Working Guys is a self-published anthology curated by sex worker, writer and activist Jack Parker. Featuring a whopping 21 transmasculine writers with varied lived experience of the sex industry, it is a unique and essential contribution to the sex worker literary canon.
The idea for the book first came in 2021, when Jack began their own transition and struggled to find advice or resources from other transmasculine sex workers. Inspired to create their own, they began conducting interviews and collecting surveys in 2023. Following a spectacular crowdfunding campaign - with 351 backers helping it soar past its fundraising goal - the book was finally completed in July this year.
This storming success is what allowed for the inclusion of so many contributors, whose lived experiences are at the heart of Working Guys. Each bitesize submission makes for relatively quick reading, but these brief windows into each writer’s life – not to mention their sassy bios – comprise a rich collage that is deeply entertaining, and sometimes heartbreaking. As with any group of sex workers, some love their work, some loathe it, and some are broadly indifferent. The common theme is relatable to any of us in the industry: sex work is always a means to an end. It pays for the rent, the gender-affirming healthcare costs, and the cat treats. Amidst the chorus of voices, Jack maintains a welcome presence as curator and editor, opening each chapter to provide valuable context for some of the issues presented in the submissions.
These brief windows into each writer’s life – not to mention their sassy bios – comprise a rich collage that is deeply entertaining, and sometimes heartbreaking.
What readers take from Working Guys will likely depend heavily on their own lived experiences. Created first and foremost as a resource for transmasculine sex workers, fellow members of this largely invisibilised community can enjoy the wealth of accounts compiled in the book. As the primary intended audience, they are addressed directly by Jack with advice and guidance for their lives and work. However, this is a book that deserves to be read by everyone. For cisgender sex workers and non-sex workers alike, it is a unique opportunity to learn about the challenges of the sex industry that are specific to our transmasc siblings. I was humbled at how much I either didn’t know or hadn’t considered, and grateful that someone had created the chance for me to find out.
Among the more relatable topics was navigating how we present at work. Most sex workers will have experienced using different names, keeping separate wardrobes or adopting distinct characters or alter egos. Presenting as a different gender, however, takes this challenge beyond that familiar territory. Some contributors describe with relish the gap between how they present and their authentic self, even delighting in fooling their clients. Others find the dysphoria of continuing to feign femininity unbearable.
The decision to transition, however, is not one that any transmasc sex worker can take lightly. Preparations are essential. These include saving funds from work before any significant hormone-induced changes, or preparing as much online content as possible to retain a source of income during the necessary break from work to heal after surgery. On the other side of transition, navigating when and how to come out to clients, and rebranding in order to find new ones. When new advertisements are launched, confronting the greater risk of being outed, with multiple reports of friends finding their profiles or content online due to a much smaller pool of workers.
The decision to transition, however, is not one that any transmasc sex worker can take lightly. Preparations are essential.
All of this underscores a painful, palpable truth that Working Guys does not shy away from: transmasc sex workers are caught in a constant tug-of-war, weighing up the potential cost of expressing their true gender identity. Physical and emotional wellbeing are pitted against privacy, safety risks and potential decline in earnings –– all of which can have massive destabilising consequences. Any job comes with trade-offs; things we don’t particularly love doing are accepted in return for the security of our salary. For most of us, however, those sacrifices are rarely so integral to our identity and our health. “Delay coming out as trans within your sex work persona for as long as possible,” writes Jack matter-of-factly. “Do this for as long as you like, unless or until you can no longer tolerate it.”
Even before reading it, this book was deeply inspiring to me on a personal level. It is wonderful to see a community member like Jack identifying a dearth in resources for a particular group of sex workers, and making it their mission to do something about it. Taking on such an enormous labour of love not only shows extraordinary tenacity and resourcefulness, but also provides a valuable blueprint for fellow community members to follow. The enormous response to the crowdfunder also reflects a clear support and enthusiasm for this kind of work – from sex workers, trans people and allies alike. Listening to Jack discuss the project on an episode of Radio Ava helped give me that extra push to create The Scarlett Letters’ very first zine. I have no doubt that others will feel similarly and can’t wait to see all the future contributions to the sex worker canon.
Part community resource, part research project, and part damn good read rolled into one, Working Guys is a triumph. You can order your copy here – or join us for the launch!*
*The launch of Working Guys will take place at The Scarlett Letters Bookshop on 16 November. RSVP here!
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