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Background/Context <p>In India, transgender and non-binary people are legally recognized as a ‘third gender,’ but they still face widespread stigma and barriers to traditional employment and gender-affirming surgeries, resulting in overrepresentation in sex work. While research on sex work in India largely centers on cisgender women, the unique online risks and safety concerns of trans women sex workers remain underexplored—particularly as digital surveillance technologies and the digitalization of the welfare state proliferate.</p> Methodology <p>Drawing on long-term engagement with Samabhabhona, a grassroots transgender rights organization in Kolkata, India, this study uses ethnographic observations and in-depth interviews with 18 trans women sex workers, conducted in May 2022, to understand their risk experiences in these digital spaces and reasons for choosing online sex work. Reflexivity and a dialogical approach informed the data collection and analysis.</p> Results <p>The findings indicate that while online sex work is a safer avenue for individuals to earn a living, providing them with greater autonomy and control over their working conditions, which in turn significantly reduces their risk of HIV and STIs, the constant engagement with various digital platforms negatively impacts their mental health. Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis process revealed two broad themes: reasons for choosing online sex work and risks in online sex work. Covid-19 pandemic and reduced risk of violence were two sub-themes identified for reasons for choosing online sex work and six subthemes were identified for risks in online sex work: (1) blurring of personal and professional boundaries; (2) cyberstalking or cyberharassment; (3) non-payment of services; (4) platform banning or blocking; (5) mental fatigue and exhaustion; and (6) persistent fear of digital surveillance.</p> Conclusion <p>Trans women sex workers in Kolkata experience intersecting oppressions—transphobia, whorephobia, homophobia, and more—that are intensified by online platform policies and global legislation such as FOSTA-SESTA. These factors further push already marginalized individuals into unsafe work environments. The findings suggest the need for inclusive digital policies and highlight the crucial advocacy role NGOs can play in safeguarding the rights and promoting the health and safety of trans women sex workers.</p>

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Navigating Digital Risks: Lived Experiences and Choices of Trans Women Sex Workers in Kolkata, India

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月23日

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  • Sunny Sinha

摘要

Background/Context

In India, transgender and non-binary people are legally recognized as a ‘third gender,’ but they still face widespread stigma and barriers to traditional employment and gender-affirming surgeries, resulting in overrepresentation in sex work. While research on sex work in India largely centers on cisgender women, the unique online risks and safety concerns of trans women sex workers remain underexplored—particularly as digital surveillance technologies and the digitalization of the welfare state proliferate.

Methodology

Drawing on long-term engagement with Samabhabhona, a grassroots transgender rights organization in Kolkata, India, this study uses ethnographic observations and in-depth interviews with 18 trans women sex workers, conducted in May 2022, to understand their risk experiences in these digital spaces and reasons for choosing online sex work. Reflexivity and a dialogical approach informed the data collection and analysis.

Results

The findings indicate that while online sex work is a safer avenue for individuals to earn a living, providing them with greater autonomy and control over their working conditions, which in turn significantly reduces their risk of HIV and STIs, the constant engagement with various digital platforms negatively impacts their mental health. Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis process revealed two broad themes: reasons for choosing online sex work and risks in online sex work. Covid-19 pandemic and reduced risk of violence were two sub-themes identified for reasons for choosing online sex work and six subthemes were identified for risks in online sex work: (1) blurring of personal and professional boundaries; (2) cyberstalking or cyberharassment; (3) non-payment of services; (4) platform banning or blocking; (5) mental fatigue and exhaustion; and (6) persistent fear of digital surveillance.

Conclusion

Trans women sex workers in Kolkata experience intersecting oppressions—transphobia, whorephobia, homophobia, and more—that are intensified by online platform policies and global legislation such as FOSTA-SESTA. These factors further push already marginalized individuals into unsafe work environments. The findings suggest the need for inclusive digital policies and highlight the crucial advocacy role NGOs can play in safeguarding the rights and promoting the health and safety of trans women sex workers.