For Winter Solstice I celebrated in two ways today. First up was a long walk with the dog in the woods so we could commune with nature. Then later in the afternoon I renewed my membership with the Free Speech Coalition.
I like to donate to organizations in December. Maybe it’s my version of the holiday spirit or me just waxing nostalgic about the year’s end. Either way it just seems appropriate to do this time of year. In this economy I know it’s hard to donate to organizations on top of your normal bills. But if you can donate, even if it’s just a little, here are some organizations I like:
Free Speech Coalition
“The Free Speech Coalition is the trade association for the adult entertainment industry. Our members consist of a broad range of adult businesses from producers and webmasters to manufacturers, retailers and many, many more.”
I’ve heard the FSC referred to as the ACLU of the adult industry. I think the description is apt.You don’t have to be in the sex biz to donate.
Planned Parenthood
“We are a trusted health care provider, an informed educator, a passionate advocate, and a global partner helping similar organizations around the world. Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of women, men, and young people worldwide.”
I’ve visited several Planned Parenthoods in several states and have always gotten excellent care. They’re the only health service that I felt comfortable enough to tell them I was a sex worker.
Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
“From the Internet to the iPod, technologies are transforming our society and empowering us as speakers, citizens, creators, and consumers. When our freedoms in the networked world come under attack, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is the first line of defense. EFF broke new ground when it was founded in 1990 — well before the Internet was on most people’s radar — and continues to confront cutting-edge issues defending free speech, privacy, innovation, and consumer rights today. From the beginning, EFF has championed the public interest in every critical battle affecting digital rights.”
The EFF is one of the most important activist groups out there. Consistently they step up to defend our freedom on the internet and for that I love them.
$pread Magazine
“The idea for $pread Magazine was conceived in New York City in the spring of 2004 by Rachel Aimee, Rebecca Lynn, and Raven Strega. Tired of seeing sex workers misrepresented and sensationalized in the media, we decided to create a space for sex workers to speak for themselves. We didn’t have any experience in publishing, but step-by-step we gathered submissions, recruited more staff, took a crash course in design software, and raised the money to print the first issue by throwing benefit parties. $pread was launched on March 15th, 2005, and by the end of that first year our unique, quarterly magazine had received the Utne Independent Press Award for Best New Title.”
The importance of a space for sex workers to speak can’t be emphasized enough. We are misrepresented and sensationalized in the media. $pread Magazine is a small magazine with a shoe string budget and dedicated volunteers. I donate to them every year.
Sex Worker Outreach Project (SWOP)
“Sex Workers Outreach Project-USA is a national social justice network dedicated to the fundamental human rights of sex workers and their communities, focusing on ending violence and stigma through education and advocacy.”
Hearing the names of the slain sex workers at this year’s Dec. 17th reminded me of the importance of supporting organization like SWOP.
Posted by Vixen as Activism at 10:15 PM CST
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When the Tiger Woods scandal first broke I just ignored it. A famous sports player fucked around on his wife? That’s not news. But I’ll admit that when the cuckolding angle came into it I was entertained. Still though, it’s not really news. It’s of interest to his wife of course but it’s a private matter.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way.
From The Guardian:
Tiger Woods’s cold embrace
“Tiger Woods’ self-imposed exile from golf is the most stunning – and stunningly rapid – fall from grace in the history of sport.
(snip)
The least attractive part of Woods’ persona – including all his recent peccadilloes – is his complete absence of conscience when it comes to peddling his billion-dollar brand. Tiger’s partnership with Chevron and the financial bandits in Dubai deserves far more scrutiny from the sports press than it’s received (none).
Then there was the Philippines. As detailed in the documentary The Golf War, the Filipino government, in conjunction with the military and developers, attempted in the late nineties to remove thousands of peasants from their land, known as Hacienda Looc, to build a golf course. They resisted and three of the movement’s leaders ended up dead. Where was Woods? He was brought in by the government to play in an exhibition match and sell golf (not explicitly the course, wink, wink), all for an undisclosed fee.
Whoa. The movie is from 1999 but I’ve never heard of it. Was it widely reported back then? Isn’t it a real scandal? I did some research:
From the Golf War’s site:
“When Filipino peasants resist converting their ancestral farmland into a golf resort, they face a bloody struggle against developers and their government. Tracking down both armed guerrillas and golf boosters, including Tiger Woods, the filmmakers reveal a larger, national battle over land and revolution in what the LA Times called a “bombshell of an expose.”
