It is telling that it takes someone, like Stoya, who is the subject of many interviews to be the one to make the biggest splash when it comes to journalist integrity—particularly when writing about sex workers. Why aren’t there writers and editors out there assuring people that they write responsibly? Or better yet, just writing responsibly!
As a sex writer/journalist/blogger/editor, I personally take the words of my subjects very seriously. I take meticulous care with my words and edits to ensure that a person’t words/meaning/actions are conveyed in the manner in which those words/meanings/actions were shared. It is far too easy—intentionally or not—to further marginalize or, even victimize vulnerable people speaking on personally and culturally-sensitive topics.
Have I been perfect over the years? I doubt it. I am sure I’ve annoyed or angered a number of interview subjects, but I hope that number is, by far, the minority.
But it isn’t just because I write about sex that I work this way. It is because I write about people. Sure, I may, occasionally, take a swipe at someone I am not in agreement with, but when I do that sort of work, I try to make it compelling by being factual.
Thank you Stoya, for reminding us that those involved in sex-related work and community should be written about with respect.
