Audacia Ray's Blog, page 55
April 30, 2011
Last night I was so exhausted when I got home (at like 10:30)...
Last night I was so exhausted when I got home (at like 10:30) that I actually fell asleep eating a cookie.
April 29, 2011
Red Light Politics: Why I cannot watch Royal Weddings
Every diamond worn by a Royal; every shred of cloth; every bite of overpriced gourmet food they eat; every blessing from a church member and horse powered carriage remind me of the wealth accumulated on the back of slavery. Every bit of European Royal related events reminds me of colonialism,…
April 28, 2011
"An unnamed police source in Nassau County was quoted in Metro this week saying, "This serial killer..."
An unnamed police source in Nassau County was quoted in Metro this week saying, "This serial killer isn't causing us to crack down on prostitution. We've been cracking down a long time."
Arresting people who are engaged in prostitution is not protection. Instead, arrests–and public knowledge of them–send a clear message that people engaged in prostitution will not have their safety or ability to make a living respected by the police. News of a continued crackdown makes it even less likely that sex workers with information about the 10 bodies discovered on Long Island beaches will come forward and share this knowledge with the police.
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To Catch a Killer, Give Amnesty to Sex Workers : Ms Magazine Blog
I have a post up on the Ms. blog about the call for amnesty in Long Island, with a petition that you can sign.
April 27, 2011
Real-Life Superheroes Offer Sex Workers Protection From the Long Island Serial Killer | violet blue ® :: open source sex
Real life superhero vigilantes in New York – the New York Initiative – have decided to step in and have sworn to do everything they can to protect sex workers from the Long Island Serial Killer. They are offering brute-force, no questions asked protection – because they believe police are inadequate
I wrote an email to the New York Initiative - these "real life superheroes" this morning, sharing info about what sex workers and allies have been doing to protect ourselves, including the ask for amnesty that so far hasn't gotten an official response, except that I do know that the Suffolk County Police Department is doing research on it as a possibility.
I am infinitely frustrated that the story is getting as much traction as it is. Can we not pat the NYI on the head, and instead focus the attention on actual sex workers who are in danger, and useful responses to this issue? The amount of publicity NYI is receiving is a clear message that the perspectives of masked men who want to swoop in and rescue "pretty ladies" are more valid that the perspectives of people who are actually doing sex work and coming up with solutions to keep ourselves safe.
This kind of savior syndrome is conditional too - what if the ladies in question aren't pretty? or cis? or have other characteristics that don't make them perfect victims?
Furthermore, why can't the NYI volunteer their "martial arts skills" and offer self defense trainings, instead of assuming we want strange, well-meaning men up in our business.
Maybe the NYI could use their power and privilege to shame the police on Long Island for their terrible responses, and the fact that they are continuing to arrest sex workers in the area instead of coming up with ways to keep us safe.
Gilgo Beach murders: Prostitutes in a panic over possible serial killer
Last week, at least six prostitutes were arrested in Long Island during a two-day period, four inside a Ronkonkoma massage parlor and two in Bethpage, including one woman who propositioned an undercover policeman for sex for $310.
"This serial killer isn't causing us to crack down on prostitution," said a Nassau County police source. "We've been cracking down a long time."
I burst into tears when I read this. It just makes me so fucking angry. Really Suffolk County PD? You want sex workers to help you with your investigation? Yet your crack downs continue and now the Metro is reporting about sex workers carrying guns?
Fuck. Just - fuck.
"The top Long Island cop overseeing the serial-killings probe has bungled the case so badly that his..."
The top Long Island cop overseeing the serial-killings probe has bungled the case so badly that his boss is kicking him to the curb, The Post has learned.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy is furious with Police Commissioner Richard Dormer for publicly releasing crucial details of the investigation that only the murderer would know, a police source said.
"Levy's upset, [Dormer] gave out too much information about the burlap bags, that the victims were all on Craigslist, that they were prostitutes," the source said. "[Dormer] embarrassed the department."
Dormer was given about a month to clean out his desk — and has wasted no time trying to land a new job.
