They say that time is money, but if that’s true then mine doesn’t seem to be worth that much.
I have three degrees, and two jobs where they don’t matter. In the little time I have to myself I do freelance work, and still struggle to make ends meet. A struggle felt by many, but especially by those of us laboring under the restrictions of parole and the sex offender registry.
I earned my degrees in prison. I was arrested at 19 while doing survival sex work, and prosecutors used my trans identity and the fact that I was using drugs at that time to escalate the charges. I spent 13 years incarcerated before my release in 2023. The irony is that now, I think back on sex work as something that represents financial stability.
After spending essentially my whole adult life in prison, the very last thing I want is to do anything that risks being sent back. Sex work would certainly be a violation of my parole. But so would not being able to keep up with the hundreds of dollars per month it costs to be on the registry, on top of the usual expenses like rent and medical debt. Mandatory polygraphs and weekly rehabilitation classes are just a few of the expenses.
Not sure what this person got their charges “escalated” to, but 13 years inside with parole after, and registry?!?!? What the F did they say this drug using prostitute was doing?!?
“…I think back on sex work as something that represents financial stability.” That’s why the gals in my general neighborhood do it… it’s stable work, no matter how strung out on whatever you are! Like my PFR Buddy that went back to dealing, because it was the only job he knew his PFR status would never take away, and his own substance habits were ok too…he’s dead now.
This is an example of hysteria over sexuality. I make NO apologies for saying it is X-tian in origin. Puritanical morality which has carried over from the 1600s.
This person’s life is on the verge of disaster every single day.
Yet the system which enables it is firmly entrenched due to ‘feel good” legislation based on nothing but emotion and (false) outrage.
So, this person will struggle under what is an absolutely tyrannical system of registration and undue scrutiny which lasts a lifetime.
For all the progress in this country, it is still undone by religious and moral hypocrisy at the highest levels of government.
Finally I just want to say, this wouldn’t be an issue if politicians thought they could legislate the sex trade and tax it. They are the MOST amoral people on the earth. To call them vultures would be an insult to vultures everywhere.
I’m glad sex work is available for you hate its the only option but for every heterosexual male sex work is off the table we just get left to starve to death or go back to prison