Strategies of Stigma Resistance Among Canadian Gay-Identified Sex Workers

T. Morrison, B. Whitehead

The purpose of the current study was to explore how sex workers (specifically, gay-identified Canadian men working primarily, though not exclusively, as independent escorts) combat the pervasive negativity that surrounds their profession. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 men, a majority of whom were targeted through escort review boards. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed for themes of "stigma resistance." Four themes were identified: (1) escorting is volitional (i.E., one isn't forced to work as an escort, rather it is a choice one makes); (2) escorting is a profession (i.E., the client is a customer and the escort a service provider); (3) the escort is in control during client/escort interchanges; and (4) escorting is distinct from, and better than, street prostitution. Directions for future research and limitations of the current study are outlined.[Copies are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Center. The Haworth Press, Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580, USA]