Sex-work in Canada was challenging enough before 2020, but with the current pandemic, sex-workers have had to adapt massively. With the lockdown, millions of sex-workers have lost their jobs. Outdoor sex-workers, in particular, have been impacted heavily. 

In late 2014, Bill C-36 was passed by the Conservative government to amend consensual prostitution activities between adults. The law officially criminalized the act of purchasing sexual services and advertising sexual services. With sex-work no longer recognized as valid paid work, labour standards and protocols received by other industry workers are not available to Canada’s sex-workers. Employment Insurance, CERB, and other health benefits became more necessary than ever. 

Melody Merlot, a Canadian sex-worker, spoke to CBC about discontinuing work in February before the lockdown. Due to the steep loss of income, she has had to turn to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit to survive. There is a common misconception that Canadian sex-workers should not file for tax on their income due to legality issues with the industry. While their fear of arrest and other retribution is understandable, many sex-workers are realizing that the funds take precedent. It is that or keep working amidst a pandemic. 

For those who don’t have bank accounts, the latter is the only option. 

With physical distancing as a key public health measure, sex-workers are anxious about continuing work. However, B.C.’s Centre for Disease Control has created guidelines to help people practice safe sex during the pandemic. B.C. CDC suggested on its website: “Use barriers, like walls (e.g., gloryholes), that allow for sexual contact but prevent close face-to-face contact.”. Gloryholes are normally used for anonymous sex, but they work just as well for limiting physical contact. Most strip clubs and parlours have also closed, so it is up to the individual to make their own money. 

So, how are they doing that? 

With the inability to physically interact with customers, 2020 has seen a rise in the use of OnlyFans, an online site where users can post content for subscription monetary tips. While the site can be used to post any content, like photography, writing, or other creative content, it has become a widely used platform for online sex-workers. 450,000 content creators are now able to upload their pictures and videos behind a paywall, with 30 million registered users able to access the content for a monthly fee and pay-per-view tips.  Site policies, like the need for government-issued ID when joining and screenshot restrictions to avoid reposting, are extremely helpful to ensure that sex-workers get money from everyone viewing their content. Creators keep 80 percent of the money they make on the site with a minimum subscription price of $4.99 per month and a maximum subscription price of $49.99 a month. Tips and paid private messages start at a minimum of $5. This not only boosts earnings but also helps creators engage with their fans. 

Monica Huldt (also known as Swedish Bella) is one of the top-earning creators on OnlyFans. Because her monthly subscription price is set at $6.50 a month, she makes most of her money through commission fees. Business Insider claims that Huldt makes over $100,000 a year on OnlyFans. Despite how easy it may sound, Huldt explains that she works seven days a week to maintain her level of earnings on OnlyFans. She advises that OnlyFans is not a site for part-time workers, but for those who are willing to constantly work if they want to make enough money to support themselves. Many other online sex-workers echo this statement, citing how difficult it is to make money on this platform without a large following which can only be built up with months of consistent content. Sex-workers on OnlyFans work tirelessly in an increasingly competitive and demanding field as more and more influencers join the site, building up networks and followings when they cannot continue their work as usual. 

To help struggling sex-workers, consider donating to Maggie’s Toronto Sex Worker’s Action Project. Founded in 1986, Maggie’s is one of Canada’s oldest sex-worker support organizations, made by and for sex-workers. The organization works to challenge harmful laws and police violence, as well as providing sex-workers with safe community spaces to network and connect. Maggie’s is involved in local advocacy for Toronto’s anti-poverty organizing, racial justice work, LGBTQ+ liberation work, and more. They fight for the decriminalization of sex-work in Canada, which routinely harms workers and clients alike. 

Sex-work is one of many professions affected heavily by the pandemic, but they are also one of the few professions with next to no help from the government. You don’t need to be a sex-worker to support sex-workers —  they’re people, too. 

Remember, there’s nothing wrong with consuming explicit content. Just be respectful of your content creators, and always pay for your porn.