The Myth of the Happy Hooker: Irish Times

[LaBelleThatcher]

Can I add something else as a foot note?

When I was working at the same times I can put my hand on my heart and say that, with a handful of obnoxious exceptions who were unlikely to be a pleasure to deal with in any business, I NEVER came across large numbers of clients who treated me with contempt. They just did not exist...and it was a very small world, then, as now.

Clients then were still often a lot more awkward and shy about expressing themselves as people than the guys I see around here, and less aware of women's issues and rights...but so were all the other men at that time.

Clients were respectful and considerate of me, and this was the experience of all the other women I knew too (including a close friend who had worked since the 60s).

Later, in her book, she refers to having PTSD flashbacks to sex work whenever she tried to have sex. To me that is so bizarre it never crossed my mind as a possibility in all these years...I can't even imagine it...

...and not just because I did not let clients do anything liable to cause PTSD either...and that thought has to be followed by the recollection that none of them ever asked for anything liable to cause PTSD anyway!

Later, after I left sex work, and was campaigning against the '93 law I developed PTSD that stays with me, and affects my dealings with people adversely, to this day, from the contempt with which I was treated by employees of the (then) Women's Health Project and Ruhama (who were relatively minor) at meeting and conferences. It hit me so hard because I was not used to being treated with contempt, and as something less-than-human...it had not happened to me for decades and I could not get my head round it or work out how to respond to it. I was used to being treated as an intelligent adult and suddenly I was being treated like a dog in the pound that should not presume to speak for itself.

That treatment destroyed any faith I could ever have developed in humanity. I am sure it is not hard to spot where it affects my attitudes, outlook and opinions to this day.

[Larrii]

The only thing around here that I think is truly a 'perversion' is that we have to sit here and listen to ourselves be characterized as criminals and perverts by the same people who were/are behind running the Magdalene laundries and covering-up the WIDESPREAD sexual abuse of children by members of the priesthood.

Yes, big time, and it's not a surprise that these opinion-formers and decision-makers have bankrupted their state. They know so little about the world and I suspect they like it that way. I'm from Ireland but have been away for decades.

If any escort needs help to find a new career, there are other organisations to do that, not just Ruhama.

Not being a fan of the Irish media, I read the Holmquist article and thought the comments section did get the TOBL points across. That Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein are now in favour of TORL that speaks volumes; FF bankrupted the state and SF's ex-military wing has killed thousands of Irish people in the last 40 years. Small town control freaks.

I am currently seeking a short-medium term PA to employ in Dublin, and I can tell you that she won't be paid anything like €200/hour!

[trugent]

The only thing around here that I think is truly a 'perversion' is that we have to sit here and listen to ourselves be characterized as criminals and perverts by the same people who were/are behind running the Magdalene laundries and covering-up the WIDESPREAD sexual abuse of children by members of the priesthood.

Here's the nub. Those who try to hide the fact that they are morally/religiously anti prostitution behind the cover of "protection of women" have had a hard time of it recently. A string of news stories has shown that over history, from the formation of the state right up to the recent tragedy in Galway (currently under an inquest), the catholic establishment influence on Irish government and society has consistently worked against the interests, rights and protection of women.

So the sensationalised and fictionalised story of an ex prostitute is promoted by the establishment to try to get themselves back on the so called "high ground" of the protection of women as a reason to attack the escort business. It gets attention because sex gets readers/viewers. This diverts from serious debate on how to ensure that escorts are properly protected - they have the free will to choose what they do and are safe as they do it.

Expect the debate on legislation to go back up the agenda in near future, as politicians pretend that they actually care about the rights of women, when they actually don't give a shit and just want to be seen to be doing things to stop something that the catholic church has told them is bad for the soul.

[LaBelleThatcher]

Just another point that occurs:

Just how DOES anyone justify the blanket dehumanisation of men who buy sexual services, sight unseen?

[dee dee]

Can I add something else as a foot note?

When I was working at the same times I can put my hand on my heart and say that, with a handful of obnoxious exceptions who were unlikely to be a pleasure to deal with in any business, I NEVER came across large numbers of clients who treated me with contempt. They just did not exist...and it was a very small world, then, as now.

Clients then were still often a lot more awkward and shy about expressing themselves as people than the guys I see around here, and less aware of women's issues and rights...but so were all the other men at that time.

Clients were respectful and considerate of me, and this was the experience of all the other women I knew too (including a close friend who had worked since the 60s).

Later, in her book, she refers to having PTSD flashbacks to sex work whenever she tried to have sex. To me that is so bizarre it never crossed my mind as a possibility in all these years...I can't even imagine it...

