ignorance is bliss for a lot of people!
it's sad when people are so misinformed yet so happy to share misinformation. it is even more of a shame that they are trapped into a certain way of thinking by their prejudices, which in my belief, stem from fear.

For anyone who hasn't read the article

Rave reviews for the burlesque babe with rare hearing condition - The Daily Record

Letters can be found by searching the Daily Record site.

This criticism was aimed at Millie and not me, and maybe if it had been aimed at me I'd find it more offensive, or maybe I have a very thick skin, but again (like with the ridiculous comments hurled at DG ) I'm finding this laughable. This is another case of people criticising burlesque who simultaneously defeat their own arguments by showing their ignorance as to what happens in a typical burlesque night. Therefore they just look comical in my eyes. I for one never criticise something I know nothing about. That is because I am intelligent, and anyone with any intelligence knows that you do some research before you mouth off.

I have a masters degree in feminist anthropology so I'm more than happy to go several rounds with anyone who asserts that burlesque is anti-feminist. It seems daft to accuse someone of not using their brain while simultaneously demonstrating that you haven't used your own! I don't expect everyone to like what I do but I've at least taken time to educate myself in both feminism and burlesque and if this complainer had done the same maybe they'd be worth bothering with. They clearly haven't spent even one night in a burlesque club or spoken to a single performer.

Therefore, this whinger is anti-feminist! They show feminism in a bad light because they reinforce all the stereotypes of feminism: a screeching, anti-glamour harpee who is ill-informed, reactionary, and threatened by sexuality. They should concentrate on how THEIR behaviour demeans women and consider that some research and education on their part might help them take a step towards credibility.

However, I could argue the theory til the cows come home but the proof of the pudding is in the eating. I am never less sleazed upon than when I'm in a burlesque club. I have only ever been spoken to with respect when I move among the crowd after a show and this is by men and women alike in a variety of countries. I was subjected to more sleaze walking down a street in Milan in my own clothes than I did in the club that night after I stripped. So whine all you want. Show that you've done some research and I might listen. The problem? Jealousy. It is too reactionary to be anything but.

i must say i have found this whole thing quite hurtful and haven't been too happy with the paper making these letters public.
and layla, hear you on milan, i had far too much attention everywhere i went there!

I can remove the links from my post if you'd like, didn't mean to offend!

Well put Leyla Rose! All I have to say on this matter is that I would quite happily give up my day job for a career in burlesque. Why? Because in one I am treated with respect and admired when I do a good job, in the other I am subjected to unwelcome, sleazy and downright abusive behaviour from some of the less savoury examples of the male species. Guess which one's which ...

__________________
Terry Pratchett to Fleur - "Oh, are you the cleavage lady?"
Visit me - www.badflower.co.uk

Millie - you are a British Burlesque sensation, one of the biggest stars on the club circuit. I guess that makes you an easy target for the uneducated. All I can do is offer you my unconditional support during this difficult time. I also think yo have the support of a lot of people on this forum and in the scene.

In the end I don't feel it's the Burlesque that's degrading - but the comments of the uneducated anti-burlesque scene are degrading to Millie.

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Silk Stocking Striptease Show

Degrading...?
There have always been more women than men in the audience whenever I have performed...
Most burly-q girls I know are in it for fun, not to make money.
If it was degrading, we wouldn't bother.

x

Hahaha thats brilliant

Having wondered (a while back) whether this was actually the case, I took a bit of a deeply unscientific gawp at the last Candybox queue and audience, and actually came to the conclusion that the reverse is true. I can't honestly say that an audience is 'mostly men'. Not a typical Candybox one, anyway.

I think I love you. If ladies did it for me, I'd start a little shrine.