The term's origin has to do with the perverting of something rather than what it is now associated with which is the sexual entertainment of a client.

I'm fine with using the term prostitute for crooked politicians, cops and what have you, but there's nothing perverted about making people happy through sexuality, even when done for pay, unless you want to call nearly every form of entertainment prostitution as well.

As for Ms. Anderson, she freely admits that she saw Mr. Sheen for money, and fully expected that there would be some physical romancing going on.  That settles the question of what she is; now it's just a matter of what name we are going to give it.

As for what Mr. Sheen is, well, that's a topic for another thread, I'd say.

She is a sex worker, or provider, or courtesan and I'm sure we can come up with others.

unless, or until she starts behaving otherwise. I like to stay focused on her as a person, and treat her as such. That doesn't mean I'm any less aware of what is transpiring. I just don't need to think of her, or what is transpiring, in pejorative terms, just because it is illegal.

Ex-escort Tracy Quan takes a knowing look at the "Whore" accusations being leveled at Capri Anderson, the prettification of the business of pay-to-play and emerges with some fascinating conclusions.

All in a day's work, I say!

Tabu of South Florida

In the end, it was a pretty balanced piece from someone who is no stranger to this life. That Capri Anderson wants to somehow legitimize her existence by proclaiming that she is not a prostitute actually sets the sex workers movement up for failure. Whether she trades time or a "little romance" for the money she expected to receive, people would have rallied to her side if she had to guts to say, yes, I am an escort or whatever euphemism, you are most comfortable with. Charlie is a neanderthal who makes more money in a week and Capri will likely make in her lifetime. That he has a penchant for seeing "prostitutes" has been well chronicled. That he is boorish, obtuse, and an all around drunk and drug abuser is lesser known, yet at the root of why he won't make 50.  So Capri gets her 15 minutes of fame and she'll likely get a little money, but in the end, she'll always be perceived a just a whore. Game, set match to a real goof, Charlie Sheen.

Tracy Quan does a good job of calling out porn stars and other sex workers who continue to contribute to the stigmatization of prostitutes.  I understand the reasonable concern about being associated with illegality, but stigmatizing other women is unconscionable.

I have used the term "provider" myself on this board (although in person I sometimes use the word "hooker", which many women are completely unoffended by, and like to use themselves), because I have had the feeling that the word "prostitute" makes many women on this board feel uncomfortable.

But perhaps it is time to see the word "prostitute" as neutral rather than pejorative, even on this board, at least when speaking in the context of sex workers' rights.

I think that often, in the end, it is the woman's perspective on whether a term is intended to convey respect or disrespect, that determines how she reacts to the term being used to describe her.

Most of us want sex and a certain amount of money.  Some women are willing to sell sex and some men are willing to buy it.  If that woman is a "whore" then her client is a "whore-monger".   Mr. Sheen was calling Ms. Anderson names in anger.  So what?  It just doesn't make any difference.  Knowing the reputations of the parties, most will likely consider Ms. Anderson as there to sell sex and Mr. Sheen as there to buy it (though both have denied that so far).   The question is:   Is Ms. Anderson's cause(s) of action worth any substantial money.  I say little if any in the eyes of the general public, and it wil be the general public who decides her case short of a settlement.  Neither party has "clean hands" here and both are culpable for certain things.  Prostitution, extortion, perjury, assult, battery...these are all crimes of varying degrees.  Extortion and perjury can be pretty serious.  So can assault and/or batttery but Ms. Anderson was not physically injured.  I think she has opened up a pandoras box of trouble for herself.    

Some words bother some, but not others.  Lots of women are deeply offended by the word "cunt," others get off on it.  So it's all about the context and the person involved.  On this board I'd stick to "Provider," as it's kind of neutral and is universally accepted.  Why offend anyone?  As you know, I personally won't use the word "hobbyist" or "hobby."  But it doesn't offend me if anyone else does. BTW, what's wrong with "John?"  Hell, that's the name of my second son!  See what I mean?
PS: Re the "c" word, here's how D.H. Lawrence used it in Lady Chatterly's Lover.
“Th’art good cunt, though, aren’t ter? Best bit o’ cunt left on earth. When ter likes! When th’art willin’!”
“What is cunt?” she said.
“An’ doesn’t ter know? Cunt! It’s thee down theer; an’ what I get when I’m i’side thee, and what tha gets when I’m i’side thee; it’s a’ as it is, all on’t.”
“All on’t,” she teased. “Cunt! It’s like fuck then.”
“Nay nay! Fuck’s only what you do. Animals fuck. But cunt’s a lot more than that. It’s thee, dost see: an’ th’art a lot besides an animal, aren’t ter—even ter fuck? Cunt! Eh, that’s the beauty o’ thee, lass!”
Mellors to Lady Constance
Lady Chatterly's Lover
D.H. Lawrence