Peasants in a beachfront community called Hacienda Looc have been tilling their land for generations. But, the Filipino government decided to follow a U.S. Agency for International Development-funded report that recommended the area instead be used for tourism. The government illegally sold the peasants’ land for less than it’s worth to the Manila South coast Development Corporation (MSDC). To cover itself, the government later claimed that this fertile mountainous area and tropical paradise was not suited for agriculture. Fil-Estate Land, Inc. is working with the MSDC to develop the Hacienda Looc land into a four-course golf and tourist resort.
When the peasants who live on the land learned of this takeover, they formed an organization called Umalpas-Ka, a chapter of the larger national peasant federation KMP. The developers are working in collusion with the military, as well as with national and local politicians. Meanwhile, three peasant opponents of the golf course construction have been killed. Consequently, many peasants have supported the New People’s Army’s offer to protect their families and their land.”
My Google-fu couldn’t find a film trailer. But I did find a transcript of the film here.
Posted by Vixen as News at 11:46 PM CST
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From this gallery. The model is doing a variation of the shoulder stand. I can do this pose-it’s a fantastic stretch.
Posted by Vixen as Sexy Sensations at 11:31 PM CST
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This Dec. 17th was my first time at an International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers event. It was a somber event but also an inspiring one. I cried, as did others in attendance. But I left with the hope that comes from activist solidarity.
We sex workers have much work to do but we do have each other.
At tonight’s event a bowl was passed around with the victims’ names printed on slips of paper. We took turns saying their names aloud so we could all honor their memory. I drew out the following names:
Patricia Dunn Chicago, IL 1990’s
Sahquanta Langley Chicago, IL 1990’s
Nicole Townsend Chicago, IL 1990’s
I want to research these fallen sex workers. I hope to learn their stories and to write about them. One of the women tonight said “please don’t forget me” after reading her slips of paper. By writing about these women I hope to honor their memory and to raise awareness of violence against sex workers.
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Sex Workers at 11:02 PM CST
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If you’re in New York City, join $pread and out allies in honoring the lives of sex workers and celebrating our communities with a candlelit vigil. Come add your voice to the call to end violence against sex workers at our community speak-out.
Speakers will include community organizers, peer educators, advocates, artists. . . and YOU?
Where: Metropolitan Community Church
446 West 36th Street, Manhattan
When: Thursday December 17th, 8:00pm – 10:00pm
Metrocards available. Please wear red!
For more information, please contact swank @ riseup . net or 212.714.1184 x50
Sponsored by:
Sex Workers Action Network (SWANK)
Sex Workers Organizing Project (SWOP-NYC)
Best Practices Policy Project (BPPP)
Sex Work Awareness (SWA)
$pread Magazine
More information about International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers can be found at SWOP’s site.
Posted by Vixen as Musings, Activism, Sex Workers at 9:43 PM CST
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“I gave up on happiness a long time ago.”
-new client
Posted by Vixen as Quote Book at 12:25 PM CST
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My Fire Imp came last week. I had bought it to support John Unger’s legal fund.
I debated whether to get a painted one. In the end I went for the plain steel. There used to be a local artist that made funky scultures that she never painted. The more they rusted the cooler they looked. I figure the more the Imp rusts the cooler it will look as well.
A side view:
Back view:
He signed the bottom.
The sculpture is 9.5″ high by 9″ wide. The nut is the best part. It makes me think about how our machines will eventually corrode and fade back into nature.
You can see more of John’s art at his site.
Posted by Vixen as Musings at 9:54 PM CST
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Many of my clients borrow their partners’ clothes. Crossdressers will sneak a pair of their wife’s panties out of her drawer. More often than not they’ll cum in them and toss them into the laundry hamper afterward, sure that wifey will never notice. Some will borrow more. Bras, pantyhose, slips and lingerie will be tried on. I’ve had clients put the lingerie back into the dresser, confident their partner won’t notice.
I’m not convinced they’re being so careful. Are they really putting that bra back in the exact right place? Will their girlfriend notice? Will she notice panties in the dirty pile that she didn’t wear? Are they stretching out the lingerie when they wear it? The Fantastic Foot Slut likes to bring his wife’s lingerie to wear for our sessions. The seams stretch when he puts her sheer tank top on. The elastic waistband in her panties cuts into his skin as he struts around for me.
Clients that have a used pantie kink will dig out the dirtiest pair of their girlfriend’s panties out of the hamper. After sucking on and cumming in them they’ll throw them back into the dirty pile. This seems less likely to get them busted-they were already there.
