LEGGI QUESTO ARTICOLO IN ITALIANO
We talked about the International Fringe Festival being all over the city these weeks. As you can imagine, it is impossible to see and review all the shows in town. It is almost impossible to figure out what is great to see, what to suggest, what to choose. The offer is so wide that one needs to take a vacation to get to see so many shows. That’s why one is glad when a friend suggests something that ends up to be very interesting and unique. Cuntagious, a one woman show, written by Kaytlin Bailey – now a stand up comedian, once a sex worker – and directed by Sue Sacrborough is such show. As the promotion card states “Kaytlin began having sex for money in high school. No bills & no drug habit to support, just arrogant curiosity. This is her story.” I had the pleasure o interview her.
Do you remember when you decided to write the show?
“I decided to write the show after I left a man who called me an unlovable abomination. He believed that because I had once done sex work, I was irreparably damaged. This show examines those beliefs.”
You began having sex for money in high school. And you did it for ‘arrogant curiosity’. Tell our readers how did you start and, most importantly, what this kind of work meant to you.
“I fantasized about being a whore for years, but I started seriously considering doing it when I googled “escort Raleigh, NC.” I found a message board, and posted an ad. At the time, this work meant freedom from the constraints of adolescence. I got to step into a fantasy world, a fantasy character. It felt very powerful.”
You met other girls who were doing it for many different reasons. You mention some of them in the show. Is there an average kind of sex worker (excluding of course those who are forced to do so)?
“I don’t think there is such a thing as an “average” sex worker. It’s an old profession that attracts a lot of different kinds of people for a lot of different reasons. Most of the whores l’ve met are women who question things, who value their independence over social norms-but those are the kinds of people I like hanging out with. So my sample is obviously skewed.”
You told me that you feel that sex workers should be treated like any other workers and that prostitution is a job like many others. How is the legislation as of today in the States? Is there anything that could be done to improve it?
“I’m an artist, and not an activist but I believe decriminalization is the best option. It would be great if police officers could stop brutalizing, raping & arresting prostitutes. It would also be nice if when prostitutes are murdered the case isn’t marked “NHI” (no humans involved.) The first step is to start thinking of sex workers as people. I recommend donating to the Sex Worker Project at the Urban Justice Center in NYC, they do great work.”
You did the show three times before opening now at the Fringe. What kind of reaction did you get?
“Well, the first run was really a coming out process. I performed the show before I told my family. I knew most of the audience members personally, so they were very supportive.”
Generally speaking, what kind of reaction you get from people whenever you tell your story?
“Most people are curious, some are titillated. I’ve also discovered that when you come out, other people come out. I’ve had a lot of people reach out to me to tell me their own experience with sex work, I love that.”
Besides the show, are there other situations in which you feel safe telling your story?
“Promoting this show has gotten me used to talking about sex work in a lot of different contexts with a lot of different people. But comics are always my favorite people to talk to about anything, including sex work.”
Let’s end by giving to our readers a reason to come see your show.
“People should come see the show because it’s a good story. I’m biased because I wrote it. I lived it first, it was all very exciting.”
The show is at the Abrazo Inerno at the Clemente (107 Suffolk Street, 2nd floor. Between Rivinton & Delancey). Dates/Times are: August 18 at 7pm, August 22 at 8:45pm, August 25 at 5:30pm, August 27 at 7:15pm. The show is also going to be at the end of September and beginning of October at the United Solo festival.
