Lost in the Streets:  The Hidden World of Male Sex Workers

Friday, November 16, 2012
1:45 pm to 3:15 pm

Richard Holcomb gives us an in-depth look into the world of male prostitution on the streets of U.S. cities and abroad.  Worldwide, there are few resources and little support available for male sex workers working and/or living on the streets.  Men and boys in this situation face many issues.  They may be at a higher risk for health problems and abuse.  Male street prostitutes often have issues such as drug addiction and a criminal record.  Offering support and health care to such stigmatized people can be difficult due to a reluctance to disclose information about their work to health care professionals, which can also make male prostitutes difficult to identify in order to reach out to.

Mr. Holcomb is a former sex worker and founder of Project Weber, a harm reduction program in Providence, RI that offers resources and support to male sex workers living on the streets, including condom distribution, needle exchange and HIV testing.

The Lost in the Streets presentation will look at data, Holcomb’s personal and professional experiences with this population, and the barriers and challenges in providing them with appropriate services and support.  Holcomb has also created and participated in several documentaries on the subject of male prostitution.  Segments of these short films will also be highlighted in the presentation.