Peter’s story
In jurisdictions where sex work is illegal people with disability face additional barriers and concerns if they want to visit a sex worker.
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Peter shares his secrets from the USA
I found your site after reading a story about the Scarlet Road documentary. As a disabled man, I can relate and appreciate the advocacy and outreach your organisation strives for.
After years of struggling in relationships, unable to achieve physical sense of intimacy, I visited a sex worker. It took some searching and nervous sharing of personal information to verify that I wasn’t a criminal, but I found a provider who would see me.
Since this is the USA, I had an unease that the encounter would be a sting operation, but she put me at ease when I arrived. We talked for a little bit about the session. At that moment, I realised I had to verbalise what I wanted–take control of myself and needs. It had been nearly 10 years since being near a woman and all I wanted was a sense of physical intimacy, to remember what it was like to feel someone’s touch.
The experience was a combination of catharsis and relief, to feel complete, to be near a woman and feel accepted.
I’ve seen her several times since. Being the US, these experiences are perceived to be deviant and immoral. So, this is a secret I bear.
I hope in time your advocacy work will gain acceptance in the USA for both sex workers and disabled individuals.
– from Peter in the United States of America