Abstract
Introduction
Technological developments, primarily starting with the Internet, have transformed male sex work in fundamental ways including making the meeting of buyers and sellers of sex much more likely to occur virtually rather than on streets or bars. Notably, popular dating and hookup websites and apps not designed for sex work have become a new pathway into such activity. However, because they can blur the line between casual and exchange sex encounters, there may be a growing population of men engaging in exchange sex who do not identify as sex workers.
Methods
To better understand this new pathway into sex work, we analyzed data from interviews conducted between October 2018 and April 2020 with 130 MSM who met their first client through a dating/hookup website or app.
Results
Analysis revealed two principal groups of men. One had no intention of engaging in sex work, but while looking for a casual sexual partner online, accepted money or something of value in exchange for sex. The other strategically used dating/hookup websites and apps to find or be found by partners who would give them something in exchange for sex. Common motivations to begin exchange sex, in both groups, included access to money and drugs, curiosity, an interest in engaging in a transgressive act, and a desire for validation.
Conclusions
Policy makers and intervention designers must consider this emerging population of men involved in sex work via apps and websites to ensure that they have access and are targeted for health services like HIV/STI prevention.
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Availability of Data
All requests for the data will be considered.
Code Availability
Not applicable.
Data Availability
Upon completion of publication of the the study findings, the authors will consider all reasonable requests for study data that are consistent with the regulations and policies of their IRB and institution.
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Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank Katharine E. Peglow (MPH candidate) for her assistance in the preparation of this manuscript for submission.
Funding
This study was supported by a research grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (R01MD011587, “Exchange Sex and HIV Risk Among MSM Online” (PIs: Siegel/Schrimshaw).
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Karolynn Siegel and Eric Schrimshaw contributed to the study design. Karolynn Siegel carried out the analysis and Alan Chen contributed to the literature review, write-up of the data, and discussion of the findings. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Karolynn Siegel. All of the authors commented on previous drafts of the manuscript and approved the final version of the manuscript.
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This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Institutional Review Board at Columbia University Medical Center (Protocol AAAR5835).
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Siegel, K., Chen, A. & Schrimshaw, E.W. Dating and Hookup Apps and Websites as Facilitators of Entry into Sex Work. Sex Res Soc Policy 20, 1430–1447 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-023-00809-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-023-00809-z