Myths such as these will be challenged by a website to be launched later this month, which is aimed at supporting sex workers, as well as providing well-researched information for health professionals, politicians, the media and the families and friends of sex workers. The site, aboutmaleescorting.com, is a world-first collaboration between Australian researchers and advocates, with extensive input from the international male sex work community. The site strongly lobbies for decriminalisation of sex work and for governments to formally recognise it as work. It has a mailing list of more than 300 male sex workers so far. According to new research, Australia has more than 20 websites promoting male escorts. Most cater to male customers only, but there are sites specifically for female clients as well as some that are inclusive of heterosexual couples. Research also shows a growing number of women are using male escorts. Cox, who is also the chief executive of the Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP), welcomed the website and praised the researchers involved for their respectful, thorough work, and said anything that normalised and explained sex work would be helpful. He said many sex workers who are operating legally still faced stigma and discrimination. He said it was common for male sex workers to be asked to leave their homes once the landlord or body corporate found out what they did, whether or not they were working from those premises. "People assume you're same-sex attracted, well you might or might not be. People assume you have HIV, that you're effeminate. It's a job, we're people who run our own small business".

In New South Wales where sex work is mostly decriminalised, meaning both brothels and street sex work is legal, Cox said the situation was better. However in Victoria, where sex work is legalised but not decriminalised, he said there were many barriers that compromise health and safety. "In Victoria we can't control where we work, we often have to work in premises controlled by the client. We don't control our own health checks," he said. The site will include information spanning health, technology, the law and marketing as well as new research findings and first-person accounts from sex workers and others involved with the sex work industry. "People assume you're same-sex attracted, well you might or might not be. People assume you have HIV, that you're effeminate. It's a job, we're people who run our own small business". Cameron Cox The site's co-founders, Professors Victor Minichiello and John Scott, of the School of Social Justice at Queensland University of Technology, said it would have reliable, evidence-based information and would tap into the growing independence and professionalism of the male escort industry.

Scott said the site also aimed to de-stigmatise male sex work and advocate for the workers. "Male sex workers face a double stigma because same sex relationships are stigmatised and sex work is stigmatised." He said the recent growth of online platforms meant sex workers were less likely to work from brothels or on the streets instead setting themselves up as independent operators. Benefits of this included creating a safer environment, reducing the likelihood of criminals getting involved in the industry and making male sex work more visible and accepted. "We need the government to come on board and see this as work. That makes it better for the sex workers who can manage their health and safety and better in terms of making it easier for people to pay tax and follow all the regulations." Scott said the benefits of decriminalisation had been proven by recent data published in medical journal, The Lancet, which showed significant reductions in the rates of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV in those areas where male sex work has been decriminalised.

The research quoted in the Lancet found decriminalisation reduces HIV prevalence among sex workers by 33 to 46 per cent. Scott said the site would advocate for decriminalisation of sex work, in line with Amnesty International's 2015 policy calling for the decriminalisation of prostitution, payment for sex, and brothel ownership. The site includes a blog on diverse topics including the debate over decriminalisation versus legislation, women as clients and sex work from the perspectives of escorts, their families, friends and clients. Dr Sarah Kingston, of the Law School at Lancaster University, whose writing will appear on the site, argues that women clients of male sex workers are too often overlooked in the debate about sex work, with a growing number of women tourists travelling to developing countries and paying for sex, as well as women paying for sex in their own countries. "Female clients identified experiences of intimacy, companionship and pleasure. For some, it also elicited feelings of empowerment and control. Greater recognition needs to be made in these debates to female clients and also couples who purchase sex as part of their relationship."

Straight male escort Maxime Durocher, argues in a blog for the site that sex work makes an important contribution to society, providing intimacy for many who struggle to find partners, such as the disabled and those not deemed by society to be "physically or mentally attractive enough". "For many, life with a partner, a white picket fence, two cars and a dog is just not what they want. To some finding a date is a pain in the ass, or they might just need a break from it. … Some might be divorced with children and don't want the hassle of trying to find a good fit for themselves and their children. Some people might be travelling a lot. Whatever the lifestyle, we can accommodate you. With us, you don't need to restrain yourself to a path dictated by society. With us, you can live your life as you wish."