ABSTRACT
The growth in sex as a commodity has been driven by recent economic, demographic, ideological and technological changes and a much broader tolerance towards the expression of sexualities, at least in Western countries. There is increasing attention to the fact that global increases in sex work occur not only among female sex workers, but also among cohorts of male sex workers (MSW), and that both males and females can be clients of the industry. This chapter examines how telecommunications, in changing the structure and organization of male sex work, has opened up new spaces for the expression of masculinity and intimacy. The proliferation of the Internet has allowed for changes to the spatial organization of sex work. The Internet allows men to be propositioned for sex without having to identify as or interact with MSW. Thus engagement with MSW through the Internet increases its legitimacy for men engaging in the sex industry and reduces stigma through its association with altruism.
