The way I interpret DrDeth’s distinction is that if you are performing an actual sexual act, as in intercourse, masturbating, giving a handjob, etc. in person, on stage or on camera, then you are a sex worker.
A masseuse who is actually giving “happy endings” or a stripper who is actually giving BJs in the VIP Room, well, they *are *doing sex work by that definition.
It’s the associated people – soundman, make-up lady, photographer – as well as nude models and “clean” strippers that would be classed as in Adult Entertainment, and traditionally that also has included harcore porn performers due to the distinction mentioned upthread (“performing for an audience”).
I think the term “sex worker” was coined to remove that distinction. I believe the young woman in the OP was using the word in that sense. So, in short (too late), I am familiar with the use of the term to include to ‘exotic’ dancer.
I feel like for most occasions where one is talking about “sex work” in any technical sense, it’s to talk about things like social stigma, dangers to women due to stalkers, being harassed by their boss or shaken down for money, etc. It’s a segment of society where the expectation that the police will show up and defend your rights to not be groped or cheated would be optimistic.
I would classify a stripper as a sex worker, on that basis.
I think GuanoLad is a cameraman or something? So no, he genuinely isn’t a sex worker, despite being part of the industry.
However there is something in the sex worker community often referred to as the “whorearchy”. Strippers who insist they aren’t actually sex workers, pole dancers who insist they aren’t actually strippers, escorts who insist they aren’t actually prostitutes, etc.
No, it was coined to emphasise the fact that they are workers, in need of the protection of labour laws.