$pread Blog

Hi $pread friends! We urgently need some last minute pieces for our upcoming issue, 4.4, and we're hoping you have some holiday downtime you can spare for us.

Hot Topic: Stealing from Clients (200-300 words)
Our Hot Topic for issue 4.4 is "Have you/Would you ever steal from a client?" Please include your location (city and state) and whatever name you'd like to go by.

Consumer Report: Pre-paid Cells and Plans
We're looking for brief and occasionally humorous product reviews of pre-paid cells and major plans (just pick three!). Please provide one to two sentences per product and be specific about its usefulness, or its incompatibility, with your work (e.g., phone sex, S/M or escorting appointments).

Positions: Craiglist.com Crackdown (400 words)

We're also looking for someone to write a Positions piece on the recent Craigslist crackdown. ("Is the recent Craigslist crackdown justified/fair?") We already have some defending this decision, so we're looking for a counterpoint to argue against the change—i.e. "No, it is not fair." 

Reviews (400-500 words)
Like to review a recent piece of sex-work related culture? Please let us know. Reviews should be between 400 and 600 words, but inquire before writing to make sure we haven't already covered your particular selection.

Scene Report (500 words)
Scene Report is 500 words, Where do you work? Send us a description of your local industry (e.g., brothels, clubs, parlors, dungeons, or street corners) and tell us about the venue where you work and how it compares to other locales. Past scene reports covered the New York street scene in the Village and escorting in Orange County, CA. Please include both personal and more industry-wide perspectives in your region.

And as a quick side note,  regardless of how you feel about President-Elect Obam, sex workers need to keep making their voices heard, so head over to Change.org to share your thoughts about how the new administration might "confront the sex industry." 

From Austin American-Statesman:
Stripper Idol gets TV show all hot and bothered
"The company behind the hit TV show "American Idol" is suing the owners of a Bubbaland topless bar for holding a weekly amateur night dance contest called Stripper Idol . Every Thursday night, the winner gets $500.

The suit filed in U.S. District Court by FremantleMedia North America complains that Palazio Men's Club, on Ben White Boulevard near Interstate 35 and next to Ben White Mini Storage, is a " 'gentleman's club' at which women remove off their clothes while dancing to music. These women are referred to by Defendants as 'strippers.' "

(snip)

'm having a hard time figuring out why "American Idol" would be worried about folks confusing the goings-on at Palazio with their infamous national talent search. The two enterprises don't seem remotely similar."

—

It does seem pretty petty for American Idol to sue this club. What idiot would confuse the two?

photo credit: Juliana Beasley 

This British robo strip club exhibit is super creepy. Plus, what is the robot on the right thinking with that weird shin extension? That's never going to get her good tips!

New Yorkers are still complaining about strip club signs. Apparently, a woman's body is "open pornography." Once again, I am so much more concerned about these kids being raised by parents who shit themselves over nudity than I am the children actually seeing some underboob.

Men like strip clubs because they get to reject beautiful women. Duh.

Why do the Seattle Mariners hate strippers? "The opposition to this place isn't about the harm it might do to kids inside; it's about the moral high ground of adults outside." Double duh. But thanks for talking about it. 

On being a stripper and being celibate. 

Goodbye Scores. 

How female customers should be behave while visiting a club. 

How all customers should treat dancers. (via MJ)

Two Detroit strip clubs are suing police for excessive, costly raids over the past few years. ("Dance like you're conveying an erotic message" has got to be THE rap anthem of next year.)

I asked Josephine of The Stripper Hates You to comment on the lawsuit, since she herself dances in Detroit:

I think it's great that two different clubs are working together for this lawsuit. I also think it's great that strippers are working with management for this lawsuit. You don't see either of those two scenarios often enough; I wish them the best. 

Usually, when vice show up at my club (I've never worked at Penthouse or All Stars, btw) they check to make sure that no one's doing an "illegal" dance, make sure everyone working has a city-issued Cabaret ID, and make sure no one's drinking under age.  Tickets are written to anyone who doesn't meet those requirements.  Tickets are sometimes written to customers, as well.  I think the fines range from $300-$1000.

No one knows for sure what a "legal" dance is. I mean, the city legislated "lap dance" laws must be public record, right? The last time I went to get my dance card renewed, I actually asked where I could find a copy of the laws pertaining to lap dances and strip clubs in the city. The officer issuing my card told me she didn't know where I should start looking.

I can't figure out how vice squad actually protects and serves citizens.  I pay my city taxes.  The strip clubs pay their city taxes.  Every year I pay $250 to renew my dance card.  Then I have to worry about vice squad sweeping through my club finding something to fine me for.  

$250 for dance card renewal!? Dayum. 

Happy Holidays everyone. 

So here's the ad that provoked my anti-trafficking campaign response.

And my reaction:

I’m not entirely sure what to make of this ad. I think it’s interesting that (as with most anti-trafficking ads) the girl we are supposed to feel concern for is white, young, and conventionally attractive. She’s thin but not haggard, nor is she baring meth teeth and she’s only got one pimple. Darkening her eyes with some orange eyeshadow doesn’t necessarily scream drug addict, and I genuinely believe that appealing to young people’s sense of vanity would be a more successful deterrent than suggesting that they may turn a trick.

