Social Media, The Internet – Instagram, Twitter, social media in general! It has infuriated sex workers and staff at Sheri’s Ranch, a legal brothel in Nevada. Members of the APAG Union are incensed as well.

In addition to the constant blocking, banning and purging of terms & conditions-compliant accounts that also happen to be related to sex work in some way, Twitter has allowed Netflix to create a fictitious sex worker account to promote the new original – and also fictitious — series “Bonding.”

The account @bondingnetflix promotes Mistress May, who is not a real person, much less a real sex worker. The account is verified and tweets in the voice of the show’s main character with phrases such as “Mistress May here. Now accepting clients,” cheekily promoting the series.

Here’s another great one (below): “Tag the person you’d shit in front of.” Yes, shit in front of. That’s basically Netflix promoting scat, people, the mere mention of which actually violates the terms & conditions of many adult sites and platforms. All this from a mainstream television program when actual sex worker Twitter accounts are penalized with highly restricted visibility via shadowbanning.

Tag the person you'd shit in front of. pic.twitter.com/kitukMDaAQ

— Mistress May (@bondingnetflix) May 1, 2019

Dena, the madam of Sheri’s Ranch, believes that there is a double standard when it comes to sex workers and social media platforms.

“I think it’s wonderful that filmmakers are attempting stories that focus on the lives of sex workers, but the way ‘Bonding’ is being marketed is very telling of the double standard sex workers face on social media platforms,” Dena said.

“The Sheri’s Ranch Twitter account, representing a brothel operating legally in the state of Nevada, is shadowbanned, as are several of our sex workers, yet a Netflix-related account masquerading as a sex worker is given considerable visibility and promoted by the social network,” she added.

According to Dena, the account is exploiting the provocative and enticing world of sex work, without facing any of the stigma and mistreatment real sex workers have to deal with every day.

“The Twitter account is literally making a mockery of a legitimate profession that deserves to be given the same consideration as celebrity accounts and other professional profiles. Just like other entertainers and businesspersons, sex workers use social media to build professional relationships and enhance their business,” she explained.

“All we ask is that all adult-themed content, whether it be [Kim] Kardashian’s naked butt, a mock-dominatrix account from Netflix or a legal Nevada sex worker’s sexy selfie, be given equal treatment by Twitter.”

Sadly, this verified account is just another example in a long string of uneven policy enforcement from various social media platforms, many of which YNOT has documented in detail. Fantastically, it seems that performs are beginning to fight back.

The Adult Performers Actors Guild (APAG) is working to organize a class-action suit against Instagram. Here is their statement. Performers interested in contributing should follow that link:

Recently Instagram, a social media platform widely used by a billion members, announced it would be implementing stricter content rules. In the months leading up to this announcement, numerous performers and sex workers have had their accounts locked or completely deleted, many times without reason or warning. While some users have managed to successfully convince the powers at be that control IG’s complaint system, most have noted they don’t even receive a response from the social media giant.

It can be said that some violate Instagram’s terms of service, and since IG is a public company they can do as they choose… well we want to challenge this! We have quickly found that most sex worker accounts, porn star accounts, and adult model accounts are deleted simply for existing! Many have been deleted for bikini photos, work out videos, and less, while celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, and countless other Instagram Verified celebrities, post images on a regular basis with full nudity, exposed nipples, bare backside and more. Each photo, with it’s millions of LIKES, contributes to those women’s already massive incomes, as well as Instagram’s own bank account.

When people ask why performers care, it is because they too have monetized their following, legally. Many performers, with their massive followings on Instagram that they have worked incredibly hard for, use their social media platforms for promotion, sponsorship, and more. They have legitimate, legal businesses, and are losing income due to this blatant discrimination.

We have decided to organize those who have been wrongfully deleted and fight back against the unfair and discriminatory tactics! If you would like to join us, please complete the form below. You do not need to be a member of the Adult Performers Actors Guild to participate!

We are about to hit the 500 mark! 500 adult Performers, cam performers, and Sws have joined the fight against @instagram because their accounts have been wrongfully terminated, costing hundreds of thousands $$$ in lost revenue!! @APAGunion

— Alana Evans (@alanaevansxxx) April 30, 2019

YNOT will continue to report on these issues.

Photo by Pixabay via Pexels.