A virtual reality sex worker who goes by the name Hex was recently denied entry to the United States for legal online work due to the vague reasoning of “prostitution.” Despite working within the boundaries of the law, they informed Hex that she was permanently unable to enter the US.
Virtual Reality Sex Work
Hex makes her living as an online sex worker on the social VR platform, VRChat. There, she hosts shows and posts erotic content for her subscribers. She streams her work from behind a 3D avatar that tracks her movements, often wearing fantasy-inspired outfits.
VR Sex Workers Confronting Barriers to Travel
Despite being eligible for a tourist visa, Hex was denied entry to the United States for being “ineligible for admission.” The reason given, “prostitution.” The Sex Workers Project claims that this type of discrimination against sex workers is all too common. Many agree with them, though there is legal precedent to allow for these sorts of administrative stops.
The Definition of Prostitution
Immigration laws, outmoded by many accounts, define prostitution as “engaging in promiscuous sexual intercourse for hire.” Since Hex’s work is done online, which therefore includes no physical contact, it’s not likely to trigger the visa bar. However, there is nothing legally preventing the U.S. immigration authorities from presuming that a person who does online sex work may also do in-person sex work as well. This is their choice in these matters.
The State Department’s Discretion
The State Department can deny a tourist visa for any reason, even without one. There is very little recourse when denied a tourist visa, with no written explanations for the reasons of denial. Hex was given a letter by the London non-immigration office, but the process of getting her name cleared is still confusing.
In conclusion, Hex was denied entry to the US for legal online work due to the vague reasoning of “prostitution.” This highlights the common challenges against sex workers and the State’s position in denying tourist visas. The definition of prostitution used in these laws is outmoded. This causes confusion for online sex workers doing legal work.