Do you think there are negative consequences in normalizing SW? Recently, appropriating SW has become a viral trend. Strip-tok took “fuck it I’ll just become a stripper” to a NEW LEVEL. Or should I say a NEW LOW? What society doesn’t grasp is the stigma of being a SWer is painfully real. Throughout history, SWers have been marginalized, ostracized and continue to be criminalized; yet civilians think it’s acceptable to cosplay as us. Whether it’s celebrities using our culture for clout, Tik-tokers pretending to be strippers, bottle girls and bartenders twerking, we are constantly mimicked and mocked. Pole dancers also choose to try to dignify themselves with the hashtag #notastripper. SW isn’t a hobby. SW isn’t fashion. SW is not an aesthetic. SW is work. Normalizing SW in TY, movies, music and social media has brought light to our community. But, unfortunately I don’t see any SWers reaping any benefits from all the exposure. We are still publicly shamed and put at risk. As a SWer my style is everything to me. It’s a part of how we identify, market and brand ourselves. I don’t take the privilege and responsibility of walking in my Pleasers lightly. SW is the oldest profession with a history that continues to repeat itself. Exploit SWers, profit off of their work, silence and exile them. History of hoes 101. Still here we are today in 2023 witnessing a recurring theme using SWers as inspiration. SW is “in fashion,” but it’s not fashionable to support SWers. Normalizing SW is just normalizing sex. Society has been indoctrinated to fear sexual liberation and freedom for the benefit of men. Ironically, the same people who have always pushed this agenda will say it’s okay that sex sells but you shouldn’t sell sex. Although that may be true, SW will always exist. Anywhere you look for it you will almost certainly find it, normalized or not. So let’s talk about it.