I am a New York City-based dominatrix and cultural activist. I started doing BDSM professionally in 2016 after finding a dungeon on craigslist (those were the days) and then mostly did online work for a year or two while I finished college before transitioning to full-time in-person BDSM.
"As sex workers we take on a lot of emotional labor and energy from our clients. It’s so important to recharge not only our bodies but also our souls."
"The interpersonal, emotional skills necessary as a domme was a big skill that even in my civilian life is pretty unrivaled. Specifically, I’ve developed a keen eye for submissive men and things that make men twitch."
The threats sex workers face are not just from clients or individuals in society; the very system we live within is at the root of much of the violence we face.
What’s it like starting out now, when ads have shifted from the back pages of the local paper to almost exclusively online? When everyone talks about being ‘on brand’ and a social media presence is essential?