#troy may have been here

Whether you’re a sex worker who’d love to specialise in BDSM or an enthusiast hoping to monetise your skills, there’s a steep learning curve when it comes to mastering the breadth of knowledge required for a career in professional BDSM.

The sex industry’s always been fascinating and exciting to me and I like the idea of being in control of my own sexuality. I didn’t have much luck as a sugar baby and was unfortunately taken advantage of so I ultimately left the sugar bowl and didn’t do sex work again until I turned 22

Personally, I don’t get offended by genuine curiosity, even if the question is annoying or cliché. However, when someone asks me, “What’s the craziest thing you’ve done?” my response is usually a pretty dramatic and dismissive eye roll.

Clinical psychologist and sex therapist Dr. David Ley has long been critical of the sex addiction framework, and wrote the book The Myth of Sex Addiction to explain why. I sat down with him to explore why sex addiction is a problematic concept, and how it contributes to whorephobia.

The lives of 19th century women are known to us today mainly through their letters and writing, but also through the then new (black-and-white) portrait photography, and the vivid paintings, pastels and watercolours of impressionist artists.