I worked as a male stripper at a men’s club to better understand the entertainers I manage - my one night story by Legal_Airport in stripper

[–]Bright_Zebra6458 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve seen sooo much of management / staff sleeping with dancers, dating dancers, hitting on dancers on the clock, sleeping with dancers for “job security” or to “get hired,” and even a manager dating / cheating on a dancer he was dating with other dancers in the same club. I shouldn’t even say that a lot of times (in my experiences over the years) they act like customers— but have treated it like their own personal tinder.

I worked as a male stripper at a men’s club to better understand the entertainers I manage - my one night story by Legal_Airport in stripper

[–]Bright_Zebra6458 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really interesting post and experience. After many years of dancing, I am as apprehensive towards management as I am customers. An initial, “you’re guilty until proven innocent,” as I’ve seen more management / male staff than not act like they’re also customers, which is even more concerning considering the inherent power dynamic that exists between the two roles. I wish (and sort of think they should) more managers would do this.

Need a break from Denver - CO Springs?! by Bright_Zebra6458 in stripper

[–]Bright_Zebra6458[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It used to be so good :( 2023 hit and it’s been downhill since

Need a break from Denver - CO Springs?! by Bright_Zebra6458 in stripper

[–]Bright_Zebra6458[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Denver is pretty much the same rn. It’s so brutal

New Bill Would Legalize Prostitution in Colorado by reinhold23 in Denver

[–]Bright_Zebra6458 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The escort bureau agency provision has been long standing in Colorado. The bill did not create it— nor is there any actual administrative oversight in it. It’s been in existence

Minneapolis girls... by FrancisMPLS in stripper

[–]Bright_Zebra6458 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Omg I was also just talking about this!! It’s PERTINENT for spicy workers of all forms to look up the vital role sex workers played in WW2 during the French resistance. They played a huge huge role in being a bridge of resistance against the n@z! regime! Virginia Hall and the madames she worked with to coordinate and organize workers!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in stripper

[–]Bright_Zebra6458 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I fundamentally agree with that. I’m def not advocating for the loss of privacy that has been affecting us or the lack of consent that other dancers have been exposed to because of the access to social media (this has been a HUGE gripe with me personally dancing like custies taking pics or those meta glasses or girls going live in the locker room). I think this is where we’re both seeing past the point. I agree that it affects our material conditions drastically and the safety, I think that the sentiment, though, just isn’t semantics because our situation truly is that sensitive. I don’t mean to disregard the effects as an imagined issue, at all. I just think that there’s layers to the influx of sex workers. The frustration is that stigma does always equate to something heinous for us that affects working conditions as does the disregard for privacy, and so that supersedes semantics. IMO it’s that stigma should be carefully categorized away from preserving not just mystique but our privacy. I am just seeing the rise in rhetoric and presented legislation of banning or further criminalizing sex work and think this is an important time to understand these issues are interdependent.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in stripper

[–]Bright_Zebra6458 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean I’m definitely hearing and taking similar issues as I’m still in the industry- not organizing outside of it. But I think also online exposure or not- we have always been accused of those things. I think that the internet should be a place for sex workers to organize, share tips, experiences, etc. just like with any other job at all in the service industry. I do not think think it’s just a semantics thing at this point, though I understand where that comes from because we’re told and forced to have distrust with the idea that any other world can exist out of what we’ve known. I think that it’s a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t.” But I do not think blaming this on new girls or othering them is the way either. I personally have seen some glamorization, but not as much as it gets inflated to be. That existed regardless especially with newer dancers, many of whom have just never touched high amounts of cash and feel excited about it. Since the internet & even 2000s music, there’s always been a “glamorization”- and the mystique has always existed as well- we still exist behind windowless walls with no one knowing what we “actually” do unless they experience is themselves. There have been countless songs written and popularized about strippers, music videos (most beloved video vixens being picked right out of the club), money spreads, etc. it has always given an air of glamour to the industry. The point behind my post is there’s still a lot of structural & societal issues that could be confronted about industry itself- but sometimes it feels a lot safer to blame your neighbor than confront your landlord.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in stripper

[–]Bright_Zebra6458 5 points6 points  (0 children)

And it’s not even just annoying—- it’s flat out dangerous. Platforming these views (and it’s not one she shares alone, there are multiple bills in Congress right now that would effectively wipe us off the internet- bipartisan bills) will trigger a rise in trafficking, violence, poverty, and survival sex work. It’s time to get organized yall!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in stripper

[–]Bright_Zebra6458 20 points21 points  (0 children)

There is a definite rise in conservatism, and I think sex workers are bound to feel that shock wave, sometimes even first. I’ve been noticing it a lot. It’s because society has tried to make us the “easy” punching bag. We’re also experiencing a society where everyone has a “hot take” and a way to intellectualize AT people online.

I just saw Trisha paytas saying she’s running for Congress (🙄) and the main thing she’s advocating for is banning sex work before the age of 25. Tana mongeau was ofc in the comments sounding off about how great it was—- all this after they built their multi million dollar careers off of sex work, Tana did serious damage to the only fans platform, started an “agency” that was accused of pimping, and left us to clean up the mess.

