The Role of Place in the Lives of Sex Workers: A Sociospatial Analysis of Two International Case Studies

Grittner, Alison L.; Sitter, Kathleen C.

doi:10.1177/0886109919872965

Cited by 7 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…However, the current knowledge we receive about sex workers primes us to assume that all sex workers need to be rescued with the help of carceral interventions (Panichelli, 2018). This study contributes to other studies that worked collaboratively with sex workers to co-produce knowledge that is affirming of their experiences to inform policy and practice (Desyllas, 2013;Grittner & Sitter, 2020;Wahab, 2004). Until social welfare actively rejects the carceral and moral practices that fuse it to the carceral state, the field will continue to reaffirm the whorephobia that underpins the whorearchy and distance sex workers from us out of fear of facing repercussions for what they do to survive (Mattsson, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Sex Worker Collectives Within the Whorearchy: Intersectional Inquiry with Sex Workers in Los Angeles, CA

Fuentes

2022

Affilia

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Our ability to provide affirming care to individuals who engage in sex work is limited by punitive foundations of social work. This study originates from within the sex worker rights movement. I utilize qualitative dialogues aligned with participatory principles to consider how a Black feminist disability framework can be employed to explore how intersectionality weaves itself into the lives and networks of 13 sex workers in Los Angeles, CA. Specifically, this study engaged in Participatory Action Research (PAR) and collective knowledge production to examine how criminalization operates within larger intersecting systems of oppression and complicates workers’ relationships with each other. The results of this study put forth the conceptualization of the sex worker-informed stratified social hierarchy – described as the “whorearchy” – and the ways that collective care is used to combat it. I conclude with a discussion on centering restorative sex worker narratives in order to examine how criminalization hinders sex worker solidarity and how, similarly, the state's role limits the ways social workers can support sex worker liberation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Sex Worker Collectives Within the Whorearchy: Intersectional Inquiry with Sex Workers in Los Angeles, CA

Fuentes

2022

Affilia

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“…LGBTQ persons are overrepresented in sex work (Platt et al, 2022), including in India (Chakrapani et al, 2022a(Chakrapani et al, , 2022b and Thailand (Farber, 2023;Newman et al, 2021;Reid et al, 2022). Sex work is itself an occupation that requires WASH access for optimal health (Grittner and Sitter, 2019;Sherman et al, 2023); thus, sex workers (regardless of LGBTQ identity) have occupational WASH needs that require additional attention. This study is among the first to examine water insecurity and linkages with mental health among LGBTQ persons.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations between water insecurity and mental health outcomes among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer persons in Bangkok, Thailand and Mumbai, India: Cross-sectional survey findings

Logie,

Newman,

Admassu

et al. 2024

Camb. prisms Glob. ment. health

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Background: Water insecurity disproportionally affects socially marginalized populations and may harm mental health. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) persons are at the nexus of social marginalization and mental health disparities; however, they are understudied in water insecurity research. Yet LGBTQ persons likely have distinct water needs. We explored associations between water insecurity and mental health outcomes among LGBTQ adults in Mumbai, India and Bangkok, Thailand. Methods: This cross-sectional survey with a sample of LGBTQ adults in Mumbai and Bangkok assessed associations between water insecurity and mental health outcomes, including anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, loneliness, alcohol misuse, COVID-19 stress and resilience. We conducted multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses to examine associations between water insecurity and mental health outcomes. Results: Water insecurity prevalence was 28.9% in Mumbai and 18.6% in Bangkok samples. In adjusted analyses, in both sites, water insecurity was associated with higher likelihood of depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, COVID-19 stress, alcohol misuse and loneliness. In Mumbai, water insecurity was also associated with reduced resilience. Conclusion: Water insecurity was common among LGBTQ participants in Bangkok and Mumbai and associated with poorer well-being. Findings signal the importance of assessing water security as a stressor harmful to LGBTQ mental health. Impact statementWater insecuritydisproportionately impacting socially marginalized communitiesaffects two billion people and is an urgent global health concern. Water insecurity is linked with poorer mental health outcomes through complex pathways, including distress, uncertainty, reduced self-efficacy and relationship conflict. Yet water insecurity and linkages to mental health are understudied with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) persons. Structural violence, the ways in which social structures (e.g., political, economic religious) limit persons from realizing their potential, contributes to social marginalization of LGBTQ persons and poorer mental health outcomes. India and Thailand are LMICs affected by water insecurity, where there are also notable LGBTQ mental health disparities. In these two contexts, LGBTQ persons may also, as a result of social, educational and economic marginalization, live in housing with insufficient water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) access. We conducted the first study to examine water insecurity and associations with mental health among LGBTQ persons in Mumbai, India and Bangkok, Thailand. We found that water insecurity is widespreadaffecting approximately one-fifth of LGBTQ participants in Bangkok (18.6%) and one-quarter (28.9%) in Mumbaiand was associated with anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, loneliness, alcohol misuse, COVID-19 stress and resilience. This points to water insecurity as a possible additional minority stressor that can harm LGBTQ mental health in LMICs that warrants furthe...

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“…Previous research calls for visual and arts-based approaches to sex work scholarship (Grittner and Sitter, 2020;Desyllas, 2013). Participant photography combining both individual interviews (Desyllas, 2013) and group discussions (Barlow and Hurlock, 2013) was identified as ideal.…”

Section: Arts-based Methods Sex Work and Placementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The meaning that sex workers construct in relationship with these different workplaces is critical; it plays a central role in their everyday lives and experiences. Yet, a paucity of research exists exploring the experiences of sex workers through a place-based lens (Grittner and Sitter, 2020). To address this need, the authors describe selected findings from a larger study where sex workers living and working in a Canadian province used photography and art to explore their experiences.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the role of place in sex work through participant photography

et al. 2022

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In this article, the authors explore the place-based experiences of sex workers and how these experiences intersect with the juridical realm of sex work. The article begins with an overview of the model informing Canadian legislation, how these laws influence spatial practices, and the impact of these practices on the lives of sex workers. Drawing on findings from a visual research study where 15 sex workers used photography and art to explore their lived experiences, the authors describe how sex work places are shaped by their juridical contexts, influencing experiences of power and privilege, collaboration, identity, stigma, autonomy, safety and support services. These findings highlight that place is a critical factor shaping participants’ overall experiences in the sex industry and contributes to the disparate realities of sex work in the Canadian context. Participant photographs are also described in this article, as these visual representations further communicate the role of place as experienced and understood by sex workers. Recommendations include legislative considerations, inclusive service delivery practices as identified by participants, and a call for further research that examines place-based experiences of sex work on an international scale.

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The Role of Place in the Lives of Sex Workers: A Sociospatial Analysis of Two International Case Studies

Cited by 7 publications

References 64 publications

Sex Worker Collectives Within the Whorearchy: Intersectional Inquiry with Sex Workers in Los Angeles, CA

Sex Worker Collectives Within the Whorearchy: Intersectional Inquiry with Sex Workers in Los Angeles, CA

Associations between water insecurity and mental health outcomes among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer persons in Bangkok, Thailand and Mumbai, India: Cross-sectional survey findings

Exploring the role of place in sex work through participant photography

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