I encourage my clients to get their own clothes. They’ll fit correctly and they won’t have to worry about stretching out their partner’s clothing. Often I recommend Suddenly Fem. Their clothes are designed for men but are quite girlie. Buying online is perfect for guys who are too nervous to buy clothes in person. Victoria’s Secret is by far the most popular store amongst my crossdressing and sissy clients.
Some clients borrow more-some use their partner’s dildos. I try to discourage this. There’s just no way of knowing if they’re going to clean it properly afterward. He’s fucking his ass with it while talking to me and then later his wife will use it on herself. It makes the hypochondriac in me squirm. I always remind them to wash it. I try to make it sound sexy by telling them to imagine that they’re washing up their lover’s cock so I don’t come across as lecturing.
Really though it’s better for them to have their own toys. They can get the length and width they want. They can get a toy that vibrates if they like. And it’s better for their anal health. (That sounds funny but it’s true.) I’ve had more than one client who insisted on fucking himself with a random kitchen implement only to end up with a bloody rectum.
Buying their own toys shows acceptance of their kink. In a way it’s like coming out of the kink closet, even if only to themselves. I tell my clients to treat themselves to new panties or a new pair of heels. It feels good to pamper yourself I tell them.
If they continue to borrow their partners clothes or toys I regularly suggest being careful. It’s easy for them to get careless and not put the heels back in the right place. The Fantastic Foot Slut assures me his wife doesn’t notice that some of her lingerie is stretched out. I’m not so sure.
Posted by Vixen as PSO Confessions at 9:40 PM CST
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Sometimes the calls all come in at once. The phone was quiet all day. Tonight Mr. Radical made some delicious chicken soup for dinner. As I took my first bite the phone rang.
Three calls later I’m still quietly eating my soup. I’ve been employing my “mmm” technique while I put a spoonful in my mouth.
Posted by Vixen as PSO Confessions at 9:13 PM CST
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From this gallery. This looks like it was a fun shoot. There’s several good visual puns.
Posted by Vixen as Sexy Sensations at 11:00 PM CST
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If you liked Buy Nothing Day you might like Buy Nothing Christmas. I think it’s a better holiday.
By the time December 25th rolls around the Christmas music in every damn building I enter has driven me crazy. Jingle Bells at the bank?!? Why? And the fake cinnamon that’s pumped into the stores. Blech!
Burned out on the seemingly endless holiday decorations? Check out the Christmas Resistance page or the Buy Nothing Christmas site for some alternatives.
Posted by Vixen as Activism at 11:25 PM CST
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Sera Miles is organizing a New Mexico event for this year’s International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. From her site:
“International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers: Albuquerque Event
December 17th, 7:30-9:30pm
Location: New Mexico AIDS Services
625 Truman St NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Join us for:A Candle Lighting Ceremony for the Women Murdered and Buried on the West Mesa:
* Victoria Chavez
* Monica Candelaria
* Veronica Romero
* Cinnamon Elks
* Julie Nieto
* Doreen Marquez
* Michelle Valdez (+ her four month old fetus)
* Syllannia Edwards
* Virginia Cloven
* Evelyn Salazar
* 1 as yet unidentified victim
The killer remains at large.
The Albuquerque Police Department’s Web site covers this case here. The killer remains at large.
It’s chilling to look at the ABQ story linked above. Seeing their photos speaks volumes about the importance of International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.
A discussion on violence against transgendered sex workers in Nob Hill and surrounding areas
A discussion on historical relationship between the leather/kink community and the sex work community.
Free HIV Testing
Organized by Sera Miles and Princess Frida. Please email seramiles@gmail.com for more information.”
—
Are you hosting an event for Dec. 17th? If so email me at radicalvixenatgmaildotcom and I will blog about it. More information about International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers can be found at SWOP’s site.
Posted by Vixen as Activism, Sex Workers at 9:35 PM CST
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“Are there any escorts in DC?”
-a new caller
“Sure. There’s tons of congressmen there.”
-me
Posted by Vixen as Quote Book at 11:20 PM CST
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From Towleroad:
Candy: First ‘Transversal Style’ Fashion Magazine Launches
“Luis Venegas, the Madrid-based editor of fashion and art publications including Fanzine 137, has launched his latest.
Called Candy, Venegas describes the publication as the first “Transversal Style” magazine: “the first fashion magazine ever completely dedicated to celebrating transvestism, transexuality, cross dressing and androgyny, in all its manifestations.”"
