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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Lapdancing club to sell topless calendar to raise money for children's charity

19 replies

berkshirefem · 28/10/2011 14:30

Please help - This is my local lapdancing club and they are (although with good intention I'm sure) selling a calendar to raise money for a children's charity which gives money to the Royal Berkshire Hospital.
I am completely disgusted by this to be honest.

here

OP posts:
ecclesvet · 28/10/2011 14:39

I think this is one of the situations where you just have to bite your tongue. Yes, it's disgusting; yes, there are better ways of raising money - but campaigning against it would just play into the hands of people who want to denounce feminism.

ecclesvet · 28/10/2011 14:40

Bitchy side-note: from the photos of the 'dancers' on their website, I can't imagine they'll make much.

StewieGriffinsMom · 28/10/2011 14:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JLK2 · 28/10/2011 15:00

How is this any different to the "Calendar Girls" calendar?

ecclesvet · 28/10/2011 15:07

JLK2 - it isn't. I didn't care for that one either; just because you're doing something unexpectedly/ironically, doesn't mean you aren't doing it.

berkshirefem · 28/10/2011 15:14

As in the film..? It isn't different.

Thanks for the practical advice Stewie. Will pass it on to our town's fem group and see if it's something we can do together.

OP posts:
KRITIQ · 28/10/2011 15:36

Many years ago, I believe it was the NSPCC that refused a donation from an event to raise money where women dressed as "sexy school girls" or similar. Obviously, a charity concerned with the safety and welfare of children, many of whom have been sexually abused, would not be pleased to be associated with an activity that involved stylising women as sexualised children.

I think there is a difference between the fundraiser mentioned in the OP and the Calender Girls/original WI campaign. Images of the WI women were of them doing ordinary things like cooking and gardening. Most weren't looking into the camera. They were nude, but not styled or posed in a sexualised manner. They weren't intended to be objectified and the models did not fit the "type" used for traditional "pin up" style calendars of sexualised, naked women.

I can't imagine the plan is for the women of Sugar Lounge to be photographed with discreetly placed crockery as they make jam, scrappbooking or other "ordinary" activities. The images will be overtly sexualised and objectifying. The company profits from the sale of women's sexual services and probably see this as an opportunity to enhance their "social responsibility" credentials. Even if "every penny" of proceeds (as they suggest) goes to the charity, they are certainly hoping the tie in will be good for business.

It's quite likely that some of the patients on the children's ward will have suffered sexual abuse. There is evidence of increased levels of sexual assaults in the vicinity of "gentlemen's clubs." The two don't sit very neatly together.

I agree - set up an alternative, and perhaps those locally could register their concern with the hospital about the message they are sending out in accepting proceeds from this calendar and this company.

VeryLittleGhastliness · 28/10/2011 17:43

ecclesvet

Was it really necessary to comment on the attractiveness (or otherwise) of the women?

ecclesvet · 28/10/2011 18:18

No, not particularly.

MsAnnTeak · 28/10/2011 18:21

Kritiq, are you suggesting those who visit lapdancing clubs are more likely to be child abusers ?

Hasn't the "lapdancing clubs increase levels of sexual assaults" been unpicked and been shown to be inaccurate by several academics and found the levels actually decreased ? Belinda Brooks-Gordon springs to mind but I could be wrong. Will check it out.

crazygracieuk · 28/10/2011 18:35

OMG!

I would have thought that there were more appropriate charities that they could support since lapdancing clubs are for adults only and it would be inappropriate for the charity to display, sell or own stock.

If I was a compagainer, I'd be contacting the owners with a list of more suitable charities or suggesting that they maximise sales by trying to get a mention in a lads mag or a tabloid where the readers are more likely to buy a copy.

StewieGriffinsMom · 28/10/2011 19:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MsAnnTeak · 28/10/2011 20:00

Apologies, wrong Brook, it's Brooke Magnanti published research debunking the Lillith Report.

www.scribd.com/doc/47185652/Green-Paper-Camden-Lilith-rape-stats

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 28/10/2011 20:10

I would happily pay for such calendar if it were the punters photographed and nit the women. Hmm Hey, I'd double pay.

MsAnnTeak · 28/10/2011 20:22

Kritiq, interesting paragraph. "I think there is a difference between the fundraiser mentioned in the OP and the Calender Girls/original WI campaign. Images of the WI women were of them doing ordinary things like cooking and gardening. Most weren't looking into the camera. They were nude, but not styled or posed in a sexualised manner. They weren't intended to be objectified and the models did not fit the "type" used for traditional "pin up" style calendars of sexualised, naked women."

If you change out the middle aged Calender Girls and replace them with early 20s females in the same poses would you change your opinion on the photographs ?

KRITIQ · 28/10/2011 20:43

No

MsAnnTeak · 28/10/2011 20:51

Thanks. By "sexualised manner", do you mean looking available to have sex ?

AKissIsNotAContract · 28/10/2011 20:55

That link is for a 2011 calendar. Are they doing one for 2012 too? Don't want you to look silly complaining about something that's already happened.

AKissIsNotAContract · 28/10/2011 20:57

If you click on the 'buy now' link the page doesn't exist anymore, so it would seem they are not repeating it for 2012.

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