Community Funded Reporting
Bonnie Ruberg  |  20 Nov 2008

How is the recession hitting the SF sex industry?



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After Proposition K failed this November, sex workers in California have faced the fact that the voting majority still looks at sex work as a dirty job. That doesn't mean it's not a lucrative one though, even in tough economic times. While the recession may be bad for savings and morale, it's good for sex.

A recent study says the sale of sex toys and lingerie are up since the economy hit bottom. A report from The L.A. Times however claims that legal prostitutes in Nevada are facing harder times than ever.  Which is it here in San Francisco? Is the recession good or bad for an industry that employs thousands of SF locals at jobs we often overlook? More here

How will it help?

Local sex workers are rarely given even-handed representation in mainstream media, but that doesn't mean their stories -- in this case, a story of their business during the recession -- shouldn't be heard.  In addition to going behind the scenes to bring readers a side of the economy we often overlook, I'll also be giving a voice to the financial concerns of an industry that employs thousands in the area, yet rarely gets considered by traditional articles.




A frequent contributor to The Economist, The Village Voice, Forbes.com, and many other publications, I'm a professional journalist who specializes in issues of sex and gender. As a member of the sex community, I also have contacts at a number of related SF institutions.
I'll write a 2,000-word article that provides an inside look at how the recession is impacting the San Francisco sex industry in the wake of Prop K. In addition, I'll present photos from my research visits at SF adult entertainment institutions, like Kink.com's armory, Good Vibrations, and The Lusty Lady.
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Bonnie Ruberg
Peer review: Christine H. Wetzel
This story has been published:

Hard Times: How is the recession hitting the SF sex industry?

by Bonnie Ruberg | 06 Feb 2009 | sfbay
The following piece was originally commissioned by the Spot.Us community but purchased by Boulevards Media. The original donors were reimbursed and SF Station has first publishing rights. By Bonnie Ruberg, Special to SF Station: a report funded by the Spot.us community. At Good Vibrations, the iconic white “Rabbit Habit,” a five-inch dildo paired with a friendly, bunny-shaped vibrator, sells for $90. Compared to other items available through the high-end sex toy company that has become a Bay Area institution, this piece…
Read the published story
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