I have just come across a good article on Spectator.co.uk. where the question “Its wrong to pay for sex” was debated. What would interest me is how votes would stand if the same debate focussed on male escorts. I realise their industry is in the minority but it does exist, they just don’t feature in discussion. Another double standard most likely. PET HATE of mine. Not that the debate went badly. Votes were taken before and after with the motion soundly defeated. As is only right.

Before the debate
For: 134
Against: 341
Don’t Know: 221

After the debate
For: 203
Against: 449
Don’t Know: 45

What I wanted to draw attention to more than the debate was this comment below from a reader. So very true. I admit there is some difference between using your body to sell sex versus stacking factory shelves. Namely the fact that when your body is being used for sex, someone is entering it. This entering of the body is, I believe, the defining difference between the sexual experience and vulnerability of men versus woman. Sorry, getting off track. His primary point…prostitutes sell sex, their body remains their own.

Many comments seem to suggest that prostitutes sell their bodies. That’s not true. Prostitutes sell sex - which is much less than bodies, children, kidneys, and souls. Their body remains their own; they sell sexual labour. That doesn’t necessarily alienate them from their bodies, selves or souls.

And what is so wrong with selling sex? Why is it okay to use your body to dig wells, stack shelves, do factory work…anything except selling sex?

Millions of workers sell their labour in various forms today to make a living; some of us use our brains - isn’t that a form of intellectual labour?