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August 10th, 2011

Can’t See The Forest For The Trees

“Out in the woods is better-it’s more like nature.”
-new client

Posted by Vixen as Quote Book at 9:59 AM CDT

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August 9th, 2011

UK Riots

UK Riots

The UK riots-have you been a news junkie like me today? For the last few hours I’ve been reading online and watching videos. Seeing the riot fires in London is somehow surreal and I’m not sure why. I didn’t get that feeling after the Vancouver riots. Maybe it’s the way they’re spreading from city to city like an invisible fuse is slowing burning through the country.

Here’s some of what I’ve been reading:

General news about the riots can be found at the BBC’s Live: UK riots page. Some riot photos can be seen here and also at this Flickr group.

From SkyNews:
Man Shot By Police ‘Did Not Open Fire’
“The victim of a police shooting did not fire at officers before he was killed, according to a report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

An IPCC ballistics report said there was “no evidence” that a handgun found near where Mark Duggan was shot by armed officers had been used.

The 29-year-old died after a gunshot to the chest on Thursday. The death sparked the first night of rioting in London in Tottenham.”

And two commentary pieces that make some very good points.

From Penny Red:
Panic on the streets of London.
“Violence is rarely mindless. The politics of a burning building, a smashed-in shop or a young man shot by police may be obscured even to those who lit the rags or fired the gun, but the politics are there. Unquestionably there is far, far more to these riots than the death of Mark Duggan, whose shooting sparked off the unrest on Saturday, when two police cars were set alight after a five-hour vigil at Tottenham police station. A peaceful protest over the death of a man at police hands, in a community where locals have been given every reason to mistrust the forces of law and order, is one sort of political statement. Raiding shops for technology and trainers that cost ten times as much as the benefits you’re no longer entitled to is another. A co-ordinated, viral wave of civil unrest across the poorest boroughs of Britain, with young people coming from across the capital and the country to battle the police, is another.

(snip)

Riots are about power, and they are about catharsis. They are not about poor parenting, or youth services being cut, or any of the other snap explanations that media pundits have been trotting out: structural inequalities, as a friend of mine remarked today, are not solved by a few pool tables. People riot because it makes them feel powerful, even if only for a night. People riot because they have spent their whole lives being told that they are good for nothing, and they realise that together they can do anything – literally, anything at all. People to whom respect has never been shown riot because they feel they have little reason to show respect themselves, and it spreads like fire on a warm summer night. And now people have lost their homes, and the country is tearing itself apart.”

The above blogger wrote her post while there was rioting nearby. I don’t think I could stay calm enough to not only blog but to make excellent social commentary too. Impressive.

And another commentary, this time from the Guardian:
There is a context to London’s riots that can’t be ignored
“Since the coalition came to power just over a year ago, the country has seen multiple student protests, occupations of dozens of universities, several strikes, a half-a-million-strong trade union march and now unrest on the streets of the capital (preceded by clashes with Bristol police in Stokes Croft earlier in the year). Each of these events was sparked by a different cause, yet all take place against a backdrop of brutal cuts and enforced austerity measures. The government knows very well that it is taking a gamble, and that its policies run the risk of sparking mass unrest on a scale we haven’t seen since the early 1980s. With people taking to the streets of Tottenham, Edmonton, Brixton and elsewhere over the past few nights, we could be about to see the government enter a sustained and serious losing streak.

The policies of the past year may have clarified the division between the entitled and the dispossessed in extreme terms, but the context for social unrest cuts much deeper. The fatal shooting of Mark Duggan last Thursday, where it appears, contrary to initial accounts, that only police bullets were fired, is another tragic event in a longer history of the Metropolitan police’s treatment of ordinary Londoners, especially those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, and the singling out of specific areas and individuals for monitoring, stop and search and daily harassment.”

And of course there’s The Clash song-London’s Burning.

