oa Het smalle groepsvaandel van mannelijke sekswerkers

This article deals with the issue of self-organisation among male sex workers with male clients (M$M). Specific research questions are: What are the barriers and opportunities with regard to self-organisation among M$M in the Netherlands? Which subcategories of M$M are most inclined to self-organisation? To what extent could solidarity with female sex workers be pursued? Since 1971, three successive phases can be distinguished in the development of male prostitution in the Netherlands. In the years of transition, 1971-1986, boys clubs became manifest for the first time. The period 1987-1999 is marked by the aids epidemic, when HIV-prevention in female as well as male prostitution took high political priority. The legalisation of prostitution in the year 2000 was accompanied by a shift in focus to forced prostitution and trafficked women and by an increase in the online availability of male prostitution. This article provides a historical overview of the development of the multiple attempts at M$M’s self-organisation and subsequently discusses M$M’s (lack of) self-organisation in relation to issues of difference vs. equality, the collective vs. the individual and the role of social media.