Escorting in the era of Social Distancing

by Scott Kilborn, Founder of MintBoys. March 16, 2020. Updated April 4, 2020.

TL;DR

  • 1. It’s probably not safe to meet new people for now. If you can take a break until the Coronavirus crisis is over, do it.
  • 2. Consider meetings via FaceTime, Snapchat or Skype. We’ve added a Video Dating section to facilitate this.
  • 3. Consider a live-in arrangement until the crisis ends. Escorts need to weather the storm; clients need companionship while all alone for weeks or months. We’ve added a Live-in Boyfriends section to MintBoys for this.
  • 4. If you continue to meet new people — which I don’t recommend — monitor your health. If you meet someone that seems unwell, it’s okay to say “You look like you should see a doctor,” and then leave at once. Do not meet people if you are have a sore throat, fever, or any other sign of illness.
  • 5. Meetings are likely not permitted under Stay-At-Home Orders issued in various locations.
  • 6. Recent studies show that people who show no symptoms may have Coronavirus and be contagious. Just because someone appears to be healthy does not mean they don't have Coronavirus.

Coronavirus Changes Everything

We’re in the midst of a global crisis that seems to be worsening hourly. Within the space of a few short days and weeks, COVID-19 has changed almost everything about our daily lives. That’s as true for escorts — and their clients — as it is for everyone else. We’re in uncharted territory here, and there’s a great deal we don’t know.

In this crisis, we need to rethink many things, including escorting. I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I do have some ideas I’d like to share about best practices for our business during this uncertain and frightening time.

The first point is the most obvious: both escorts and clients should strongly consider taking a break from meeting with each other. Let me be clear: the safest strategy right now is to avoid all in-person dates with people you don’t know. While this is especially important for anyone — escort or client — with preexisting conditions that may make them more vulnerable to COVID-19, avoiding direct contact wherever possible is wisest for absolutely everyone.

Video Dating

Does this mean an end to the escort business as we know it? It doesn’t have to be. One entirely safe and fun alternative is video meetups, via FaceTime or Snapchat or any other similar platform. This can mean sexually charged online exchanges — but these video dates don’t have to be erotic in order to be enjoyable. In the new era of “social distancing,” a lot of us are hungry for companionship; video dates represent a great way for guys to meet and connect without risk.

To make it easier to set up video dating, we’ve added a new section to the MintBoys website. How much should video dates cost compared to regular meetings? I don’t know, but it’s between the escorts and clients to agree. It seems reasonable that escorts charge less for video dates. This is not only common sense, it’s appropriate given the huge economic impact of COVID-19. Escorts and clients alike are feeling the unprecedented financial anxiety and uncertainty that Coronavirus has brought to the globe — offering a reduced price will help escorts book more dates, and build client loyalty.

Live-in Arrangements

There’s another option that may be ideal for many of our clients and escorts: a live-in arrangement. When I was a young escort, I led a nomadic existence; I lived in hotels, traveled from city to city, and could go two weeks without sleeping in the same bed twice. That lifestyle, which is not uncommon for many escorts, is risky in the current situation. As an alternative, it’s worth considering a live-in relationship.

A live-in relationship doesn’t have to be a lifelong commitment. It is, on the other hand, a smart and mutually beneficial way to navigate the current crisis. Both escort and client get closeness and intimacy in this era of social distancing — and avoid the considerable risks that can come with meeting multiple guys in person.

We’ve added a new section to MintBoys for escorts seeking a live-in arrangement too. If you try live-in arrangement with someone you've met on MintBoys, please contact me to let me know how it works out.

If you continue to meet people

If you insist on continuing to date as you did before — which, again, I don’t recommend — do monitor your own health and the health of the client or escort with whom you meet. If the guy you meet seems unwell — coughing, feverish, or otherwise unhealthy — it’s okay to say, “You look like you should see a doctor,” and then leave at once. If you have a sore through, cough, fever, or any other sign of illness – don't meet people.

Studies are showing that people can contract Coronavirus and show no symptoms while still being contagious. Even if someone does not appear sick, they might have Coronavirus.

Keep in mind that these kind of meetings likely violate Stay-At-Home Orders issued in various areas. If you live in an area where a Stay-At-Home Order has been issued, consider the fact that you are not only putting yourself at risk if you meet people, but you risk spreading the Coronavirus to others.

Social Responsibility

A word to my readers who are clients: most of you were younger gay men once, too. You may have known what it was like to have little money or stability. If you have a home, or apartment, or condo of your own, this may be your chance to help take care of the next generation. This is about helping a young man survive — and having fun and companionship while you do it.

MintBoys escorts: we’re heading into (or are already in) a serious recession. The escort industry is more vulnerable than most to economic shocks. A live-in relationship that provides stability — a place to stay, a little income, and shelter from this current storm — is preferable to a great many other less pleasant alternatives. And please, be realistic in setting your terms. This is about creating something mutually beneficial during a genuine crisis. Someday, the COVID-19 threat will abate. When social distancing is no longer required, you may decide to start seeing others again — or, you may find yourself in an enduring relationship!

At MintBoys, we are committed to social responsibility. With the threat of COVID-19 looming over all of us, we need to change how we think about escorting. Those who can afford to take a break from escorting should consider doing so for the duration of the crisis; those who are open to video dates or live-in relationships should consider exploring one or both. Whatever you choose, remember that in the end, this is about doing what’s best for your own health — and for the well being of everyone else.

The great paradox of this crisis is that we need to come together as a community while staying apart. The good news is that even while keeping some distance, we can still find creative and meaningful ways to connect.