With the current state of the world economically, socially and politically: there really is no reason to see shows of any kind that ONLY feature white, thin, able-bodied, cishet performers.
Before you start lighting the torches and grabbing your pitchforks, let's really break this down. Firstly, while I am aware that a vast majority of my audience is American, I am not. I currently reside in Melbourne, Australia, so there are some cultural differences to be aware of. While I'll do my best to flag them as I go, you don’t know what you don’t know… yaknow? Secondly, I am not white, nor am I able bodied, thin, cis, or heterosexual. I am what I like to call a bit of a diversity bingo – so my perspective is going to be from that of a marginalised intersectionality with the one exception. I am very proudly Aboriginal – Wiradjuri/Gamilaroi – and of Scottish heritage. Which means that I am a pale-skinned blakfulla (blak and blakfulla being terms we use to describe all those who are Aboriginal from the many mobs/tribes across so called Australia regardless of actual skin colour), pale enough that I could (if I chose) pass as white.
So why bring up my identity when talking about line ups and diversity? For the simple reason that I, as a full time performer and sex worker, am keenly aware of the line ups I am booked in. I have never been able to ignore or pretend not to see the overwhelming cookie-cutter standards of all white, slim, able bodied, cishet line ups I've been on. Back when I was first starting as a fetish performer, at the tender age of 18, I remember looking around and feeling sick to my stomach at never seeing a body or features like mine. Worse, when I looked around I couldn’t even see anybody who looked different from what society tells us is ‘beautiful’. I grew up in the age when “heroin chic” was the HEIGHT of fashion – tall, almost skeletal, white models with deep bruising under their dead-eye glare. As a blak body who is very thick and strong, with a proud Aboriginal nose and facial features, I have never been considered beautiful by wider societal standards. This isn't a woe is me by the way – I am very happy with my sexy body (as are my clients!) but I need you to understand the context of why representation is important.
So, there I was: freshly 18, getting nude up on stages with all sorts of kinky things done to me for the audience and feeling utterly alone. If I had a dollar for every time I got off stage and had a white cis woman come up to me and say, “You're so brave getting up there and nude like that”, or some variation of this, I would be a millionaire. Which isn't a lot these days but maybe I could afford to buy a house, at least.
The thing is, if you can’t see yourself represented on stages, you can’t know that you too are welcome in that activity. This goes for every part of society — from performance of all kinds, to corporate work to sex work. If you don’t see yourself or even anybody remotely like you at all, then how can you do the thing? Where is the path?
The thing is, if you can’t see yourself represented on stages, you can’t know that you too are welcome
in that activity.
So we all agree representation is important, yes? Yes. We need to see different bodies, both abled and disabled, of all shapes and sizes, of all colours, trans, queer, and sex workers up on the stage – we need it because not only is it important for all the young ones looking up to us to see themselves and dream that they too can do ‘the thing’, but ALSO because diversity means… well, diversity. In perspective, in art, in ways of expression. That's the other reason diversity is so important. Because without it we live in an echo chamber of beige – that is to say boring ‘seen, heard and done it all’, with no chance for creativity. For different perspectives to lead to that spark of something special that makes us see/feel/think in a new way. That allows us to evolve as people and as a society to continue to create new and interesting things – that makes life full of well, life!
So how do we actually go about creating a diverse cast, without tokenism? It is both a complicated and extremely simple solution.
Look for it.
Actively look for diversity in your line ups.
Luckily, here in Melbourne – the arts capital of Australia – we are flooded by an incredible range of diversity. In fact, we have so many performers, sex workers, and activists from a range of diverse backgrounds that we have ENTIRE SHOWS dedicated to showcasing just one kind of diversity. “T4T”, the show by Anna Piper Scott & Olly Lawrence is exactly as advertised: a variety show of just trans performers for trans audiences. Doesn’t matter what kind of trans person you are or what kind of performer you are as long as you fall under the trans umbrella you can apply and be showcased at “T4T”.
“SMUT The Show” is an all Sex worker cast and crew show. Produced by Juniper Fox, who is an out and proud working stripper and burlesque performer/teacher, works extremely hard to fund and produce a show that is entirely current or ex sex workers of all kinds. No whore hierarchy here! There are porn stars and content creators, strippers, full service workers (both brothel and private), fetish providers, and more on stage entertaining the crowd in whatever way they want to!
What’s more, while dedicated to showcasing a specific demographic, each show also makes sure they showcase the intersectionality within marginalised communities. For example, at “SMUT” (which I have hosted and performed at) I have seen strippers who are Black, Chinese, Korean and Pacific Isalnder. I've seen full service workers perform on stage who are disabled and/or trans. I've seen porn babes who are trans, disabled and neurodivergent. I've seen workers who are queer and 50+ getting their kit off as the crowd goes wild and showers them in tips. People aren't just one thing you can neatly put in a box and forget about. We are complicated and nuanced and messy. We are more than just one thing. These shows SELL OUT! Time after time, with huge crowds on a regular Thursday, Friday, Saturday night. Often they sell out in 24 to 48 hours. Audiences WANT these shows and are willing to pay for them even in the middle of a cost of living crisis.
People aren't just one thing you can neatly put in a box and forget about. We are complicated and nuanced and messy.
So, when you're looking for diversity in line ups you really just need to LOOK. Look around at the different performers and see them for the complicated messy intersections of multiple kinds of marginalised communities we are. Ok, ok, let's pretend for a hot moment that you don’t have access to shows like “T4T” or “SMUT” (I can almost guarantee that if you live in a Western country you do, but lets pretend for the sake of the argument) and you as a producer want to hire an excellent diverse cast. Or maybe you want to go support shows that have diverse casts and vote with your money, which I HIGHLY recommend everyone does. How do you find them?
My first piece of advice is Google it, babe. Social media is an excellent resource for finding people, even if it is cursed. Once you have found one performer or worker who is of a marginalised community – let’s say disabled for this example – you can bet your bottom dollar that they will follow and interact with other disabled performers and workers. We are pack animals that love to flock together after all. Use those high school facebook stalking skills for good and get sleuthing! You might carefully reach out to a performer or worker you know and offer compensation for recommendations, but be warned that sometimes those of us who are marginalised might be exhausted from being asked for our labour constantly and not want to get back to you. That's why you should always offer up compensation for labour – and lead with the offer, it will get you further, trust me. If you really want to make sure you're supporting people, you need to do the work!
How do you get the diverse cast of workers or performers to say yes to being on your line up? Well that's another article in itself!
Are you a sex worker with a story, opinion, news, or tips to share? We'd love to hear from you!
We started the tryst.link sex worker blog to help amplify those who aren't handed the mic and bring attention to the issues ya'll care about the most. Got a tale to tell? 👇☂️✨
