Dallas blogs for Babeland and is a regular Sugasm submitter. Her writings cover a wide subject range from first time anal sex adventures to updates on the Alabama sex toy ban.

I goofed in my first question and Dallas thought I was asking her to define a sex worker. I’m happy for my mistake because she sent me a kick ass definition!

2-3 sentences describing sex worker
Renegades and revolutionaries who insist, with their actions and words, that sex is not a dirty, shameful secret. Sex work of all kinds acknowledges that humans have sex and that they want and need information and services related to sex.

What kind of sex work are you currently doing?
I work as a sex educator at Babeland - a women owned and run sex toy shop. I answer people’s questions about vibrators, anal sex, bdsm, strap-ons and more and help them pick out the right toy for them. I love my work at Babeland because I believe that sex-positive sex toy stores are a completely new environment for most people. Sex and information about sex is not shunned, it is celebrated. Voice and authority is held by the sex educators who are those traditionally without power (lesbians, trans people, poor people, sex workers, etc). Time spent at Babeland has the potential to shift people’s long held norms about gender and sexuality - that is truly powerful.

Are you active in sex worker activism? If so, what are you doing?
I blog for Babeland where I promote positive views of sexuality and of sex workers as much as I can. I have the opportunity to highlight events and publications that support sex workers and by aligning Babeland with sex workers, we have the opportunity to help change other people’s minds.

What do you think is the best way to promote solidarity with fellow sex workers?
Babeland offers discounts to all sex workers - and I hope that all sex workers see Babeland as a safe space staffed by kindred spirits. I also love SPREAD magazine and their events are places of community. Sex workers can be very isolated or working daily with fantastic coworkers - we need to find ways for everyone to come together to support each other.

What project(s) are you working on now?
My biggest project remains the Babeland blog. I am also writing on women’s relationship to pornography both as consumers and producers.

—

Dallas’ interview has me thinking about sex worker spaces. She’s right-we need to find ways to come together. Creating spaces where sex workers can relax, let down their guard and talk about work with understanding peers is important. The more spaces we have to meet, the more opportunities we have to help each other.

Meeting for coffee to talk about work is great for all sorts of workers. It’s especially important for sex workers since so many aspects of our work is isolating. My sex worker friends and I agree that we can call each other any time to talk about work. Having a bad session can ruin your day. Some guys are so mean, so vicious that I’ve hung up the phone in tears (and resolve not to let them get to me like that again). But after a good bitch session, the tears are long gone and we’re both laughing from how ludicrous our clients can be.

I love that Babeland is so sex worker friendly. The first time I was in their store I was very accepted and have been on my subsequent visits. I’m mostly out of the closet with what I do. However, I tend to get to know people first before telling them I’m in the sex industry. It is so freeing to disclose one’s work without being judged. And that sex worker discount is touching too.

Back when Latex Geezer was still alive I took him to a Babeland store. He was incredibly closeted in his normal life due to the nature of his career. We were shopping for toys and the worker that day was very helpful. LG turned several shades of red when her and I were discussing the best strap-on to use on him. Afterwards he told me he had never discussed his kink so openly in public before. It was a good experience for him.

If you’re a sex worker and would like to be interviewed (just a few questions, via email) write me at radicalvixenatgmaildotcom

Sex Worker Solidarity Series
Sex Worker Solidarity: Introduction
Sex Worker Solidarity: Audacia Ray

Posted by Vixen in PSO Confessions, Interviews, Sex Workers