40-42 Chalk Farm Rd
London NW1 8BG
UK
Itziar Bilbao Urrutia – Dominatrix, artist, activist, comes to Queers in the Pub with her Valentine’s special: “For love or money – Paid sex and the romantic myth”.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, romantic love as the highest and most selfless form of affection is peddled by many. Whilst romancing a woman with roses, chocolates and expensive dinners is seen as a sign of chivalry, the concept of buying intimacy in the form of sex work is still seen as a sign of failure on the part of the john who pays, and as proof of women’s oppression.
Why do women sell sex? And why do men buy it? Why is it so rare when the genders are inverted. We will explore how queer ideas question the hegemony of the couple, the family and gendered affection, and challenge centuries of moralistic condemnation of a profession that often, was the only way of earning money for minorities and the disempowered. With 14 years’ experience in the adult industry and currently writing her PhD on Femdom, Itziar Bilbao Urrutia is fascinated by the taboo of sex for pay.