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Top Stories
Who has a right to be selling nudes? Tension continues to grow between established sex workers and those they call “tourists” who are turning to digital platforms like OnlyFans to make some extra money or to just pass the time in lockdown. As reported by Elle, Much of the ire is directed towards Caroline Calloway, an influencer known for stoking controversy, who started an account priced five times higher than average and went on to brag about how much money she planned to make. Criticism of Calloway and others in her position, such as Blac Chyna, include that she doesn’t need the money and therefore shouldn’t compete, and that by sliding in and out of adult content as a source of income she’s not taking the same risks as those whose livelihoods revolve around it.
Complicating things further is the wave of sex workers who, Rolling Stone reports, are being kicked off the platform. In many cases boiler plate language has been used to tell those getting deactivated that they’ve broken the site’s terms of service. According to Alana Evans, the president of the Adult Performers Actors’ Guild, there are instances of rule violations and perhaps the law, but in most cases rules has been followed. All this has led to the accusation that OnlyFans is squeezing out traditional performers as influencers and celebrities flock to the platform.
The OnlyFans seems to be the hottest story in the world right now, just look at the coverage, and now not only is Blac Chyna performing on the site, she’s producing a docuseries following other performers.
The pandemic is changing porn, will it change porn forever? Vice News is out with a feature documenting the already in progress shift to independent, low cost, direct to fan content, showing how the pandemic is speeding this up. Jezebel makes similar observations, and speaks to a number of industry participants who predict a return to proper shoots, albeit with smaller crews, smaller casts and many more safety measures in place.
Australian federal courts has ruled that the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) must cover a disabled woman’s ‘specialized sexual services’. The ruling comes after a long battle between the insurer and the woman, who suffers from a disability that prevents her from having a sexual release on her own. The government minister responsible for the NDIS, Stuart Robert, had been on record opposing insurance coverage of these services, after the ruling a spokesperson said “use of NDIS funds to pay for the services of a sex worker is in line with community expectations,” and that the government may go as far as to change legislation as a response to the court decision.
What Else We’re Watching
Why sex startups face uphill payments battle: Sex involved businesses have a lot of trouble with payment processing, nothing new but a good roundup of the problems and how they’re being addressed.
The Dom Offering Pro Bono Services for Essential Workers: A dom is offering free, distanced, services to essential workers to help them get through this.
Fashion brands are getting in on the sexual wellness boom: Covid has accelerated the sexual wellness boom, now fashion brands are following the beauty industry into the mix.
Sex workers 'should have access to support fund: British Sex workers rally to eligible for government support funds for workers affected by the Corona Virus.
The Christopher Nolan of Porn Is Breaking Down Barriers: The Daily Beast interviews Kayden Kross, the back to back AVN director of the year who they dub The Christopher Nolan of Porn.
The New Yorker and Wired each take a look at the challenges facing sex workers during the pandemic.