Posted on by Amanda Brooks

good job

The whole Spizter mess has thrown the division between civilian women and sex workers into high relief, moreso than the DC Madam thing. (Maybe I’m more aware of it.)

Growing up, I participated in school sports. At the end of every game, the teams would line up and pass each other, hands out at waist level, meeting palm-to-palm and say “Good game” or “Good job” (imagine a really gentle high-five at waist level). Prayer started every game; this little ritual ended it. Most of the time the coaches would join the end of the line. Sitting out of the line was unthinkable – I don’t remember anyone doing it (though some girls didn’t touch everyone’s hands). It would’ve been heresy. Both boys and girls teams did this starting in Little Dribblers or T-Ball and all through high school.

I have to wonder, if I did the line today and the other players knew my history, would they still touch my hand and say “Good game”? Would they refuse? Would they say other things under their breath? Would some of them turn away because they had secrets? Would they see me as an equal player, though not equal in life?

Of all the girls’ hands that I touched, how many of them would be willing to extend it again in the spirit of sportsmanship and acknowledgement of an equal?

Posted on by Amanda Brooks

a lech, a pimp and my rage

These two random memories surfaced a few weeks ago. They both happened while I was stripping, though the incidents were separated by a year or more. What I find interesting in revisiting the memories is my angry non-reaction. I think it’s a woman-thing more than a stripper-thing. You be the judge.

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Posted on by Amanda Brooks

sex work is the new black

I often compare the sex worker rights movement with the Civil Rights movement and gay movement. Most often, I see it closer to the Civil Rights movement.

I’e become used to conversations with people or business interactions with them — all behind the scenes. But I understand that in public they might not wish to be associated with me. It’s not a condescending remark. Not everyone is ready to stand up to prejudice or make logical arguments to refute knee-jerk morality. I understand. So if we meet in public I pretend not to know and do not burden them with social embarrassment.

Take the constant checking I have to do with publishing-related businesses. I can’t assume they’re going to want to do business with me, so before we get too far down the road I have to give background info, detailed explanations, legal disclaimers (and prove that others have worked with me before) — and this is just the introductory e-mail. In essence, I apologize for what I’m doing and for imposing on them.

My hat must be in my hand, my eyes down and I should respectfully step out of the way so they can pass. In case I make them uncomfortable, I should cross the street so they don’t have to.

Usually I get praised for checking their tolerance level before daring to engage in a business conversation with them. Before I dare to believe I’m a regular publisher like anyone else making a book about cats (or cooking or yoga or whatever has been done to death). Before I dare to act as though I have a right to choose my business partners, instead of letting them choose me and being grateful for it.

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Posted on by Amanda Brooks

taxing texas strip clubs

(Thanks to Amber Rhea for sending me the link this morning.)

This is a special $5 tax to be added to the door charge for all Texas strip clubs. The money collected will go to rape victims and shelters. This is the brain-child of Texas Association Against Sexual Assault.

Though the tax seems based on liquor sales, strip clubs are not the only places in Texas that sell drinks. I’ve heard rumors there are many liquor-only stores in Texas, as well as places that serve both food and booze (some of these places bill themselves as “family” restaurants). And I swear I’ve seen bottles of alcoholic beverages in grocery stores and other mundane retail outlets.

A $5 door fee isn’t much (unless you’re a guy who can’t even bother to spend $100 in an upscale club). But why strip clubs?

As we all know — strip clubs cause rape. Men don’t cause rape, naked women do. And damnit, women should have to pay for it, one way or another. You would think strippers would be thrilled to help out their sister-victims; because according to studies all sex workers are rape victims anyway. Why wouldn’t a stripper want to be forced by the state to support a program for members of her sex? It’s a great way of scrubbing that scarlet letter off her chest!

My solution? Raise the tax to several thousand per person and collect it from all men arrested for rape — even if they blame strip clubs for inspiring the violence.

Posted on by Amanda Brooks

end violence against sex workers

Today is a day of awareness and memorial for sex workers around the world. Because of the illegal status of sex work and the low status of women in many countries, sex workers are a particular target of violence. (Transgendered sex workers face the same levels of violence as female sex workers.)

I don’t have any stats handy right now, but a large number of sex workers have been murdered through 2007 in the US and Canada. Most of these cases will never be solved. (Many other sex workers have simply disappeared and are presumed dead.) And every day sex workers are assaulted (sexually and violently). Their abusers have no fear of being brought to justice.

This is only the 5th Annual International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. But awareness of the issue is growing. We can’t actually hope to end violence against sex workers until we erase violence against all women, but at least we can make the world aware that sex workers are humans and deserve basic human rights. Their abuse or loss of life affects more than themselves.

It’s easy to join us. SWOP-East is hosting an online vigil and live discussion. Or, if you’d like to physically show your support, carry a red umbrella today or find an event near you.