As a part of our work on Tryst.link, we think it is important to shine a light on your favorite sex workers and get to know them beyond their Tryst profiles. Today, we chat to New York escort Adrianna Sol about FOSTA/SESTA, how she got into sex work and why the current binary image of sex work is dangerous.
Tell us your story, how did you get into the industry and what has your journey looked like thus far?
I created the "brand" Adrianna Sol a little over 4 years ago. Having a graduate degree in International Development with a focus on social justice and human rights I had worked at various prestigious non-profits. It was important work and I learned a lot from it, but I quickly realized this type of work wasn't compensating me enough financially and with time, it became very emotionally draining. Because I was involved in projects that touched on human trafficking issues, I learned a lot about sex work. This helped debunk a lot of the usual stereotypes and stigma people have around sex work and sex workers. At that time in my life, I was looking to plunge into something different from what I was doing as well as something more lucrative. I was looking to do something uplifting and more wellness-centered that left me feeling happier - as opposed to seeing too many sad situations as you usually get to see when you're working in the human rights field.
So, with a few new wellness certifications acquired and learning about the BDSM community, "Adrianna Sol" came to life. Now I'm so happy to say that I run a very successful business providing sensual massage & erotic, fantasy play scenes. I love it! I feel so great about what I do and the lovely people I get to meet. I wouldn't change my business for anything else in the world. Being a sex worker has allowed me to fuel other business ideas and put them into action throughout the years allowing me to become financially independent.
What are some of your hobbies and interests outside of work?
Outside of this work, I'm quite an introvert. I really enjoy reserving time for myself, so I love things like getting pampered with skincare activities and massages. I love art and languages as well. I'm a huge animal lover and advocate. I get involved with animal organizations and love supporting their advocacy efforts. I read a lot regarding nutrition too. I was a vegetarian for a number of years and this current year I was able to transition into a vegan diet, so I like reading a lot about ways in which I can nourish myself and how to have a cruelty-free and more sustainable lifestyle.
As sex workers we face a number of challenges in our line of work. What is one issue you care about and how do you think your clients can help sex workers?
I wish people understood sex work is work, just like any other 9 to 5 corporate business. If you're gonna judge it in a negative way or have hang ups about it, why don't you educate yourself about it first? For example, understand there are different types of sex work: strippers, porn stars, escorts, sensual massage providers, dominatrix, sugar babies all encompass sex work and even though we all provide a different service, no title is better than the other ones.
Being able to facilitate more fluid conversations about sex and the role sex work plays in our society; being able to deconstruct patriarchal ideas that surround it; being able to include sex work as part of gender equality and feminist views.. are just some examples of conversations I wish people would have with themselves and each other as a way to start reducing the stigma and stereotypical ideas that currently exist about sex work.
The media more often than not likes to tell two kinds of stories: the sad one, in which a person is a sex worker because they are destitute, in a desperate situation and are being coerced into doing it. Or, the over glamourized sex worker whose life seems to be filled with over the top luxury and trivial moments. While I'm not undermining the horrors that come with having to be part of sex work in a non-consensual context, there is also a huge community of people who choose to be sex workers simply because we have an interest in it, it's a fun job and it's very lucrative. All the people I've met throughout the years who work in this industry have been empowered by it in a number of ways.
How did FOSTA/SESTA affect you and what did you see happen in the community?
For me, it's mainly online censorship. Not being able to use certain language or post pictures. Certain screening websites shut down as well. I've always been a very low volume masseuse, therefore when the bill passed, it did not have a huge negative impact on my business.
However, I know that for some members of the community things got bad. A lot of websites where you used to be able to advertise for free disappeared and this is a problem for people who are not able to afford expensive advertising and marketing. Top this with the inability to have access to certain screening online tools... many people were left financially unstable and with their safety at risk.
Why do you think it is important for sex work to be decriminalized and how do you think it would change the way you work?
Decriminalization isn't enough. I think sex work should be legalized to start with. This way there are actual written laws, rules, and regulations everybody can abide by. Personally, It would be great to finally be able to write down I'm a sex worker on the taxes I pay each year.
One of the issues government tries to fight is human trafficking, thus passing bills like the FOSTA/SESTA bill thinking this is contributing to resolving the issue- it's not. For every website any government agency shuts down there will always be 100 more to replace it with- not to mention the crazy stuff you can find on the dark web. Traffickers aren't going to be stopped by passing bills like these. Legalization offers a better solution in order to start working on eradicating human trafficking within the sex industry as well as it being beneficial in other aspects for all parties involved -practicing or seeking.
When you're having a bad day, what do you do to make yourself feel better?
I live with 3 cats at home, so no matter how hideous my mood can get sometimes they always, without fail bring a smile to my face.. they're truly amazing creatures and I really value their company. Redecorating my home and surrounding myself with aesthetically pleasing views and situations do the trick. Splurging on trivial things such as sexy lingerie and vegan shoes always boots my mood too.
What would your dream date look like?
Lingerie combined with a glass of fine Bourbon are my guilty pleasures...I love a man with an intellectual, sophisticated mind who doesn't take himself too seriously and also knows how to make me laugh. Laughing is important in life and definitely on a date.
