Sexism at Rocky

[jrising]

Elaina is quitting the show for a variety of reasons, but the relevant one is sexism at Rocky. She convinced me that the problem is extensive, but I don't know how to respect those concerns and still encourage the individual creative talents and sexualities of our members and the boundary-pushing of the show. But I think we can find a way, and enjoy our work better for reaching for it.

Sexism has become a party-crashing term. People worry that if they acknowledge it, it will make every decision more difficult and force us to be more conservative. It shouldn't. Sexism itself-- the faulty societally-ingrained role preconceptions we have-- is inherently incredibly conservative and creativity-blocking. By harboring it, we cripple the sexual and individual potential of our members.

I think that the best solution to the sexism problem has to do with promoting an attitude at the show, not by making rules, and I think we can do it, because we're strong, freely-sexual people who want to promote sexual equality. This attitude would be characterized by honest recognition of how our actions and shows play out sexual stereotypes, and the constant search for what's beyond them.

One aspect of this attitude might be that men at Rocky would be encouraged (expected) to put themselves on sexual display as much as women. It will make us better men. Another is that we should consider the sexism-jostling potential of our preshows. We can get more out of challenging our audience than playing to its fantasies.

Next week: How to get the most out of a rape fantasy...

Comments

[transparencies.livejournal.com]

well, firstly, i think that all people have certain moral and ethical obligations and we can't adjust them radically to suit our needs, even relative to our surroundings. but i don't know that i want to deeply into that conversation right now.

i've never really seen partial male nudity discouraged at the show either. but i think the issue here is the fact that it's expected of women. it's not simply an open invitation to be naked and dancing and seductive. it's very much expected. and that same expectation doesn't hold true for men. there's a pressure on women at rocky to be sex objects. there's an opportunity for men but that's all.

[asavitzk.livejournal.com]

There's so much response to this in my head right now but it's hard to put it down on pixels so I'm sorry if it seems incomplete.

I never hired a new person on tech or cast and "expected" them to be a sex object. I hope none of them ever felt that way because they never said anything to me (which takes me back to the whole idea of personal responsibility...). There is certainly a constant atmosphere that if a woman wants to get naked that everyone will love that and it's an easy ego boost for alot of women who join the show but what's wrong with that? At least at Rocky we'll still learn their name and talk to them.

And in any case, it can be like that for men too. Look at Jim Allen. :)

[transparencies.livejournal.com]

i'm not singling anyone out, i hope that's clear. but if it isn't- i'm not singling anyone out! it's a group mentality and that, i think, is what makes it so powerful. but i have seen, on many occassions (i'm not just calling to mind a few incidents here) women having clothing removed, when it has been made clear they weren't completely comfortable with it. challenging someone's comfort level, especially in an environment designed for that, isn't always a bad thing. that's how we grow as people. but pushing boundaries to such a point that people feel they must give in to be accepted is bad.

[revolos55.livejournal.com]

I certainly didn't feel like I was hired to provide a "sex object" service, even though the position of fellatio tech was highly pimped. I don't think it had anything to do with being a lesbian, because, while I could give a fig what the menfolk thought about how I dressed, there were still ladies to impress. And besides, it's not like the sexual orientation of the viewee has ever impeded the ogling of the viewer. It's human nature to try to attract the attention of someone you're interested in. Both men and women do it. Hair, clothes, cars, accessories. To quote The Producers "Flaunt it, baby".