A Reverend, Sex Worker & Son
By The Daily Beast’s Micheal Ellsberg

If you assume, as I do, that sex work is legitimate work that should be destigmatized, then ideally it would be something that adults in the worker’s family can discuss openly, honestly, and respectfully. Unfortunately, due to criminalization and stigmatization, that is far from standard in most families. Sex workers often report that one of the most difficult things about sex work is the need to hide it (and lie about to to keep it hidden) from family members; this “double life” can lead to a terrible feeling of isolation.

For these reasons, I’m moved by the love and acceptance my friend and creative collaborator Ckiara Rose has been able to find with her mother and her son.

Ckiara, 50, has done almost every kind of sex work since she started stripping at age 19, including escorting, brothel work in Nevada, and porn; she now focuses on sensual massage and professional Dominance.

Ckiara’s mother, Reverend Josephenie Robertson, 76, is an elder from the Miskitu people of Central America. Ckiara’s son Saycsar Fleurima, 27, is a filmmaker. They work together as a family on activism for the human rights of Miskitos; Ckiara uses much of her funds from sex work to support her indigenous activism.

To my knowledge, this is the first time an out sex worker has been interviewed alongside both her parent and her adult child. Josephenie is a devout Christian, and as she explains in this interview, had a difficult time coming to terms with her daughter’s chosen profession. However, as is evident from the tenderness and humor in the interview, Josephenie has come to acceptance and love for Ckiara and her chosen life path—the same love and acceptance Sayscar has always felt for his mother and her work.

Read more:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/a-sex-worker-her-christian-mother-and-adult-son-in-conversation
https://youtu.be/CE-h2UMT31M
https://www.thedailybeast.com/a-sex-worker-her-christian-mother-and-adult-son-in-conversation?