I think we have all seen the hand-wringing and panic over the passing of these bills. Nobody knows what the future will look like, but we all agree that things will be very different. The thing is that some of these changes may actually benefit Pro Dommes rather than it being completely bad. However, I want to start with the basics, at least as far as I understand them, and move onto how I project the future will look.

SESTA/FOSTA are US based federal regulations that are focused on attacking advertising mediums, not individual providers (remember that this started because Backpage kept beating the federal government in court and their eventual shutdown of their adult forums was a business decision by them rather than them being legally required to). Because the regulation has provisions to allow individuals to sue those mediums for harm done to them, the main impact (in my opinion) will be a combination of a self-censorship chilling effect by these sites (which we are already seeing even though it is not yet a law and the effective date is not until Jan 1 2019.. and it will probably be tied up in the courts for constitutional issues for many years to come) and "vigilante justice" where those who hate sex work will create situations that allow them to sue any sites that do advertise it (basically private sting operations that lead to lawsuits rather than arrests) if it isn’t overturned.

If they ever actually go into effect, I don't expect that the federal government will be spending its resources going after every platform. Instead, it will hit only those that flip them the bird in the way that Backpage did for so long (if you notice, they never went after Craigslist for personals after Craigslist shut down their adult forums), and certainly not individual providers unless they run houses/brothels rather than just renting dungeon space. The real risk of having a dungeon, and it is completely existent today rather than something new with SESTA/FOSTA, is that a local municipality can utilize RICO to seize all of the assets of the dungeon (and the physical building itself) because it was utilized in the commission of a crime (i.e., prostitution). This can extend to your own private residence if that is where your dungeon is located.

Not that anyone has actually announced plans, but we should expect the shuttering of sites like the one we are on now, Max Fisch, Dickie Virgin, etc… This decision will be driven by the financial fears of the owners of the site rather than the federal government specifically censoring the internet. For those sites that instead choose to move out of the US, don’t expect that means those of us in the USA will still be able to use them. The US owns the rights to issue .com, .net and .tv root domains. That means that violation of US law allows for seizure of any domain name under those root domains which essentially shutters the site.

We have already seen this in the past in regards to off-shore gambling, where violation of that set of laws led to exactly this action by the US government (which, btw, almost nobody in the sex work industry was upset about... so excuse me if I don't give into the whining about how others outside of sex work are not stepping up to the table now). So, if you look at what gambling sites did in response to the seizure and prosecution of some sites and owners, and what Backpage and now TER have followed suit on, is to block US based IP addresses from accessing their sites (which kills the client base that US based Dommes are trying to get to) in order to avoid this financial liability, even if they are based completely outside of the US.

In addition, social media platforms that the sex work industry has adopted as its main communication methods will no longer allow that kind of content on their site. That means, that if you have an account that happens to be called @DommeTravel on Twitter and that is solely based on advertising session availability for Dommes across the globe ... expect it to just disappear on some random day rather than just being shadowbanned. Which means, just like you can’t talk about specific acts you may perform during sessions that are illegal, you won’t be able to advertise that you offer live, or possibly even online, sessions through those platforms. This will include not just Twitter, Instagram, YouTube but also sites like FetLife.

Finally, the one part of this that I haven’t really heard much discussion about is the electronic portions of the financial transaction (which in most cases is just deposits, but could be the entire session cost). Today, corporations like PayPal specifically go out of their way to prevent these types of payments to come through their platform, but others like Venmo or GiftRocket don’t really care. This will probably change the first time that any of these companies get nailed with a SESTA/FOSTA based lawsuit. On the other hand, we do have platforms that do offer services for pay that shouldn’t be under the jurisdiction of SESTA/FOSTA, like NiteFlirt. since there is no physical interaction.

So, the extremely bad news for Dommes is that there will no longer be easy ways to advertise your availability for sessions to people who don’t already know you. In addition, it will be extremely difficult to discuss things like FemDom Mansion, OOI, Eden, etc… and the way that deposits are provided may have to radically change (again). However, the good news is that this particular set of regulations does not have any effect on other ways in which Pro and Fin Dommes make money and communicate with subs (although, this is probably just a first step because you can already hear the drumbeat on the right about porn in general AND the payment methods may have to change), so you may actually find ways to make subs pay to have those first conversations (which will eliminate all of the Domme Yankers and a good deal of the time wasters who just want to jack-off to the idea).

