Page 46 - AVN August 2018

FEATURE | By Nicholas Yanes
FEATURE
Talking about the importance of getting an education, performer Alison Rey says, “That bachelor’s degree you’re working on right there? That’s your exit strategy.”
Ela Darling told AVN. “The fact is there is no universal college or grad school
experience, just like there’s no universal adult performer experience.”
While attitudes to sex, sex work, and sexual harassment vary from campus
to campus, Darling does see a need for uniform policies that protect adult
entertainers. “I would like to see school policy reflect a mission to protect students
regardless of their career choices. I think that schools should have a sex-positive
sexual education for incoming freshmen and a zero-tolerance policy of sexual
harassment, including harassing people who are sex workers,” Darling said.
Alison Rey’s perspective on what colleges should do to protect sex workers
echoes Darling’s words. “I would want to see schools respect ethical sex work. I’ve
heard of several girls getting expelled or losing their scholarships for doing adult
work,” Rey said. “In my opinion, if what you’re doing is ethical, and especially if
it’s legal, the school has no right to judge you based on your occupation alone.”
“In my experience, most of the time schools don’t take action against bullying
or sexual harassment until it is too late and something tragic has happened,” Love
said when discussing how colleges react to students being sex workers. “I believe
that it is very important for schools to be proactive and listen to concerns and
complaints from student sex workers to ensure their safety. Student sex workers
that have been outed need support from schools or students will think that verbal
and sexual harassment is acceptable. I believe that major consequences should be
put in effect for those who make anyone feel unsafe or uncomfortable.”
With colleges and universities across the country being forced to do more to
address ingrained sexism and sexual harassment, there is an opportunity and need
for these institutions to take steps to protect student sex workers. As Darling said
to AVN, “Amnesty International takes a firm stance on protecting sex workers’
rights and I would like to see that extended to student services as well.”
Privacy, Please
Students in need of extra money or who have an interest in exploring their
sexuality in a professional setting will always be able to find work in the
porn industry. So while educational institutions should do more to protect
students who are also sex workers, it is important for those entering the adult
entertainment industry to learn from other performers who are willing to share
the wisdom they’ve gained.
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For instance, Ela Darling stresses protecting one’s privacy, building a supportive
community, and preparing for what to do when people find out about one’s adult
work.
“I would advise being very protective of one’s privacy and personal information,
especially when it comes to your home address and your legal name. There is no
shame in the work that we do, but there will likely be people who find out and
try to weaponize it against you,” Darling told AVN. “Be ready for people to find
out and surround yourself with a support system. Stand tall. Get to know the
college staff and offices that exist to advocate for you and be ready to file a report if
someone tries to violate your safety or makes threats against you.”
“Anyone entering the porn industry should be prepared for when people
find out about the work you do/did and should only pursue a career in porn if
they’re certain that these tough discussions won’t end their future professional
opportunities after their work in the industry,” Darling continued to explain, “but
that doesn’t make it okay for people to use your work to harass, threaten or harm
you.”
In addition to protecting one’s privacy, both Lydia Love and Alison Rey stress
that performers still in college should prioritize their studies.
“My number-one piece of advice would be to keep going to school. Don’t drop
out just because you’re making money and you want to make more money,” Rey
said. “Even if you want to move to Los Angeles so you are available for more
shoots, keep going to school. Transfer if you have to, or take online classes to
complete your degree—that’s what I did.
“Just always remember that porn won’t be forever, but your college degrees
will always be worth something. All too often, girls come in to the industry and
start performing with no plans for what they’ll do after they stop,” Rey further
explained. “That bachelor’s degree you’re working on right there? That’s your exit
strategy.”
Rey’s sentiment is also shared by Love, who—like many performers—
understands the appeal of quick money and encourages all adult film stars to
continue working to pursue their goals.
“If school is your first priority, don’t let work take you away from that. It is
difficult at times, but don’t give up on your goals because your hard work will pay
off in the end,” Love said. “You’re capable of whatever you want to achieve in life.”