It's that old belief that if a woman gets paid for sex then she must be a 24 hour slag and totally devoid of any morals or standards.

I said to a client once I don't sleep with anyone. The client scoffed and said "But you're a prostitute". Well yes but even so. I turn down most clients and in my private life am more a relationship than sex person. I hate the idea of sleeping around. For me sex is something you have in a relationship. Sex work is about the money and to make up for a life situation not of my choosing.

As for women friends I was in a place the other year away from home where I could "decloak" and discuss it. One had actually been sex trafficked which is why I opened up. The conversations got nowhere meaningful. We just didn't have the time for it, really.

I've had men friends in similar straits who did work on the side. Thinking back I've heard some men say it's unfair that when they're stuck for options it's okay for women as when times are tight they can just spread their legs. Mind you I've known other men make judgmental comments.

I only started as a sex worker a few years ago so have been a civvy person for well over 50 years with a very broad ranging long term circle of friends. I have one sex worker friend whom I met on here and have met up with in person several times. I really value that friendship despite the differences in our age, cultural backgrounds and geographical distance.

It got hard to keep fibbing to all my other friends when they asked how work was going, and so I decided to tell the ones whom I see most often what I really do, including my best friend. They don't know each other so I see them each individually.

Having told them, each had exactly the same reaction after "Oh my God!"  i.e how do I keep myself safe, how does it work, where do I go, what sort of men do I meet, what's the money like etc.

Since then, once the oddity (to them) of me living in a parallel universe had abated, our friendships have continued exactly as before. We chat about our families, friends and mutual interests, we meet up to eat out or trot around some beautiful scenery, have a giggle, console, encourage and support each other.

What I'm getting at here is that I realise having my civvy friends is so important to who I am, not what I do for a living, and we still have all the other same things in common and shared histories. Being me, not sex worker me, is validated by continuing my friendships, and that helps me keep a balanced outlook on my life and keep my sanity in place.

Thats true lol!.

I did used to have a friend Who was convinced I would get prolapse and be unable to have sex soon.

I stopped the.friendship for other reasons but I think she was a bit jugdgemental.