A Tryst With Chicago Escort Goddess Flora

Thanks for joining us for our sex worker interview series, 'A Tryst With'! We're so excited to speak with Chicago Escort Goddess Flora, who you may know from her articles on The Good Client Guide. Together we discuss personal capacity, books, and Appalachian ephemera!

What has your path looked like on your journey to where you are now as an escort?

I feel that I have meandered into my present role. For me, there was a slow and increasing exploration into different dimensions of sex work, as I learned about myself and the industry. If I am remembering correctly, I went on my first date as an escort about two years ago. It’s been difficult to learn how to market myself and the contrast between how I perceive myself and how my clients may perceive me. Pride is not something that readily comes to mind when thinking about where I am now. But when I think back to what I was doing at eighteen and how naïve and scared that version of me was, in relation to the industry, I am quite proud of where I am now. 

Is there something you didn't expect going into the industry?

I was actually quite surprised when I had a cis woman client for the first time! Women are seldom depicted as engaging with sex workers, let alone a trans woman. Imagine how pleasantly surprised I was when not only a respectful but also beautiful woman engaged my services. I wouldn’t mind more of that. 

What has sex work taught you about yourself?

Sex work has taught me my true capacity. I can manage my personal affairs, develop my branding, and explore completely new avenues of living. I didn’t think that I would be able to cultivate an ever richer life, and I have surprised myself by doing just that. 

What's one stereotype that you wish clients knew the reality of?

Clients seem to approach me sometimes thinking I am the stereotypical, hypersexual, trans woman that mainstream porn has crafted. I really am generally trying to move through my life as a regular person, even when I summon my most glamorous self for our dates. Delivering this – ultimately damaging for both of us – fantasy is exhausting. I am much more interesting than whatever preconceived notion popular culture or subaltern pornography has created for you. 

Do you find that there is a kind of client who seeks you out, who you really enjoy seeing? 

Clients who have taken the time to look through my website and profile notice that I have a wide variety of interests and that I am happy to discuss them. Those are the clients I most enjoy – the ones who are looking for an emotionally and intellectually stimulating interaction. 

How does your trans identity intersect with your sex work?

As a trans escort, I feel that my experience is often reliant on my fetishization, something I feel I harp on endlessly. On the positive side, my experiences as a trans person and personal reflections on sex, gender, sexuality, etc, aids me in offering very empathetic sessions to the right clients. When someone comes to me with the intention of unfolding pieces of themselves and being open to the change therein, things flow beautifully. I see that as the divine side of my transexuality. 

What's it like for you as trans worker navigating sex work spaces? 

It can be quite lonely. There is not necessarily an abundance of trans in-person sex workers in any given locale, and that’s not even considering how we may get along as individuals outside of our jobs. I also have to admit that I occasionally find myself jealous of my cis counterparts. While there’s the whole bias of only seeing someone’s curated image online, I do believe that trans sex workers are more often the ‘dirty little secret.’ It can be difficult to feel that there is much community for me in sex work spaces, but I do think that can change. 

What’s one book/writer you wish your clients would read?

Sexuality Beyond Consent: Risk, Race, Traumatophilia by Avgi Saketopoulou can be a bit difficult in portions, but it requests the reader take a very critical eye to the sexualities within and exterior to themselves. Otherwise, I think it would be nice to have clients read Manhunt by Gretchen Felkner-Martin. The dread of being trans and what can happen to you for any number of reasons outside of your control feels like it was made accessible to a cis audience. A horror/thriller that brought me to tears.

Do you have a favourite book by a trans author?

I’ll pick two I haven’t named yet. The Danielle Cain novels by Margaret Killjoy (The Lamb Will Slaughter the Lion and The Barrow Will Send What It May) brought me back to a certain joy in reading during a metaphorical and literal winter of my life last year. Her short stories are a delight as well. Tar Hollow Trans by Stacy Jane Grover assuaged some loneliness I have felt in searching for an Appalachia never mine, but perhaps never quite that real anyways. It’s a beautiful exploration of queer and Appalachian ephemera. 

How do you pass the time outside of work? What keeps you busy?

Clearly, I like to read. For some reason, my friends insist on me leaving my apartment, and I am infinitely grateful for them. I have been taking my motorcycle on little jaunts when I can, and I hope I can get it outfitted to take camping before the summer is over. If that wasn’t enough, I feel compelled to write and create art. Somewhere, I find the time to keep too many houseplants alive. Goddess Flora, ya know? 

I feel most sexy when: Finishing off my look with precise lipstick and spritzing my latest perfume obsession (Orphéon by Diptyque) makes me delightfully viscous.
My favorite everyday pleasure is: The quiet hours in the morning with a pot of coffee and a book I struggled to put down the night before will never be old to me.
The makeup item I swear by is: My new favorite budget buy that I adore is the Maybelline Superstay Vinyl lipstick in Royal. |
I’m weirdly attracted to: When someone gifts me anything that feels well curated (think custom lingerie, a hidden gem of a poetry book), I am always taken aback by seeing their concept of me reified. 
My favourite album is: At the moment, it is a tie between Margo Price’s Strays (2023) or Sister Wife Sex Strike’s eponymous 2022 debut. 
My social handles are: Twitter (allegedly X): @_Goddess_Flora_ ; Personal Website: Goddessflora.info ; OnlyFans: @goddessflora

Want to meet Chicago Escort Goddess Flora in person?

Head over to her profile! 👇👇👇