Sex work" can be a fraught term in our culture. For those of us who grew up on the most common depictions of people who work in the sex industry, the phrase might conjure images of tragic women who have been trafficked into selling sex against their will. And although that type of sex work is very real, there's also a much richer tapestry of those who work in the sex industry than what we're often exposed to through news stories and pop culture. The real stories of webcam models, dominatrices, and porn stars are often very different from the tropes we see in flashy (and often irresponsible) headlines about sex, drugs, and crime. In fact, plenty of sex workers truly love what they do.

Glamour spoke to 15 women who work in different facets of the sex industry—porn performers, dominatrices, and cam models—about their choices to enter the business. Even beyond the financial freedom and the ability to travel that their career paths afford, many of them emphasized how they use their platforms to draw attention to social causes, highlight the contributions of marginalized communities, and help destigmatize sex. Below, in their own words, they tell us how they got their starts and what working in the sex industry has allowed them to accomplish.

webcam model

"Before camming, I was a theater major that also did modeling. I then worked on a TV program, but I couldn’t meet my financial needs. I tried waitressing, which only earned me $350 per month working eight-hour shifts. I saw a job posting about camming and thought it was some kind of sex job: 'That’s appalling!' But it's actually the opposite. It’s changed my life for the better, and I’m so happy I did it! You think camming is just sexual exposure, but it’s so much more than that! It’s like art, to be honest.

"The first year was constant work, but I saved enough money and bought a great apartment that is now my home. I’m also thinking of starting my own business now so that I can invest more in myself, thanks to the money I bring in just from camming."

adult film performer, model, and dancer

"You see, I always did well in school, but it didn't hold my attention. So although I'm sure I could have made it through college, I don't know if I would have had the patience for it.

"Since [getting into] the adult industry, I've been able to pay off all my debt, put thousands of dollars a month in savings, increase my credit score to near perfection, buy my own house and car, travel when and where I want, start several businesses, help friends and family in need, help pay for my own wedding, and live a comfortable, financially stress-free life. All of this before turning 25 years old. I cannot imagine that I could have accomplished this without my adult film career.

"For some people who may not have other options, this industry can be a…way to a more positive path in life."

financial dominatrix

"I couldn’t be happier with my career choice as a financial dominatrix. [For] a young woman, it’s rare to be financially free and independent and have stability. I feel very grateful to be in such a position. It’s also really cool to have a limitless creative outlet, knowing I’ll never be bored or face the same boring routine day to day. My job is always interesting!

"Being an online dominatrix has changed my life in so many ways that most people usually only dream of—time, money, freedom, and the ability to help out my loved ones. [It] is a decision I’ll never regret. I bought my retired mom a new car last Christmas, and I’ve never been more proud of myself! Seeing her face light up and her car stress disappear when she saw the big red bow on her new car was the best feeling ever."

adult film performer and director

"Most important, porn has helped my self-confidence not only in how I view myself but also as an entrepreneur and businesswoman. Porn has given me the ability to make my own schedule and travel to places in the world that I likely would have never had the opportunity to visit if I were not in the adult industry.