Jamie you of all people should know this but I do agree with your sentiment.  All too often the TS side of the hobby seems to just be about spending time with someone with a mutual interest in sex versus the GG side which may often have ‘companionship’ involved as an integral component of the time spent together.  As is well known in this forum I have a strong opinion that the TS side of the hobby lacks something when both provider and client are too focused on just the one aspect the arrangement.

First and foremost I would submit that the participants in this hobby, provider and client whether GG or TS, appreciate the boundaries imposed by the escort/client relationship.  They are probably NOT seeking to develop a bona-fide relationship (duh).  Friendships do develop, mainly professional ones, sometimes even genuine friendships, but it is very rare indeed to see a serious relationship (that actually works) develop from an escorting introduction.  Unfortunately this tends to ‘objectify’ the provider/client relationship and sometimes it is very easy to forget that providers (and clients) are people too.  

Second, precisely because the gentleman participants in this forum and the TS side of the hobby have an interest in ladies with something extra, there is a lot more focus on sex and companionship gets discounted very heavily (isn’t it always about the priority of expectations?).  There will always be those interested only in spending time with someone with a mutual interest only in the sex, whether GG or TS, but personally I think we will see things evolve on the TS side as TS become more well known and understood in society at large and the novelty of being TS fades somewhat.  Thanks to people like yourself who are willing to stand up and be heard we may all come to better understand TS as people and learn to enjoy and appreciate their company as well as their something extra.  

Now as you also know the exploitation works both ways.  I won’t speculate on all the psychological reasons that TS ladies may participate in this hobby but an important reason is clearly the income that may be derived from meeting with gentlemen with these particular interests.  In a post just a few days ago you said:

“What I've observed (and this is by no means an absolute) is most TS's after SRS if they were in the biz before, leave after surgery and most tend to live "stealth," meaning they blend into society as women and only their doctor knows for sure.”

When that something extra goes let’s not be surprised that the special appeal for this particular community is gone as well.  It does seem to me to be good advice that a post-op lady advertise herself honeslty, both to those seeking GG’s or TS.   Surprises are generally a very bad thing in most commercial arrangements.  The way I look at it is that someone who has completed their transition and wishes to stay in this business would now have to compete in the much larger GG market.  

Genetics are ‘what’ you are.  Whether people really get this or not, ‘who’ you are is almost entirely up to you.  Unfortunately even in this day and age many people still can’t get past the what.  Regardless, I try to spend my time with people that I find interesting for who they are, but I must also confess that I may often still have a significant appreciation for what they are as well.  So sue me

Take care,

TS Tempted