The coronavirus has put the sex industry in peril. Admittedly, Pornhub and cam platforms are delighted by the arrival of new models, and many potential clients seeking to fill the boredom and isolation. However, the majority of sex workers are suffering financially from this crisis.
To avoid the risk of contagion, prostitutes, escorts and professional dominas have had to cease their activities completely. As for porn shoots, they are on hold until further notice.
And while camgirls and camboys could expect the arrival of new clients, they are also seeing massive competition emerge. Between exhib couples bored of being confined as a pair, and porn actresses and escorts forced into remote work, cam platforms are seeing a fresh supply of meat.
But little by little, adaptation solutions are being put in place. How are sex workers and the adult industry coping with the Covid-19?
For camgirls and camboys, it’s rather particular. Used to working from home, lockdown doesn’t change much on that front.
But the traffic on cam platforms is changing. Many regulars, confined with their families, can no longer come. As for the new visitors, many are looking for a way to avoid boredom or loneliness, but not all of them are ready to pay. And in parallel, new models are springing up.
In addition, many large porn platforms are luring in new clients by offering free content during the lockdown… Well, free, if you plan to unsubscribe afterwards, because to access these offers, a credit card number is generally required. And this also creates competition for camgirls.
Overall, demand is nevertheless increasing. But while long-standing camgirls are doing rather well, it’s more of a struggle for new arrivals. Indeed, not all of them have a room and the adequate equipment to do cam in good conditions.
In the United States, the application form for a government loan to overcome the crisis excludes people who earn their income from sexual performances, or the sale of services or products, or the display of representations of a sexual nature.
As a result, many porn studios are encouraging their actors and actresses to make home-made videos.
Vixen Media Group has announced its intention to send its performers packages containing cameras, lighting and lingerie, so that they can continue to work from home.
This represents an investment of $250,000 for Vixen. The porn production, based in Los Angeles and run by Kayden Kross, also oversees other smaller studios, such as Blacked, Tushy and Deeper.
Other pornstars, such as Charlotte Sartre, confined with her husband Lance Hart, are relying on their OnlyFans account, which is booming at the moment
The strip club Lucky Devil Lounge, in Portland, Oregon, has found original solutions to keep its employees active despite the lockdown.
The club usually sells food on the premises to its visitors. It is now offering a delivery service.
Initially named “Boober Eats”, it was renamed “Lucky Devil Eats” following a cease and desist letter from Uber. It’s the strippers who bring the meals, in scant attire, but wearing gloves, while maintaining safe distances.
And that’s not all, as the strip club recently opened a drive-in.
Entry costs $30 per car, plus $10 extra per occupant. The dancers perform on stage, wearing gloves and masks, while staying at a prudent distance.
Prostitutes and escorts are the most affected by the lockdown. Their work is completely at a standstill. The most precarious are therefore facing difficulties in finding housing and food, and the government is not providing them with any aid.
And yet, prostitutes pay their taxes and duties, like everyone else, but do not benefit from either social security or labour rights.
STRASS (the Union of Sexual Work) reminds, in an open letter to the President, that even in “normal times”, many sex workers live day to day, in difficult conditions. It is therefore requesting the establishment of an emergency fund, for the duration of the lockdown, without any condition of regular residency, in order to avoid taking risks.
It has also set up a crowdfunding page to help the most precarious sex workers.