Posted by Vixen as News at 11:30 PM CDT

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August 8th, 2011

Slut Walks In Ms. Magazine

Slut Walks In Ms. Magazine

Ms. Magazine sent me a few articles to preview for their upcoming issue. I was happy to see they wrote an article on the recent Slut Walks.

From Taking Slut for a Walk:
“And so the SlutWalk was born. Since the first march in April of this year, it has reached 45 U.S. cities and 13 other countries, including Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and, most recently, India.”

I love that the Slut Walk is now up to 14 countries. How cool is that? I’m excited about participating in my first Slut Walk later this year and am already brainstorming what my sign will say. (I love the “Consent matters NOT clothes pictured above.) This new protest has caught on so quickly! It’s so inspiring to see younger feminists and activists joining the cause for sexual freedom.

“While thousands have joined the cause, the SlutWalk movement has also created some controversy in feminist circles because of the word slut.

(snip)

But marchers do believe they can reclaim the term. Said organizers of SlutWalk Seattle in an online statement: “One of the most effective ways to fight hate is to disarm the derogatory terms employed by haters, embracing them and giving them positive connotations.”

As a Pagan I hesitated calling myself a “Pagan” in the past. Like slut, the word pagan has so much stigma and negative propaganda attached to it. In college a lesbian friend decided to identify herself as a dyke to reclaim the word. Others may have still judged the word but her action really inspired me and I decided to start identifying as a Pagan. Previously I had identified as a Wiccan because it was more accepted and less of a shocker religious word. I found a freedom and exhilaration in reclaiming labels. It made me more comfortable with my often uncommon religion and made me a stronger activist.

I support activists and fellow feminists who want to reclaim the word slut. Why should we let anti-sex people shame us for our sexual activities and the way we dress? The more we use the word and shout our solidarity the less it can be used to shame and blame. Yes it may take some time. But over the years when I’ve identified myself as Pagan I’ve noticed less and less shock. Yes I still may have to explain it and debunk some myths but more people have heard of the word and are open to hearing a different definition. It’s my hope that the more slut is used positively and the more slut pride is claimed that one day the positive connotations to the word will outweigh the negatives.

Posted by Vixen as News, Activism at 5:32 PM CDT

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July 30th, 2011

Proof Safe Sex Is Patriotic

I saw this on a gas station bathroom condom machine the other day.

Freedom Tickler condoms

The text says:
French Freedom Tickler
Tickle her fancy with the real thing…It’s the Patriotic thing to do!

Posted by Vixen as Sex Toys at 3:47 PM CDT

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July 23rd, 2011

Sex Worker Billboard Fundraiser

Sex Worker Billboard Fundraiser

From Epic Step:
SWAAY’s Sex Work Definition Billboard
“SWAAY’s mission is simple: to grow the American sex workers’ rights movement through real public outreach and providing accessible information about sex work to general audiences. Through our educational web site, we aim to draw in people who are new to sex workers’ rights issues and help them understand what sex workers do and who we are, give them information about how to be respectful allies and ethical customers, and motivate them to support sex workers in changing the bad laws and social stigmas that affect our lives.

In response to increasing pressures from anti-sex worker campaigns this summer, SWAAY would like our friends and allies to help us put up what would be the first sex workers’ rights billboard in America. We’re starting with answering the first question: what is sex work? (Note: you will not be billed at the time you pledge, but at the end of the 30 day fundraising period if the campaign is successful.)”

I love this billboard idea. Let’s make this happen!

Posted by Vixen as Activism, Sex Workers at 10:47 PM CDT

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July 17th, 2011

#OccupyWallstreet

#OccupyWallStreet

From Adbusters:
#OCCUPYWALLSTREET
“The time has come to deploy this emerging stratagem against the greatest corrupter of our democracy: Wall Street, the financial Gomorrah of America.

On September 17, we want to see 20,000 people flood into lower Manhattan, set up tents, kitchens, peaceful barricades and occupy Wall Street for a few months. Once there, we shall incessantly repeat one simple demand in a plurality of voices.

