Burlesque act used to fundraise for rape crisis centre 2

Fundraising | Celina Ribeiro | 16 Mar 2009

The use of a burlesque dancer in a fundraising effort for a rape crisis centre has drawn criticism from a top feminist writer.

A fundraising event will be held on International Women’s Day (8 March) at the Queen’s University Belfast Union for the Belfast Rape Crisis Centre, which receives no government funding and has repeatedly faced threats of closure.

Burlesque performer Amber Topaz (pictured) will take to the stage in addition to reality TV singers Rowetta from the X Factor and two performers from Andrew Lloyd Weber’s show ‘I’d do Anything’.

The decision to use Amber Topaz has angered some feminists in Northern Ireland. Leading author Fionola Meredith called the move a “mistake” and described it as inappropriate for the cause and the country.

“Forget post-feminism and irony – Northern Ireland remains an old-fashioned sexist’s paradise where women’s rights are very far down the political agenda,” she said.

‘Vast difference between erotica and pornography’

However the charity, a member of whose staff last year re-mortgaged her home to keep it afloat, has defended the event programme.

Co-director of the centre Eileen Calder said performance was in line with the values and philosophy of the organisation. “There is a vast difference between erotica and pornography,” she said. “We don’t exist to promote prudishness. I believe women are entitled to be sexual beings and feel confident in their sexuality.”

It remains unclear as to whether Amber Topaz, whose website describes her as a “comedy cup cake”, will strip in the show, as the exact nature of her performance will be down to organisers.

Who's Who: Celina Ribeiro

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A Taylor
4 Mar 2009

Er, so an activity which sexualises women who co-opt in their own degradation to serve men is being used to raise funds for an organization which gives services to women who have been raped - by men who sexually abuse women....Oh My God.

What idiot is trying to undermine gender equality with this appalling move? Some education needed here I think - asap. I am disgusted. It is exactly this pornographic culture we are trying to fight as it leads to assualts on women. This makes me feel physically sick.

[Reply]

A Cook
4 Mar 2009

There is also a vast difference between sex and sexism, which the owner appears incredibly ignorant about. It is not about being a prude, it is about women feeling degraded to nothing more than disposable sex objects when they see another woman selling a sexual service for money.

What is this performance if not a form of prostitution? It is exactly attitudes like this which make the commercial sex industry thrive because women are too scared to say they want to fight sexism because they will be accused of being a 'prude.'

Do your research: 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.

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.

[Reply]

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