Tired of watching well-meaning strangers impose their own visions for improving the plight of the dancer, some of Portland's seasoned strippers are working directly with state lawmakers and professional lobbyists in search of better working conditions.
There are dozens of them, something for any taste or any neighborhood, helped to ubiquity by Oregon's fierce protection of free speech. Tired of watching well-meaning strangers impose their own visions for improving the plight of the dancer, some of Portland's seasoned strippers are working directly with state lawmakers and professional lobbyists.
Around the country, strippers have stepped up their fight for better working conditions. Some are suing. Others have filed complaints with state regulators.
A handful have unionized. But the effort in Oregon to work directly with the Legislature -- with the support of lobbyists -- is unique. Stanger has worked her entire five-year career at the Lucky Devil Lounge. She's pleased with the management, she said, and isn't concerned she'll face retaliation for speaking publicly. But as the assistant editor of Exotic Magazine, a local publication for the sex industry, she's seen plenty of clubs.
They're not all as great as hers. We just want to get these workplaces up to a minimum safety standard at least. There may be a few bad apples, but most club owners take dancers' safety seriously and are appalled when strippers are mistreated, said Claude DaCorsi, a club operator and president of the Oregon chapter of the Association of Club Executives, an industry association.
