Agency ads appear in two formats, one to clients seeking masseurs and escorts (see figure 4.5 ) and the other to men who want to do sex work. The first type appeals to clients seeking sex or body work. The agencies emphasize the professional element of their service through the language in their ads: “Our Masseurs and Escorts are carefully screened.” The second type appeals to men who want to work as escorts but also suggests to potential clients the extent of their screening—“Exclusive agency requires handsome, straight-acting escorts and masseurs (18-25). Please only ring us if you have classic good looks, an excellent physique, are well-spoken and have a comprehensive wardrobe of good quality clothes” (see figure 4.6 )—thus potential clients are led to assume all enquiries will be answered by someone who meets the agency’s rigorous standards. M$M may advertise through an agency rather than independently because it allows them to maintain more distinct boundaries between their sex work and their personal lives. Many men have jobs and careers apart from sex work. The agencies generally receive all enquiries and screen clients for the sex workers in exchange for a percentage of the advertised fee. Clients and workers are instructed not to exchange details and to make all contact through the agency, which gives the agency some control, particularly over financial transactions. It also allows clients and workers to maintain some privacy, anonymity, and security. The power relationship between the agency and the worker is complex and may be fraught with difficulties that are compounded by issues unique to selling sex (see Smith, Grov, & Seal, 2008).
Some men who work independently also advertise as an agency. Two men I spoke to described advertising with one or two other men, promoting themselves to potential clients as an agency. They created flat management structures, like “a workers’ co-operative” and directed calls to one another, depending on their own availability and the clients’ requests:
Well, the way it worked at that point was we had this front of being an escort agency … [laughs] But it was just … me and two mates, a workers’ cooperative. And, so you know, all three of us would end up having sex with the same guy if he was someone who was looking to, ah, have some regular, um, involvement with prostitutes and then he’d find his favourite. Um. Yeah, the calls normally went through one of these friends and then he’d call me. (Philip, 44)
FIGURE 4.6
Advertisement reading “Exclusive agency requires…,” in Boyz , January 6, 1996.
More recent agency structures include online profiles that feature links to a number of M$M who also advertise independently. These online profiles are similar to websites that are devoted to attracting clients and directing them to profiles for M$M. Like bricks-and-mortar agencies, the virtual agencies act as a “screen” for both clients and M$M. The men, whether selling or seeking sexual services, may be required to provide email and credit card details and an Internet service provider address that can be traced by the host site. This allows interactions to take place in an anonymized but not completely anonymous environment, and it affords at least some level of protection to sellers and buyers.
FIGURE 4.7
Daddy’s Reviews, the major U.S. website for male escort reviews and discussion. Reproduced with permission from WinkWinkNodNod, LLC.
Virtual agencies have different business strategies. They commonly charge the seller a monthly fee to advertise and charge premium fees for better positioning on the website or within the listings. Virtual agencies also may charge potential clients a membership fee for access to additional content.
Further study of the widely available advertisements of M$M, including the increasingly visual and interactive elements, will no doubt offer exciting new insights into the often hidden
Some men who work independently also advertise as an agency. Two men I spoke to described advertising with one or two other men, promoting themselves to potential clients as an agency. They created flat management structures, like “a workers’ co-operative” and directed calls to one another, depending on their own availability and the clients’ requests:
Well, the way it worked at that point was we had this front of being an escort agency … [laughs] But it was just … me and two mates, a workers’ cooperative. And, so you know, all three of us would end up having sex with the same guy if he was someone who was looking to, ah, have some regular, um, involvement with prostitutes and then he’d find his favourite. Um. Yeah, the calls normally went through one of these friends and then he’d call me. (Philip, 44)
FIGURE 4.6
Advertisement reading “Exclusive agency requires…,” in Boyz , January 6, 1996.
More recent agency structures include online profiles that feature links to a number of M$M who also advertise independently. These online profiles are similar to websites that are devoted to attracting clients and directing them to profiles for M$M. Like bricks-and-mortar agencies, the virtual agencies act as a “screen” for both clients and M$M. The men, whether selling or seeking sexual services, may be required to provide email and credit card details and an Internet service provider address that can be traced by the host site. This allows interactions to take place in an anonymized but not completely anonymous environment, and it affords at least some level of protection to sellers and buyers.
FIGURE 4.7
Daddy’s Reviews, the major U.S. website for male escort reviews and discussion. Reproduced with permission from WinkWinkNodNod, LLC.
Virtual agencies have different business strategies. They commonly charge the seller a monthly fee to advertise and charge premium fees for better positioning on the website or within the listings. Virtual agencies also may charge potential clients a membership fee for access to additional content.
Further study of the widely available advertisements of M$M, including the increasingly visual and interactive elements, will no doubt offer exciting new insights into the often hidden
Similar Books
