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Does HBO’s ‘The Deuce’ get the portrayal of sex workers right?

Real life sex workers weigh in on ‘The Deuce’ and the portrayal of the adult film industry in popular culture.

One of the only television series to ever tackle the world of sex workers and the adult film industry is HBO’s ‘The Deuce.’  Returning for its second season on September 9th, the series stars Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Franco and follows the lives of sex workers and pimps in the 1970’s right when the adult film industry began.

The first season depicted a gritty, violent and dangerous world exploring the darkest sides of the industry.  While the series has received critical acclaim, it is so sensationalized that it begs the question, is this really what the adult film industry is like?

That said, the industry has certainly evolved since the 70’s; however, the portrayal of sex workers seems to have in many ways stayed the same. Often thought of as sex-crazed, drug addicted, diseased, uneducated victims of violence, sex workers are constantly looked down upon and often demonized for their profession. However, if you dig a little deeper past the image that popular culture wants us to believe, you’ll find that the majority of sex workers, especially in the adult film industry, are a far cry from the stereotypes bestowed upon them.