Ashley Dupre gave her first interview to Diane Sawyer. The video is Java so I can’t get a direct link to it. However, you can watch it by going to ABC News and searching for “Dupre”.
Bound, not Gagged live blogged the show. A comment on the post sums up my feelings:
“Yes, Karly, Ashley was working, and Diane was her client. Diane requested a special dress for her to wear, looking prim and proper. She wore it. And you can tell by the expressions on Diane’s face that she was REALLY enjoying her time with Ashley. It’s probably been a while since Diane role-played out her rescue-fetish, and Ashley did her very best. And you’ll notice that she would only go so far in doing this, that is, no “tearful breakdown/prostitution ruined me” thing. She’s a professional, and has boundaries.
I rather admire Ashley for this, in a way. But it doesn’t do anything for sex worker activism or sex worker rights.”
Diane Sawyer asked such judgemental questions. I wish a better reporter had interviewed her because I think Dupre has an interesting story. She just didn’t get a chance to share it.
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From Express Buzz:
From the fringes to the mainstream
“Ashodaya, a trust formed by the sex workers, is trying to create a change in the lives of the people in this profession, and the way they are perceived by society.
They have started a restaurant — ‘Hotel Ashodaya’ — that is providing them an alternative source of income.
The hotel serves food prepared by the sex workers, who are trained in cooking.
“I have been trained to cook South Indian dishes. This restaurant has come as a blessing for us as we can earn our living with respect.
Initially, people were a little hesitant to visit the restaurant but now that they have realised that these are our efforts to come into the mainstream, we are getting more support,” said Prakash, a male sex worker.”
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From Eyewitness News:
Homicide Victim Identified as Transgendered Person, Duanna Johnson
“Duanna Johnson was found shot to death in North Memphis, according to her lawyer.
Memphis police say it happened just before midnight at Hollywood near Staten Avenue, Sunday, November 9, 2008.
According to detectives, when officers arrived at the scene, they found the body lying in the street. Police say a witness heard gunfire and then saw three people running away from the scene. Investigators do not have any suspects at this time.”
From Memphis Flyer:
Transgender Beating Victim Found Dead in North Memphis
“Johnson was the victim of a Memphis police brutality case this summer when a video of former officer Bridges McRae beating her in a jail holding area was released to the media.
The video led to the eventual firing of McRae and Officer James Swain. It also led to the formation of a Stop Police Brutality Memphis, a coalition of human rights activists who lobbied the city council for more sensitivity training for Memphis Police officers.”
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From the Los Angeles Times:
Bra for the boys an online bestseller in Japan
“Who said bras are only for women? A Japanese online lingerie retailer is selling bras for cross-dressing men and they’ve quickly become one of its most popular items.
Since launching two weeks ago on Rakuten, a major Japanese web shopping mall, the Wishroom shop has sold over 300 men’s bras for 2,800 yen ($30) each. The shop also stocks men’s panties, as well as lingerie for women.
(snip)
Wishroom Executive Director Akiko Okunomiya said she was surprised at the number of men who were looking for their inner woman.
“I think more and more men are becoming interested in bras. Since we launched the men’s bra, we’ve been getting feedback from customers saying ‘wow, we’d been waiting for this for such a long time’,” she said.”
Posted by Vixen as News at 10:14 PM CST