(snip)

The most exciting candidate that we’ve heard so far is one that gets at the core of why the American political establishment is currently unworthy of being called a democracy: we demand that Barack Obama ordain a Presidential Commission tasked with ending the influence money has over our representatives in Washington. It’s time for DEMOCRACY NOT CORPORATOCRACY, we’re doomed without it.

This demand seems to capture the current national mood because cleaning up corruption in Washington is something all Americans, right and left, yearn for and can stand behind. If we hang in there, 20,000-strong, week after week against every police and National Guard effort to expel us from Wall Street, it would be impossible for Obama to ignore us. Our government would be forced to choose publicly between the will of the people and the lucre of the corporations.”

Now you know I love revolutionary talk like this. However, I am skeptical if this would work. Say there really is tens of thousands occupying Wallstreet come September. The big demand is for a Presidential Commission tasked with something? Really? That’s it?! How about an immediate law to end Corporate Personhood? That sounds better to me. A commission can hem and haw and wring their hands and technically meet protesters demands.

Still though something needs to be done-that’s painfully obvious. Massive protests have worked in other countries-surely we can do something similar?

You can follow the hashtag #occupywallstreet on Twitter for protest thoughts and ideas.

Posted by Vixen as Activism at 12:27 PM CDT

1 Comment »

July 11th, 2011

Interview With A New Mexico Escort

Jennifer is an escort working in New Mexico. She graciously agreed to be interviewed about the recent prostitution bust in Albuquerque. The David Flory she refers to is the man accused of running the Southwest Companions website and other charges.

How did you find out about the Albuquerque bust?
Texts and messages started flooding in immediately. Everyone who heard contacted me pretty quick.
Friends sent me links to different stories.

How has your escort business been affected?
It has been devastated and I guess that was their goal. The business completely died immediately after the story broke. Only a very few long time clients are still in contact right now, and half of them weren’t associated with SWC at all.

What’s the vibe in the escort community right now?
I know very little because I haven’t had much communication with anyone. I have no idea who I can trust and who I can’t so I’ve been very cautious. One of my friends took down her website like I did. Another one that I know of at least changed her phone number, although I have no idea how that would help.

How have the clients been reacting to the bust?
Well, the ones I have spoken with have looked for reassurances that they’re still safe with me and are pretty saddened by the loss of the New Mexico community as a whole. No one understands why resources are being wasted like this on our industry, which we view as a “victimless crime” when there is so much serious crime out there that involves violence and theft and destruction.

How does this bust affect escorts communicating with each other and with clients?
Well as I’ve said, there is very little communication now, which creates a very dangerous environment for all of us. This “prostitution ring” was really a website designed for open communication and safety, and of course a little free advertising. It was the place we could discuss clients and verify with each other who was honest and good and who was freaky, violent or a rip off artist. The same goes for the men. They knew which girls were not only talented, but also who was drugged out or known to be a thief. We could discuss who played unsafely and who had good reputations for practicing safe sex. All that is gone now, and we’re all back to playing blind so to speak.

How will these arrests affect safety practices amongst escorts?
When we see sad circumstances of young girls being pimped and controlled and mistreated, and then even more horrific stories like the West Mesa Murders, it creates a feeling that “something should be done”. The saddest part is that Southwest Companions was created exactly for that purpose and now it’s gone. They’ve destroyed the community of safety we built to enable us to work independently.

I would beg women to just hang on through this tough time, work to build back trust among us, and continue to communicate with each other. Don’t turn to the streets or the truck stops or to pimps for protection. Don’t let feelings of desperation or despair make you reckless. Stay strong, stay clean, stay smart.

What are your opinions of the media coverage?
Well it was definitely the hot button story for a few days. The writing was pretty skewed in the direction of making David seem evil. Mostly, it was pretty much just regurgitated repetition, thankfully (in this case) no one really does serious investigative reporting anymore. It was easy for me to see that not much is known about how our industry really works.

