What's in a Name? - By Shift Calgary

This article was created by the Shift Calgary team. Shift provides support, outreach, education, advocacy, referrals, and counseling to individuals involved in, or those who have been involved in, the sex trade. The Shift program is not exit based; therefore, exiting is not a requirement to access our services. We recognize that for many, sex work is a choice. Our services are non-judgmental, free to access, and barrier free. They have an excellent blog that posts regularly, click here to visit it!

There are many people who involve themselves in sex work in a variety of ways: dancing, working on the street, independent escort, webcam, or massage parlor to name a few. The term “sex worker” is commonly used to refer to all types of work an industry that provides sexual services. Sex worker is the most universally used and respected term in the sex work industry as it puts the focus on the work. Sex work is a job that takes skill, time, commitment, and, most importantly, is remunerated by payment.

The term prostitute is also regularly used. Prostitute, however, is frequently used in the context of the prostitution laws. This brings up the incorrect association that a prostitute is someone who breaks the law or is engaging in criminal activity. Due to this long association with defying the law, the word prostitute is now also associated with negative stigma and stereotypes that can be quite incorrect. As a result, many sex worker advocates and supporters stay away from using the term prostitute.

Some folks will use the word sex trade worker, and certainly that is accurate on some levels. A trade is, by definition, is an exchange of money or goods. A trade is also a specific market or business. However, some people argue that there are trades, such as the construction field, that hold legitimate status that may include special training and certification which are not available in sex work. The argument against the use of the title “sex trade worker”, is that until sex work gains a legitimate status, it should not be called a trade.

Still there are others out there that don’t use language like sex work, prostitution or sex trade at all, but speak only about sexual exploitation as a blanket term for all people involved in sex work. Sexual exploitation does exist within the sex industry; however it is not an accurate portrayal of all sex workers. Many sex workers have chosen to enter sex work and have choice and control over their occupation, the services they provide, their payment, work environment and dates. These sex workers have self-determination and do not consider themselves exploited.

There are of course, many other words that sex workers can and are called. Rude, impolite and degrading names that won’t be posted here. Take a moment to think of them, and when you do, ask yourself what those words reveal about how our society views sex workers? These words perpetrate stigma and discrimination. This brings up the most important name a sex worker has:his or her own personal name. There is a person behind the profession, a person with his or her own identity and value. As humans, sex workers deserve the same respect, safety and rights as any other person in any other profession. So whatever name or label you use to describe someone involved in the sex industry, remember; what’s in a name? A person.