and physical stimulation—are looked down upon as a less acceptable way to make money. 

Sex work has always appeared in romance novels, but historically never in a positive way. In Old School historical romances in particular, both Regency and Western romance authors have come up with endless ways to introduce us to the destitute woman who could end up becoming a prostitute if she wasn’t rescued by the leading man. As the genre evolved and the sex-positive movement started to incorporate sex work, a more nuanced introduction to sex workers started to appear, including people working in categories where money was exchanged for physical intimacy. Beverly Jenkins has featured multiple characters who, far from being the stereotypical blushing virgins, have made lemonade out of their situations. And I’ve pulled together a few more books featuring people who engage in various kinds of sex work, including cam work, exotic dancing, and sex work in its most traditional form. 

You, Me, U.S. by Brigitte Bautista Liza and Jo are best friends making do in Manila. While Liza, a sales clerk, has been trying to land a green card marriage to get herself and her family out of poverty, Jo is (relatively) satisfied with her life as a sex worker. This is a slow, slow burn between two friends coming to terms with their feelings for each other, and involves both characters having sex with other people as they work their way towards each other romantically. It’s a spectacular novel, though it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

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