Strippers accuse Bristol Women’s Commission of misogyny

Strippers who could lose their jobs or be forced to work in unlicensed premises if Bristol City Council close down strip clubs have accused Bristol Women’s Commission of only protecting women they deem morally acceptable.

In a statement submitted to Tuesday’s full council meeting, Bristol Women’s Commission chair, Penny Gane, urged councillors to support a nil-cap for sexual entertainment venues (SEVs).

This would lead to the closure of Urban Tiger on Broad Quay and Central Chambers on St Stephen’s Street, and put dozens of mostly female jobs at risk.

Bristol Women’s Commission was established in 2013 and receives £5,000 a year from Bristol City Council to support it with its work “bringing together partner agencies and decision makers to identify and tackle issues affecting women and girls”.

Gane said that Bristol City Council should not be sanctioning SEVs which profit from and contribute to gender inequality.

Central Chambers in the Old City (above) and Urban Tiger on Broad Quay (below) are both owned by the same company – photos: Martin Booth

In her statement, Gane wrote: “There has been local press coverage about the proposed nil-cap, always from the perspectives of strip club owners or the small number of women who worked in the clubs which have been closed for much of 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

“Understandably, the sex industry’s main concern with the nil-cap proposal is it limiting the earning potential from SEVs.

“And it’s right that, should the nil-cap pass, any women directly affected be supported to find more work.

But this isn’t about employment, it’s about deciding whether or not a locality is an appropriate place to have a SEV – we say there are no appropriate places for this.

“Our position focuses on a bigger conversation around changing the behaviours of men and boys in order to make our city a safer, more equal place to live for all women and girls.

“A nil-cap on SEVs is part of that broader aim. It won’t solve the problem on its own, but it will be a significant step towards doing so…

“We urge councillors to consider the interests of all women and girls in Bristol and seize this opportunity to become the largest UK city… taking a tangible step to tackle gender inequality and make the city a fairer, safer place to live for all women and girls.”

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Read more: Mayor Marvin Rees bans proposed ban on strip clubs

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Responding to Gane on Twitter, dancer Margot said: “No Penny my main concern isn’t losing money. My main concern is potentially getting assaulted at the private parties I will have to work at because you contributed to shut down the regulated SEV I used to work at.

“How dare you and the @BWCommission call yourselves feminists? Closing down safe workplaces for women is an act of violence in itself. You only want to protect and defend the women you deem morally acceptable.

“Blaming sex workers for men’s violence is the one of the most patriarchal ideas you could promote. You are not a radical neither a progressive. You are a misogynist.”

Margot’s fellow stripper, Chloe, added: “Using a workforce made up of predominantly working class women as collateral for your own personal moral crusade will never be akin to equality…

“Naked women making you uncomfortable isn’t a reason to make them unemployed.”

Listen to dancer Amelie talking about how her job is at risk if strip clubs are closed in Bristol in episode seven of the Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read more: Dancer speaks out about proposed ban on strip clubs in Bristol