Rent Boys: The World of Male Sex Workers, by Michel Dorais (TPB, 2007, $1.75)
Dorais studied 40 men in the sex industry, and found many of our assumptions were wrong. "Dorais analyses the physical and emotional risks to which these young men are exposed and makes useful suggestions for family, friends, and professionals who want to help them. The original French-language edition was praised for its depth of understanding and sensitive portrayal of the experiences of prostitutes. This edition has been expanded to provide an international perspective as well as a study of the role of child prostitution, organized crime, and the legalization of prostitution."
What a disturbing topic, but says Dorais, "To acknowledge the existence of male sex work is not to encourage or discourage it but, rather, to state a fact." And once we know the facts, and are willing to talk about them, perhaps then we will be able to figure out how to help these men. Look for this on the new non-fiction table. (L-soc.)
