Story on prostitution in today's National

[harrington]

Interesting story on prostitution in Canada on the National tonight.

Overall, not a bad story - however, I felt it was a bit focused on the downtown Eastside stuff which is not representative at all of what the industry should be like.

If you missed it, you can watch it here:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/thenational/the-sex-trade-up-close-1.3108707

What are your thoughts?

By the way, the brunette in the Bunny Ranch - I think she is pretty cute. Would poon her if I had the chance.

 

[badbadboy]

Yah that was a fairly balanced story. Funny to see Dennis Hoff interviewed and I bet there are at least one pair of eyes rolling in Vancouver

I wish they would interview more Indies and clients with faces and voices disguised from here. That would add to the balance.

 

[VancityDivas]

I thought it was well done. But they HAD to have Trisha Baptie in it

Yes well done but I felt they almost failed to distinguish between the marginalized workers on the street to those choosing it as a career and how their experience related other than it being 'yes I chose this, helps with my life goals'.

And that woman clearly has had a bad life but she really made it out to sound like the clientele across the board was bad and shouldn't feel like they can purchase companionship.

Also, 'The Pimp' of course he was puffing on a fat cigar at the bar with the girls or just any time on camera

 

[badbadboy]

Bad news sells Newspapers is how the media operates. Last thing the CBC would want to do is offer a 100% balanced approach to the industry. If they had some SP's who are advertisers here as well as hobbyists such as myself interviewed they probably wouldn't like the message; all is well in the Escorting Industry with the $250 / hr and up crowd.

They want to dwell upon the SW on DTES, Robert Pickton, Highway of Tears, Pimping and human trafficking basically to support C-36. The CBC knows who their daddy is.

 

[*emmanuelle]

I really applaud the Patrick guy for coming forward, showing his face on camera, and sharing his story and his support for sex workers. It's unfortunate that he was the only the man who was willing to go on camera though, since he is so atypical of a client. It would be nice if they were able to show the range of men that use sex workers. I think a lot of outsiders find it hard to believe that we regularly see fit, attractive, successful gentlemen - they think that our only clients are men who likely can't get sex in their real lives due to the way they look, which is a really unfortunate stereotype for both clients AND for sex workers (because it makes people pity us, which is not what we want or need)

 

[Equity Market investor]

I would love to see a up to date documentary focusing mainly escorting in Vancouver. For such a widely predominant city to the world such as ours, you would think there would be.

Vancouver has always been referred to as " North Hollywood movie making ".....I think that expands to more than just " Hollywood ". It's been discussed here on perb several times how we all know that Escorting, agencies etc etc just in the downtown core is flourishing.

 

[johnywalker87]

I really applaud the Patrick guy for coming forward, showing his face on camera, and sharing his story and his support for sex workers. It's unfortunate that he was the only the man who was willing to go on camera though, since he is so atypical of a client. It would be nice if they were able to show the range of men that use sex workers. I think a lot of outsiders find it hard to believe that we regularly see fit, attractive, successful gentlemen - they think that our only clients are men who likely can't get sex in their real lives due to the way they look, which is a really unfortunate stereotype for both clients AND for sex workers (because it makes people pity us, which is not what we want or need)

What's wrong with clients who cannot get sex in their real lives? Is it a reason to bash them and make them criminals?

 

[Man Mountain]

I really applaud the Patrick guy for coming forward, showing his face on camera, and sharing his story and his support for sex workers

Agreed. I thought his interview was the best part of the segment. I also found the honesty of the bunny ranch SP interviewee surprisingly refreshing -- to be honest, I cracked up when they showed up at the bunny ranch to interview Dennis Hof and just expected more of his typically self serving schtick... I admit it... I used to watch all those Cathouse and various HBO specials about the bunny ranch :fear:

 

[girth-brooks]

Thought the story was fine, but with any news story, good or bad, there will always be a slant.

 

[ziggyzoo]

There are virtually no workers on the streets of the dtes, it's been dead for a long time. Is this story from 1995?

