Sex Work and Prostitution, Male

While the vast majority of research on sex work and prostitution has focused on women’s involvement, this entry describes prostitution as paid consensual sex between adults with a focus on the role of males. It explains men’s role as clients and explores who purchases sex and why. Furthermore, this entry discusses the research on male sex workers. Historically, LGBTQ persons and sex workers share a similar struggle for human rights and social justice based in sexual freedom and bodily autonomy, and, in fact, the development of male sex work is closely tied to the Gay Rights Movement. However, the relationship has been contentious. For example, in Western cultures, the status of male sex workers has declined as nonmonetary homosexual sex has become more accepted. Despite ...