March 3rd is International Sex Worker Rights Day. For a quarter-century, this day has commemorated the tireless efforts of sex workers and sex worker advocates, while drawing attention to the ongoing injustices and stigma faced by those in the industry.
Sex work is legitimate work. Misguided legislation and societal stigma that encourage negative attitudes about the value of people who work in the adult industry are the root cause of dangers experienced by these workers.
In an age of ongoing censorship and misguided policies, sex worker rights continue to be attacked and stripped. Legislation aimed to protect sex trafficking victims and sex workers is not only often misconceived but also harmful to the very people the laws claim to protect. Restrictive policies, including those enforced on social media platforms, create risks for sex workers by pushing them further into the shadows, where they are more exposed to mistreatment.
We asked community member Gwen Adora about her thoughts on sex worker rights. She said, "Protecting the rights of sex workers in turn protects the freedoms of everyday people across the world. When you give up sex worker rights, you are giving up on human rights."
Leilani Li expanded on that, saying, “I think it is imperative we end the criminalization and stigma of sex work. Feeding into this in such a marginalized community creates even more dangers. I appreciate platforms like Pornhub are providing a safe, regulated place for sex workers to share their work, thrive, and share their stories – thus, changing the narrative. As a lifelong sex worker, I want to promote sex positivity and a healthy outlet to explore yourself and your sexuality. I, along with my vast community, deserve the right to feel and be protected.”
Algorithms on many platforms unfairly target sex workers in the form of shadow bans, suspensions, loss of livelihood privileges, and content removal, despite taking extra care not to violate community guidelines. They do this while mainstream brands and celebrity accounts frequently feature nudity and overt sexuality with no repercussions, while PG accounts such as ours are regularly banned without adequate explanation.
We would like to remind our Models and users alike that they are never alone in this community. We have formed partnerships with resources like Pineapple Support, a free to use therapy center for all members of the sex work community, The Cupcake Girls, a nonprofit organization that empowers sex workers and survivors of sex trafficking through resources and support, and SWOP Behind Bars, a national social justice network dedicated to the fundamental human rights of sex workers and their communities, focusing on ending violence and stigma through education and advocacy. If you would like to learn more about the current legislation and issues affecting sex workers, check out the Free Speech Coalition. You can also find resources on wellness for all genders and body types at our Sexual Wellness Center.
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