Sex Workers' Lifestyle Sex Workers' Lifestyle_Final (1) | Page 42

Apart from lack of finances, other reasons include:
M: “My first opportunity was one guy, so I realized that I have no other job other
than this. There is no other job for us here in Skopje, they don’t hire us. I mean, you
can’t work freely, which means you have to work as a sex worker.”
Transgender sex worker
A: “Finances was my primary reason to start doing what I am still doing today,
and the relationships I used to have with my previous sex partners.”
Male sex worker
Having into consideration their personal experience, sex workers found the
financial stability, the quick earnings and their freedom in their job as major
benefits in their profession.
M; “Sex work is different compared to other professions. You have the pleasure
of giving sexual services, there’s a lot of freedom in your job, good money and of
course you have a choice whether you want to work or not, which is not quite like
that in other professions.” Male sex worker
K: “Well, because I earn enough to live alone, ‘cause if you live with your folks you
can’t bring your boyfriend at home, no matter whether it is for love or for money. I
can get quite a few commodities – that’s the reason why I do this job. I have what
I want, I have clothes, I can travel, I can eat. I do whatever I want.”
Transgender sex worker
J: “Money is the advantage. It is quick money, I mean you really earn.”
Female sex worker
When it comes to the negative aspects of their job, the majority of our
interviewees emphasized the violence suffered by their clients, their uncertain
future prospects, and the fact that they are unable to legally regulate their
profession.
S: “You’re scared, you never know who you are going to run into, there are all
sorts of people, and you are afraid they might be violent. Generally those are the
negative aspects.” Female sex worker
E: “You deal with all kinds of people. There are people who understand that you
are trans, others don’t. There are clients who threaten, which is really bad. It is
risky to be a sex worker.” Transgender sex worker
A: “There are negative aspects just like in any other job, you are under a lot of
pressure and stress, ‘cause you don’t have a secure future, it is not like other
professions where you can be legally employed. On the other hand, if you are not
careful, you expose yourself to infections, as well as having to communicate with
all sorts of clients.” Male sex worker
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