"...I have used the term "provider" myself on this board (although in person I sometimes use the word "hooker", which many women are completely unoffended by, and like to use themselves), because I have had the feeling that the word "prostitute" makes many women on this board feel uncomfortable."

To label a provider as a "prostitute" has legal implications which carries potential consequences and any lady who freely admits to being a prostitute, or anyone for that matter admitting to being involved with prostitution (aiding & abetting), must seriously have their IQ tested. This part is not difficult to comprehend, but you mention that ladies are "unoffended" by the term Hooker?! I really find this hard to believe as it is most often used in a very derogatory sense. JMHO...

calling any woman a cunt, whore, hooker and to some extent a prostitute. Even if it's what they think of themselves. Their ladies, women, providers, escorts, wives, mothers and girlfriends.

There is no romantic ideals involved here. Most here think p4p should be legal and what two adults do behind closed doors is no ones business but the two people. Notice I said adults and two people. But yet when we leave the room we elect to call her a cunt or whore.

I much perfer to say or think of her as a lady I spent some time with. Some I enjoy more thant others but for my ego I don't need to say or think she was a cunt.

So to all you ladies, Happy Holidays.

....As does "companion", "hobbyist" and "hobby".

It is what it is.  I embrace and find accuracy, humor and endearment  every word which accurately describes what transpires between myself and those who seek me.

Periodically people spit terms at me- as cliche as it sounds it truly reflects more upon them, how they feel about themselves, their sexuality and their archaic, inane values than it does me.

I am never offended by the term "hooker" and use it casually as well as formally.

.

I agree "provider" is kinda sterile.  Some gals use "courtesan," which is elegant but a bit contrived-sounding.  As for "Hooker," until recently I thought it first was used during the Civil War to describe the prostitutes who were generally found at the headquarters of General Joseph "Fighting Joe" Hooker, first known as "Hooker's girls."  But recent reading on the matter has revealed the term was in use before then.

-- Modified on 11/24/2010 4:56:59 PM

It never will cease to amaze me that people here will look down on the person on the other end of a transaction that they are party to.  If she's so bad but I still want to pay her, what does that say about me?  In order to hold my head up high it's imperative to believe that she's as decent a person as I am.

I would describe those who "spit out" words with a hostile intent as being ignorant more than anything else.

is to not continue to be involved in doing things which you believe make you a less worthwhile person. In the case of prostitutes and their customers, a belief that prostitution is inherently "wrong" is inaccurate and unrealistic.  A person who has this belief could work on changing their belief to a more realistic one.  But, if they are unable to do this, I think it would best for them to stop participating in prostitution transactions.

Actually, I don't think Charlie wins anything, except maybe a Keith Richards look-alike contest in another year or so...if he lives that long.  He doesn't deserve the Patek he lost.

-- Modified on 11/24/2010 10:07:48 PM

Thank you for the education and I commend you for your seeming abundance of self-esteem, confidence and intelligence. However, some words can cause much damage to persons with far less maturity of mind and feeble intestinal fortitude than that of yours. Some words can not and ought not to be dismissed lightly, as defamation, slander, libel, calumny and vilification are all legally and morally wrong. There is always context and then there is subtext. You seem to consider words in the context in which they are intended for and not get offended by them, but you must always pay very close attention to the subtext too Happy Thanksgiving...

It is wonderful that Ms. Moore can take such things in stride. However, such words can nevertheless be hurtful. As a general rule, it is good not to risk gratuitously hurting someone with whom one sleeps.

The only reason he wins is because this is what we expect from him or of him and he'll go back to making sitcoms at a mil plus and likely become even more popular. He'll have to kill someone or do a hit and run to get totally blowout the water. And maybe the best is when he just goes away because he O'ded.

Reminds me of something said by former Gov. of Louisiana Edwin Edwards: "The only way I will not be re-elected is if I am found in bed with a live boy or a dead girl."
PS:  He was re-elected, then convicted of bribery and jailed.