But I do think this shot is less titillating than many of the images used in anti-(sex)trafficking ads. I’m going to post a few images or comparison.  

Here were some other people's thoughts:

I probably shouldn’t think this ad is funny. But… I do.Not the message, but just the concept behind it. Since when was $15 not normal for sex? (1)

so…what is the going rate then? 20? 50? seems about accurate for baltimore. (2)

i don’t really get this ad, it says more about prostitution rates to me then being an anti drug psa. (3)

at least he’s got nice hands (4)

For some reason, this image pushed me over the edge and into a pot of anti-trafficking-campaign resentment that's been boiling for weeks. (I know that ad is not about trafficking, it just reminded me of ones that are.) Here are some of the images associated with anti-sex trafficking organizations that really get my goat.  

She’s white, she’s beautiful, she’s sad in the pretty way (ie no ugly sobbing or snot from her nose)…she looks like the heroine of a period drama or generic Hollywood romance. Here’s the movie this poster was advertising. It’s not an anti-trafficking ad, but it uses the same aesthetic.(PS - What's up with the roses?!)

This ad is far more visually arresting than most. Just the silhouette of a man holding a gun to the woman’s head is pretty alarming. But I’m still troubled by this trend of using only sexy, skinny women to sell trafficking outrage. Upon first glance, like almost all anti-trafficking ads, this looks it's selling something within the sex industry. If your eyes don't linger, it just looks like a sign promoting a strip club.  

This woman is ridiculously beautiful. She doesn’t deserve to be held against her will, does she? Of course not! She’s beautiful. Beautiful women deserve better!

You know who else deserves better?  Everyone who is being made to work in any job against their will—be they fat or old or male or ugly. Being a human being is basically the only requirement for deserving help, or as the ad puts it, “hope.” 

OMG I get it already—trafficked women are really hot and sexy. That’s probably why they got trafficked in the first place. I feel like these campaigns are designed by rape apologists. “She was so hot, we had to kidnap her….” I get the whole “we’re using sex to grab your attention” angle, but couldn’t the people who are concerned about the way women’s* sexuality is being brutally abused and co-opted maybe reconsider the sex sells approach?

And the whole “real photo” thing? WTF. I’m guessing they’re imitating actual print ads for call girls (although holy cow when was the last time you saw one of those? Paging the 1990s!) but wouldn’t someone raise the point that it’s a bit ambiguous as to whether they’re claiming this is the real photo of a trafficked woman? And then that the idea of using real photos of trafficked women might be exploitative and repellent?

*I say women because in these campaigns, women are the only victims acknowledged. Occasionally children, but even then, always female.

This image accompanies an article about human trafficking on the Salvation Army’s website. I am not even kidding. Did they get this photo from an Italian Vogue layout? 

 This is, for me, the most iconic of the anti-trafficking ads because it was one of the first I encountered, and it’s still the most ludicrous. It seems like satire, doesn’t it? Flawless, shapely, stark white legs in nice heels, with an accessory that has all the malevolence of a belly chain. You probably don’t even believe that it’s a real ad. But it is. It’s by Amnesty International.

The website URL is barely visible. The “legcuffs” are, apparently, made of gold filigree. The crap fake-fur-covered handcuffs that are standard issue at every sex shop would do a better job of restraining someone. And in case you’re unfamiliar with those, let me assure you, they are utter crap. The coup de grace—her toenails are painted. Because say what you will about traffickers, but those pieces of slime have an eye for detail. 

On her tumblr, Melissa made a more salient point about picture number 3 ("don't be afraid to say it for her!"):

Also have to love the whole: don’t be afraid to say it for her, this woman has no agency and could surely not speak on her behalf. Don’t be afraid to assume that no decent woman would sell sex of her own volition. Those in the sex industry, willing or not, certainly don’t have a voice. Don’t worry about putting your words in her mouth — or anything else, for that matter. 

My assignment is to explore the little-written-about-topic of sex workers for women, or women who service women. I am in the process of seeking out women who would want to be a part of the piece and are willing to be interviewed (via telephone or in person, whatever their comfort level is). If needed, we can use pseudonyms in the story to protect identity.

The story obviously will be written from a pro-sex-work viewpoint. But it is not really pushing an agenda, it is just exploring a topic people know little about.

Vanessa Rothschild for The Advocate

Vanessa_Rothschild (at) condenast (dot) com

Titian's brothel scene is worth big money. 

Uma Thurman's parents unknowingly hired a former Emperor's Club employee to work at their yoga studio. Now that they know her background, they're distressed: "it's an unfortunate situation for everyone since she's been doing a very good job for us." Uh, why so unfortunate if everyone's happy? 

New Hampshire says paying adults to screw while you film them is okay, filming adults who don't know you're filming them is prostitution. Yeah, I don't get it either. Here's the reasoning for not convicting the film-er of the first charge: "There was no evidence or allegation that the defendant solicited this activity for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification as opposed to making a video." Because porn is typically not for the purposes of viewer arousal. Or because viewers don't include the guy watching through the camera. I don't even know anymore. Dealing with this country's laws around sex is like being Alice in Wonderland, although way less fun and no one is wearing cool clothes. Why is a raven like a writing desk, and why can you pay two people to have sex with each other but can't pay one person to have sex with you?

