I don't get on tribe all that often anymore, so you may not hear from me very much.

One of my friends (non-stripper) sent me a link to this tribe. I've been dancing for a little over a 1 1/2 years now here in SD. I didn't start dancing until I was 25. At least I had fairly good idea of who I was and set some personal rules for myself before I started dancing. Believe it or not, I have some serious stage fright, and ran off stage the first time - the first song wasn't even half way through. I had just left my family's home around the same time, and had faced my fear of being the "center of attention" with the intent of using the change in career so that I could go back to school and support myself. I needed to get away from my abusive mother, and even though culturally its ok for a filipino to continue living with her family until she is married, my irish-american half was screaming for independence and personal pride of self-sufficiency.

Being in the industry has allowed myself to explore the softer and social side of my personality that I never knew existed. I honestly think that in many ways it has made me a stronger, less naive, and provided the self confidence I never felt.

I won't go into details of my life-long trials and tribulations, abuse, etc. We all have our own shit in our past that we have had to deal with. I will say this though: The day I left my mother's home, I swore that I would never allow myself to be a victim again. Everyday I see certain girls living life as a victim. How their boyfriend's treat them, how they allow the floor walkers/bouncers bully them, and how they have allowed their lifelong experiences affect them today. I see how fear, and desperation affects their choices. I also see their strength and their dreams. When I enter my club, it's like entering 'bizzaro world', yet I call it home. Many human truths are made visible in a place like that. I've had several girls come to me at work sharing their admiration for my bravery to stand up for myself to anyone trying to make me feel like less of a person, yet never losing the illusion of the fantasy we are there to portray. I also have several girls that seem to hate me, even though I never said or did anything to them for that kind of reaction. I try to keep my mouth shut and avoid the drama, allow others to deal with their own problems, but if they need someone to talk to, I'm there to listen. Problem is, I still feel that there is not a single person there that I can truly trust or call a true friend. I do not hang out with any of my co-workers outside of the club. I do not want to be anyone's hero or adversary. But occasionally shit happens. Hopefully here I can feel safe to open up, safe to trust.

Sorry, I'm rambling. All the stereotypes of the industry are completely true, but as always, there are plenty of exceptions. Some choose to do more than just dance at the club. I do not judge those girls. It's none of my business, I simply choose not to participate in outside business.

I want to see more girls stop being victims. I want to see them feel the strength and love within and use it. There is no shame in what we do. I do not hide my employment from anyone. There is an art to sensuality, and I do not see many girls at my club trying to learn it. I see them just giving into what the customer says he wants rather than showing him something better. Feminine subtlety in carrying ourselves in complete confidence, expanding and exercising our knowledge in our sensuality and artistic expression.

At work, I go by Faith - and the name has nothing to do with religious belief. Faith in love, goodness of humanity, in the abilities of ones-self, and that bad-ass chick from Buffy the Vampire slayer. I know, the last part is kind of lame, but whenever I'm in a situation where I have to protect myself, which is usually the case, I use her character to go from purring sex kitten to the smiling bitch that you don't want to fuck with.

I've got to get going. I'm not sure if any of this makes any sense to you ladies. If I've offended anyone, I apologize.

Love to you sisters, and Happy Easter.

Yeah, I write novels. Sorry :)

I'm here because I love what Liz is up to and I want to contribute in any way I can.

I'm a sex educator and relationship coach and while I've never worked personally in the adult industry, I have plenty of friends and clients who have, and I've dabbled around the edges for years. In my coaching work, I provide tools, frameworks and resources for women around their sexuality, and work to have women feel empowered around their sexual and relationship choices, particularly ones that are "out of the box," eg, stripping, polyamory, open relationships, bisexuality, queer issues, gender-tweaking, bdsm, etc. The issues that women face when trying to create a life for ourselves outside of what we've always known are challenging, and particularly in the areas of sexuality and relationships.I am a stand for all women to get access to everything they need to feel loved, supported and empowered in who they are.

As for my views on the adult entertainment industry, they're much the same as my views on professional sports. For those who love the game, make money at it, get access to what they want from life out of it and/or have fun in it, awesome. For those it works less well for, it's all about either making it work for you, or finding something different to do that represents you better. Adult entertainment, like sports, is an industry, but there are all sorts of ways to play in it, risks worth taking and not, ways it pays off and doesn't, etc. It's all about finding what works for you and then WORKIN' IT. I am here to offer my support in making that happen.

Hi, Im Desi, and I have a birds eye veiw of the industry changing...perhaps its a revoulutionary begining of an outlook on it's workers, and how they are portraide...it's the age old conversation...at lest there are some organizations that are forming to support rights and some kind of group to belong to, this would be my first one....I hope it can help me as well as help my fellow girls...So, I have been a stripper for quite sometime and say that it has been alot of fun...but I dont really like the judgmental aspect from men I would date, or people I meet when I tell them what I do...my fgamily has learned to accept it, so I am thankful for that support.
I would like to meet some other local girls that are real people...that are spiritual, love the same kind of styles Im into...wich is expressing ourselves in a manner that is apreciated as an art form...maybe have some fun...create a trust worthy companion....cuz we all know it can be lonely out there for us. Im in Santa CRUZ.



tHANKS,