Exposing the World of College Strippers: Documentaries, Unions, and Controversies

The world of stripping, often shrouded in secrecy and misconceptions, has been increasingly explored through documentaries. These films offer a glimpse into the lives of strippers, the challenges they face, and the complex issues surrounding sex work. From unionization efforts to personal struggles and legal battles, these documentaries spark important conversations about labor rights, feminism, consent, and the exploitation of women.

"Live Nude Girls UNITE!": A Union Story

Julia Query's "Live Nude Girls UNITE!" documents the groundbreaking effort to unionize the Lusty Lady peep show in San Francisco in 1997. Query, who says at the start of her movie “Live Nude Girls UNITE!” that she always dreamed of fighting the good fight for freedom, justice and equality, never expected to realize that dream by organizing fellow strippers into a union. This made it the only unionized strip club in the country. Beyond the labor struggle, the film delves into Query's personal life, including her relationship with her mother, a prostitute rights advocate who disapproves of her daughter's profession.

The Fight for Fair Treatment

The strippers at the Lusty Lady decided to form a union, the Exotic Dancers Union, a chapter of the Service Employees International Union, Local 790, after management refused to address serious issues. One major concern was customers using one-way mirrors to secretly videotape the shows, with rumors of the footage being sold online. The club’s managers suggested “coyly coaxing” customers into good behavior.

Furthermore, the women were fed up with discriminatory practices. Only white women were scheduled for the most lucrative shifts. Vacation and sick time were not allowed. If a dancer missed work, she had to find a replacement with skin as light as hers or lighter, and with the same size or bigger breasts.

"Bad Girls Like Good Contracts!"

The strippers picketed the Lusty Lady, chanting slogans like, “Bad girls like good contracts!” and “Two, four, six, eight-don’t go here to masturbate!” The club hired labor lawyers, and the women drew from their own ranks to form research and negotiating teams. After months, the parties reached a deal. The club removed one-way mirrors and the classification systems, kept the union and allowed sick days. Each year since, the dancers have voted in more favorable contracts, said Query, who still works at the club while in graduate school to become a therapist.

Feminism, Empowerment, and Taking Patriarchy's Money

Query, now 32, said the union contract kept her from being fired. “I love working in a peep show because I never worked with so many women with college degrees, mostly in women’s studies and philosophy,” says Query onstage in one scene showing her other career in a stand-up comedy club. “It’s like they figured out what to do with patriarchy - take its money.”

The film touches on the dispute among feminists over whether sex work is demeaning or empowering. One scene shows a pile of feminist theory books stacking up. Cartoons show a woman walking down a catwalk and taking off her bra, alternating with a woman burning her bra over a fire. Query’s talks with her mother echo the feminist debate. Early in the movie, the mother, Dr. Joyce Wallace, is shown describing her AIDS prevention work with New York prostitutes to Barbara Walters. But when Wallace visits San Francisco, Query clears her apartment of all sex paraphernalia, and balks at introducing her to friends called Cayenne, Cinnamon and Octopussy. Query finally reveals her profession at a conference on prostitution where mother and daughter are speaking on separate panels. Wallace says that she never wanted her child to be ashamed of her body.

"Raw Deal: A Question of Consent" - A Documentary Dilemma

"Raw Deal: A Question of Consent" poses complex ethical, editorial, and legal dilemmas. The film investigates the story of Lisa Gier King, a stripper hired to perform at a Florida University fraternity house party in 1999. King spent most of the night in the company of two students, Tony Marzullo and Mike Yahraus, and engaged in sexual relations with both of them. The next morning, she emerged from the house half-naked, claiming that she had been raped by one of them. King subsequently claimed that Yahraus had raped her, while Marzullo - who was present throughout - claims that what went on between King and Yahraus was entirely consensual.

Using video footage shot by the frat boys on the night, "Raw Deal" tries to uncover the truth of what really happened.

Consent and Conflicting Accounts

The documentary raises critical questions about consent. How do you judge whether one person's word is to be believed against another? What is the difference between a woman's and a man's interpretation of consent? How hard is it to judge when consent for certain kinds of sexual activity has been given, but not for others?

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Ethical Considerations

The filmmakers faced the challenge of gaining King's informed consent and ensuring fairness to all contributors. The film-makers were tasked with acting responsibly in gaining King's informed consent, which they did. The law does allow victims to waive their right to anonymity provided this is in writing and it has not been improperly obtained. In this instance King had willingly participated in the film, and she had seen and approved of it. Yahraus declined to participate, but his perspective was represented by Marzullo, who maintained that the sexual relations were consensual.

Divided Opinions and the Question of Truth

Viewers of "Raw Deal" are often divided, with some believing King was raped and others believing Yahraus was falsely accused. This reflects the challenges faced by rape juries when confronted with conflicting accounts. Ultimately, the film forces viewers to confront the complexities of consent and make their own judgments.

Beyond Documentaries: Strippers in Popular Culture

The portrayal of strippers extends beyond documentaries, appearing in various films and television series. These fictional representations, while sometimes stereotypical, can also offer insights into the lives and motivations of those working in the sex industry.

"Zola": A Viral Story

"Zola" is a film based on a viral Twitter thread about a stripper's wild road trip to Florida. While fictionalized, the film touches on themes of exploitation, race, and the pursuit of the American Dream.

"Hustlers": Empowerment or Exploitation?

"Hustlers" tells the story of strippers who con wealthy Wall Street clients. The film raises questions about female empowerment, economic inequality, and the ethics of survival.

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Other Examples

Other films and shows, such as "The Girlfriend Experience", "P-Valley", "Starz", "Showgirls", "Magic Mike", "Chocolate City", and "Striptease", also depict the lives of strippers, often exploring themes of sexuality, power, and vulnerability.

Controversies and Challenges

Documentaries and portrayals of strippers often face controversy. Some argue that they glamorize or normalize exploitation, while others defend them as a form of artistic expression or social commentary.

The Duke Lacrosse Case

The Duke lacrosse case, involving false rape allegations against lacrosse players by Crystal Gail Mangum, a stripper, highlights the potential for harm and the complexities of race, class, and gender in the justice system. Mangum's work in the sex industry as a black woman, while the young men she accused were white, generated extensive media interest and academic debate about race, class, gender, and the politicization of the justice system.

Ethical Concerns

Filmmakers and media outlets must navigate ethical concerns when portraying strippers, ensuring they are not further victimized or exploited.

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