Thanks for stopping in to our interview series 'A Tryst With', where we get to know some of the providers on Tryst a little more intimately. Today we're joined by El Paso's Leely Moore, who you might know from her pieces on the Tryst Blog!
We’d love to know a little of your backstory - how did you get here and what do you do?
Currently I do full body sensual massage. My sessions include reiki, aromatherapy, guided meditation, bodyslide, deep muscle relaxation, and of course the sensual/sexual connection. I arrived here by way of being a natural born pervert, then a stripper, then a dominatrix wanna-be in training, working in sex shops, a peep show spot, then working for agencies in NYC. In between those gigs I taught Yoga, got a BA in Art, and went to health coaching school. I worked at an endless array of entry level civilian jobs: factories, farms, a call center, retail, food service, canvassing, caretaking, and more. I’ve had a sugar daddy and used to do FS.
The work I do now is my favorite. I do identify as a healer and an artist, and I feel like I’m alive in both roles in my sessions. I enjoy being a soothing, safe, boundaried connection for my clients. Honestly, I would love to be one of my clients. I try to pamper them. It’s good for me and my ADHD, because it's a meditative time where I am breathing and moving intentionally, having this quiet conversion with the body, the physical and non physical energy in front of me. I imagine some people think I’m bullshitting when I say this, but the truth is this work is my calling. I have a lot of other creative work, so it’s not my only purpose in this life, but it is a central one. And I feel lucky and grateful I found FBSM work at 29. It is a spiritual practice to me. There’s always something really magical about the ritual of a session that lifts me out of my normal headspace into this bigger sacred space, and I hope it has even a fraction of the blissful, ecstatic effect on my clients.
You’ve spent twenty years in the industry. What are some of the changes you’ve seen?
When I first started doing sex work I was 22 years old and I was a stripper. I didn’t even know the term sex work. I bought into the whorearchy because of my ignorance and lack of community. I thought FSSW was like this whole other, worse thing – but was also privately pretty intrigued and turned on by it! Then of course, years later I had a sugar daddy and did FSSW and understood that no type of sex work is ‘better’ or ‘worse’, it just depends on what the worker chooses and wants or needs to do. One big change I’ve seen that I love is the advent of social media, which has allowed us to connect with each other and to talk about our work and support one another in a way that just didn’t exist for me in 2004. I mean, we are censored but we persevere, we find each other, because talking and sharing and fighting for our rights keeps us all safe.
What do you think Sex Work will look like in 10 years time?
For me, a little more wrinkly and saggy but still at it! Honestly, I’m not sure. The vision I hold is that all consensual adult sex work is decriminalized everywhere. The reality that I see is the imperialist fascist American government becoming more and more emboldened about tamping down on human rights and liberties in all sorts of ways, so I think I’m holding both of these realities and hoping for and working towards best outcomes for me and my peers – which means liberation for all. Oh, and maybe we’ll have more wild virtual reality sex work services that we can barely imagine right now? I don’t worry much about AI though, because I know that my clients come back for the human connection and I don’t believe AI can quite match that magic.
How has the increased reliance on social media impacted your feelings towards the job?
Ok well, when I was working for agencies, I didn’t do my own ads or have a website or a work Instagram or Twitter and there was something about it that was nice! Like, I just showed up for my two days a week, had a booker setting up clients, would make a bunch of money, then go home and nurse my baby and watch my little shows.
And now because I work independently, I have my socials and it's a mixed bag. They do help, but also I usually have clients become repeats, so I am able to be a bit lax on keeping up with IG and Twitter at times. I had my old work IG taken away because I’m hairy and some men there were getting mad about that and reporting me. So, it’s all the usual wild stuff that anyone deals with on social media, strangers popping in to give their opinions on your personal choices, SWERFS sometimes find me and have things to say. At the end of the day, reliance on socials has only positively impacted my feelings about my job and SW in general, by connecting me to SWers from all over, just seeing our diversity in every way, our intelligence and creativity and how bright we shine is inspiring as fuck. I resonate deeply with other sex workers advocating for decrim here in the States and doing important work to destigmatize sex work. I really love us.
You’re a sex worker and a mother. Have you fought against the stereotypes of this community? What skills overlap in these two identities?
Yes, definitely. The stereotypes I see played out in shows and on TV still make me mad because they are so trite, one-dimensional, and boring. But honestly, these days I’m just too busy to get too caught up in it. My friend and I are opening up an Erotic Laborers Solidarity Alliance (ELSA) headquarters where we’ll have free harm reduction supplies, magic candles, plants, and some ELSA t-shirts for sale. I’m able to support and feed my son with this work, so I mostly think these days my life is the fight against any stereotypes of the desperate mom sex worker.
There’s so much overlap. I do see both as caretaking. I do feel like I come up against my client’s inner children at times. Both roles require me to be present, compassionate, kind, boundaried, to check my own baggage, and work through my triggers. I think becoming a mom made me better at my job, honestly. I became more grounded and patient, out of necessity!
You’re a bodyworker, incorporating energy work and elements of tantra into your sensual practice. Can you tell us about how you came to this?
I was first introduced to this work by a friend in Brooklyn, who gave me a very sexy sensual massage. She was working for an agency/temple at the time and I was like: I want in!!! They trained me a bit and then I continued to learn on my own. The rest is history.
How have sites like OnlyFans changed the way you work?
I have an Onlyfans and I barely update it. Sorry guys. Also the OF CEO is a genocide supporter, so its on my to-do list to move all of my content elsewhere.
How do you navigate making content that feels true to you while also being marketable?
I’m honestly not very good at it! Ha! After doing in-person work, making content feels exponentially more laborious for a much lower reward and payout. That plus having a very full plate in my life at the moment is why I’m slacking on making content.
Would you like to give a shoutout to any particular sex worker services/charities/orgs?
ELSA, our org in Texas. IG: @e_l_s_a_eptx
What is one book/author you wish non-workers would read?
Revolting Prostitutes was very good.
A lot of sex workers are known to be perpetually online, can you share one of your favourite clips/websites/memes/meme accounts?
I like @onlypomma on IG.
Do you have any special interests? What are your hobbies outside of work?
I paint and write short stories, poems, and essays and practice magic, do spells, make spell candles. I love to read and spend time with my dog and my kiddo. I’m engaged with community mutual aid and social justice work.
My favourite work outfit is: a knee-length comfy dress, preferably button up and not too tight, and a thong.
In the future, I plan to: publish a collection of short stories, and maybe a memoir, own an abolitionist bookstore and lending library.
Something that really annoys me is: this text - avail now.
A fellow sex worker I find inspiring is: My old friend Cadence Knight in New Orleans who is barely on social media and honestly that’s one of the many ways she inspires me.
I feel most sexy when: I have my little death (orgasm). Or when I’m laughing, amongst comrades or after a good workout.
My social handles are: IG @pumpkin_spice_slutte Twitter/X- @ritualsoftness
Want to meet El Paso FBSM Provider Leely Moore in person?
Head over to her profile! 👇👇👇
