15 ordinary things non sex workers never need to think about

[Annalise Lane]

I was reading up on some hooker news and found this. While it's old, I thought worthy of sharing.

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15 ordinary things non sex workers never need to think about

by: Sarah Jasper / December 15, 2008

I can be pretty sure that my neighbours, in any location I may want to live, will be neutral or pleasant to me, and that I will not be followed or harassed by them.

I can be pretty sure of finding media, books, curricular material and other information that testifies to the existence and value of my work and colleagues.

I can be pretty sure of having my voice heard in a group in which I am the only person working in my industry.

I need not worry about my friends and family members facing discrimination for spending time with me.

I can act badly, dress poorly, use drugs or make mistakes without it being attributed to the immorality, poverty, addiction or stupidity of my colleagues.

I can be pretty sure that if I need legal or medical help, my profession will not be held against me.

I can be fairly sure that most people would not advise me to accept a lower paying job or government assistance rather than work in my profession.

I can choose to ignore sex workers many contributions to our culture and society, or disparage and ridicule them without facing any negative consequences.

I can participate in social, creative, political and professional groups without asking whether someone in my profession will be allowed to participate.

People do not assume that I'm so used to being mistreated at work that I won't mind if they mistreat me.

I am not asked to justify the legal income I earn or the property that I may own.

I am considered as or more credible a source of information about my work than someone who has never worked in my industry.

I can expect that my fitness as a wife, woman, mother and pet owner will not be questioned solely based on my work. If my partner, children or pets are apprehended by the Crown, it will not be because of my profession.

I can expect to not be denied a job, passport, education or to adopt or any other opportunity for which I am qualified because of my profession.

I can usually expect not to be asked to provide professional services for free.

Think of how these kinds of daily prejudices would make you feel. Discrimination devalues sex works’ many contributions and prevents us from feeling like true members of your community.

Credit to Peggy McIntosh for the original idea of this kind of list

 

[lenny]

"I can be pretty sure that if I need legal or medical help, my profession will not be held against me."

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As a "non sex worker", i am concerned about this on a number of levels, such as being a hobbyist addickt.

When i go for regular STI tests, i don't inform the MD it's because i have many sex partners, often see SP's, or at times engage them in high risk behaviours such as BBFS, but give the line about a "condom failure" or plastic baggie malfuction.

It's really none of their business, anyway, & i doubt the truth would help either of us or make our day.

 

[TheAESHAProject]

Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack

The quote you're referencing is originally about privilege, in particular white privilege, and is called Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack. It works for unpacking all kinds of privilege - race, sexual orientation, gender, dis/abilities, class/income, etc. Here's a more complete link (there are way more than 15 items!):
http://www.amptoons.com/blog/files/mcintosh.html