Slixa, a leading online directory for adult entertainment services, is launching its first-ever $10,000 Essay Contest to shine a spotlight on industry workers’ personal experiences eight months after the controversial FOSTA-SESTA ‘sex trafficking bill’ became law.

The divisive legislation package that bills itself as a protective measure against victims of the sex trade has inadvertently created complications for the livelihoods of an entire community of legitimate industry professionals.

“With this essay contest, our goal is to learn more about the legal and political residual effects of FOSTA-SESTA on businesses at large and for providers personally,” said Slixa’s spokesperson, Lee Jennings, “while also supporting and helping improve the collective lives of a community that is increasingly and alarmingly under fire.”

The contest, open December 14 to January 14, 2019 (Midnight EST) is open to active or previous industry service providers who can write a comprehensive, well-researched, in-depth essay between 1500 – 2200 words analyzing the impact of FOSTA/SESTA, unpublished and written in English. One submission allowed per person.

The winning essay will be announced February 4 and published on Slixa.com with author credit (including a cash prize of $2,500, as well as $2,500 to donate to the service provider advocacy organization of the author’s choice). The First Runner-Up will receive $1,500, with a $1,500 donation, while the Second Runner-Up will earn a cash prize of $1,000, with a $1,000 donation to the essayist’s chosen charitable organization.

“We chose to hold the contest in December, as we would also like to take the opportunity to draw attention to the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers that falls on December 17^th, as well as the advocacy/charity groups that support the community,” added Jennings.