What do you think?
Rate this book
Male Order: Life Stories from Boys Who Sell Sex
Male Order is an original collection of life stories from four boys and two transsexuals who sold sex on the streets of London.
Described in their own words, the experiences of these young people range from 'cardboard city' to a champagne lifestyle with the rich and famous, taking in drugs, violence, glamour, money, safe and unsafe sex, brothels and worries about HIV. By turns shockingly matter-of-fact, appalling, hilarious and often very moving, these stories convey above all the loneliness, isolation, disgust with sex and lack of self-worth of these individuals and their longing for love and security.
The unique feature of Male Order is the way in which the detailed accounts of the boys' childhoods can be seen to relate to their lives on the street. Most grew up in a divided or violent family, coming to see men as abusers they could not trust. Leaving home as teenagers they found that selling their bodies was their only means of support, but this was also a way into a criminalized and stigmatized subculture. In seeking 'punters' to provide the rewards they lacked as children, they found sometimes affection but more often a vicious circle of exploitation and dishonesty. The voices in Male Order raise questions not just about buying and selling sex but about a society in which some teenagers learn to grow up as outcasts.
Described in their own words, the experiences of these young people range from 'cardboard city' to a champagne lifestyle with the rich and famous, taking in drugs, violence, glamour, money, safe and unsafe sex, brothels and worries about HIV. By turns shockingly matter-of-fact, appalling, hilarious and often very moving, these stories convey above all the loneliness, isolation, disgust with sex and lack of self-worth of these individuals and their longing for love and security.
The unique feature of Male Order is the way in which the detailed accounts of the boys' childhoods can be seen to relate to their lives on the street. Most grew up in a divided or violent family, coming to see men as abusers they could not trust. Leaving home as teenagers they found that selling their bodies was their only means of support, but this was also a way into a criminalized and stigmatized subculture. In seeking 'punters' to provide the rewards they lacked as children, they found sometimes affection but more often a vicious circle of exploitation and dishonesty. The voices in Male Order raise questions not just about buying and selling sex but about a society in which some teenagers learn to grow up as outcasts.
256 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1995
7 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 12, 2022
This was absolutely fascinating and so very necessary. Researching gay male prostitution, I’ve found the lack of literature stifling, particularly regarding these primary sources. This book plugged a gap in this scholarship and should certainly be discussed more!
My one issue is that the cover is so tacky and doesn’t do justice to what this is: a set of oral history interviews with sex workers touching upon deeply sensitive issues. To me, it trivialises the book.
My one issue is that the cover is so tacky and doesn’t do justice to what this is: a set of oral history interviews with sex workers touching upon deeply sensitive issues. To me, it trivialises the book.
February 25, 2013
This book contains six first hand accounts of those who sold sex in London. Four lads and two transsexuals. These stories are straightforward and matter of fact and not written to titillate though the graphic details are there.
These tales were compiled by a woman who works with StreetWise a UK organization aimed at helping youth living on the streets.
What struck me about these stories were how all of the individuals involved were looking for love in the worst of places after not getting enough love at home.
These are not happy tales and when they're not depressing they're flat out hopeless. If you wish to more about this life and the lives these people live, this may be the book for you. If you're simply looking for an erotic tale, stick to the fictions.
These tales were compiled by a woman who works with StreetWise a UK organization aimed at helping youth living on the streets.
What struck me about these stories were how all of the individuals involved were looking for love in the worst of places after not getting enough love at home.
These are not happy tales and when they're not depressing they're flat out hopeless. If you wish to more about this life and the lives these people live, this may be the book for you. If you're simply looking for an erotic tale, stick to the fictions.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews