Thanks for checking out another instalment in our sex worker interview series, A Tryst With... We're joined by Indianapolis Escort Devon Rose to talk about transness, loving his autistic self, and his resemblance to a 'cute alien'!
Content warning: mention of sexual assault.
What’s your story? How did you get started as an escort and how’s it going?
I started escorting during the summer of 2022. My day job wasn’t paying well and needed another form of income fast. Tryst caught my attention and after signing up it took a while to gain some clients, but they’ve been pretty steady ever since. Living in a small, conservative town, I stand out from the typical escorts. It’s nice to be an unconventional provider because clients get very curious and want to book with me. Most of my clients want sensual intimacy, but I have quite a few fetish bookings too. Escorting has been very flexible which is important since I’m in nursing school. My program advises us not to work full time so meeting clients and doing side gigs are my plan until graduation. Still going to be an escort while I’m a nurse, but will see less people.
What looks different now than it did at the beginning of your journey?
What looks different now than at the beginning of my journey has to be the way I present and advertise myself. At first, I took pride in being the weird alternative type … but now I’m just a nerdy boyfriend that goes to the gym. Switching back to hormone injections and getting top surgery a few months ago helped to reinvent my image. Men have made comments that they prefer my more boyish or twink appearance. My self confidence also has increased since starting out. Gender dysphoria and body dysmorphia was kicking my butt as I tried my best to fit into the industry standard. Now there’s no way I could ever fit into any standard. That realization helped me to do my own thing.
Whorephobia is a big issue built on a lot of small issues, its effects are often cumulative. What do you feel are the impacts of whorephobia, both for yourself and the community?
Whorephobia has set society way back in terms of morals and values. Every day on social media I see people doxx, degrade, and abuse sex workers for existing. Those same people are the ones using those services or buying content. It's so stupid! A never ending cycle of hypocrisy that harms us and people that aren’t cisgender men. The amount of racists, sexists, misogynists, and predators that want to see the sex work community burn is absolutely disgusting. Whorephobia has impacted me in a strange way. It’s not online harassment or verbal attacks. I’ve been raped and hit a few times with different men. People have wanted me to do illegal and disgraceful things because they’ve seen me as subhuman.
What has sex work taught you about yourself?
Sex work has taught me boundaries and how to stand up for myself. Communicating with so many people on a daily basis is exhausting. I tell people “no” a lot more now, and only respond to serious inquiries through my email or text message. It also has taught me self love, because you need a whole lot of it to do this kind of work. Growing up I hated everything about myself. It was sad. While escorting I’ve been successful using my authentic personality instead of trying to adopt a persona. I'm autistic and it feels nice when clients accept my quirks. Plus, people who have disabilities have felt more comfortable seeking out services from me :)
What's it like for you as trans worker navigating sex work spaces?
I don’t really seek out typical sex work spaces because most of the time they’re women only. There’s a few places online where it’s safe to post as a trans man, but there’s few of them. My main plan has been sticking to myself and figuring out what I want to try next. I've been working on content creation, so asking some fellow sex workers about subscription sites has been helpful. I’d like to reach out to more people and try to network, but I’m going to build up a higher following first. This is the beginning of my rebrand so we’re taking things slowly.
Can you share a little about your experience of being both Black and trans? What's it like for you at those intersections?
Being black is hard, being trans is also hard … so being both is a social anomaly. I live in Indiana, so the average person doesn’t look like me. I’ve never been attacked for my race but have experienced microaggressions my whole life. Sometimes it feels worse than direct racism, because a lot of comments or actions flew over my head. The transgender side of my identity has been tough for me the last few years. There weren’t many transgender people in my area or seen on TV. I have always been a very feminine person, but being a feminine trans man is a different game. People in my own community have made rude comments about me not being traditionally masculine. It used to bother me a lot, but now it doesn’t affect me.
Sex work often demands rigid adherence to western beauty standards, what’s that like as a Black trans non binary provider?
I'm bald with high cheekbones and a petite athletic figure … definitely not your regular escort. I’ve joked about looking like a cute alien before to clients but my appearance is what makes them interested. They always tell me, “I’ve never seen somebody look like you before”, or, “You have the most unique features yet still very attractive.” I love the way I look and appreciate the distinct qualities.
How is your sex work impacted by your gender, do you find a fluidity in your presentation?
I like to have fun with my gender while doing sex work. Some people want me to crossdress with makeup on while others drool seeing me in crocs and sweatpants. Fluidity comes naturally because I've always been an androgynous-looking person. Nobody really brings up my gender unless it's to ask a respectful question out of curiosity.
How do you deal with burnout? How do you recharge or take a break?
Burnout sucks so hard, oh my gosh. I usually brew some tea, play video games with friends, watercolor paint, do yoga, work out, or take a walk around the city. I get burnt out fast so these activities help keep my sanity. Always down to try new things to see if they’ll help just as well. It took a lot of time to practice using these self-care techniques consistently instead of relying on unhealthy coping skills.
What brings you joy about your autistic self?
The freedom to be yourself and not having to mask for society. I always knew there was something “off” inside so the diagnosis changed my life. There are social, emotional, and developmental delays but that hasn't stopped me from living my life how I want to. Authenticity is important and people shouldn't have to hide themselves from the world.
What are some of your ‘special interests’?
Sanrio, science fiction, Pokemon, anime, and human anatomy are some of my special interests. Hello Kitty & friends are so cute! I've always been interested in science and outer space, so sci-fi media has my heart. I love Pokemon and still play the games as an adult. My favorite anime are Angel Beats, Sasaki & Miyano, Erased, and Yuri on Ice. Human anatomy is really cool to learn about and my mom would read her textbooks to me before bed. While other kids were reading fairy tales, I was learning about the endocrine system lol.
Have you needed to fit work around your particular neurodivergence? What adjustments have you had to make to make work work for you, and how have they helped you be successful?
Work was tough at the beginning because I was afraid to be myself. I'd try different personas and even voice inflections to see what was popular. I was treating it as a performance and copying others. I wanted to seem as “normal as possible” because of people making fun of my autism in the past. Turns out my clients enjoy my natural personality. That big change started to make people in person and online more attracted to me. Nobody has said anything negative about my monotone voice, lack of expression, bluntness, and various stims. I was worried for nothing.
My favourite album is: Violator-Depeche Mode.
I get a big thrill out of: Going on adventures and trying something new.
My ideal date would consist of: Going to an orchestra or ballet performance, having a nice intimate dinner afterwards, and relaxing enjoying each other's company back in the room.
My last meal would be: Miso soup, veggie sushi roll with spicy mayo & sweet chili sauce, spring rolls, and ginger peach tea.
My greatest turn-on is: Being seduced by someone equally nerdy and goofy as me.
My social handles are: Reddit: u/devxrose, Fansly: devonxrose, X: devxxxrose
Want to meet Indianapolis Escort Devon Rose in person?
Head over to his profile! 👇👇👇
