Sex Work as Livelihood: Women, Men and Transgender Sex Workers in Karnataka

Abstract

While the legal categorisation of sex work as work has been the subject of on-going debate, there has been little focus on the differential experiences of female, male and transgender sex workers in pursuing sex work to earn their livelihoods. This chapter focuses on the working lives of three groups that rely on sex work as the mainstay for survival: women, men, and transgender women in sex work. We explore the differences and similarities in the pathways to sex work for these three groups, as well their experiences of violence and social stigma and access to social entitlements. Broadening the focus beyond women sex workers, we demonstrate how thinking of sex work as work provides a useful framework for bringing these groups together on a common platform, through a discussion of the Karnataka Sex Workers’ Union.