With everything that’s happened over the past few years, it’s understandable if you sometimes feel the end-times are near. Whether it’s killer fungi, alien invasion, or more likely, climate change, we think sex workers have unique skills and experiences that will give us a fighting chance no matter what the future holds.
In honour of International Whores Day, we want to acknowledge how badass sex workers are. So here are ten reasons why we think sex workers would absolutely rule in a dystopian world.
1.We take responsibility for ourselves.
In a world where everyone is guaranteed to say ‘I told you so’ if things go wrong at work, we know the only person we can 100% count on is yours truly, ourselves. That means less ‘why me’ and more ‘what next?’
2.We don’t take shit.
There’s a reason why the “nice” neighbours down the road are always the first to go during a zombie apocalypse! When it comes to survival, you can’t afford to let others push you around. And all those boundaries we’ve spent years honing with difficult clients are going to ensure that doesn’t happen.
3.We don’t mind getting our hands dirty.
A robust knowledge of (and experience with) intimate bodily functions has given us strong stomachs. Whether we’re cleaning up on the battlefield, dealing with an alien plague, or performing impromptu surgery on a comrade, nothing is going to be as bad as that one time a client left those skid marks on your favorite sheets.
4. We have great survival instincts.
The number-one rule of staying safe in a lawless society is ‘trust your gut’. And we’ve had tons of experience with that! We’re good at figuring people out, sizing up difficult situations, and making that all-important decision as to whether a client, situation or booking is right for us. This is a skill that can’t be taught; only learned.
5.We’re good at taking charge.
While everyone else is still figuring out what to do next, an experienced provider is happy to take the lead. After all, we’re used to being the ones in charge when we interact with our clients! Acting decisive and confident - even if we’re not always feeling it - means we’ll rise to the occasion. Leaders, not followers!
6.We pack for any occasion.
Forget boy scouts! Sex workers the ultimate experts in selecting the right tools for the job. And chances are whether it’s medical supplies, improvised bondage equipment, or just a bit of mouthwash to freshen up, we’ve got it stashed away somewhere close by.
7.We’re not afraid to break the rules.
Let’s face it, the total breakdown of society as we know it will lead to more than one moral quandary. As a marginalised group that’s had to fly under the radar due to unjust laws, sex workers know when (and how) to break the social and societal rules that unjustly hinder us. Lawlessness won’t faze us! As far as we’re concerned, it’s just another Wednesday.
8.We’re tough as all fuck.
In a world where we have been persecuted for centuries, sex professionals have still chosen to take up this work and made it work for us. We deal with discrimination from government, financial institutions, and more. We find a way to keep doing business despite the unjust laws that try to shut us down. And we do it all with a smile, keeping the hustle strong. If SESTA/FOSTA can’t stop us, the apocalypse has no chance!
9.We’re multi-skilled multitaskers.
A breakdown in current civilisation will demand a shift away from specialisation. We’ll need to be everything - medic, farmer, soldier, carer, historian, and more. Luckily, sex workers are already doing this a thousand times over. We’re marketers, unofficial therapists, carers, beauticians, writers, photographers and more, just to get the job done. We know how to juggle hectic schedules and stressful priorities then still put our worries to one side and act like we’re having the time of our lives. Compartmentalisation and triaging in stressful situations is already part of the gig, and can only help at the end of the world.
10. Lastly - and most importantly - we know how to organise.
One of the most amazing things about our community is how we sick together. Throughout the centuries we’ve fought side-by-side for our rights and supported each other through dark times. And when we’ve come so far, we’re not going to let the collapse of society stop us now.
Regardless of whether we’re facing epic levels of discrimination or the actual end of the world, sex workers are tough fighters. Wether you’re a boots on the ground girly, or a comms specialist, we’d all have a role to play in ensuring our community’s survival. We’re prepared to stand up for ourselves and look after our community. So however you’re celebrating International Whore’s Day, remember that we’re strong, we are loved, we will survive. Especially when we stick together.
