‘People need to know we exist!’: an exploratory study of the labour experiences of transmasculine and non-binary sex workers and implications for harm reduction

Abstract

This article presents findings demonstrating that transmasculine and non-binary people work in sex industries worldwide. Informed by results from a qualitative study with transmasculine and non-binary sex workers, it provides much-needed demographic information about this population, their clients and workers’ safety concerns. It explores the importance of using an intersectional framework and inclusive methods to gather demographic data regarding gender and sexuality in studies of sex work. Not only is an intersectional framework necessary for empirical studies of sex work, but it is also vital to developing successful harm reduction strategies. Using an intersectional frame in studies of sex work and harm reduction can provide much-needed insight into the development of inclusive services and programmes that help the most marginal. So long as researchers, social service agencies and health providers treat transmasculine and non-binary providers as non-existent, this reduces their ability to meet the needs of all sex workers.