“We Hate Sex Workers in this Country”: Stigma in Online Sex Work

Recent technological developments (e.g., platforms such as OnlyFans) have enabled a new kind of online sex work, wherein sex workers can offer both asynchronous content (e.g., photos, videos) and live content (e.g., webcam shows, chats) to either individual customers or whole groups of followers who pay for exclusive content. Though there is significant research on the stigma faced by sex workers writ large, it is unclear the extent to which online sex workers’ experiences mirror those of in-person sex workers, given the precipitous rise of online sex work in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to investigate online sex workers’ experiences of stigma, including how stigma influences disclosure of sex work status. Fifteen participants based in the U.S. were interviewed, and themes were developed using thematic analysis. Three themes were identified, corresponding with findings regarding societal, interpersonal, and internalized stigma: ‘Persistent Judgment,’ ‘Coming out as a Sex Worker,’ and ‘Reflecting on Experiences of Shame.’ Participants reported navigating strict censorship on social media and often faced the misconception that online sex work was ‘easy money.’ However, every participant had disclosed their work to another person, creating a support system of some kind with people whom they could confide in and trust. Self-acceptance, as well as acceptance among friends and some family, could point towards changing attitudes. U.S. policy, however, is still overwhelmingly against sex work; policy changes will need to accompany these social changes for sex work to be truly destigmatized.