Overview

• Bill Maher discussed the term 'sex worker' during a segment on his HBO show, questioning its impact on public perception of prostitution.
• The commentary followed the Oscar success of 'Anora,' a Sean Baker film about a stripper, which won Best Picture and Best Actress for Mikey Madison.
• Maher expressed concerns that the phrase 'sex worker' sanitizes the often harsh and exploitative realities of prostitution, likening it to corporate rebranding of social issues.
• He praised 'Anora' as a great film but noted Baker's recurring focus on sex work in his filmography, including 'Tangerine' and 'The Florida Project.'
• Maher reiterated his past support for legalizing prostitution but criticized what he sees as Hollywood's virtue signaling in its portrayal of the subject.