Several women were accused of being prostitutes in the media before being found guilty of it. Have you heard how these women have been affected? What do you think about the media doing this?
Well, I have to defend the media on this one. The women that they accused of being prostitutes had full web sites claiming to be talented escorts, containing pictures and detailed descriptions of what they would do and how they would pleasure someone during a date and had their hourly rates posted. It’s pretty hard at that point to quibble over who might be a what.

The Dateline special portrayed the ABQ police as wanting to help New Mexico prostitutes (ex the West Mesa Murders) and yet the police are busting women and men in the ABQ area. Do you think this bust will negatively affect future progress on the case?
Omg, I can’t even imagine! I’m afraid of more escorts moving to the streets after losing their main internet business. I know that by destroying trust and communication avenues the only willing participants with police are going to be girls who are being threatened by the police because of their minor children or drugs. How reliable will those be? By arresting the decent paying clients it’s only going to create a desperation that may drive girls to be more reckless with which Johns they go with, leaving them wide open to freaks and killers.

What actions would you like to see the sex worker activist community doing about this bust?
I’m not sure what can be done. We need to rebuild a forum for referencing safe people, places, and practices.

What can sex worker supporters do to help escorts?
It mainly depends on voting for the right people and ideas, especially on local levels. We need to put pressure on our governments to put the money and resources into the projects that are really important.

Prostitution busts are often portrayed as necessary to get women out of the escort business. Do you think women quit the business and get “socially accepted” jobs because of busts like this?
I don’t know. Two women I know well already have regular jobs and I think that’s really common. One is a teacher who is divorced with two children; she got into the business when she was facing foreclosure on her house. The other has been working a job, going to school and still works in the business to stay afloat. I’m disabled and unable to work a normal job. I’m in the business so I can afford my doctors and medications. My medications alone run about $1,200.00 a month. I’ve been on the waiting list for state medical care for over 3 years now.

What are your opinions on governments and societies telling consenting adults what they can and can’t do with their time, bodies and money?
Oh I could go on forever about how wrong the system is. I think most of the ridiculous laws were brought about through good intentions of creating an environment of protection for it’s citizens but hundreds of years worth of history has proven that it doesn’t work. People are not better people because they live under thick layers of blanket laws that don’t take individual circumstances into account.

Any other thoughts on the bust that you’d like to share?
I’d like to give my personal opinion on David Flory, as someone who knew him and worked with him. Although we, the local working girls of New Mexico, would get frustrated with him for encouraging so many outside girls to travel to New Mexico for work, he wasn’t a bad guy. He took over the site to keep it from getting lost and falling apart. He recognized the need for service that the site provided and he was dedicated to keeping the hobby fun and safe for everybody. He never pressured or forced or intimidated or threatened or “pimped” or “managed” anyone. His biggest error was trying to encourage out of state girls to visit. In his mind, and the minds of the other men that were arrested, it was about increasing the variety of girls to choose from.

Posted by Vixen as Interviews, Sex Workers at 10:10 PM CDT

1 Comment »

July 7th, 2011

Yoga Couple

yoga couple

From this gallery. The guy is doing a yoga pose. That’s a great one for stretching out the thigh muscles.

Posted by Vixen as Sexy Sensations at 4:40 PM CDT

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July 5th, 2011

Anatomy Lesson

“I’ve got ten inches. Where does it go inside? Does it go up into your stomach or something?”
-new client

Posted by Vixen as Quote Book at 8:26 AM CDT

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July 4th, 2011

Move To Amend

Move To Amend

Found via BoingBoing:
Move To Amend
“On January 21, 2010, with its ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the Supreme Court ruled that corporations are persons, entitled by the U.S. Constitution to buy elections and run our government. Human beings are people; corporations are legal fictions.

We, the People of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United, and move to amend our Constitution to:

* Firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.

* Guarantee the right to vote and to participate, and to have our vote and participation count.

