ABSTRACT
Male heterosexual escorts who work with female clients and straight couples are probably among the least visible and most misunderstood sex workers. Many of the popular misconceptions about straight male sex workers are challenged in Maxime Durocher’s firsthand account of a profession that often evokes reactions ranging from undisguised disgust to contrived glamorization. He explains the practical difficulties of earning a living as an escort, the challenges of working with couples, erection and performance issues, and the need for communication, respect, consent, and privacy between sex workers and their clients. He argues that sex workers, as a whole, are normal people who are often more motivated by a quest for freedom and autonomy than by money. While acknowledging the perks of his job, he also emphasizes the therapeutic benefits that clients derive from his work. He cautions that clients should prudently never confuse the services provided by sex workers with love, but this warning aside, he passionately defends the value of prostitution to society. An advocate for the rights of sex workers and their clients, Durocher calls for a new and more affirmative discussion and debate about sex work.