 

[girth-brooks]

I think because prostiution is such a wide spectrum you'll always get people bringing up the positive aspects and you'll always get people bringing up the negative aspects. It's virtually impossible to do a documentary on without controversy and debate.

 

[VancityDivas]

If you were familiar with Emmy you would realize that is not at all what she meant.

The point is that media hardly ever shows what the reality of the average client is, or average indoor independent SP. The usual client stereotype spectrum by the media is perverted creepy criminalish looking dude, disabled or "old" only seeking very young. It would be nice to see more realistic portrayals of our clientele base. That would benefit everyone. There is nothing wrong with Patrick, but I've only seen 5 people or less who may have a visible disability. Not because I choose not to but because it is uncommon.

Why not be more realistic ? Or does it not prove the point they want to get across ?

Well said both of you! Many clients are normal, successful , busy guys and the archetypes out there for both 'johns' and 'prostitutes' are very tainted from the reality of the clients and SPs of the industry! Especially when it comes to the repeat clientele booking longer dates

 

[treveller]

New Narritive Needed

IMHO, criticising stories for there lack of balance is a difficult strategy for changing public perception.

The better strategy is to promote your own more balanced story. That means vigorously supporting groups like Andy Sorfleet at XXX and Annie Temple's Naked Truth.

Another approach would be to actively and publicly promote the services offered by SPs and other providers. I expect the goal in the past has been to keep a low profile in the community and avoid offending anyone. Putting ads on the back page is an example of this. I suggest a new "in your face" approach is needed.

How about a flyer where the ads are on the front page?

How about posters all over Vancouver promoting the services that sex workers offer and directing people to Back Page and PERB? If it becomes obvious that there are hundreds (a thousand or more?) of sex workers in Vancouver happily offering services, the prohibitionist narrative will become irrelevant even without being directly challenged.

 

[westwoody]

Why not be more realistic ?

I frequently chat with a nice touring lady online. We arrange to meet when she's in town. I spend the night at her hotel. We go for dinner, go back to hotel, have fun in bed. Make no noise, do not disturb anyone. Get up in morning. have breakfast, a bit more fun, then go our separate ways, both happy and satisfied with what we got out of the encounter.

You can imagine how people would be beating the doors down to read about that.

Let's face it, a good reporter's gotta spice it up a bit if they want to sell papers eh?

 

[badbadboy]

I think because prostiution is such a wide spectrum you'll always get people bringing up the positive aspects and you'll always get people bringing up the negative aspects. It's virtually impossible to do a documentary on without controversy and debate.

They succeeded in one aspect; they got people talking about the story they broadcast.

 

[Caramel]

I really applaud the Patrick guy for coming forward, showing his face on camera, and sharing his story and his support for sex workers. It's unfortunate that he was the only the man who was willing to go on camera though, since he is so atypical of a client. It would be nice if they were able to show the range of men that use sex workers. I think a lot of outsiders find it hard to believe that we regularly see fit, attractive, successful gentlemen - they think that our only clients are men who likely can't get sex in their real lives due to the way they look, which is a really unfortunate stereotype for both clients AND for sex workers (because it makes people pity us, which is not what we want or need)

I agree. I have spoken to many inexperienced people who assume that most clients are probably generally unattractive, or obese or something of that sort...but its really not true at all, and I wonder about it sometimes. One of my weird theories was that maybe those people feel insecure EVEN with a hired date and won't even go out and do that because of how harshly they have been judged about their looks all their lives. On the contrary, its RARE to meet someone who is not the greatest looking or the healthiest weight. Most pooners are average to good looking (& successful, can't have money to spend on extra curricular activities and not be, and it shows in the way they present themselves), some of them are so hot and sexy I think the SP would be the one feeling insecure, and it boggles my mind.

 

[harrington]

I think one of the reasons there is inaccurate info is because regular every day pooners won't be interviewed. Many of them are husbands, businessmen, etc... And just won't take the risk to be outed.