The Triple X Place Up The Road

A SWAS Flashback

Above: Amber Dawn, a writer you should know, on the streets of NOLA during the SWAS tour. Photo by me.

Above: Me backstage with M Lamar, a musician you should know, while on the SWAS tour. Photo by Bridget Irish.

During the late 2000s I toured with The Sex Workers’ Art Show, produced and hosted by Annie Oakley, editor of the anthology Working Sex: Sex Workers Write About a Changing Industry. The show featured writers and performers with experience in the sex industry. We toured universities and museums and galleries, spreading the “sex workers are human” gospel, and were challenged in some locations, particularly William and Mary. (My thoughts on the controversy.) It was the first and last time I did a show about sex work in New Orleans, and in anticipation of doing my solo show there next month I wanted to take a look back. At the time I was keeping a LiveJournal, so I have lots to look back on. I find some of it rather cringe now, but I suppose it’s still a historical document, so I’ve left it up.

As I combed back through it for any interesting New Orleans pix, I came across one of my favorite stories from the tour:

We had last night off from performing due to the long drive from Santa Fe to Austin. We spent the night in a town I didn't catch the name of and then gathered in the lobby for breakfast.

A cheerful older woman who worked at the hotel asked us why we were traveling in such a large group, and Kirk said, "We're with the Sex Workers Art Show."

"What's a sex worker?"

"Someone who works in the sex industry."

"So you all work in the sex industry?"

"Yes."

Long pause.

"I used to work at the triple x place up the road," she said.

"Did you like it?"

"Sure did. It was the best job I ever had."

And then she laughed in a sweet but obviously nervous way. She had just come out to us.

And then on the way out of town we passed this long low silver structure that had no signs except three big red x's. The triple x place up the road!

I loved how happy she was to have someone she could tell this to with pride and pleasure.

And those moments with other sex workers, past and present, who tell me how my work makes them feel valued and understood, are a big part of what keeps me going. It’s why I try to be supportive of everyone who’s writing and making art about their sex work experiences — they help me, too.

PS There’s some old stuff on my LiveJournal I’d fix if I could, but I can’t access the account anymore. Apologies in advance!