Regarding the October 23 article about Monica Gary’s domestic violence charge, I feel it was extremely inappropriate and irresponsible, both as an individual reporter and as a publication, to open the article with reference to her previous employment as a stripper. It is very clear that intent of this statement, based on its delivery, was to condemn, degrade, and disqualify the quality of character of not only Monica Gary, but of strippers and sex workers as a whole — especially female strippers and sex workers. I will not stand for that in my community.
For this letter, I am using the terms “sex work” and “sex worker” broadly to encompass the various types of sex work including but not limited to stripping, pole dancing, prostitution, pornographic film acting and modeling, escort services, erotic massages, etc.