Until recently, male sex work was an underground industry. Gay bars were the main places where men could find clients.
Now, escorts can advertise their services on hookup apps and websites. These sites allow men to casually proposition other users, making sex work seem more accessible. However, the jobs are not without risk.
Companionship
Gay male escorts offer services such as companionship, massage and sex in exchange for money. Some escorts will work through an agency while others are self-employed. Their hourly rates can vary depending on the escort’s location, appearance and services offered.
Male prostitutes often face discrimination and can become isolated from their families and friends. They can also have difficulty finding health care. This can lead to mental health issues and even physical violence. Many of these men do not report abuse to authorities because they fear being arrested or losing their jobs.
Some sex workers enter the industry voluntarily while others are coerced. Involuntary sex workers are often forced into prostitution because of poverty and lack of employment. They are often recruited over the internet and promised a better life in the West. Once they arrive, they are subjected to harsh working conditions and have little access to health care. Those who are coerced into sex work are often subjected to physical or emotional abuse.
Boyfriend Experience
For some gay escorts, providing the “boyfriend experience” is a large part of their work. They can offer a sexual experience that mimics a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship or even act as an actual girlfriend. These experiences can be a great way for clients to explore their own sexuality and feelings.
But for some, the “boyfriend experience” can be a more serious proposition. It can be a way for gay sex workers to make money and feel like they have a purpose in life. For some, this is a way to avoid the brutal realities of other forms of commercial sex work, which can include physical violence and exploitative working conditions.
The world of gay prostitution is complicated. Some individuals engage in it voluntarily, while others are forced to do so. But whatever the motivation, it is important to address sexual prostitution with empathy and care. GlobalPost takes a look at how the business of male sex work is changing in the digital age.
Sexual Exploration
Many gay men seek out escorts to explore their sexuality in an environment that is safe, private and controlled. This can help them to overcome feelings of sexual frustration or deprivation. In addition, it can allow them to practice having sex in an environment that does not require risky hookups in public places where they may be subject to police stings and arrests for solicitation.
Kooistra points out that the extensive use of internet chat forums by male sex workers allows them to remain anonymous and mobile. Even when a site is shut down, another will often sprout up within hours. This can complicate government efforts to regulate or investigate cases of abuse and trafficking.
Although some male sex workers have pimps, most work independently or with an agency. They often advertise their services on websites that offer pictures, personal information, measurements, services and prices. They then wait for a client to contact them. They then arrange a time and place to meet.
Safety
Gay men who sell their bodies can face a variety of risks, including physical harm, loss of clients and legal trouble. However, by prioritizing safety and professionalism, gay male escorts can provide a rewarding career while protecting themselves.
Sex work has long been part of society, but the settings and circumstances have changed over time. In recent years, the setting for male sex work has moved away from traditional street walkers and pimps towards a subculture of ‘home-based internet escorts’ (HBE) [1].
In HBEs, men use the web to find paying customers. This allows them to avoid the risky sex work in public places where undercover police may sting them for lewd conduct and expose them to stigma and financial costs. But HBEs can also be dangerous, and their users often don’t take precautions to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. This is why it’s important for escorts to always prioritize safety, and to use protection during intimate services.