My expectation, therefore, is that your advertising will now almost exclusively occur through content rather than it being another revenue stream. Instead of going to an advertising site, or your website where you provide that information, potential clients will see your pictures/clips (in many cases, paying for them) in order to understand that you are a Real Life Domme and you do Fetish work/modeling. You may still discuss some things that you may have done to “Client A” in different social media forums, but the veneer will be that the context was as a personal sub/slave rather than someone who is paying for your time, skills and attention.

Although initial inquiries may still happen through email (I recommend utilizing ProtonMail.com as well as requiring that the sub also create an account on a secure platform you approve) or your account for secure texting (for that, I recommend Signal). However, potential clients may now have to put money forward to actually have the kind of business conversations (like deposits, tributes, activities you offer and that they want to explore, limits, etc…) that you don’t wish to document through email. If that is the case, then these will have to happen through personal interactive methods through a platform like NiteFlirt or WhatsApp. Again, utilizing these platforms to arrange sessions may or may not be risky because if it becomes known that these platforms are the way that sessions are arranged, they may have to treat known Sex Workers the same way that Twitter does and ban them from the system (and the conversations can be recorded and retained just like email but are much harder to say “that wasn’t me”).

So, summarizing what I think the future looks like…

1) Direct advertising sites and Social Media as a place to do FinDom or arrange Pro Domme sessions in the US will disappear. The same goes for all review sites. Social Media sites as general brand promotion will still exist and advertising of content for purchase or platforms to contact you.

2) Personal Website content will no longer include things like rates/deposit policy/availability, etc… However, “personal” interests lists (like you would see on FetLife), blogs that discuss your travel plans or current location, links to contact information and pay sites (for either content or direct contact with you) will still be there.

3) Purchasing content or access to you to discuss possible sessions may be the way that subs will have to make their initial approach rather than through a contact form on your site. Direct email from a secure, non-us provider to your secure, non-us provider for free as initial contact may still be an offering for some Dommes.

4) Deposits may no longer be explicit, as in “I need a $50 Venmo deposit” but instead once everything is arranged through other means the client can call your special $50 per minute NiteFlirt line or get access to your high-end onlyfans page with the explicit understanding that this is a deposit for the session you have arranged through other means (I am sure there are other ideas that are the equivalent of this as well).

5) Crypto-currency (such as BitCoin) will become a much bigger part of the industry as more and more payment methods will look to eliminate Sex Workers utilizing their systems.

I could be completely wrong and I am sure I am not completely right. However, I do think that this is exactly the kind of forum to have this discussion… at least while it is still here for us.

Asp

Good topic and here is my 2 cents worth - which is probably worth less than 2 cents, but here it goes:

We are a long way from knowing what the fallout from this will be. As many have said, it will really be up to the courts. The first test case will set the precedent. The DOJ has already said they don't have time to police this and many believe that the judiciary will see this as overreach. We shall see.

I am not a political creature and have no expertise in these matters but my guess is they will go after the "low hanging fruit" first. Sites like the Erotic Review would be far easier to prosecute than say Max Fisch or the Buzz. TER caters primarily to escorts and illegal activity (illegal in the US) is openly talked about there. I know TER has taken their US forums down, but what about the profiles and reviews of US providers? Profiles contain information like "rimming allowed" and "cum in mouth". They may self regulate this too by taking all US provider profiles down. As long as those profiles and reviews are up, they will be a big potential target. It will be interesting to watch.

Eros Guide is another big question mark. After the raid on their call offices in North Carolina, they notified advertisers saying that they were based in Switzerland and that all our information was safe. It will be interesting to see how non-US based companies like TER and Eros Guide will be treated. Any of the websites that mix escort/GFE services with BDSM are likely to be gone for us going forward - either by self censorship or heavy enforcement of this new law. Personally I have never liked being on a site that mixes the two but we don't always have a choice if we want to advertise effectively. I would much prefer being exclusively on sites like Dickie Virgin that cater solely to BDSM. I may get my wish.

What's really sad for me to see is all the self censorship this is already causing. People are so afraid that they are policing themselves before the law has been tested or is even in effect. We are letting them win. Until there is a test case, I am not doing anything.

