I went to the Li Po Lounge
on Grant Street
after reading poems
by the great Chinese poet
during the sex worker’s festival
in San Francisco

to take tickets
and watch the door
for a late night day
to raise money for the festival

the only one
to talk with me
was the bartender
upstairs
when I came in
and when I went out

all things
have their time

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/17/2009 02:55PM by petersz.

There are days like that. What is a sex worker's festival? Perhaps they were all just tired.

Is there supposed to be an "s" on reading in L3?

Mary

Peter in the words of Jim Morrison:

"People are strange when you're a stranger"


Les

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/17/2009 11:01AM by les712.

Mary, thanks for the help again. 'What is a sex worker's festival?' The prostitutes, escorts, masseurs,lap dancers and other erotic dancers. etc. decided to have a festival to raise money for their union and for the medical and health expenses of people in the trade last year in San Francisco with about 90 or 100 separate events, including plays, musical events, dances for the workers etc. Because some of these people are friends of mine or friends of friends, I volunteered to do whatever a straight, male, non-John could do to help out. I ended up being the door man for a play about a young male escort's story of how he got into the life and for the dance in the basement of the Li Po Lounge. the first was a lot more fun for me, since I didn't know anyone at the latter, and I got to see a serious/funny play about someone whose life is very painful and very different from the life I lead.

I don't know if they'll have another festival this year, but it was well worth it to me because I met a lot of different people who were very nice to me without anyone expecting anything from me.

Peter

Now that I think about it, I recall seeing a show about such an event for those involved in the pornographic media industry (and maybe other "workers")...that really looked more like a day at the New York stock exchange. Aside from more diversity in atire, make-up, hairstyles, etc., it was rather busy and businesslike with people networking, trying to meet and talk with top producers,etc.

I found the show interesting, even if world's away from the conservative and somewhat sheltered life I lead. I admire you for being so open-minded and non-judgemental that you could plunk yourself in the middle of it, Peter. I suppose people involved with such enterprises would, indeed, be accepting of others.

Thanks for the info.

Mary

Mary,

I grew up knowing people in the sex industry were exactly like everybody else in their daily needs and cares. So when I was introduced to them in my elder years, it wasn't the least surprising to me that they needed medical coverage and voting right, just like us. By the way, I suspect the conservatism and traditionalism of my parents quite matched that of anyone on this board, including our friend 210.

amo,

Peter