I have a question…don't laugh
23 May 2013
Niki May Young ponders the importance of being able to ask the silly questions.
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When shouldn't sex sell?
I don’t intend for PF Blogs to become the centre of post-feminist debate, really I don’t, but sometimes a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.
Last week we ran a story about a rape crisis centre in Belfast using a burlesque performer as part of a fundraising event to mark International Women’s Day.
The news got some of our readers rather upset.
Wrote one:
“There is a difference between sexually liberated and sexually degraded, and frankly when I see this depressing form of commercial sex being used to raise funds for a rape crisis centre I feel like there never was a movement for women's equality and that we are defined as nothing more than sex objects and servants.”
And another:
“I cannot believe how blind and insulting this move is - the person in charge is clearly uneducated on matters of gender equality and colludes to sell women as a sexual commodity to make money. This is part of the problem of rape, not the solution.”
Laying all cards on the table, I must confess to being a fan of burlesque performances and agree with the rape crisis centre director that burlesque allows women to own and have fun with their sexuality as is their right.
But, as empowering as some may feel it is and as over-the-top as I believe some of our readers' comments to be, I can’t help believe that it’s not quite right to use sex to raise money for an organisation that deals with sex crimes. Not totally wrong or an affront to the achievements of feminism over the last century but, just, not quite right.
And when dealing with a charity which deals with such sensitive and political issues such as rape, ‘not quite right’ doesn’t quite cut it.
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Kimberley MacKenzie
9 Mar 2009
Well...this is one for the books! I also have to say that Amber Tropaz looks very sexually liberted and I would absolutely LOVE to see her show. Would it make any difference to the hardcore feminists out there if the fundraiser sold tickets to women only?
This small organization in Belfast is doing something incredibly innovative and risky so that their beneficiaries can benefit. I applaud them for their courage. AND like the humanist organization with their bus campaign...people are talking. This will help make them money. I have never had to mortgage my home to help run the programs of my charity like the woman running the crisis centre. However, I've done a lot of events and attended a lot of events and most of them are incredibly dull. The description of this one makes me want to buy a ticket.
Now more than ever is time to push boundaries and that is exactly what is happening here. It is a tough market and I hope this story gets on every blog and in every newspaper on the continent. As for making feminists angry....frankly I've never met a feminist who is NOT angry. That isn't new or innovative.
Benita McMahon
9 Mar 2009
Women get fooled into thinking things like burlesque are liberated, when they remain for the benefit of men alone.
The entire movement/performance should be more closely regulated and a rape crisis centre certainly should have nothing to do with such acts.
I will be keeping my distance from burlesque and any charity that has anything relationship with it!
Celina Ribeiro is the editor of Fundraising magazine and daily contributor to CivilSociety.co.uk.
Follow Celina @Celina_Ribeiro_
Celina Ribeiro (80)
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Julie Hall
13 Mar 2009
It's a tricky one. It annoys me when people like Benita completely misunderstand burlesque. For years sex entertainment only met men's needs. It's still that way really, but with burlesque women finally have an outlet to express themselves sexually on their terms and in their way. Most performances are filled with men and women spectators in equal measure. You would hardly see this in a strip joint.
So it's a great way to celebrate International Woman's Day. But, should it be associated with a rape crisis centre fundraiser? No way.
Not because sex as fun or entertainment should have nothing to do with victims of rape. In fact I think it's important to remember that rebuilding a healthy attitude to sex is very necessary for some rape victims.
But, recovery is tricky. And simple things could trigger painful memories, especially something associated with sex like burlesque. If one beneficiary feels uncomfortable on hearing of this the rape crisis centre should feel ashamed. Their are loads of ways it can raise money. I don't understand why they've chosen this?
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