...and not just because I did not let clients do anything liable to cause PTSD either...and that thought has to be followed by the recollection that none of them ever asked for anything liable to cause PTSD anyway!

Later, after I left sex work, and was campaigning against the '93 law I developed PTSD that stays with me, and affects my dealings with people adversely, to this day, from the contempt with which I was treated by employees of the (then) Women's Health Project and Ruhama (who were relatively minor) at meeting and conferences. It hit me so hard because I was not used to being treated with contempt, and as something less-than-human...it had not happened to me for decades and I could not get my head round it or work out how to respond to it. I was used to being treated as an intelligent adult and suddenly I was being treated like a dog in the pound that should not presume to speak for itself.

That treatment destroyed any faith I could ever have developed in humanity. I am sure it is not hard to spot where it affects my attitudes, outlook and opinions to this day.

Yet again another Ruhama backed publicity stunt, I'm not saying Rachel Moran has never worked as a sex worker and I myself never have encountered her ,either in my student days of a P/T Escort, yet she will now enjoy the financial fruits of an international book deal , public speaking across the World to help promote the book etc; if she feels so strongly about this "men who pay for sex are all fiendish individuals" then why has there been no suggestion that she donate the funds from the book towards organising "Shelters" or "Exit strategies" for "poor women who have no alternative and are treated like meat" posse? Somewhat hypocritical it seems? No doubt Ruhama have their percentage stake in it!

Oh ..and by the way ..did i tell you that I am currently working on my book about my Dominatrix days; servicing my "High Profile" clients like Catholic priests, Government officials, High profile business men etc and their kinky sexual needs... Might just be a best seller!

[LaBelleThatcher]

Yet again another Ruhama backed publicity stunt, I'm not saying Rachel Moran has never worked as a sex worker and I myself never have encountered her ,either in my student days of a P/T Escort, yet she will now enjoy the financial fruits of an international book deal , public speaking across the World to help promote the book etc; if she feels so strongly about this "men who pay for sex are all fiendish individuals" then why has there been no suggestion that she donate the funds from the book towards organising "Shelters" or "Exit strategies" for "poor women who have no alternative and are treated like meat" posse? Somewhat hypocritical it seems? No doubt Ruhama have their percentage stake in it!

Oh ..and by the way ..did i tell you that I am currently working on my book about my Dominatrix days; servicing my "High Profile" clients like Catholic priests, Government officials, High profile business men etc and their kinky sexual needs... Might just be a best seller!

OH PLEASE...on my KNEES I BEG...please be the one who goes through with it and NAMES them.

After some discussion with people I *would* trust as as creditable witnesses we have established that "Rachel Moran" was, very probably, a sex worker at some time, but not where and when she claims in the book, and the evidence I have in front of me is, just now, offering more questions than answers and some very dubious possibilities.

Even in the book she admits to advertising an escort agency in 1993/94...

[Pheasant Plucker]

The article and the quotes from Ms. Moran get into some pretty heavy moralizing as well as what I consider to be some fairly serious man-hating on the second page.
<snip>
So essentially ALL of us men who have EVER paid for sex have treated these women in a 'contemptuous' way, and that if we could 'get away with it', we'd treat ALL women with seemingly open hostility and contempt?? That's as absurd as it is INSULTING to men in general, never mind those do/have/would pay for sexual services.
<snip>
The only thing around here that I think is truly a 'perversion' is that we have to sit here and listen to ourselves be characterized as criminals and perverts by the same people who were/are behind running the Magdalene laundries and covering-up the WIDESPREAD sexual abuse of children by members of the priesthood.

Dead right. This appears to be a gigantic set-up.

And Tubridy sat there, without a word, apparantly lapping it all up as gospel. We are men. We are criminals. The country now sees this as the reality.

And Ms Moran "Done me degree". And then wrote a book.....

[Curvaceous Kate]

Dead right. This appears to be a gigantic set-up.

And Tubridy sat there, without a word, apparantly lapping it all up as gospel. We are men. We are criminals. The country now sees this as the reality.

And Ms Moran "Done me degree". And then wrote a book.....

Don't worry, there are plenty of us with degree's that can write a book that is more realistic. I'm just busy gathering more evidence

[simon2280]

Don't worry, there are plenty of us with degree's that can write a book that is more realistic. I'm just busy gathering more evidence

Excellent News Kate and just think you wouldn't need to Bullshit in order to sell your book. unlike M/s Moran or it Moron. Ah! its an old saying, but, some people will buy anything if the they think it is at the right price or Sinsational. Truth my Ass Gess!

[Pheasant Plucker]

Don't worry, there are plenty of us with degree's that can write a book that is more realistic. I'm just busy gathering more evidence

I don't know how the "Thank You" works here, but I think you're doing pretty good so far !