GD could benefit from hearing about your experiences.

I can see why you wouldn't want to post this in there. Hopefully people will read your post here.

Very intimate and profound.

Thank you, truly.

but I knew plenty of both sexes who did. I know one guy who was paying his way through school that way. Most of the others were doing it to buy their smack, and usually smack for their partners. One was fighting her way out; recruited by a sister at 15, she'd started near the top as a high priced call girl. I think she made it, she was a fighter. I hope she made it.

I just remember turning 30, looking around and realizing half my friends were dead and quite a few of the remainder were in prison, usually on drug charges but occasionally on petty theft charges. It was incredibly sad, that sort of thing isn't supposed to start happening until we're in retirement and friends start dying off.

I wouldn't give up those years for all Cheney's ill gotten money, those desperate and often hilarious people taught me so much.

One of my best friends growing up started turning tricks after high school and was found murdered in a dive at age 19. What an incredible waste. He was beautiful and so smart. I have asked myself "why" a million times.

You have had an incredible journey so far, and I appreciate that you are sharing some of it with us. K&R

It is sad to see how brutal we are to our poor, our homeless, our single mothers. Glad you survived.

I remember seeing Streetwise. Excellent documentary.

Thanks for sharing, ismnotwasm, peace to you.

You are amazing, and beautiful, and wise.

((((Hugs))))

for sharing your story. Prostitution is not an informed choice. It is a forced only choice.

The fact that *some* here are supporting legalizing it, despite the data that shows legalization spreads the seedy underbelly further is disgusting. The unknown victims are mere objects to be ignored, so the penis can enjoy what it wants without a care. Child victimization is no more than collateral damage to them. As long as the John gets what he wants everyone else can just go away and STFU. But of course as Bain pointed out, they do not want prostitution in their picket fence neighborhood.

I can barely see the screen through my tears.

I am so sorry for all that you have endured .... for all those that have had to endure ... I am so sorry

I have a new hero today.

Everything you've shared is so important though I'd like to elaborate a bit on one aspect of your story -- children on the streets who were victims of abuse at home and in particular, LGBT youth. Homelessness among LGBT youngsters is epidemic and many of them suffered abuse at home before being tossed into the streets where they are vulnerable to further abuse, alcohol and drug problems, prostitution, STDs, rape, et al. Everyone can help by bringing this issue to light as it is basically ignored because these children aren't valued, not by their families nor by society.

Here are some of the posts on this subject, with stats and information:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/113734602
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=221x148335
http://www.democraticunderground.com/113739011

Thank you again SO MUCH for sharing your story.

Edited to add: A link to one of your threads which tells the story of one such young man. I remember it well.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/113737582

The first time I ever put a needle in my arm I got a lecture you wouldn't believe. They guided me away from the worst aspects of the street, I remember a young Gay couple using a knife defending me from a couple a pimps, who thought I was free game because I wasn't 'working'
The stories, the family rejection, the rapes and abuse at home, the things that drove them to the street are horrific. They had no were else to go. The lucky ones would find a decent minded sugerdaddy who would care for them a while.

In those days, as I said it was right before HIV, actually it was among us, but we didn't know-- we were so ignorant, we knew nothing. There is a gay poster here who is often very angry-- I want to ask him if he survived that time, because the loss was staggering, and I've I had lost nearly everyone I loved or knew I'd be pissed too. That it continues to happen makes me sick.

Thank you very much for climbing out, and thank you for making the world a better place.

And thank you for sharing your stories and views here - we are all better for it.

Just posted a thread to LGBT group about how bad it can be for young gays on the streets:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/113739825

I don't know what to say other than that.

because the subject has been raised again in GD.

I'm not going into details, but ... yeah.

It turns my stomach that so many here so easily write any non-privileged women and children off as collateral damage in their quest to make privileged prostitutes' and men's lives more comfortable.

collateral damage, as one poster said in an OP mocking mine. All the people I've pointed to this OP, not one will comment on it or even acknowledge it. People like Ism's friends are too insignificant for them to concern themselves with. Injustice triumphs because too many justify anything that benefits themselves and are all too willing to ignore the lives of others.

no other words for now~

This was not easy to say. It was not easy to read. And I am grateful to you for your power.

I could come out with a host of platitudes but they would hide the most important thing - you are here to tell us about this clearly and openly. You tell us all that your past has not limited you.