What a cool idea. There’s a short video of some of the Candy models in the story. Many of my clients would love this magazine.
—
From Boing Boing:
Gay-bashing woman humiliated for wearing hideous skirt
“An angry loser (right) came to Syracuse University to make a fool of herself by spreading pathetic hatred and was treated to a happy mutant style stunt by this smiling student, named Chris Pesto (left).
I decided that because this woman thought it was okay to make me feel uncomfortable in my home, I would retaliate and make her feel just as uncomfortable, if not more.
This woman was wearing a ankle-length corduroy skirt, which, as we all know, is a fashion nono. So, in order to make her feel uncomfortable, I stood next to her and held a sign that said Corduroy skirts are a sin! I don’t think I have ever drawn so much attention in my life. SO many people asked to take a picture with me, I got laughs, high fives and there were the few that even cursed off the woman standing behind me.”"
I love that this guy stood up to homophobia in such a funny way. Sweet. In college I flunked French class because I cut class so much to heckle the crazy campus preacher. He would scream about the Bible to passing students. He called all the women whores and all the men were fags. Such a nutter.
But is a corduroy skirt really a fashion nono? My fashion is hippie style and I always thought they were groovy.
Thanks to reader Nanette for the tip!
—
From Spiegel Online:
Prostitutes Offer Free Climate Summit Sex
“Copenhagen Mayor Ritt Bjerregaard sent postcards to city hotels warning summit guests not to patronize Danish sex workers during the upcoming conference. Now, the prostitutes have struck back, offering free sex to anyone who produces one of the warnings.
Copenhagen’s city council in conjunction with Lord Mayor Ritt Bjerregaard sent postcards out to 160 Copenhagen hotels urging COP15 guests and delegates to ‘Be sustainable - don’t buy sex’.
“Dear hotel owner, we would like to urge you not to arrange contacts between hotel guests and prostitutes,” the approach to hotels says.
Now, Copenhagen prostitutes are up in arms, saying that the council has no business meddling in their affairs. They have now offered free sex to anyone who can produce one of the offending postcards and their COP15 identity card, according to the Web site avisen.dk”
I blogged about this over at the $pread blog. Here’s what I said:
“Prostitution is legal there so these postcards are completely out of line. Clever move for the sex workers.
And how is prostitution not sustainable? That makes no sense. It’s not like the prostitutes have disposable vaginas. They can be reused so if anything prostitution is a renewable resource.
Why does a story about prostitution use a picture that apparently shows strippers? No idea.”
—
From the Business Insider:
Former SAC Capital Employee Details Forced Oral Sex, Hormone Use, Sodomy, And Cross Dressing
“Today, we wrote about how Steven Cohen’s SAC Capital may be the next big FBI insider trading target, partially stemming from ties to the Galleon hedge fund case.
SAC is also in the news because of recently unsealed court documents (below, via Reuters) regarding former SAC analyst Andrew Tong. The documents add shocking details to already reported allegations of extreme sexual harassment at SAC.
This story has scanned pics of the documents.
From CNBC:
Details Emerge in SAC Capital Sex Harassment Case
“Sexual harassment cases are nothing new on Wall Street, but CNBC has uncovered new details of one of the most salacious cases to hit a big trading house in a long time.
The case involves a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a Andrew Z. Tong, a former junior trader at SAC Capital, the powerful Greenwich, Conn., hedge fund, against one of SAC’s top producers, a trader named Ping Jiang.
A New York State judge has sealed the case and sent the lawsuit into arbitration, where both sides would battle it out in private.”
(snip)
The judge said he sealed the details of Tong’s allegations contained in the lawsuit because it is not in the public interest to disclose the salacious nature of the complaints. CNBC has learned the suit includes the following allegations made by Tong against Jiang:
* After being hired at SAC, Tong alleges that Jiang came to him and told him he had a trading method in which his traders must not be too aggressive; that traders must be more effeminate and to do so, he directed Tong to begin taking female hormones.
* Tong says he then took the female hormones that he bought on the black market.
* Tong then alleges he suffered emotional and physical distress. The hormones, he says, caused him to begin wearing women’s clothes. He also could not perform sexually with his wife, who wanted to have a baby.
* Tong says the sexual harassment included sexual relations between the two men.”
There’s a short video about this in the CNBC link. The first story is the most recent, the second is from 2007.
The accusations sound like some of my calls.
Posted by Vixen as News, Sex Workers at 2:33 PM CST
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