Pineapple Support

Pineapple Support Founder Aims to Break Down Stigma of Sex Work

In a recent extensive interview with XCritic, Leya Tanit—founder and president of Pineapple Support—talked about how the organization is providing a crucial service to adult industry performers at a time when they need it the most.

Pineapple Support is a free support and therapy service for all persons working in the online adult industry—no matter their gender, ethnic origin, social status, age or sexual preference. The organization—which launched in 2018 to address the growing number of suicides in the industry—has an ever-growing team of sex-worker friendly, kink-aware therapists who offer face-to-face and online video therapy sessions. Donations to Pineapple Support are used to help with the costs of professional coaching, counseling and therapy for those who need it.

“‘Pineapple’ is the most commonly used safe word in the U.S., after ‘red’ and ‘stop,'” said Tanit—a former performer and a professional dominatrix—in her lengthy interview with Jim Steele of XCritic. “And from someone who has been in the BDSM lifestyle for… longer than I care to mention, it just seemed right.”

Leya Tanit

The organization offers a 24/7 emotional support service (a text service manned by trained volunteers); one-on-one therapy (with professional, licensed, insured therapists and counselors); support groups; and more. It also has a mission to break down the stigma often associated with sex work.

She tells XCritic that we need more open talk about mental health, the sex industry, and how many people enjoy pornography: “It’s a very high percent of the population. And yet, no one’s talking about it; very few admit to it. That’s one of the goals of the educational videos that we’re doing, so they can see the human side of it as well.”

Pineapple Support

Tanit noted that the majority of Pineapple’s funding comes from adult companies—including cam and streaming companies along with clip sites. That includes Falcon|NakedSword (CEO Tim Valenti is on the Pineapple board), which sponsored last year’s Miss Pineapple Pageant fundraiser (which you can watch for free on NakedSword). Tanit stressed that the LGBTQ+ communities are in need of specialist support.

“We work very closely with Tim Valenti of the Naked Sword, and also Sister Roma, and we are still working hard to ensure that the LGBTQ+ community is aware of our services,” Tanit told Steele. “I am extremely happy to say that since the beginning of 2020, we have seen an upturn in the amount of males and non-cis gender who have been applying for services and who we are working with.”

Miss Pineapple Pageant

She told XCritic said that the adult industry can often be an isolating and dark place, which is magnified through often anonymous critics on social media: “I tried going on cam a couple of times and it’s really, really a hard job to keep someone’s interest, to keep smiling, to keep putting on that face, and some of the comments that viewers leave, it’s rotten. It’s unnecessary, and to listen to that day in and day out? You can start off saying, ‘I’ve got a tough skin, I can deal with this, this is fine.’ But when you hear the same shit every day, and you have to put up with it? It breaks you down.’”

And she adds that the potential for depression has been exacerbated by the pandemic, the growing political divide in the United States, and general unrest in the world. “It’s not an easy feat to provide this level of care to so many people, but it’s something that I am extremely passionate about, and I will move hell and high water to make sure that we raise that money and we keep providing this service.”

Pineapple

Part of that help comes in the form of webinars that address things like sexual trauma, ADHD, anxiety, depression, how to alleviate isolation, and how to make money while in lockdown. Pineapple Support goes live with them about once a month, and later posts them on its XBiz TV channel and YouTube. As she tells XCritic, they have also offer advice to prospective performers: “If you’re going to get in front of that camera, it is a fucking big decision. It’s a life-impacting decision, and it’s going to be with you for the rest of your life. It is so important to do your homework and really understand the industry before you embark on a career as an adult entertainer…education is key.”

Tanit also noted that Pineapple Support helps performers in all areas of the industry, from studio and fan site performers to cammers—and that each area comes with its own set of challenges. She says that even if performers haven’t used their services, it’s vital that they are aware of them.

Read the full interview with Leya at XCritic, check out the Miss Pineapple Pageant on NakedSword, and donate today at Pineapple Support (every bit helps)!

Miss Pineapple Pageant

 

9 thoughts on “Pineapple Support Founder Aims to Break Down Stigma of Sex Work”

  1. I never bought the ‘ I like what I do ‘ reason that is common to hear sex workers saying. I think they turn their bodies into commodities out of desperation as the last resource they can find to make money, to pay their bills. ” I don’t want to be saved”, ” It’s easy money “, ” I met nice people “… are excuses they tell to themselves to keep them go on…Destitution and lack of skills are the real reasons and they pay a price to choose to cross the ‘ line ‘. Some porn performers told that they heard unemployed porn performers and male prostitutes turn to them and ask for advice ‘ because this is the only thing I ‘m able to do… ” I think our society tolerates a promiscuous one since people don’t have to deal personaly with him but sees a prostitute, a porn performer like ‘ less them human ‘ : An object that you rent and use .Sex for money dehumanizes both whores and John’s.

  2. The reason why sex work has a stigma is due to it being that of a “last resort” No person in their right mind would resort to selling one self sexually for money. That is why it is known as the world’s “oldest profession”. Just as there is a stigma for sex workers, there is a stigma too for sex buyers- “John’s & Jan q Public” who buy sex. That stigma will ALWAYS be there. Society needs to shame someone who resorts to selling sex. It is one of the things that comes w/ the territory.

    1. That’s your opinion, Anonymous. Many sex workers I know, do it for the enjoyment and ofcourse, the money. And to quote you “That is why it is known as the world’s ‘oldest profession’…” has nothing to do with why sex work has a sigma.

      And why don’t you assign a name to your posts?

          1. You’re a dumb ass who probably spread the virus to countless others. Walking diseased transporter is who you are.

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