Feminism and Sex Work: Understanding the Intersection

Sex work has long been a contentious topic within feminist discourse. It raises critical questions about bodily autonomy, economic justice, and systemic oppression. At its core, feminism advocates for the right of individuals to make informed choices about their bodies and livelihoods. Yet, the inclusion of sex work within this framework remains a subject of intense debate. Examining the intersections between sex work and feminist principles is essential to understanding whether sex work should be recognized as a feminist issue.

Bodily Autonomy & Choice

Feminism has long championed the idea that people should have the right to make decisions about their own bodies. If the feminist movement supports access to abortion, contraception, and sexual liberation, then why should sex work be treated any differently? Criminalizing or stigmatizing sex work strips people—especially women, trans folks, and nonbinary individuals—of their agency. It reinforces the notion that certain choices are invalid if they don’t align with state-sanctioned respectability.

The Importance of Consent

In any discussion around bodily autonomy, consent is a crucial element. Consent should be present in all areas of life, including sex work. Recognizing sex work as valid acknowledges that individuals can choose to engage in this profession voluntarily. Marginalizing sex work denies the voice of those who willingly choose this path.

Economic Justice

Sex work is, at its core, work. Many enter the industry due to financial necessity. This reality should place it firmly within feminist discussions about labor rights, fair wages, and economic survival. However, mainstream feminism often ignores or outright rejects sex workers’ demands for decriminalization and labor protections. Instead, it tends to push carceral "rescue" models that harm the very people they claim to help. If feminism is serious about economic justice, it must also take sex workers’ rights seriously.

Labor Rights and Advocacy

Advocating for labor rights in sex work is essential to improving working conditions. Sex workers deserve the same protections as those in any other field. The exclusion of sex workers from conversations about economic justice only widens the gap in rights and protections.

Racism, Classism & Whose Liberation Matters

Sex work is disproportionately criminalized along racial and class lines. Black, Indigenous, and other women of color, as well as trans women, face higher rates of arrest and encounter police violence under laws that claim to "protect" them. Many feminist movements, particularly those rooted in white, middle-class perspectives, have historically ignored or even reinforced this violence. A feminism that only works for those who conform to respectability politics cannot be considered true feminism.

Intersectionality in Feminism

Understanding intersectionality is key. Feminism should embrace a wide variety of experiences and voices. Addressing the nuances of different intersections will help the movement become more inclusive. By amplifying marginalized voices, feminism can confront its own biases and work towards collective liberation.

Carceral Feminism & the Danger of "Rescue"

One of the biggest divides in feminist discourse around sex work lies between those who support decriminalization and those who advocate for criminalization under the guise of "saving" sex workers. This latter approach, often referred to as "carceral feminism," supports laws like the Nordic Model, which punishes clients rather than workers. Such policies make sex work more dangerous, increase police surveillance, and push workers into precarious situations. A feminism that relies on the prison-industrial complex to "help" people only reinforces state violence.

Reassessing Strategies of Support

Reassessing how feminism provides support is crucial. Instead of relying on punitive measures, movements must prioritize advocacy and humanitarian assistance. Women and marginalized communities deserve safety and respect, not punishment.

So, Where Does Feminism Stand?

Feminism is meant to be a movement for all people, particularly those facing systemic oppression. If feminism excludes or criminalizes sex workers, it fails in its core mission. The question isn’t whether sex work is a feminist issue. It’s whether feminism is willing to evolve beyond its historical biases and truly fight for everyone’s autonomy and safety.

Real feminist solidarity means supporting sex workers in their calls for decriminalization, labor rights, and safety—not just when it’s convenient, but always.

Strategies for Feminists and Sex Workers

To address these challenges and promote inclusivity, the following strategies are recommended:

Coalition Building

Feminist groups and sex worker advocacy organizations should strengthen alliances to present a unified front against regressive policies. Collaborative efforts can amplify voices and resources, enhancing the effectiveness of advocacy campaigns.

Grassroots Mobilization

Engaging in community organizing can raise awareness and build local support networks. Grassroots initiatives can counteract national policy changes by fostering resilience and solidarity at the local level.

Legal Advocacy

Pursuing legal challenges against unconstitutional policies serves as a critical check on government overreach. Supporting organizations that provide legal assistance to those negatively impacted by criminalization is essential, especially when those organizations are led by individuals with lived experience in sex work.

A truly inclusive feminism must recognize sex workers as integral to the fight for bodily autonomy, economic justice, and human rights. The ongoing tensions within feminist movements regarding sex work expose deeper issues of exclusion, respectability politics, and reliance on carceral solutions that ultimately harm marginalized communities.

If feminism aims to uplift all people, it must stand in solidarity with sex workers in their fight for decriminalization, labor protections, and safety. Real feminist solidarity requires listening to those with lived experience, challenging oppressive structures, and rejecting policies that criminalize survival. The true question is not whether sex work is a feminist issue; it is whether feminism is ready to evolve and genuinely advocate for the dignity, agency, and rights of all people, including those involved in the sex trade.

Want to support sex workers if you are a feminist who has complicated feelings about sex work but cares about sex workers? Here are 10 ways you can help!