Obviously those of us that are established in the business will feel any fall out less than newer providers or those trying to get started out in the business. When the BDSM/fetish portion of Backpage when down, I didn't feel anything. If anything, I think it cleaned up the business a bit. But I am not a new Domme trying to get my name out. I am well indexed and easy to find. If sites like MF, the Buzz and Dickie Virgin bite the dust, it will be very hard for a new provider to get her name out there. I feel their pain.

You are correct that clips sites and chat sites like NiteFlirt are alternative venues but if this thing goes rabid they will fall too if providers start soliciting business through them. Both sites already have rules that are meant to prevent this, it's just hard for them to police and to date hasn't been worth it. If they go under a microscope, that will change.
Regardless, I think it's highly doubtful they will choose to go after BDSM anytime soon. We should all stick to best business practices on our own websites and social media. We know what that is, we just don't always adhere to it.

I've been using private (Luxsci.com) email for a while now because I've never liked the idea of data mining. However it's only good if it's used on both ends - meaning if I send an email to a gmail account, it loses its secure feature. That can be beaten by recipients signing up for a free account to receive a link to the encrypted message but most people don't want to bother. That might change.

So in summary, I am not panicking. I think it is sad to see this potential loss of freedom, but as a nation, we brought this on ourselves by being asleep at the wheel and trading liberty and freedom for security.

As per usual, a well thought out and reasoned response Mistress Ayn. I agree that Eros will actually be the first site that the DOJ goes after, since Backpage is gone and Eros was already in their cross-hairs (and has been able to resist so far). My expectation is that they will seize the .com address and set up internet filters similar to those they put in place for online betting sites.

However, in my opinion, the key provisions aren't what the DOJ does. It is the self-censorship that is required by the online resources themselves in order to avoid lawsuits. A strategy that was successfuly deployed to dismantle the Ku Klux Klan is now being flipped around by a combination of the right wing and feminists (who feel that sex work / porn is patriarchal and denigrating to women) and being pointed at us.

So, whereas TER or Eros may fight it because to eliminate it kills their business model... Social Media just has a robust subculture of it rather than it being their business model. IMO, they only have allowed it because to not do so would open up a serious wedge to their competition. If no one is allowed then the social media companies are totally on board with eliminating all of it, just to appease the squeaky wheels who hate representation of sex in any public forum.

And we are already seeing it come to fruition - with TER taking down their US ad boards and YourDominatrix.com shutting down their US listing section - and the thing hasn't even been signed yet - although we know it will be.

I just hope the self censorship doesn't get anymore widespread until we know how it is actually going to be enforced - if it ever is. Of course, no company wants to be the next Backpage.

There is a small amount of hope:
Writing on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice, Assistant-Attorney General Stephen Boyd addressed Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Bob Goodlatte, expressing concerns that provisions of the bill would make it even harder to prosecute sex traffickers. Additionally they expressed concerns that certain provisions would violate the Constitution's Ex Post Facto Clause and thus be unconstitutional.

Again, I am waiting for the test case.

That's all well and good. However we as Dommes shouldn't be involved in this drama in the first place!

If certain "Women" had kept their fucking professional dignity in tact instead of filming - sessioning with fetish model - prostitutes then trotting off to the avn awards acting like common whores. Listening to the advice of the men on "mf" saying it's your body do what you want with it." In other words let me fuck you, eat your pussy, jack me off, etc!

The jackals on "the hang" are nothing but a collection of the most reprehensible misogynists, perverts, pedophiles, internet, wankers, bullies, trolls, and stalkers ever assembled in one pit latrine! Sorry to say many of the Dommmes and moderators aren't much better.

They are brainless, spineless, lemmings, ready to march off the proverbial cliff behind their leaders on mf, twitter, and fetlife. They are the very dumbass cows that put us in this position with "FOSTA" in the first place!

The "straight Dommes" have contributed to this mess also by turning a blind eye to it. Well now we are all stewing in the same pot as they/prostitutes are!

Domination and prostitution were never meant to mix! I have been in the scene for over 25 years and yes, many of you know me and think I'm an old bitch, but it had to be said.

Congratulations on your self-appointment as the arbiter of what D/s should be for everyone and how you feel it is perfectly fine to bitterly attack everyone around you.

