Choice?

Abstract

Choice? Brett Payette, Emily Herczeg, Catriona Graveson, and Alyssa Bignell Click for larger view View full resolution Brett Payette, Emily Herczeg, Catriona Graveson, and Alyssa Bignell perform Choice? on 24 November 2010. Photo courtesy of Emily Herczeg [End Page 96] Authors' Introduction At the outset of this process, our research covered the broad issue of decriminalizing prostitution. As the ruling of Bedford v. Canada had just been released,2 there was a great deal of discussion on the topic and many opposing viewpoints were being debated in the media. During our preliminary discussions, we noted that all four of us were very clear in our stance of being pro-decriminalization. However, as we learned more about the sex work industry we quickly realized how many different valid perspectives there are on both decriminalization and the sex work industry itself. Our research plan began to evolve and our interest became centred on the individuals involved in the sex work industry and on how decriminalization would impact different people. It was important to us to learn about as many viewpoints as possible, and to hear personal stories from those within the sex work industry. We attended a panel discussion ("Should Prostitution Be Legal?") in response to the Bedford v. Canada ruling held at Queen's University which was an integral part of our research process.3 Multiple conflicting yet also overlapping perspectives were presented during the discussion, and we were exposed to ideas about sex work in a new light. Although there was little agreement on whether or not we should move towards decriminalization, the one topic that kept coming up was that of choice. We then began exploring questions such as: "when is entry into the sex work industry a true choice?"; "is staying in the industry a choice?"; "who is capable of making a choice?"; and "what happens when a choice is made for the wrong reasons?" We wanted to represent as many people and ideas as possible, but given our time constraints, we decided it was best to create four distinct characters who could demonstrate the difficulties surrounding choice in the sex work industry. The contrasts between the empowered sex worker vs. the battered woman, the drug-addicted vs. the sober, the independent worker vs. the pimped, and the indoor vs. the outdoor worker were all important perspectives to acknowledge, and we were able to work these into the back stories of our four women. We attempted to portray the contradictory nature of the women's perspectives, and to show our audience that no perspective was more valid or less valid than the others. Translating our research from the page to the stage was the most difficult aspect of the entire process. We did not want our performance to sound like a public service announcement, nor like a clichéd set of monologues. It was important for us to show that each woman's story was legitimate in its own way, and to highlight the vast differences of opinion within the sex work industry itself. Curator's Note As this piece was being developed, I was in a class exploring philosophical perspectives on sex work, had become close friends with some people involved in the sex industry, and was peripherally involved in it myself as a dancer in an emerging burlesque dance troupe. When the group members shared their concern with me about having no connection to sex work themselves, I privately offered to put them in touch with a friend of mine who works in the industry. This friend is typically cynical of Queen's students' unconscious exercise of their privilege, so I was thrilled when she reported that she was very impressed with the sensitive, open-minded, and respectful way in which the four students approached their meeting with her. Through their self-awareness and accountability to all the stances in a hugely complex debate (that was never simplified to suit any agenda), this group has created a powerful pro-choice piece. Choice? Characters KRISTEN, is sixteen. She is dressed in skinny jeans, sneakers, a tank top, and a hooded cardigan. Her outfit is made to look like it was purchased from a low-end teen store...