Tryst.link co founder, Lola Hunt, chats to Honolulu escort, Alivia to discuss life outside of sex work, how she got started in the sex industry and books that every feminist should read, particularly if you're white! Alivia also explains the origins of stigma and how this is often weaponised against sex workers and women.
Tell us your story, how did you get into the industry and what has your journey looked like thus far?
I was working in customer service at a grocery store when I was 19. A lady, very different from myself, offered me a new job and told me to call her in a day. I was fired for some bullshit the next day and gave her a call. Why not? She hadn't told me what the job was when I asked, but instead led me onto a journey when I called. It sounded exciting... she asked if I knew what escorting was and if I was interested... I explained that I knew it was paid date, naively - but somehow turned out to be true! It was December 31st; I saw my first client Jan 1st, 2003. He was a trucker in a highway roadside motel and it was a very, very average encounter. For the time I spent with him and what I did in that 45 min, that came so naturally, and wasn't a horrible experiment, I had made what I usually made working 70+ hours a week in a community grocery. There was no turning back. I was hooked, pun intended. My journey since has been full of one adventure after another. I've been around the world, (still looking for more!), I've put myself through higher education and have degrees, and live in one of the most beautiful places on earth with loving clients (in all the places) to match my energy. I've literally left a wake of men pining for me in my travels and it's just the lifestyle I've built myself and absolutely love.
What are some of your hobbies and interests outside of work?
Lately, I've been trying my hand at some textural art making. I am not a creative person outside of academics and I am working to change that. I go to Burning Man every year (boo 2020) and have some amazing art ideas I'd like to take there to expose the world to "Happy Hookers". If I ever get that piece done, I'll be so proud of myself for getting out of the box and being vulnerable about this - this thing, sex work, that makes me and so many others truly happy AND PAID. I've also started Pen Collecting. Have you ever seen some the most beautiful pens in the world? I want to feel them. I am very much a texture lover and a pen that you can really feel in your hand is just, *chef's kiss*.
What weird food combinations do you really enjoy?
I don't really have any weird combo's that I really like beyond a good corndog and mustard only.
Is there a book, tv show or movie that has had a major impact on your life? What was it and what did it teach you?
The Bad Batch. I watched it, like, 9 times back to back because it's so messed up. It's got Jim Carey, Keanu Reeves, and Jason Mamoa in it, but you'd never know the first two until you really watch it again. It's an in-depth look at what a society chose for it's 'undesired' population and what they do with them, what they do to each other, and really makes you question what we'd do to each other in an alternate reality.
For books, its:
Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendal - taught me why I didn't identify with white feminism.
Hiding in Plain Sight by Sarah Kendzior - Authoritarians and Fascism is bad. Horrible. And it was always known that it was coming for US.
Reclaiming Our Space by Feminista Jones - just #giveyourmoneytoblackwomen
What is one of your go to guilty pleasures?
Weed. But lately, gourmet peanut butter cookies.
Something that makes our lives as sex workers incredible difficult is the stigma attached to our work. As someone who has been in the industry for a while, where do you think that stigma comes from?
Honestly, men. Our parents. Our "friends". Educationally, I started out to be a Sex Therapist. I quickly realised, and with help of the sex work I was doing, that people's sexual problems often came from a place not related to sex at all... emotional, financial, religious beliefs, all played a role in why "my wife won't fuck me" or "why can I not get hard" or "I just need the excitement". It's all about control and a lack of honesty and communication in society about things that really bother, or excite us, when we enter in new relationships. It's also a recurring cycle. Men say good girls don't do this, and bad girls do that, and the good or bad girls want to comply plus they set that attitude into their sons and daughters... it's just a perpetual cycle of stigma and it never plays out well for those of us who've stepped outside of that traditional rigamarole and who've taken control of their lives in any manner, especially sexually coupled with a paywall.
What do you think the public should know about the sex industry?
Decriminalising this industry will allow for more experiences like mine and less like what the cops tell you. It's never going to stop, it's only going to expand. From FSSW to Onlyfans, it can be fun (See: Savannah Solo) and rewarding for many people.
Are there any advocacy groups or charitable organisations that you'd like us to give a shout out to?
SWOP is an amazing org and I am currently at the helm of the Swop Hawaii Chapter. We are currently looking for leadership better capable of representing the Hawaiian Sex Workers and Migrant Sex Workers in the islands.
Do you have any advice for workers just starting out?
Don't do anything you don't want to do, ever. Have a safety person, net for each call. Become your own financial Guru.
My ideal date would be: I honestly don't have an ideal date. Ideally, I'd like to remain safe with each date, and paid. That's about it. FMTY's are great in any place and since I live on Island, the more you FMTY the better! I love to travel I want to get out of the country (the US) more. So, I guess my ideal date would be a short get-away with a new stranger (or an old friend!) who respected my space and my time, and we go somewhere we've both dreamed of... Aurora Lights, anyone?
The dorkiest thing about me is: I refuse to answer this, there is nothing dorky about me at all. (Maybe my sarcasm is...?)
If you want to buy me a drink, you could order a: Sake, or really good reds. Otherwise, I prefer 420 friendly encounters.
My favorite scent is: Biscuits Baking
Want to meet Honolulu escort Alivia in the flesh? Head over to her Tryst profile!👇👇👇
