Sex tourism has existed for hundreds of years. And with the rise of globalization, it’s become a booming industry that exists in most corners of the earth. Sex work and sex tourism is complex. This kind of work intersects with history, power, race, economics, and global inequality. 

Dr. Christopher Ewing joins the show to unpacking the history, misconceptions, impacts of sex tourism on local communities, and how travelers can think more critically about this side of the tourism industry.

PLUS we chat about Erin's recent travels and award WIN at the TMAC conference in Saskatoon, SK!

Guest: Christopher Ewing is an assistant professor of history at Purdue University. His first book, The Color of Desire: The Queer Politics of Race in the Federal Republic of Germany traces the trajectory queer, German racisms from 1970s sex tourism to twenty-first century fascism, and the queer of color activists who contested them. He’s currently working on a new book project about hate crime law and activism to explain how, in the 1990s, hate became an international crime. Chris has authored pieces for Time Magazine, The Conversation, and The Washington Post on queer politics, and has written extensively on the history of sex tourism in journals including Rethinking History, Central European History, and the Journal of the History of Sexuality. He received his Ph.D. in History from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York in 2018. When he’s not thinking about problems of sex and travel, Chris is pursuing his lifelong goal of rewilding the prairie, starting with his Indiana garden.

Links: 

• https://www.christopherboalewing.com/
• https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/international_sex_tourism_is_a_booming_industry_its_also_been 
• @christopherewing on bluesky

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CREDITS

Written and Hosted by Erin Hynes

Produced by Kattie Laur

Music is "Night Stars" by Wolf Saga/David R. Maracle/Chippewa Travellers. Additional music from Motion Array.

Logo by Nicole Hall