Gay and bisexual male escorts who advertise on the Internet: understanding reasons for and effects of involvement in commercial sex

International Journal of Men's Health, Spring, 2004 by Jude M. Uy, Jeffrey T. Parsons, David S. Bimbi, Juline A. Koken, Perry N. Halkitis

The fact that many of the participants felt unable to speak to health-care providers about their sex work, and that most felt uncomfortable having such discussions, leads us to be concerned that male escorts may not be able to obtain appropriate health care, both physical and psychological. It is interesting that, due to the monetary benefits that result from sex work, these men actually have excellent access to health-care resources, but may choose not to use them as a result of internal stigma regarding their occupation and/or fear of disclosing their work-related activities to their providers.

As such, it is not to say that male escorts are without need for services to improve their physical and psychological health. Recently, Internet-based educational and referral sources have been developed that specifically target male sex workers, the most comprehensive of which is www.hookonline.com, an online resource developed by and for male sex workers. This website aims to reduce the stigma faced by male sex workers and to ensure that they have adequate information regarding HIV, STIs, and other factors that could negatively impact their health. In addition, this and other Internet-based services may help to alleviate the sense of isolation some male escorts feel by creating a cyber-community of male sex workers, capable of providing social support. Health-care providers may consider becoming more involved with such resources as a way to reach out to male sex workers and increase the likelihood that male escorts can comfortably discuss their work with their providers.

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