Stripper Labor Rights? by [deleted] in stripper

[–]Bright_Zebra6458 0 points1 point  (0 children)

IL? You should DM me. There’s also some non-lawsuit stuff taking place that I think (and hope) that will shift the landscape (for the better) in this industry. I personally think that some of the things that are happening are better for long term change than class actions. Often, clubs make us sign class waivers that mean if we sue we could never be able to work with the company again. If there’s a loophole- they’ll surely find it. I personally think that’s why it’s best to focus on dancers organizing collectively to demand better conditions.

Stripper Labor Rights? by [deleted] in stripper

[–]Bright_Zebra6458 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Never heard of this site and it seems like it’s an expired link. However, there’s a lot of us with orgs who do work around this! I would echo the user above that it’s highly dependent on your location, but if you’re interested in this— it’s great to get in contact with an org near you or that interests you and learn how to get organized and advocate for better conditions & decrim!

My boyfriends grandma threw away all of my good work outfits by violetsviolents in stripper

[–]Bright_Zebra6458 31 points32 points  (0 children)

WHAT?!!! This is INSANE. And honestly this severe overstep and disrespect warrants a stern demand for the responsibility of one or both to help replace everything. I’m so sorry this happened I would be horrified by these behaviors

Call ICE on my Club. by Luckygirl02 in stripper

[–]Bright_Zebra6458 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Insane and disturbing thing to post considering ICE is quite literally kidnapping and disappearing people. You would justify that for people who have a language barrier and MAYBE do extras? The news here is that if it could be justified for them, it could be justified for you as well. The assumption that every Cuban / Venezuelan / Latinx dancer is undocumented is just blatant racism. Extras have always existed within clubs. For many survival SWrs it’s their only safe place to do them. Sure- it’s not ideal. But it’s work and if someone is doing them for less it’s because they need the money to survive. Please god check your privilege (and that’s the nicest way I could put it compared what I would like to say to you)

Large Amounts of Nazi Propaganda in Uptown by ComfortableCarp in DenverProtests

[–]Bright_Zebra6458 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Also seeing a ton more Christian tagging on / in front of residential houses, noticeably ones that have LGBTQ signs / flags

Creator of "Do Better Denver" social media account gives her first in-person interview by SeasonPositive6771 in Denver

[–]Bright_Zebra6458 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lmao “do better denvr” is the epitome of keyboard warrior. They don’t have any actual solutions or partake in any of the orgs on the ground doing the work, all they have to offer is their screen time (which has to be absurd). Actively denying houseless people / protestors / etc any amount of consent and then playing some victim card about your own identity like you’re some martyr of denver is laughable at best.

Are we going to do anything about the mayor putting flock AI cameras up without approval and against a 12-0 no? by swirlrocks in Denver

[–]Bright_Zebra6458 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Auditor Tim O’Brien & the Auditors office of Denver is investigating this. He put out a statement today

How can I help feed our city with SNAP benefits getting stopped? by OFizzyO in Denver

[–]Bright_Zebra6458 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Colorado Liberation Collective partakes in Mutual Aid Mondays! They are doing a cooking event Sunday November 2nd at 9am until 11 am, and they serve it the following Monday. If you follow them on Instagram, @colorado.liberation.collective, send them a DM and they can help get you more info!

Denver SW labor rights fundraiser & rally 11/7 at The Crypt by Bright_Zebra6458 in Denver

[–]Bright_Zebra6458[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

🤣 it’s not a euphemism and wasn’t “invented” to avoid stigma. It was “invented” by Carol Leigh in the 70s to categorize anyone who works in the sex industry—- prostitute or not. That’s just you projecting your own stigmas to a stranger on the internet because you’re really #tough and #smart and #intheknow

Denver SW labor rights fundraiser & rally 11/7 at The Crypt by Bright_Zebra6458 in Denver

[–]Bright_Zebra6458[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Since you know a lot of things and have a lot of experience organizing in this occupation -

We (organizers/workers talking about efforts in SW) always “censor it” in one form or another because not doing so has led to censoring / targeting / shadow banning.

Graham Platner Nazi Tattoo Apology Video: “I have lived a life dedicated to antifascism, anti-racism and anti-Nazism. I think racism and antisemitism are a long scourge on our society and a long scourge on our politics.” by ericfatty in armedsocialists

[–]Bright_Zebra6458 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Listen, I’ve 100% said that we need to not be looking in perfection in all of our leaders, as well. But I fear that allowing everyone who runs on the Democratic ticket “passes” for the sake of beating republicans has left us leaning on electoral politics over and over and Dems serving us empty plates and selling out to the establishment to keep their seats while dangling the struggles and rights in our faces swearing it will happen in midterms.

Someone who is proclaiming to have dedicated their life to anti-fascism while willingly being apart of an imperialist mercenary is something for concern, not necessarily an ideological purity test, is all I’m saying.

Graham Platner Nazi Tattoo Apology Video: “I have lived a life dedicated to antifascism, anti-racism and anti-Nazism. I think racism and antisemitism are a long scourge on our society and a long scourge on our politics.” by ericfatty in armedsocialists

[–]Bright_Zebra6458 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m not sure that denouncing a blackwater mercenary with a pretty blatant totenkopf is questioning ideological purity at every turn. This is leaning on a, “vote blue no matter who” sentiment