Why Sex Work?
There are many factors that play into why transgender women work in the sex trade. Trans women often choose to go into sex work, but it is more complicated than a simple choice. There are often many barriers that trans people face when it comes to “normal” or acceptable occupations, and this can lead to prostitution being the only option. The three main categories that play a factor into trans sex work are transitioning, financial, and immigrant or citizenship status.
There are many reasons related to transitioning that cause trans women to work in prostitution. Prostitution can provide a source of income, which assists trans women in paying for medically necessary procedures. [1] These procedures include things like hormone replacement therapy, often called HRT, gender-affirming surgeries, or therapy to access HRT or surgeries. These processes cost lots of money, especially if an individual does not have access to health insurance. Another transition-related reason for trans women to go into sex work is documentation. Often, trans women do not have legal documentation that represents their gender identity. [2] This can cause them to either be turned away from a job, or they could face hostile and transphobic work environments if they happen to be hired. [3] It often also causes them to have to explain why their documentation is different than the way that they present, which can put the individual at risk. Sex work can also fulfill a trans woman’s personal development goals. [4] Oftentimes, sex workers will work the same streets or routes together. This can lead to friendships, and trans female sex workers often find a sense of community through this. A lot of the time, trans women, especially younger trans women, can find mentors in older trans sex workers. [5] They can find friends, and they are often a form of chosen family for trans women who may not have family to support them.
Along with paying for transition-related procedures, trans women work in the sex trade for other financial reasons. Trans women typically do not have an education past high school, and many do not graduate high school for various reasons. Many transgender individuals are bullied, excluded, or abused while in school, and they will often drop out to get out of this. [6] This makes finding a job harder since they often do not have the qualifications for a better job that pays enough for them to live. Working in the sex trade can often be a kind of stepping stone for trans women. By working in the sex trade, they are able to meet immediate needs, such as housing, food, or medical bills, so that they can get a better job in the future. Many trans women do not have the support from family members, so they are forced to try to pay for everything on their own, some at very young ages. [7]
Another major factor for trans women who work in the sex trade is immigrant status. Many trans women who work in the sex trade are immigrants who do not have legal documentation, or they are recent immigrants who have not yet found a job that sustains them. [8] Often, immigrants are not able to work other jobs due to not having the correct legal documentation. For trans immigrants in particular, it can be hard to get legal documents that match their gender identities, especially if they did not have the correct documents before coming to the United States. Instead, undocumented immigrants will work “under the table” or at jobs where they are paid in cash or paid “off the books”, meaning it is not documented. [9] This can lead to further issues, as employers can underpay undocumented immigrants or force them to work in unsafe conditions.
References:
[1] Fedorko, Boglarka, and Lukas Berredo. Rep. The Vicious Cycle of Violence: Trans and Gender-Diverse People, Migration, and Sex Work16. Vol. 16. Transgender Europe, 2017.
[2] Fedorko, Boglarka, and Lukas Berredo. Rep. The Vicious Cycle of Violence: Trans and Gender-Diverse People, Migration, and Sex Work16. Vol. 16. Transgender Europe, 2017.
[3] Fitzgerald, Erin, Sarah Elspeth Patterson, Darby Hickey, Cherno Biko, and Harper Jean Tobin. Rep. Meaningful Work: Transgender Experiences in the Sex Trade. National Center for Transgender Equality, 2015.
[4] Sausa, Lydia A., JoAnne Keatley, and Don Operario. "Perceived Risks and Benefits of Sex Work among Transgender Women of Color in San Francisco." Archives of Sexual Behavior 36, no. 6 (12, 2007): 768-77. doi:http://dx.doi.org.mutex.gmu.edu/10.1007/s10508-007-9210-3.
[5] Fedorko, Boglarka, and Lukas Berredo. Rep. The Vicious Cycle of Violence: Trans and Gender-Diverse People, Migration, and Sex Work16. Vol. 16. Transgender Europe, 2017.
[6] Fitzgerald, Erin, Sarah Elspeth Patterson, Darby Hickey, Cherno Biko, and Harper Jean Tobin. Rep. Meaningful Work: Transgender Experiences in the Sex Trade. National Center for Transgender Equality, 2015.
[7] Rahman, Nadia. “Governments Have Failed to Protect Trans People from Murder -and from COVID-19.” www.amnesty.org, November 20, 2020. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/11/governments-have-failed-to-protect-trans-people-from-murder-and-from-covid19/.
[8] The Needs and Rights of Trans Sex Workers. 9th ed. Edinburgh, UK: Global Network of Sex Work Projects, n.d.
[9] The Needs and Rights of Trans Sex Workers. 9th ed. Edinburgh, UK: Global Network of Sex Work Projects, n.d.