Imagine the typical brothel dweller. It’s a middle-aged man in an overcoat, shuffling through the red-lit doorway with his head bowed in shame. Right?
But what about the women who dip their toes into the world of transactional sex? Catherine De Noire, a PhD student who manages a legal brothel in Western Europe, reveals sex workers see more female clients than many would expect.
De Noire, 31, welcomes about ten female customers on an average night at her ‘Amsterdam-style’ club. Most visit as part of a couple, though solo female customers are not uncommon.
Changing Perspectives on Female Clients in the Sex Industry
‘Our club doesn’t restrict women from entering as clients, though 99 per cent of visitors are male,’ she says. ‘On an average night, we might have up to 10 female customers – compared to about 500 men.’
Women usually arrive with male partners – boyfriends, husbands, lovers – typically seeking a threesome with one of the girls,’ De Noire explains.
‘Lately, we’ve received inquiries from couples asking if they can also hire a male gigolo,’ she adds. ‘But unfortunately, we don’t currently have any male sex workers – although we’re open to the idea.’
Most women who hire sex workers for themselves are ‘rare’, but they do exist. ‘Most have never had a sexual experience with another woman but are curious to try,’ she says.
Breaking Stereotypes on Female Clientele
De Noire emphasizes that women are more likely to hire an escort than visit a brothel. ‘In the sex industry,