The Peculiar Political Economics of Pro-Domming

“So, I figured out what happened to Jane,” the dungeon manager said. “Oh?” “My friend ran into her the other day. She’s a cop now.” “I guess that makes some kind of sense ,” I said. “Mmhhmm. She can beat-up people legally now.” That’s the punchline. Do you get it? Let me take all the… Continue reading The Peculiar Political Economics of Pro-Domming

Support Hos: American Horror Story: Freak Show

Angela Bassett as Desiree Dupree, American Horror Story: Freak Show's intersex sex worker (Screenshot from American Horror Story )

Adapted from a g-chat between Caty Simon and Maggie Mcmuffin: American Horror Story: Freak Show draws on the traditional connection between perfomativity and sex work. Acting has always been connected with prostitution, since before the Jacobean era to very recently. And by connecting performance in a freak show with sex work, the show is pathologizing… Continue reading Support Hos: American Horror Story: Freak Show

The P Word: A 101

(1942 poster via Amazon)

Though most don’t consider the word “prostitute” pejorative, it’s more damaging to sex workers than any other slur. There’s no true neutrality to be found in a word whose verb form Merriam-Webster defines as “to devote to corrupt or unworthy purposes.” But precisely because it is used in polite language, because of its patina of… Continue reading The P Word: A 101

Man Calls Cops on Stripper That Won’t Screw Him: Stripping Isn’t Sex Work Lite

(Image via Flickr and the Creative Commons)

One of the brightest spots of sex work activism is when some bright-eyed bushy-tailed sex-worker-to-be finds her way into the space and wants to know the best way to get into our sordid business. “Come, little one! Join me in the fresh hellscape that is the business of selling sexual services,” I declare, fancying my… Continue reading Man Calls Cops on Stripper That Won’t Screw Him: Stripping Isn’t Sex Work Lite

Neon Wasteland: On Love, Motherhood, and Sex Work In A Rust Belt Town (2011)

Susan Dewey conducted fieldwork for her academic study at a strip club she calls “Vixens” in a town she calls “Sparksburgh” in the post-industrial economy in upstate New York. She describes interacting with approximately 50 dancers but focuses on a few: Angel, Chantelle, Cinnamon, Diamond, and Star. Some names were changed, but these pseudonyms will… Continue reading Neon Wasteland: On Love, Motherhood, and Sex Work In A Rust Belt Town (2011)