Love and Frosting: A Conversation With Portland’s Cupcake Girls

The author enjoying the fruits of her research (Selfies by Red of herself devouring cupcakes)

“But how should I address the invitations?” the young brunette across from me asked. “Husband first, so ‘Mr and Mrs blank,’” advised the older woman next to her, and everyone nodded. I blinked and made a note, tried not to look confused or judgmental. I was at a planning meeting for It’s a Cupcake Christmas!,… Continue reading Love and Frosting: A Conversation With Portland’s Cupcake Girls

Stripper Music Monday: Money Anthems As Positive Affirmations

Gangsta Boo isn't in the mood. Pay up or get out.

We all have those nights when shaving your entire body, gluing on false lashes, and fake smiling at customers seem like the most laborious tasks imaginable. Now, you can either cop out and decide that the club is PROBABLY going to be dead anyway so you MIGHT AS WELL watch Netflix in bed all night,… Continue reading Stripper Music Monday: Money Anthems As Positive Affirmations

The Week In Links—May 2

Ohio gubernatorial candidate and ex-stripper Larry Ealy (Photo by by Lynn Hulsey, via the Dayton Daily News)

“I did it for the exposure; really, it was more of a promotional thing,” said Ohio gubernatorial candidate Larry Ealy of his time as a stripper. Some excellent tips for reporters looking to liven up a slow news day with salacious and sloppy stories about how sex workers are everywhere. We are, you know.  Watch out.… Continue reading The Week In Links—May 2

House of Pleasures (2011)

House of Pleasures (also called House of Toleration or L’Appolonide: Souvenirs de la Maison Close in its native France), directed by Bertrand Bonello, is a film depicting the last year of a legal French brothel, a maison close, at the turn of the 20th century. While the film does predictably illustrate the old prostitution-is-inherently-miserable motif, sex… Continue reading House of Pleasures (2011)