It's Getting Harder Out There for a Good Girl

It's nearly impossible to survive now as a dancer who wants to follow the law. I started dancing 18 years ago and it gets tougher every year. I dance in Phoenix, AZ and if you follow the law exactly you probably won't make enough money to survive. You're not even allowed to accept tips in your g-string. It's a $250 fine for every dollar that is put in your costume rather and in your hand or set on the stage. Technically, you can't give a legal lapdance because you can't actually touch someone's crotch. I've only seen one other dancer in 18 years consistently give legal personal dances.

All of those laws and rules were there when I first started. What's gotten worse is the mileage expected. There are even girls now who give extras now without charging more for the dances. Recently I had a regular get a private room with me out of loyalty but told me not to touch him because the dancer who did a room with him before I arrived to work already "got him off." I didn't bother to ask how. Every year there seems to be more ladies dancing and less customers spending. Competition gets cutthroat. I've even seen dancers charge less than the dance price minimum the club sets.

No judgment on what people want to do outside the club but the fact is that having sex in the club is illegal. I don't care what girls do outside of work but the dancers who are also acting as prostitutes put my club at risk. They can get us raided and shut down. I dance so that I can support my rescue dogs and horses. It isn't fair that I should have to compete with dancers having sex in the VIP and private rooms. The other day a dancer was caught having anal sex by the bouncer. I won't go into the details but she didn't even get fired.

I'm grateful for the experience of dancing. I learned a lot about people. I became much stronger physically and mentally and emotionally. I developed a much thicker skin. I was able to buy a house and support myself while still spending more time doing animal rescue than working in the club. I've even made some really good friends. However, every year I also add to the number of people I know who have been murdered or died of overdoses. I've even danced for people later convicted of rape and murder. I've had people try to do horrible things including a customer who recently tried to blood choke me. For the first time in my life I had to file a police report for assault because the attack was so extreme.

I feel like the whole world, especially this industry, is going a little crazier every year. Every year I think it's time for me to do something else. However every year I find myself back at City Hall applying for another Dancer License. Next year I'll be turning 50. I'm not sure how much worse things can get. When you walk into the club, try to remember dancers and staff and customers are all individuals who deserve respect. Be kind and try to treat others how you want to be treated. Ask permission before you take liberties. Don't hit or choke or sexually assault others. Personally I like to imagine everyone else has a Golden Retriever or some other sweet and lovable pet at home. I want to treat each person I meet in a way such that they go home happy to their pet because I can't imagine anything worse than disappointing a big ole friendly fluffy dog. That's just me.