* Protect local communities, their economies, and democracies against illegitimate “preemption” actions by global, national, and state governments.

The Supreme Court is misguided in principle, and wrong on the law. In a democracy, the people rule. We Move to Amend.”

Moving to abolish corporate personhood is one of the most patriotic things I can think of for today. Should it take a constitutional amendment to do it? Well no. It never should have been made law in the first place. But in the aftermath of the Supreme Court decision what options do we have?

Posted by Vixen as News at 12:07 PM CDT

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July 3rd, 2011

Sex News Roundup

Sex News Roundup

From Melissa Gira’s Tumblr:
Hype, Hustle, Harm: Why Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, and the DNA Foundation Need To Stand Down
“Hype. First, terminology. “Sex slavery” is a hot issue, and a non-issue. I refuse to use the term “sex slavery,” because all of the people, practices and conditions that the term “sex slavery” has been applied to vary so greatly. It’s a huge mistake to label absolutely everyone involved in commercial sex as a “sex slave.” Even when people are coerced into selling or trading sex, it is not clear that calling forced labor or rape a form of “slavery” is accurate or beneficial. By using very emotional terms like “slavery,” paired with images of young girls — and usually girls of color — campaigns against “sex slavery” play on stereotypes, fears, and melodrama in order to gain public support. Anyone who faces force, fraud, or coercion in the sex trade does not benefit from having their whole lives reduced to “slavery,” “trafficking,” or “exploitation.” People in the sex trade are not slaves in need of rescue. They do not need saviors, no matter how well-intentioned. They need power and control over their own lives.”

Preach it Melissa! I agree with her 100%. I also wonder what Kutcher’s and Moore’s real reasons for promoting this campaign.

The first time I saw Kutcher’s “Real men don’t buy girls” ad I thought well of course they don’t. Real men rent adult women’s time. Melissa is spot on-labeling all sex work as sex slavery is a huge mistake. I’m a sex worker and am certainly not a sex slave.

While researching the recent prostitution bust in New Mexico I came across a website devoted to the Long Island Serial Killer.
There’s a lot on the site-emails people have sent in, a chatroom for people to discuss the case, a profile of the killer, a timeline of the murders and more.

On one hand a site like this could stir up unhelpful rumors about the case. It’s even possible the killer himself could send false flag information to a site like this. Doubtful yes but still possible. But the site keeps the murders current. The more the murders can be kept in the news and in the public’s mind the better I think. Maybe the West Mesa Murders should have a similar site?

Recently New York and Rhode Island took two different paths for gay marriage.

From the Advocate:
New York says”I Do”
“In a historic vote with far-reaching implications, the New York State Senate passed the marriage equality bill Friday, making New York the sixth and most populous state in addition to Washington, D.C., to offer civil marriage for same-sex couples.

The 33-29 vote, including four Republicans, came at the end of the legislative session and capped a dramatic week in Albany, where loud protests for and against the bill, many based in religious belief, filled the hallways outside the Senate chamber and the majority conference room at the state capitol. New York became the first state with a Republican-controlled legislative body to pass a marriage equality bill, following passage multiple times in the Democratic-controlled state Assembly since 2007. ”

Yes, yes and YES!

Also from the Advocate:
R.I. Gov Signs Civil Unions Law
“Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee Saturday signed into law a controversial civil unions bill that failed to please many gay activists, who had hoped for marriage rights instead and objected to the bill’s broad exemptions for religious institutions.

Chafee, an independent who supports marriage equality, said at the signing that he sympathized with the criticism of the civil unions bill, but he also said it “brings tangible rights and benefits to thousands of Rhode Islanders,” the Associated Press reports.”

A frustrating compromise but still it’s progress.

From San Francisco Gate:
US Airways let man wearing women’s panties fly
“Six days before a college football player was arrested at San Francisco International Airport in a dispute that began because he tried to board a US Airways jet with sagging pants, a man who was wearing little but women’s undergarments was allowed to fly the airline, a US Airways spokeswoman conceded Tuesday.

