Reddit reviews Playing the Whore: The Work of Sex Work

Start with Playing the Whore, then start with Melrose Gira Grant's research papers and citations thereof and therein.

Also, don't forget 1960's Gloria Steinem!

> the feminist movement

There isn't a single major feminist position on this - the Scandinavian circles don't have some end-all-be-all authority on this. You have feminists who claim that sex work is inherently equivalent to exploitation of women, and then you have feminists who claim that these pushes for suppressing sex work not only make it harder to deal with issues like human trafficking or prostitution done solely due to economic destitution, but actually harm sex workers themselves.

Sheila Rowbotham! Sheila Rowbotham! Sheila Rowbotham! This might be a good place to start. Melissa Gira Grant's Playing the Whore is also wonderful and a must-read.

And then the old classics by Rosa Luxemburg and Emma Goldman, of course.

Glad to see Tits and Sass put this out, way too many "sex worker rights" activists are industry-apologists. Also highly recommend Melissa Gira Grant's Playing The Whore.

The reason I posted here is because it came off as another example of how websites like these exploit sensationalism about sex work in such a way as to reinforce the toxic narrative that human sexuality is something inherently degrading or negative. If anything it's an attempt to sext/slut shame anybody who enjoys the labors of any sex workers, because the implication is that they contribute to whatever negative experiences they had.

An example of a feminist writer who I enjoy tries to break the stereotype is Melissa Gira Grant. I highly suggest checking out her book playing the whore: the work of sex work

EDIT: added link

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1781683239?pc_redir=1412741594&robot_redir=1

Everyone concerned should read this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Playing-Whore-The-Work-Jacobin/dp/1781683239

Easily one of the most consciousness-raising experiences of my life.