Top Ten Myths and Misconceptions About the Adult Industry—And the Truth Behind Them

Let’s be real—if myths about sex work were dollar bills, every stripper in America would be retired by now, sipping cocktails on a beach somewhere and finally getting paid what she's worth. But instead of cashing in, sex workers are still stuck cashing out the emotional and legal damage from decades of moral panic and misinformation.

These tired narratives don’t just misinform—they fuel stigma, drive harmful legislation, justify police violence, and shape the way society treats people who trade sex for survival, for empowerment, or simply because it pays the bills. They show up in courtroom rulings, in media headlines, in social services that exclude us, and in public health policies that criminalize our bodies instead of keeping us safe.