(snip)

A photo of the scantily clad man was provided to The Chronicle by Jill Tarlow, a passenger on the June 9 flight from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Phoenix. Tarlow said that other passengers had complained to airline workers before the plane boarded, but that employees had ignored those complaints.”

This news is a bit old but I got several emails asking me to blog about it. I’m so curious about this man. Is he a brave crossdresser? If so then I say-you go girl! The lipstick, necklace and pose suggest crossdressing.

On the other hand I wonder if this guy is fucking with the TSA. Just think if he went through the pat down line. How much would that freak the TSA agent out? I love that idea. Really I’m a fan of either scenario.

But shame on the people who are complaining. What’s more offensive? A guy wearing feminine clothing in public or the government legally allowing molestations of adults and children at airports?

Posted by Vixen as News, Sex Workers at 11:35 PM CDT

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July 1st, 2011

Judgement Day For Saint Anna Nicole

Saint Anna Nicole

From E Online:
It’s Over! Supreme Court Smacks Down Anna Nicole Smith Estate’s Claim to Late Hubby’s Fortune
“The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a ruling Thursday denying the descendants of the ex-Playboy Playmate the $89 million-plus judgment previously awarded to her from late oil baron husband J. Howard Marshall’s estate.

(snip)

In a 5 to 4 vote, the justices sided with the Marshall clan which claimed that Smith was entitled to not one penny of Marshall’s $1.6 billion fortune. The verdict caps a 15-year legal battle that began in 1996, when the blonde bombshell sued her stepson Pierce Marshall for half his father’s millions, claiming the elder Marshall promised to leave her $300 million.”

I know, I know-she got pretty wacky near the end of her life. But I still stand by my conviction that Anna Nicole earned some of that $1.6 billion fortune. All of it? No. But she still deserved a portion.

This judgement seals the deal for her sainthood. Remember, traditional saints often suffered greatly in their mortal lives before they were elevated to sainthood. Anna Nicole suffered many hardships and lost her fortune thus she is the Matron Saint of Golddiggers.

Posted by Vixen as News, Sex Workers at 9:54 PM CDT

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June 26th, 2011

Review: Bacon Chocolate Bar

As soon as I saw a bacon chocolate bar existed I had to try it. The other day a Mo’s Dark Chocolate Bacon bar was mine:

Bacon Chocolate Bar

The bar looks like a typical chocolate bar. Please excuse the waviness on the square here. I forgot to put it in the fridge and it got a little soft. A few hours in the fridge hardened it back up but the bar has chocolate waves now.

Bacon Chocolate Bar

The taste is anything but typical. The bacon taste hit my tongue first with the chocolate coming in right behind. This is one amazing treat. It’s an intense taste and one square satisfies my sweet teeth.

Bacon Chocolate Bar

But it’s not overly sweet though. The bacon really is the predominant flavor. I tend to crave a snack that’s sweet and salty. This bacon bar is perfect for those cravings.

It’s not a cheap candy bar. This baby cost me $9 online. Nine bucks for a chocolate bar feels silly since my normal bars cost a third of this one. But then the bacon chocolate bar tastes so decadent that it was totally worth it. Vosges Chocolate makes the bar. Their website has so many drool worthy snacks-like the bacon truffles. Yum!

Posted by Vixen as Reviews at 11:08 PM CDT

2 Comments »

June 23rd, 2011

New Mexico Prostitution Bust

NM Prostitution Bust

From the NY Post:
Upper West Side prof ran hooker Web site: cops
“This physics professor was a little too interested in human anatomy.

A college teacher from the Upper West Side known as a nerdy scientist and doting grandfather had a shocking second life — running a New Mexico-based prostitution ring that sold high-priced hookers to randy rednecks, police said yesterday.

