One Punk’s Guide to Digital Sex Work By Lorde Destroyer

Originally appeared in Razorcake 125, Dec. 2021/Jan. 2022

Illustrations by Natalie Marchitiello
Layout by Todd Taylor

My name is Lorde. I’m an online sex worker. Lorde Destroyer is my stage name. Lorde comes from feminist and civil rights activist, Audre Lorde, and a client christened me Lorde Destroyer because I destroy egos, paradigms, and old identities. Psychological devastation—or as some like to call it, mindfuck—is my niche. It’s probably one of the more extreme fetishes in regards to the depth of the s/m (sadism/masochism) dynamic, which is interesting because I learned all my psychological torture techniques from my parents, neither of whom know I’m a sex worker and both of whom would greatly deny giving me anything but the most wholesome and nurturing upbringing. But the truth is, I don’t tell them because I want to spare their feelings. I don’t tell them because I fear they’ve internalized the hatred our society has for sex workers, the inherent loathing, and that loathing would translate into trying to take my child away from me. So, shhh. Zip it. Don’t give this zine to my mom or to anyone else who may think it’s their prerogative to hate, pity, save, or protect me based on what I do to make my bread.