What do you like about this forum? What needs are still unmet? How can it be better?
Hey all,
I'm interested in finding out how much support you get on this forum and whether there are needs for navigating the exotic dancing industry that go unmet?
I also want to know how good a job the mainstream media does in protecting your rights and whether this forum has been a space to combat practices such as pole and other fees? Do you get techniques for resolving issues here?
If you'd be willing to talk to me about how important social media is for working in this industry, I'd be grateful!
Thanks!
-A
Re: What do you like about this forum? What needs are still unmet? How can it be bett
Hi. Who are you though?
Thanks :)
Re: What do you like about this forum? What needs are still unmet? How can it be bett
Hi! Sorry, my interest in this forum is two fold: I have been considering dancing myself, but I also have been struck by the comments on this forum that the media does an awful job reporting on problems that exotic dancers face. The NOLA missing girls is an example of this. I am a student in a journalism program (with a hefty amount of debt, I might add), who, along with two other female students thought maybe we could create a similar forum with a journalistic component. This would either be press releases or we might do the investigative reporting ourselves. Ultimately, we want to advocate for the dancers who are ignored by the media and by society.
Re: What do you like about this forum? What needs are still unmet? How can it be bett
@whirlez, if you are also a dancer, or have danced in the past, would you be willing to share with me how we might do this in the most thoughtful and productive way to serve the needs of the community of exotic dancers?
Re: What do you like about this forum? What needs are still unmet? How can it be bett
Here we go...
We don't want any students using us as a research project. Let me guess, you wanted to seem edgy and with it writing about us? We aren't zoo animals and we don't want any more attention brought to our jobs. Believe it or not, many of us are happier being stigmatized because it keeps the money around. If you people trying to 'advocate' make this a normal job to hold, we'll all be making no more than waitresses.
To answer one of your questions though, no the media does not appear to be useful. Every comment I've ever seen on one of the lawsuits has been anti-stripper, and the other thing it does is make guys feel bad that we have to pay house fees and then they stop going to clubs entirely.
Re: What do you like about this forum? What needs are still unmet? How can it be bett
Quote:
Originally Posted by
forum
Hi! Sorry, my interest in this forum is two fold: I have been considering dancing myself, but I also have been struck by the comments on this forum that the media does an awful job reporting on problems that exotic dancers face. The NOLA missing girls is an example of this. I am a student in a journalism program (with a hefty amount of debt, I might add), who, along with two other female students thought maybe we could create a similar forum with a journalistic component. This would either be press releases or we might do the investigative reporting ourselves. Ultimately, we want to advocate for the dancers who are ignored by the media and by society.
So you aren't a dancer but want actual dancers to help you build a platform for dancers, when they're already on a platform filled with real dancers?
Re: What do you like about this forum? What needs are still unmet? How can it be bett
Around here "journalistic component" is synonymous with salacious content. Especially coming from a civilian. I personally am more open to people who are about that life and have lived it.
Re: What do you like about this forum? What needs are still unmet? How can it be bett
Okay. I understand your points and am sorry to invade the forum, which seems to be a great space for dancers and not one I want to detract from. We were hoping actually to have our content directed and written by dancers themselves on the platform, and to combat anti-stripper media on lawsuits, etc by raising those voices. However we do not want our project to have a salacious tone or detract from the business side of things. I am so sorry if it seems that way, and we likely need to rethink our approach.
Re: What do you like about this forum? What needs are still unmet? How can it be bett
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Selina M
Believe it or not, many of us are happier being stigmatized because it keeps the money around. If you people trying to 'advocate' make this a normal job to hold, we'll all be making no more than waitresses.
THIS!! ugh I think about this constantly. Forum, that's why the majority of us won't be interested in such a "journalist" platform.
Re: What do you like about this forum? What needs are still unmet? How can it be bett
[QUOTE=Selina M;3004749]Here we go.. We aren't zoo animals
:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::cow::bullwhip:
Re: What do you like about this forum? What needs are still unmet? How can it be bett
Ok I think we scared her off ::)
Seriously though... I am sooooooo tired of seeing articles & documentaries about strippers & escorts & cam girls. It's NOT edgy anymore. It's overdone and cliche. Most of them aren't addressing any real issues, they're just looking for shock value.
If they're looking for dancers to 'help' this is the last place to find them. Most of us here have our heads on reasonably straight... But even those in the clubs who are hot messes don't like civilians trying to help them. It's as bad as those stupid church ladies bringing gifts.
Finally, I get that they think we would hate being just objectified and not treated as people... but ironically if this girl read around Hustle Hut, she'd see tons of threads about "How do I get them to stop asking me about myself and just pay to have me naked?" Again, ironically, I find it MORE respectful when customers DON'T waste my time & invade my privacy trying to 'get to know me'... Shutting the hell up & buying a dance means they're respecting that I am at work & time is money.
Re: What do you like about this forum? What needs are still unmet? How can it be bett
Quote:
Originally Posted by
forum
Ultimately, we want to advocate for the dancers who are ignored by the media and by society.... We were hoping actually to have our content directed and written by dancers themselves on the platform, and to combat anti-stripper media on lawsuits, etc by raising those voices.
You do know sex workers are already doing this, right? Have you ever read TitsandSass.com? Do you follow any local SWOP chapters on Twitter? Do you read Elle Stranger's work for Thrillist?
I agree that sex workers are represented poorly, or not at all, by most media outlets. But the problem isn't due to a lack of platforms. The problem is the ongoing criminalization of certain types of sex work, which contributes to stigma, discrimination, hate crimes, deaths, etc. I'm sure the fact that an overwhelming number of journalists are white, male, somewhat sexist, ignorant of the industry at best and full-out hostile toward it at worst, doesn't help.
If you want to serve sex workers, that's a noble cause. But you should start by listening. If you had done that, you would know the last thing dancers need is someone to "advocate" for us.
Re: What do you like about this forum? What needs are still unmet? How can it be bett
I'm still getting used to this but so much information. I wish I had it years ago. I'm happy to contribute where I can.
Re: What do you like about this forum? What needs are still unmet? How can it be bett
This reminds me of a FB post (on a local female support page) where a bunch of regular college girls wanted to start a SWOP or SWAN in our city. Yes, that's exactly what sex workers want...a bunch of girls who have no understanding of our business and lives to advocate for us and lend us help. If I could have been anonymous on FB I would have torn them a new one.