David Flory, 68, of Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey — a specialist in quantum theory and its relation to astronomy — will need more than an advanced degree to beat the 40 felony counts of promoting prostitution that landed him in an Albuquerque jail cell on $100,000 bail.

(snip)

Flory’s high-security “Southwest Companions” had an impressive client list of about 1,400 johns, whom he hooked up with a stable of 200 cybersluts. They included Phoenix hooker Andrea Moorehead, who offered a $1,400 date that promises “two hours out/two hours in,” police said.”

One thing you can’t see in the above snippet is the words in the url to the story. The phrase “master of the tarts” is in the permalink. Not that I expect high journalism from the NY Post but still that phrase is so bad.

What really pisses me off is several stories called “Andrea Moorehead” a hooker. Not an accused hooker, not accused of prostitution but a hooker. Some may say this is a minor point but I don’t think so. I haven’t come across anything that says Moorehead has been proven guilty of prostitution. She hasn’t had her day in court. Any yet many news stories that I read today go ahead and try to slut shame her with the hooker label. So far all the stories I’ve seen about the two men arrested have made sure to include “accused” or “alleged” while talking about them. This story and many others also lead with a sexy picture of a woman that was part of the Southwest Companions website. So tasteless-using a picture like that because sex sells while condemning prostitution.

If you scroll to the bottom of the story you’ll see some good comments. The very first one is from Annie Sprinkle herself! She says “Sex workers and academics are a wonderful complimentary blend.” Right on sister!

From the Albuquerque Journal:
BREAKING: Prostitution Probe Expands To Ex-UNM President
“Albuquerque police said this afternoon that former University of New Mexico President F. Chris Garcia’s alleged role in a prostitution ring was to go out and solicit new “talent.”

They said Garcia, 71, was an alleged member of the ring’s “Hunt Club,” in charge of soliciting women for the business.

Police said they don’t believe Garcia’s motive was to make money but rather to provide a safe place for prostitution without risk of arrest.

Garcia has been booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on a $35,000 cash or surety bond on charges of promoting prostitution, tampering with evidence and conspiracy, MDC records show.”

I almost blogged about this bust last night. But it was late and the post was only half done so I decided to put it off. When I picked it up today I found the above story. Wow, I didn’t expect a former college president to be involved. This story has so many twists.

From KOB:
Former online prostitution website owner arrested
“A second arrest was made in the case of David Flory, the New Jersey professor arrested in Albuquerque for running an online prostitution ring.

A woman who may have owned the website before Flory is now facing charges.

(snip)

She is charged with intimidation of a witness and accused of harassing a woman who may have helped police take down David Flory.”

She allegedly made threats on a website that was known to be infiltrated by the police? If this is true then what the hell was she thinking? Surely police are monitoring the site even more since this story hit the media.

One thing I haven’t been seeing mention of is the West Mesa Murders. I blogged about them here and here. The murders now have their own Wiki page.

The West Mesa Murders are still unsolved and the killer could still be alive and free somewhere. The NM police have repeatedly asked prostitutes to volunteer any information they may have. But in the light of this prostitution bust what person would? What prostitute could trust the NM police to not arrest her even if she had useful information? I worry this bust and the publicity around it could hurt the West Mesa investigation; that makes me angry and frustrated with our justice system.

The police has said they care about these dead women and want to bring the killer to justice. Don’t they see how such a bust could hurt the investigation?

And are they really helping the living prostitutes? No, they want to arrest the living ones and lock them away for daring to make a living with their bodies. How many women, and men, are going to lose business over this? Will their work bounce back in time to pay their rent and other bills?

Why are the dead women in need of justice while living prostitutes need to be punished and/or changed into “acceptable” citizens? When will prostitutes get the respect and justice they deserve whether they are alive or dead?

And when will we finally decriminalize prostitution? It’s 2011-shouldn’t women have full control of what goes in and out of their bodies by now?

Posted by Vixen as News, Sex Workers at 11:11 PM CDT

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