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Source: Suffolk exec wants top cop gone - NYPOST.com
Interesting. I wonder if this will make our amnesty plea easier or harder?
Top 10 Myths about Introverts
Yup, this. I don't generally see things written on the internet about personality types and think, "OMG that's me," but… very much so with this.
Myth #1 – Introverts don't like to talk.
This is not true. Introverts just don't talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won't shut up for days.
Myth #2 – Introverts are shy.
Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a reason to interact. They don't interact for the sake of interacting. If you want to talk to an Introvert, just start talking. Don't worry about being polite.
Myth #3 – Introverts are rude.
Introverts often don't see a reason for beating around the bush with social pleasantries. They want everyone to just be real and honest. Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.
Myth #4 – Introverts don't like people.
On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have. They can count their close friends on one hand. If you are lucky enough for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal ally for life. Once you have earned their respect as being a person of substance, you're in.
Myth #5 – Introverts don't like to go out in public.
Nonsense. Introverts just don't like to go out in public FOR AS LONG. They also like to avoid the complications that are involved in public activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a result, don't need to be there for long to "get it." They're ready to go home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely crucial for Introverts.
Myth #6 – Introverts always want to be alone.
Introverts are perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts. They think a lot. They daydream. They like to have problems to work on, puzzles to solve. But they can also get incredibly lonely if they don't have anyone to share their discoveries with. They crave an authentic and sincere connection with ONE PERSON at a time.
Myth #7 – Introverts are weird.
Introverts are often individualists. They don't follow the crowd. They'd prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living. They think for themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm. They don't make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.
Myth #8 – Introverts are aloof nerds.
Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attention to their thoughts and emotions. It's not that they are incapable of paying attention to what is going on around them, it's just that their inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.
Myth #9 – Introverts don't know how to relax and have fun.
Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places. Introverts are not thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. If there is too much talking and noise going on, they shut down. Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Introverts and Extroverts have different dominant neuro-pathways. Just look it up.
Myth #10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.
Introverts cannot "fix themselves" and deserve respect for their natural temperament and contributions to the human race. In fact, one study (Silverman, 1986) showed that the percentage of Introverts increases with IQ
April 26, 2011
In celebration of the fiery spirit of May Day, the Red Umbrella...
In celebration of the fiery spirit of May Day, the Red Umbrella Diaries features four performers telling stories about being the boss - or getting bossed around on - Thursday, May 5th from 8 to 10 pm at Happy Ending in New York's Lower East side (302 Broome Street between Eldridge and Forsyth). Hawk Kincaid and Damien Decker tell tales about their years as rentboys, Niesha Davis shares a story about being a dominatrix (the job was not for her), and dancer, student, and rabble rouser Annabelle Xaah digs in to issues of labor and the sex industry. 15% of the bar tab will go toward media and storytelling trainings for sex workers.
The Red Umbrella Diaries is a monthly storytelling series, hosted by former sex worker Audacia Ray, where people who've tangled with the sex industry tell personal stories about the complications that arise when you mix sex and money. In addition to the live events in New York, the Red Umbrella Project includes a weekly podcast featuring stories from the live events and offers storytelling and media training to sex workers.
Performer bios are here.
April 25, 2011
Birthday Wish!
It's my 31st birthday, and I know exactly what I want:
I want you to write a note to someone you admire, whose work or presence in your life has made a difference to you and your outlook on the world. And I want you to BCC me: audaciaray@redumbrellaproject.org
That's it. It's simple, and will make the person on the receiving end of your email feel awesome. It will make me smile to be a voyeur on these messages, and will remind me that good work is happening in the world, and people are noticing.
People often tell us when we fuck up and sometimes congratulate us when we've done something big and awesome, but the daily impact we make is what matters most. I hope to see a bunch of these messages in my inbox throughout today!
April 23, 2011
Excellent pre-birthday date: pearl's oyster bar, milk and...
Excellent pre-birthday date: pearl's oyster bar, milk and cookies (pictured), and seeing Mike Birbiglia's "My Girlfriend's Boyfriend."
