What’s your name?
Raven
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What part(s) of the industry do you work in?
Strip clurbbb
Strip clurbbb
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Tell us about your favorite shift or customer ever!
My favourite shift was one of my final days at my home club before I decided to become a traveling dancer. I was second-guessing my decision to work that night and when I came out of the change room one of the club regulars who liked me was there. I ended up spending the entire shift with him, yapping, eating, and getting money showers on stage (he only had bills of 20s and 50s - manifesting more of that foreverrrrr). I went on my friend’s stages with money in my mouth, so the customer also made it rain on them as well. It was just a fun night where I got to kiss the girlies and have fun and celebrate my move. I did also get my period mid-shift and have to change my outfit but of course that would happen on a good night haha.
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What are some of your favorite things and hobbies outside of work?
I’m really into baking (it’s my second job) and go through phases. For a while I loved baking bread but lately it’s been making croissants and chocolates. I refuse to let work take away the enjoyment I get from pole dancing. The artistry, flowing to the music, learning new shapes and seeing myself progress! I also casually enjoy yoga, bouldering, and going to the gym - anything to improve my flexibility and strength, and keep things interesting.
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What is a goal you’re proud you were able to reach while doing and because of SW?
I was able to save up enough to move to Australia by myself while still contributing to my savings. I always wanted to travel and live abroad and SW made that possible.
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What is something you feel needs to change in the industry?
I want more autonomy for all sex workers. Time and time again, civilians are speaking for us instead of giving us the platform to speak for ourselves. I don’t want more movies about SWers unless we’re behind the camera, writing scripts and telling our own stories. I want clubs to stop calling us independent contractors when it’s convenient for them, but then also requiring us to work a minimum amount of shifts or taking a percentage of our dances. Less social media influencers talking about how if you buy their course you can become a SWer but not have to actually to do anything resembling SW. All power to all sex workers, but especially the ones in clubs, on the blade, in hotels, and doing sex work that is societally shamed.
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There is a lot of talk nowadays about sex work being “empowering.” Is this true for you and why or why not?
Yes and no. I don’t want to romanticize the club. When I make money, it’s empowering. When I sit around in a dead club for 8 hours and make less than minimum wage, hell no haha. Civilians see strippers on TikTok showing their 2k night money counts and think that’s us every night. Sex work is empowering for me because it grants me financial freedom. The flexibility in scheduling allows me to also hold a day job and take vacations often. Occasionally I do have meaningful conversations in VIP, meet sweet customers, and even get turned on while giving dances. But I had to dismantle my internalized whorephobia, build an unfuckwithable mindset, and persevere through slow shifts or even slow months. Not everyone is cut out for this type of work. And not everyone should be. It’s empowering to see myself succeed in an environment where very few can. Sex workers are the baddest fucking bitches. We really can do it all.
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We all have a story about a babe in the industry who we loved and were inspired by from the moment we met her- tell us about her/them:
I will forever look up to the girls who run the sapphic strip club nights at my home club in Canada. Sapphics Paradise (@asapphicsparadise on IG) is a queer, SW-run space only open to women, non-binary folks, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. They are proof to me that it’s possible for SWers to be in charge of our own narrative and take up space in an industry that profits off us and often exploits us. Robin, one of the members, was also a dancer who went out of her way to be kind to me. When entering the industry, I don’t think anyone is entitled to help from other dancers and vets. She didn’t need to help me and make me feel more comfortable, but she did. She owns the stage, has her own unique style and embodies what it means to be a stripper who advocates for her community.
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What do you wish people knew about us, and about you personally as a SWer?
Sex work can be rewarding but it’s also is just like any other job - it’s work. We lead fulfilling lives outside the club. We don’t all want to leave the industry or see it as a temporary gig. Sex workers are not a monolith; we don’t all have tragic backstories. Pity doesn’t pay my bills. Less lip service about how I must hate my job (I don’t), and more paying my rent!
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What advice would you give younger you, if you could, both work related and in general?
Don’t be afraid to take up space. Don’t be afraid to ask for more. Don’t be afraid to hear no. This job has helped me build my confidence and realize that there are people (both in and out of the club) who will make you convince them of your value, and people who will see it from the jump. Sometimes you need to entertain the former to pay your bills but when you know who you are, changing for other people isn’t hard. Be the party girl, therapist, and whoever else you need to be to get paid. Using that money to reach your goals and take care of your community is all that matters.
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Where can we find you?
