Social networking website for sex workers
Rentboy.com was a commercial social networking site that connected male sex workers and masseurs with potential clients. Rentboy.com was also the major organizer of the International Escort Awards and a traveling cabaret called "Hustlaball."
At one time Rentboy.com had published a manifesto on their website intended for sex workers and clients. This statement promoted a philosophy of "safer sex because the vast majority of sex-workers will not engage in unsafe sex." It stated, "while this job may not be for everyone, it has its rightful place among honorable careers." On August 25, 2015, CEO Jeffrey Hurant - also known as "Jeffrey Davids" - and six others were arrested at Rentboy.com headquarters and charged with conspiring to violate the Travel Act by promoting prostitution.
Company profile.
In 1997, Jeffrey Hurrant started Rentboy.com, the first male escorting website. From its founding, Hurant served as CEO and Sean Van Sant served as company director. The company was headquartered in Manhattan. According to Van Sant,"Rentboy.com is not an escort agency. We are an ad listing service for male escorts, where men place their own ads and work for themselves, so that clients can contact them directly. Our mission is to create a non-judgmental space where anyone curious about exploring male-male companionship can hire a man by the hour."As of June 2009[ [update]], Rentboy.com was employing 10 people in three offices and hosted 40,000 escort profiles. In 2009, 1.4 million clients visited the website.
On August 25, 2015, Federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security and members of the New York Police Department raided Rentboy.com's headquarters.
Sponsorships.
Rentboy.com sponsored its own float every year in the New York City Gay Pride March.
International Escort Awards.
The International Escort Awards, also known as the "Hookies," were founded by Rentboy.com's Jeff Hurant and Sean Van Sant. The first ceremony was held at the Roxy in New York City in October 2006.
Hustlaball.
Hustlaball was a sex cabaret and dance party organized in part by rentboy.com intended to destigmatize and honor sex workers. Starting in 2007, Rentboy.com hosted Hustlaball three times each year, with a Las Vegas show in January, a London show in May, and a Berlin show in October. Part of the proceeds from this event went to charities such as the Lambeth Hate Crime Initiative, the Terrence Higgins Trust, and the Gay Men's Health Crisis.
History.
Founder Jeffrey Hurant said of Hustlaball, "This is a chance for sex workers to be open and proud of what they do."
Federal and state investigation.
On August 25, 2015, DHS and NYPD agents raided the Manhattan headquarters of Rentboy.com as part of a money laundering and state prostitution investigation. Seven people, including CEO Jeffrey Davids, were arrested. "As alleged, Rentboy.com attempted to present a veneer of legality, when in fact this Internet brothel made millions of dollars from the promotion of illegal prostitution," acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Kelly Currie said in a statement. DHS was involved in the raid in part because the investigation involved transferring money across state lines. The seven defendants were charged with conspiring to violate the Travel Act by promoting prostitution.
On October 7, 2016, ex-CEO Hurant pleaded guilty in federal court of promoting prostitution. In August 2017 Hurant was sentenced to 6 months in federal prison. While the case had prompted allegations of anti-gay bias, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement stated that "any insinuation that a specific population was targeted is categorically false."
References.
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