An open letter to journalists everywhere

by GoAskAlex

After years of working alongside journalists, Alex Answers (known under the performer name ‘GoAskAlex’) reflects on the good and the bad of mainstream media outlets reporting on Sex Work.

Sex Workers have a long and complicated history with journalists.

In my experience, many journalists have a habit of depersonalizing sex industry workers in favour of an eye catching headline (at best, the stories of our lives are peppered with inaccuracy. At worst, our carefully chosen words are warped to humiliate and shame us).

“The way to accurately represent sex workers is not to speak for them; rather, it is to amplify their voices“

“The way to accurately represent sex workers is not to speak for them; rather, it is to amplify their voices“

Creditable journalism requires rigid policies for determining the accuracy of a story. Unfortunately, due to the pervasive stigma surrounding sex work (as well as the privacy and protection of sex workers) the vast majority of us are unable to publish our legal name – or any information which could be used to identify us.
Our inability to speak with mainstream media outlets is an important factor in ongoing instances of misrepresentation.

Speaking with Michelle Gamage for The Tyee was a highlight in my nearly decade long sex work career. Michelle captured the authentically playful aspects of my personally while emphasizing what I consider to be the most important aspects of my work. Before publication, I was graciously offered the opportunity to voice my preferences and correct any inaccuracies in the piece.
Most importantly, I was granted the right to privacy without any pushback from Michelle or The Tyee. At no point during the interview or editing process was I urged to share more information than was comfortable or safe.

I would like to thank The Tyee for crediting me with my preferred moniker (GoAskAlex) rather than assigning a pseudonym. In my experience with mainstream media the vast majority of publications are unwilling to use my performer name, let alone link to my social media.

It is fascinating that so many news outlets refuse to credit sex workers under their performer names despite claiming to be pro sex work. After all, sex work continues to be so stigmatized that the very news outlets benefitting from our stories are still too embarrassed to report on our businesses in the same way they would any other.
I wonder if these writers are truly interested in bettering the lives of sex workers, or if their misguided attempts at telling our stories are, more often than not, merely a bid for controversial content. Unfortunately, it seems that the irony is lost on them.

Lastly, it’s important to note that in addition to using my preferred stage name, The Tyee linked both my social media and website. Thank you to Michelle and The Tyee for accurately representing my story, and for the time and consideration you took to ensure my comfort and safety.