Legal Sex Worker: I'm Not a Sob Story

Posted by Harley Lane on January 18, 2017

I’m Harley Lane, A legal courtesan for the World Famous Moonlite Bunny Ranch. I’m asked every now and then if something horrible happened to me or if I suffered any kind of trauma as a child, causing me to choose this line of work. There is a stereotype that all adult entertainers have had traumatic experiences and/or abusive childhoods. Many people mistakenly believe that only tragically flawed women would willingly choose to be sex workers in the brothels of Nevada.

Well, in my case, the answer is “No.” Not one horrific event happened in my life. I do not have “daddy issues” and I am not the product of a troubled or broken home. I had an amazing childhood and I am grateful for every moment of it.

Why people think I became a sex worker

It’s common for some to think that sex workers and adult entertainers are damaged goods. But why? Could it be that they’ve come across a couple of articles done by anti-prostitution activist and psychologist Dr. Melissa Farley? She claims that “familial abuse or neglect is almost universal among prostituted women” or that it’s a “’job’ for girls who lack emotional support, education, and employment opportunities?”  Fact is that many of the ladies working at the brothels here are very intelligent and well educated. We have ladies with Bachelors Degrees, Masters Degrees, even some working on their PhD’s. I have heard it time and time again growing up. that “Strippers have daddy issues” and that “hookers were abused” in some way. This isn’t the case for me or most of my fellow sex-workers here at Dennis Hof’s brothels. We share our stories and personal lives every now and then and all the ladies I’ve gotten to know have relatively normal and positive stories. So please don’t pity us.     

This is not to say that no sex workers have had troubled childhoods or have some sort of emotional baggage. In fact, the stereotype probably came about, in part, as a result of the fact that sex workers have a tendency to be more forthcoming about our pasts. Being sex workers, we share a very intimate part of ourselves with those who choose to spend time with us. Perhaps, having a less-than-perfect past is not as incriminating to us like it might be for a lawyer or a CEO, or even for the average blue collar worker.

Why do we perceive adult entertainers as damaged girls with a sob story and not retail or grocery sales employees? And why isn’t Dr. Farley conducting extensive research about the trauma women who work at Walmart experienced as children?

Unfortunately part of being human is that many of us judge others on their looks, their profession, and on their past experiences. Having a bad event happen in one’s youth or experiencing a rough past doesn’t necessarily determine a person’s profession. Just as being a licensed prostitute doesn’t mean I experienced horrors growing up. I chose this. I wasn’t forced into it. The fact is that I love and enjoy my work.

My background

I had a fairly average childhood growing up in Texas. Or what I think is normal anyway. I was loved and well taken care of. I had friends and a big family. We did almost everything together. I played softball competitively and was a Varsity Team member. I ran track, participated in stock show and loved the Rodeos. In school, I had good grades most of the time and played around during the boring classes like many kids do. I had dreamt of going to college and getting a degree. Like many young people, I changed my mind and changed it again. I think quickly on my feet and do well under pressure, not to mention I love excitement. That helped me make the decision to become a Paramedic. Which in turn helped me discover the Bunny Ranch thanks to a joke by some of the Paramedics I hung out with.

While studying and doing ambulance ride-outs, some peers of mine were having a discussion about how little First Responders make and how hard it can be at times. Jokingly they turned to me (I was the only female there) and said “At least you could always go work at the Bunny Ranch” I asked them what it was but they insisted it was only a joke and they didn’t want to “corrupt the sweet, innocent girl.” I was naturally curious so I searched on the internet and read about this amazing place. Legal, safe, and fun for a sexually-charged person like me! I couldn’t lock these naughty thoughts up in my head forever! I watched Cathouse for hours on end, researched what I could find and that was it. The Bunny Ranch was the place for me! A little over a year later I am still here, loving every minute and making great money. I have had amazing experiences, met some wonderful people, and made some good friends along the way.

 The REAL reason I am a sex worker

I’m a very sexually adventurous person. I’m open minded and love the feeling and sensation I get from pleasuring others and sincerely enjoy it myself. There are people like me out there — people so into sex that they desire to make a profession out of it. The legal brothels in Nevada are the only places in America where people like me could explore our unconventional interests, safely and healthily.

I’ve never had to worry about my safety here at the Bunny Ranch. All of the ladies are in a safe environment to enjoy doing what we do. While we all follow the law and use protection for any type of sexual contact, we are also tested weekly. This is not only to ensure a worry-free experience for our customers, but for our health as well. Most importantly, I have freedom to not to do anything I’m not comfortable with. I have the final say as to what type of sexual experiences I participate in. I call the shots. I’m in control.

I also love the affection I receive when I walk into the Bunny Ranch. It’s a warm welcoming feeling. Everyone meets you with open arms and makes you feel at home. We are all apart of something. Some girls say it’s like a sorority but to me, it’s family.

This is why I’m a legal sex worker.  It’s safe, legal, and I can do whatever I want with people I care about. I love and enjoy everything I do here as a working girl and wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. The next time you’re with a sex worker, if she’s comfortable sharing that intimate piece of herself with you, ask her if she loves it and why she does this. Not that we owe anyone an explanation, but I don’t mind sharing my story. I’m happy to debunk the stereotype.