News / sexual entertainment venues
Male strippers good, female strippers bad
Female strippers who could lose their jobs if Bristol City Council bans sexual entertainment venues from the city have reacted furiously to the news that male strippers are due to perform at a nightclub notorious for sexual assaults and violent incidents.
The Dreamboys, described as “an incredible evening of raunchy entertainment”, have been booked to perform at Pryzm in the Harbourside.
“Who better to get under than a Dreamboy!?” says the website of Pryzm, which had the most sexual assaults of any licensed premises in Bristol between 2018 and 2020 according to Avon & Somerset Police data.
is needed now More than ever
Pryzm was also the location in Bristol city centre where most assaults took place and was the licensed premises with the most police incidents in total.
Because the Dreamboys do not perform fully nude in Bristol, they do not need a license from the city council.
Top-20 locations for sexual assault/rape in licensed premises – data: Avon & Somerset Police
All incidents at licensed premises – data: Avon & Somerset Police
Assaults between 8pm and 6am – data: Avon & Somerset Police
“Men are allowed to strip without any kind of licensing in the club with the highest rate of sexual assaults in Bristol,” tweeted Margot.
“But the council is targetting the strip clubs with female dancers, which are well run, safe and not a source of concern for the police. Make that make sense.”
Chloe tweeted: “Pryzm, no less. I love double standards.”
A tweet from Urban Tiger on Broad Quay, one of the venues that could be forced to shut if Bristol implements a nil-cap limit on SEVs, called the scheduled appearance of the Dreamboys “a joke!”
“One rule for all! It’s sexual entertainment that should be subjected to the same regulation as strip clubs nude or not!”
Police reports from 2018 to 2020 show sexual assault in licensed premises in Bristol is most common in the city’s biggest nightclubs, not the strip clubs – photo: Martin Booth
The Dreamboys themselves have shared their support for Bristol’s SEV workers.
They tweeted: “We are totally behind you and are fervently opposed to the proposed closures and reductions in SEVL licenses. It makes zero logical sense and those in power are misguided and prejudice.”
Marvin Rees has backed plans to ban lap-dancing clubs in Bristol. But the mayor insists the decision lies with councillors and that he cannot take control of it.
Speaking at Bristol24/7’s mayoral hustings in April, Amelie, a stripper and member of Bristol Sex Workers Collective, asked how candidates would work with SEV workers towards creating a policy that honours the rights of workers and the public.
Rees said: “We have two clashing rights; the right for women to choose how they make a living but the concern is there is a consequence for women and how they are viewed by wider society.”
Main photo: Dreamboys
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