Opinion 15
epigram 26.10.2021
Sex work in Bristol: misogyny or feminist empowerment? There is something undeniably misogynistic about the belief that any woman who flaunts her sexuality can only do so out of desperation Lauren Sanderson
arguing that the council has a responsibility to prevent attitudes that lead to harassment. However, the controversial proposal has also faced significant backlash from both Bristol’s sex workers and the wider feminist community. The decision to restrict women’s choice to work in a safe and regulated environment is simply another example of outdated and oppressive morals, based on the belief that only womEnglish and Philosophy, Second Year en deemed as morally acceptable are deserving of protection. This is the exact perception of sex tripping and the world of workers that intersectional feminism sex work has long been a has been working for years to repoint of contentious discusverse. The stereotype of the stripper sion amongst modern feminists. In a as the passive, promiscuous or stupid generation where the right to choose woman who lacks the will or intelliexists at the heart of intersectional gence to say no reduces sex work to feminism, is strip work to be seen as victimhood. an act of empowerment, or one that Why are financially self-suffisanctions and reinforces the comcient women who modification of the choose, with their female body? This is the debate The limiting of women's own free will, to at the forefront of choice to enter into sec profit from their being Bristol City Council’s work is becoming more sexuality reduced to vicefforts to withdraw prevalent worldwide tims, and why is licences for sexual this not a greater entertainment venues concern than their apparent objectiin the city, a proposal being strongly fication? fought for by the Bristol Women’s There is something undeniably Commission. misogynistic about the belief that The limiting of women’s choice any woman who flaunts her sexualito enter into sex work is becoming more and more prevalent worldwide, with Iceland making the drastic move to make any commodification of nudity illegal as of 2010. Had campaigners succeeded in implementing the radical ban, Bristol would have become the biggest city in the UK to ban lap dancing and strip clubs. Campaigners in favour of closing Bristol’s two clubs have pointed to strip work as a breeding ground for a misogynistic culture that normalises violence against women - the stereotype that strip clubs are sleazy places where consent must be bought seems prevalent within their arguments. Such views have garnered significant support amongst Bristol’s political figures, with the proposal gaining approval from the leader of Bristol city council’s ruling Labour group, the city mayor, and Avon and Somerset’s police commissioner. The proposal’s supporters have pointed to equality legislation as its grounds,
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tionships with authorities, you take ty can only do so out of desperation, away their ability to demand their rather than confidence and empowrights and better working standards. erment. The barrister for Bristol strip club Even the supporters of sex work Central Chambers told Bristol City do not deny the professions potential Council that ‘Feminism fails when it to become exploitative, with human tells a woman what she can and cantrafficking often cited in arguments not do with her body’. When camopposing the industry. paigners claim that strip work can However, the same poor labour only exist in an environment that practices present in the sex industry harbours misogyny, they reinforce - like low, unfair wages and assault centuries of ingrained slut-shaming - are equally present in other indusCourtesy of @central_chambers | Instagram that tell women we are not allowed tries where workplace environments to define the uses of our bodies. are poorly regulated. Construction, Criminalising one of the oldest inmining, agriculture, and other fields dustries in the world, while assuming who work in them are protected.’ She dominated by workers from low-inthat the workers involved will simworries that ‘If you bring in this polcome backgrounds all have high ply get through, reflects a blinding icy, I am fearful of what will become rates of labour trafficking. The exploitation involved in sex work Should strip work be seen as an act of empowerment or one and stripping cannot that sanctions and reinforces the commodificaiton of the female simply be reduced to body? the gender imbalance of the occupation - the ignorance of the danger involved in of the industry’. conditions that foster abusive enviputting hundreds of workers out of Sex work is not just going away, ronments are complex and require legally paid work. and female sex workers, including genuine legal regulation. The belief The shaming and ostracisation of strip club dancers, already face exthat restricting legal access to sex women who choose to work in lap treme ostracisation. Making Bristol work – particularly in strip clubs dancing or strip clubs is not the aninto a community where sex workers will make all sex work and any poor swer to the exploitation present in are further marginalised and offered labour practices prevalent within it the industry. Instead, by supporting little legal protection, simply endisappear, is absurd. these platforms, we can ensure the courages the human rights abuses of Co-owner of Bristol’s Urban Tiger participation of sex workers in the these women. and Central Chambers Carrie Hale policies and laws that regulate and When you take away both their described her clubs as ‘Well-run protect their rights and safety. working platforms and their relavenues where the women and men
Courtesy of @central_chambers | Instagram
Courtesy of @central_chambers | Instagram