Christian, Feminist, Former Stripper Calls For End To Hypocrisy

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Preamble:

Sometimes I'm embarrassed to believe in God. I know God exists. I know God does not judge. I know that by calling those who believe in God who do judge hypocrites, that I am being judgmental and hypocritical. But do they recognize the quality in themselves?

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I've e-mailed churches to ask for help with sex worker services in Surrey, B.C. and had my e-mails ignored. I've gone to church alongside adulterers who are "holier than thou," as they say. I don't judge one particular fellow for surfing the Internet for porn, but why did he print naked photos of me to show people at my church? I've searched the Internet for a group I belong to (www.bccewc.ca [1]), and found disparaging comments made about us on a website created by and dedicated to "Christians."

I'm trying to see the spirit in these people. I'm trying to be God-like and recognize the light of the Lord in them. But it's hard when I know they deliberately hurt me in His name.

Sometimes I'm embarrassed to be a feminist...

Feminism is about equality, choice, and inclusion for all women. But some feminists insist on misrepresenting a whole segment of the female population - sex industry workers. For some reason, these feminists think sex industry workers cannot speak for themselves. They believe us to be too exploited and incompetent to represent ourselves. They devalue and degrade us by silencing and betraying us.

The sex industry is made up mostly of women. By ignoring what we say or insisting that we don't realize our own degradation, many feminists are denying women's equality. The sex industry is an occupation many women choose for various reasons. By seeking to abolish it, many feminists are attempting to take away options for women. By excluding us from groups, discussions and initiatives aimed at the sex industry, many feminists are excluding the very women they're talking about. Apparently not all women are considered worthy of equality, choice and inclusion.

Sometimes I'm embarrassed I was a stripper...

Many strippers amaze me with their attitudes of condescension towards other sex industry workers. Stage dancers who think they're better than the girl doing a lap dance. Lap dancers who think they're better than the girl doing "extras." Here is a group of women who are constantly judged, stereotyped and condemned in our society, and they have the gall to perpetuate this oppression by imitating it against other women?

As a Christian, feminist, former stripper - I'd like to see all this hypocrisy ended. We ARE all equal. We're not the same. But we're equal. And we are all entitled to dignity, respect and most of all, kindness. Even the hypocrites (and that includes me).

Pullquote:

Here is a group of women who are constantly judged, stereotyped, and condemned in our society, and they have the gall to perpetuate this oppression by imitating it against other women?