Sex work has long been a contentious topic within feminist discourse, raising 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 own 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, 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, reinforcing the idea that certain choices are invalid if they don’t align with state-sanctioned respectability.
Economic Justice
Sex work is, at its core, work. Many enter the industry because of financial necessity, a reality that should put it squarely within feminist conversations about labor rights, fair wages, and economic survival. Yet, mainstream feminism often ignores or outright rejects sex workers’ demands for decriminalization and labor protections, instead pushing carceral "rescue" models that harm the very people they claim to help. If feminism is serious about economic justice, it has to take sex workers’ rights seriously, too.
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, are more likely to be arrested, incarcerated, or experience police violence under laws that claim to "protect" them. Many feminist movements—particularly those rooted in white, middle-class perspectives—have historically ignored or reinforced this violence. A feminism that only works for those who conform to respectability politics is not feminism at all.
Carceral Feminism & the Danger of "Rescue"
One of the biggest divides in feminist discourse around sex work is between those who support decriminalization and those who push criminalization under the guise of "saving" sex workers. The latter—often referred to as "carceral feminism"—advocates for laws like the Nordic Model, which punishes clients rather than workers. In reality, these policies make sex work more dangerous, increasing police surveillance and pushing workers into more precarious situations. A feminism that relies on the prison-industrial complex to "help" people is just reinforcing state violence.
So, Where Does Feminism Stand?
Feminism should be a movement for all people, especially those facing systemic oppression. If feminism excludes or criminalizes sex workers, it is failing at 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 all people’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 can serve as a check on executive overreach. Supporting organizations that provide legal assistance to those who have been negatively impacted by criminalization BY those with lived experience is critical.
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 reveal deeper issues of exclusion, respectability politics, and reliance on carceral solutions that ultimately harm marginalized communities.
If feminism is to be a movement that genuinely uplifts 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 question is not whether sex work is a feminist issue—it is whether feminism is willing to evolve and truly advocate for the dignity, agency, and rights of all people, including those in the sex trade.
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