As for your ridiculous point that it is "those" people who got Pro Dommes lumped in with prostitutes aa sex workers, you are seriously ignoring the fact that society doesn't, and never has, recognized your differentiation. In fact, pegging and pretty much any CBT (since it involves touching the genitals) fall into the legal definition in most jurisdictions and both of those are part of the toolset of most of your so-called "straight-Dommes".

however, even if that weren't true from a legal standpoint, Pro Dommes would still get lumped in just because fetish is tittilating and therefore sexual from society`s viewpoint. Since the real purpose of this is self-censorship by online platforms to avoid lawsuits your "blame-game" is ill-conceived and misplaced. Even the "foot parties" that include zero nudity and no worship above the knee will put you in the crosshairs of this regulation and that has nothing to do with whether Club Dom shows sexual intercourse in its videos or a Domme allows intimate body worship in a session.

AspX. I have no doubt that your post is well intentioned. It is however categorically wrong! Domination is not Prostitution! No matter how much this generation of Dommes and subs want it to be. Dommes that allow full service or full body worship are by definition prostitutes! It blows my mind that I have to explain this on a public forum, and am attacked by a submissive for saying it! (you've been spending way to much time on mf)

I doubt seriously you remember any of this, but there was a time not long ago when Dommes wore leather and had to earn the right to wear it!

It was easy to tell the difference between Dommes and whores at the time. One fucked their clients the other whipped the shit out of them! There was NO placing a set of nipple clips on a slave while a fetish model fucked your slave in your Dungeon for clips 4 sale!

These are the brutal facts and yes, there are guilty culprits at the scene of this Crime!!!

There are so many things today that don't really fit with the classic definitions, and "prostitution" is one of them. The classic, common folks' definition is "sex for money" - but what constitutes "sex" is what's in question now. I suspect that most people consider prostitution to involve a penis going into a vagina and that's it - because that's what "sex" was. The definition seems to have been expanded to include some activity that involves one or the other of those body parts, but not necessarily both. But "most people" don't talk about those things. "Normal" people don't do that - or get spanked or tied up.

But there's no question that there is some sexual gratification that goes along with BDSM activities. Is that "sex for money" even though no penis or vagina is involved? There's a legitimate case for including BDSM in the broad category of prostitution.

In Virginia, where I live, there was a law on the books for over 100 years, finally invalidated just three years ago, that declared acts of sodomy, even between consenting adults, a "crime against nature" and therefore a felony. I don't know if anyone ever got arrested for it.

As Ms. Ayn says, there has to be a test case, and I guess few are in a hurry to get that in the works. In the mean time, people are running scared. The All Things Spanking and Someone's Gonna Get It blogs have dropped their listings of pretty-well-vetted spankers, obviously bad for business on both sides. More than one pro domme I know has switched to a an e-mail host that's less (so far anyway) subject to data mining - though someone writing to them from a gmail address puts a hole in that attempt at security.

Who's next? What's next?

I'm going to ask that we refrain from "slut shaming" on this board.

Yes, you can absolutely believe it is not in the spirit of a "classic" Dominatrix to offer sex acts (and most of Us do not), you can decline to offer things you deem "prostitution", and you can feel it does not behoove a Dominant to offer them; however, tearing down women who make different choices than you does not help Our fight for the right to engage in adult activity with other consenting adults. Because even if we're not "full service" or offer "full body worship", the people who are created this bill and are pushing for it to become law DO NOT MAKE THE DISTINCTION between Us and "prostitutes". They don't even make the distinction between Us and trafficked people. So, your take means nothing to them. They want all of Us gone.

So, continue to enforce boundaries, protect yourself, whatever; but throwing other women under the bus is only going to hurt Us all. This issue isn't about dicks in vaginas for cash, it's about the larger issue of women having power.

Mistress Tissa, While I have agreed with some of your posts on mf in the past few years I can't agree with your response at all.

I understand that it is hard for Mistresses with under 10 years of experience to grasp this fact. But it was fighting words to call a Dominatrix a sex worker in the 90s and early 2000s. The simplest way to explain this is in those days there were dick sucking whores, dick sucking porn stars, and whip cracking Dommes! It took an IQ of 45 to tell the difference!

There were no politically correct whiny ass baby Dommes saying "Whatever she wants to do in her Dungeon is right for her, I could never disrupt her energy flow by imposing my values on her."

These unfortunate "ladies" have lost their "power" to a far more insidious group than the fg and that's the mongrel dogs (aka pussy hounds) and profit seeking turncoat Dommes at the hang who have persuaded Women that the old ways are not the best ways. They are and always will be!

More to come on the Oldies Show!