18-year-old “James” (not his real name) dreams of one day being an award-winning filmmaker.
“I want to make films and be a director,” the young man tells Fusion. “I didn’t want to give up on that dream, and now I don’t have to.”
Why not? Because he has found a great-paying part-time gig making private house calls around Los Angeles offering erotic massages to wealthy older gents for cash.
“One night can pay my rent for the month,” he says, claiming he’s raked in as much as $1,000 in a single visit.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
But James insists that he isn’t a prostitute.
“It’s more like I am able to make someone happy and stress free,” he explains, “and they’re willing to pay me.”
“Michael” (also not his real name) is an undergrad in Louisiana. He tells Fusion that he’s been working as a gay escort for the past two years.
“I am a biology student, I am a certified nurse’s aid,” he says. “I have to pay for my education, this is how I can do that.”
Michael says his clients range from everyday Johns to priests.
“It’s so funny how people judge,” he says, “considering my clients are city officials, lawyers, your friends, your co-workers—heck, your priest.”
Both young men say they typically find clients online, through dating apps like Tinder and Grindr, as well as escort sites like Rentboy.com, BackPage.com, and Cowboys4angels.com, and even on Craigslist.
“I know I am a good person,” James says. “I like making people feel good. So now I just ride with it, and doing this allows me to take care of my mom and my sister.”
“I never imagined I would be doing this,” Michael adds. “I didn’t grow up thinking I would do this, but at the end of the day, you do what you gotta do.”
“You’re either doing it for free or you’re getting paid for it,” James says. “I get paid for it.”
Related stories:
PHOTOS: An Intimate Glimpse At The Gay Male Escorts Of Amsterdam
Male Sex Workers Reveal The Truth About Their Lives And Clients
QJ201
Not a new thing, Chelsea, WeHo and Castro, etc, guys have been “pulling tricks” only when they “need to make the rent” since well, forever.
tdx3fan
If you need the money and have the abilities (a personality goes a lot farther than a body ever will) then why not sell what you would normally give away for free anyways.
myloginname
If I wasn’t in my mid 40s I’d still be a prostitute. You met great guys. I really met very few jerks I had sex with many famous guys. The money was great, you could work from home, the sex was good and even guys that were considered sub-par by mainstream society were still a lot of fun to be around and good in bed. My only turnoffs were guys that were not clean or guys that were clearly high. Drugs creep me out more than stank. You need a game-plan though. Guys don’t realize (neither did I sadly…denial) that beauty does fade and no one will pay anymore. Nonetheless a favorite part of my past.
Sukhrajah
@myloginname: Interestingly enough, as someone that is attracted to more mature men – there is a lack of them working as sex workers. Understandably, the job requires a level of vigor (that may not necessarily be available to an older person), and the lack of a wealthier and more reliable clientele base (as opposed to a younger sex worker that will likely pull for a larger audience), however I would not discourage you from completely turning away from the work. Interestingly enough, the security of experience, the maturity of a good man, and the “seen it all,” attitude are aphrodisiacs. Couple that with the inherant hottness of a ‘middle-aged’ man, and you get a panty (or boxer) dropper every time! If you aren’t going to get back in, consider writing a book. The Memoirs are the best!
myloginname
@Sukhrajah: ah kind words thanks Sukhrajah 🙂
Milk
As long as money did not change the course of their desire career. Most of the time the escorting bring in more money than whatever career they are striving for. Money eventually win over what they want to do in the real world.
Bad Ass Biker
myloginname, some of the hottest sex I have ever had was with an escort who was pushing 50! Sadly, about 10 years ago he got into drugs and dropped out of sight. If he was still in business I would still go to him.
Stache99
@Milk: Yeah, it’s not exactly something you can put down on a resume. Either do it temporary or at least keep one foot in the real world. Most don’t though and end up paying for it later on.
Stache99
But James insists that he isn’t a prostitute.
“It’s more like I am able to make someone happy and stress free,” he explains, “and they’re willing to pay me.”
Yes James but we still call that a prostitute.
Glücklich
Well good for them! Nothing against sex workers here! Provided they’re not being exploited or trafficked.
When the tide turned on my ugly teenaged phase and I began spending time with an older crowd in SF I considered becoming an escort. What kept me from doing it was the realization of my own temperament, i.e. a command performance is a mood-killer, and I met my first real grown-up boyfriend. The boyfriend, fifteen years my senior and to this day still sooo hot, had actually dated an escort for a while some time in his past and encouraged me to explore it, but I’d lost interest in the idea and focused on my job instead. Just as well because I’m too moody to have been any good at it.
redcarpet30
Must be nice to be able to trade on your looks like that. In my case I don’t know anyone who would pay for a big bearded bear cub like me. Unless I had gigantic muscles maybe, which I don’t.
Sukhrajah
@Glücklich:
The first line of your comment is where we are on complete agreement. The reason why I wish to see prostitution legalized is to cut down on the exploitation that is so common in that industry when it is unsupervised by proper authorities.
mmichael_24
I’m all for selling yourself for sex. But you’re a prostitute if you do so
jwtraveler
Is that all?
Cam
“But James insists that he isn’t a prostitute.
“It’s more like I am able to make someone happy and stress free,” he explains, “and they’re willing to pay me.”
____________________________________
Well then why are you doing an interview for an article about Prostitutes then James?
Ummmm Yeah
cowboys4angles is a hetero site only. The guys from Showtime’s Gigolos book through there. So that doesn’t quite add up unless these two are having sex with women too.
Clark35
I’m not surprised queerty is glorifying bi and gay men who are prostitutes/whores.
stevelary
I have a casual boyfriend who made $75000 and a new car in one summer. He always says”remember I am a professional!”