On prostitution in the current economic climate, via SWOP. It focuses primarily on Las Vegas, but is relevant, I think, to many cities. "[T]he tipping point does make sense: People tightening their belts are downgrading to cheaper service; people who don’t need to tighten their belts aren’t really doing it at all."

On attempts to elminate street workers in Atlanta: "It reminds me of spraying for roaches" 

Really interesting article about the arrest of gay and bisexual men in NYC on prostitution charges:

police made two more prostitution arrests there, though one of those men is contesting the charge; observed two men engaged in oral sex through a glory hole in a video booth; and reported an "assignation" when a man refused an undercover officer's offer of money, saying "No, I don't want your money, only your body." […] Four of the 12 men arrested at Blue Door were from out of state, including two who apparently came from Europe. That raises the question about the arrests as to why the four would travel to New York City to sell their bodies for sums ranging from $20 to $40, when they could more easily and cheaply earn that at home.

MSNBC addresses the legality of professional domination.

Prostitution is making a comeback in Beijing, where "sex workers ply their trade with virtual impunity[.]"

On prostituion in Israel. 

I know it's the holidays, but check back this week for more on the Craigslist crackdown, England's new prostitution law, Eliot Spitzer, Jessica Cutler, and a strip news round up. 

For thorough IDTEVASW round-ups, check out Bound, Not Gagged, and Being Amber Rhea. And Melissa has some thoughts on how sex workers should care for themselves in the midst of their activism. 

If you are or have been the partner of a sex worker, you should consider submitting to Sadie Lune's in-the-works anthology tentatively titled Whore Lover. (I want to know - what title could be better than that?) The deadline for submissions is March 4th, and you can find out all the details here. 

If you're anything like me, you LOVE old news! So here, just in time for the weekend, is a huge collection of items I've been meaning to write about for weeks.

Swiss officials are concerned that more teenagers are turning to prostitution in order to buy "designer goods" and so are seeking to raise the age at which a woman can legally become a prostitute from 16 to 18. I'm okay with the age raise—I do think 16 is probably too young to make an informed decision on entering the sex industry—but I don't like this shaming angle of "the girls are just buying frivolous crap!" Who cares what they buy? The concern should be their mental health and general safety. 

The Baltimore Sun recently ran a weak article about brothels, and it serves as a (unintentionally) wonderful piece on why prosecuting sex work under the guise of trafficking is often utter bullshit. When the police raided a Baltimore house, they arrested the women working there who "spoke freely" about leaving Mexico after they'd learn "whom to contact in America for work as a prostitute." These women allegedly earned $15 a customer. Guess how much they had to pay for bail after their arrest? $150, or ten customers. A lovely reminder, once again, that when prostitutes use their income to support their families, it's illegal. But when they use their money to support the state, well, clearly that's just the best thing for the prostitutes…..

Speaking of trafficking, it's well worth reading this amazing 1917 essay by Emma Goldman about "white slavery" and trafficking hysteria. Seriously, I know you see 1917 and think "boring!" but this article is vicious, funny, and eerily (i.e. entirely) relevant to today's situation: "[The discussion of trafficking] serves to amuse the people for a little while, and it will help to create a few more fat political jobs–parasites who stalk about the world as inspectors, investigators, detectives, and so forth."  OMG Emma Goldman, you are badass. 

Indonesia recently passed what seems to be the world's most loosely interpreted "anti-porn" bill, which outlaws not only drawings and sketches of anything explicit (what about medical manuals?!) but also "bans anyone from wearing clothes or promoting material that could incite 'sexual desire.' "The law went ahead and criminalized homosexuality, too, because go hard or go home, right? You're going to be shocked, but this bill was justified in part as being a means of "guard[ing] women and children against sexual exploitation." Exotic dancers have already been arrested and there is concern that writers and film directors will also be targeted for creating sexually aware/autonomous female characters.

I'm all for prostitute outreach for women who want out, but I have a big problem with these common portrayals of prostitutes as "hapless" and undignified. At least the Indian activist featured in this article recognizes that "prostitution can never be abolished by force" and that instead, "the administration should come forward with attractive rehabilitation packages."

This is tragic. Korea's prostitution crackdown has led to at least two prostitute suicides. 

Learn how to audition for a porn film from experts Ashlynn Brooke and Shane Diesel. Ashlynn, besides being, like, the cutest porn star I've ever seen, introduces the adorable phrase "home sex" into my vocabulary–as in, the sex you have at home versus that which you have for the camera. Home sex! It sounds so sweet and wholesome.  

Belladonna tells you how to skip the audition process and just make a porn on your own. 

And via Icing comes this extremely thorough, intelligent interview with a dominatrix. (Okay, she also gave $pread a shout out, but go read for yourself—her answers are wonderful.)

An op-ed on why decrim is right for Seattle (and the country.)

Check back this weekend for a round up of IDTEVASW articles and pictures!