Coquitlam Takes the Next Step in Restricting Undesirable
COQUITLAM, BC, Tuesday, July 14, 2009 – The City of
Coquitlam is steadily moving forward with bylaw amendments that will regulate
Undesirable businesses in Coquitlam.
“Coquitlam is ‘Open for Business’ but these are not the types of businesses
City Council wants in our community,” says Mayor Richard Stewart. “These
bylaw changes were requested by residents and businesses, and are aimed at
protecting the character and safety of our neighbourhoods and business
districts.”
The most notable changes to the zoning bylaw will prohibit non-registered
massage (except bodywork), pawnshops, methadone clinics, escort services and
exotic dancing throughout the City. There will also be a minimum distance
required between any two businesses such as methadone dispensaries, tattoo
parlours, adult video stores, adult toy stores, cheque cashing businesses and
scrap metal dealers. The distance requirement will prevent “clusters” of these
businesses.
“We are working hard to promote walkable, family-friendly retail areas
throughout our city. Across Greater Vancouver, we can see neighbourhoods
that we would not want to take our children to, neighbourhoods with a
proliferation of undesirable businesses. City Council is really trying to
be preemptive, to protect both our residents and our existing businesses,” says
Mayor Stewart.
These changes reflect public feedback from an Open House held in April and a
recent Public Hearing. The bylaw recently went through its third reading, and
has been referred to the Province of British Columbia for approval before coming
back to Coquitlam Council for consideration of fourth and final reading.
I pay my lover a wage -Thursday, June 25, 2009
I’m sure I’m not alone in this, but I’m equally sure that it’s the type of thing which would cause raised eyebrows and a lot of disapproval, which is why I haven’t told anyone. However, it’s an arrangement which has worked very well for me for the last three years and I hope it continues. My ex husband and I get on pretty well, but I don’t want all the complications involved in getting into a relationship – I want to be able to concentrate on my children, my job and my life without introducing a man who might well walk out at some point, thus upsetting the children. Although I know I could go out a couple of times a month and find someone for sex I don’t have the time or energy for a series of one night stands – I want to be wined and dined and know exactly what’s going to happen, without any worries about the next day. My husband and I had a great sex life and I really missed that, so I decided to do some research. The internet was the obvious place and I found a huge range of websites and adverts offering a wide range of services. Some of them were simply hilarious, but in the end I found Justin. Our first encounter was nerve wracking and my main worry was that I might not find him attractive, although I definitely went out there with sex on my mind. In the flesh something has to click and although I knew that he was extremely good looking and very fit I also knew I had to fancy him. I booked into a hotel and spent ages getting ready, then Justin came to collect me and we went out to dinner. Thank God, despite my nerves there was an instant spark and we had a great time, especially since we both knew that the whole evening was definitely building up to sex. When we got back to the room there was no problem tearing each other’s clothes off and the sex was fantastic. I knew I’d made the right decision and we meet once or twice a month, with the occasional weekend away or short holiday, which I always pay for. He makes me feel that I’m the centre of attention, he’s very protective and caring, we have a laugh and a chat and the sex gets better and better. He always makes it special with candles, massage oils and sex toys – now how many men would still be doing that after three years in an ordinary relationship? Sorry if this goes against the stereotype, but I want fabulous sex with a lovely man without any ties. We might well be at the stage where women are seen to enjoy sex as much as men, but not at the stage of admitting that some of us are happy to pay for it. There’s currency of some kind in every relationship and I know that although we get on well and have a great time together, at the bottom of it all is hard cash. I’m quite vain and having a man in my life who sees me naked regularly certainly makes me focus on looking after myself, so I’m very slim and fit and feel confident sexually. What’s really interesting is the amount of other men who ask me out – it does make me realise that when you’ve one man around you seem to get the pick of the rest as well. You wouldn’t question this relationship unless you knew I paid for it – we’re both adults, seeing each other regularly and enjoying ourselves. Why does money suddenly change it? We have cover stories organised in case we bump into anyone we know but that’s never happened. Women should be able to have the sort of sex life and companionship they want, on their terms, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. I love my children, work hard – to pay for their treats and mine – see my friends and family and enjoy my hobbies like anyone else. This way, I’m very satisfied sexually which makes me a much calmer and happier person and I do like the secrecy element of this arrangement. I keep both lives totally separate and Justin doesn’t know where I live, what I do or even my real surname – though I’m the same with him and we contact each other by mobile phone. Nothing’s forever and I hope it will be some considerable time before Justin hangs up his thong, but I’m sure there’s a replacement out there should it ever happen. I know now how well this can work and it’s perfect for me. Maybe I will change but I think it’s unlikely. Every so often I can indulge myself and then walk away completely satisfied, ready to get on with the rest of my life. Being able to have such a lovely time and be treated so well, without any worries or upset – frankly, that’s priceless. As it is he costs $400 for an hour, $540 for three hours and $1200 for overnight, and every penny is well spent.
(Not so) Feel-Good of the Day: First Women-Run Pharmacy in North America
Sadly, most of the time pharmacists are mentioned on Feministing it’s
regarding “conscience clause” folks – anti-choice pharmacists (and their buddy Bush)
who believe it’s their “religious or moral” right to refuse to sell contraception
to women even though it’s, you know, their job and all. So it was really
refreshing to
find a group of pharmacists who actually give a hoot about women’s health.
(Until we found out they exclude trans women – update
below.)
Today, Vancouver
Women’s Health Collective have opened Lu’s: A Pharmacy for Women.This will
be the first women-run and women-only pharmacy in North America. VWHC’s
executive director, Caryn Duncan, said:
“Women felt, ‘I want a woman pharmacist. I want to know that when
I walk in the door, I’m going to be getting sound women-centred care from a
pharmacist. I can talk to her about emergency contraception or a vaginal
infection, something that is very personal and intimate.’”
UPDATE: A reader alerted us to Bilerico’s
findings that the
pharmacy specifically excludes trans women. Commenter Lau actually
interviewed VWHC about this, who said that the policy existed because trans
folks’ health is different and there is already a heath center for trans people in
Vancouver (which is supposed to make it all okay). Sounds damn weak to me. If
their lack of expertise in trans folks’ health is really a concern, why not
bring in someone who can assist them? As
Mercedes on Bilerico said:
For those who don’t know Vancouver, that part of West Hastings is
near the rough part of town, the skid row. There are other pharmacies present,
all cold environments, heavy glass between caregiver and client, patrons
subject to suspicion just for entering the doors. In this area, yes, trans sex
workers and the poor of our community could probably use some respectful and
reliable advice without hostility and prejudice. Unfortunately, Lu’s is not
there to give it — Lu’s has chosen to be selective in how it defines women.
Can Sex workers have “genuine” relationships? by Jessie Abraham 2009
Recently a friend of mine needed to prove to immigration that her
relationship was genuine- now that happens all the time – but imagine
if you were also honest about your employment and your employment was
genuine, your relationship was genuine and you have to now “prove” that
being a sex worker and having a loving and meaningful relationship can
exist- no he/she is NOT a client or was a client and even if you met
them as a client- its no one else’s business really.
Immigration seem to be worried and wanting to know that you’re not
marrying your husband/ wife from another country for money, travel, or
any other beneficial reason other then love- yes pure love.
Men can love whores. Women can love whore. Trans can love whores. Men
can be totally head over heels in love with a whore- I’ve seen it with
my own eyes! Yes! Even if she/he has sex with other men/women for
money.
Allot of men love whores because they can be the most compassionate
people on this earth- they also can be empowered, independent, not
clingy or needy, don’t ask you for money since they have their own, are
open and experimental in bed so you don’t get bored, some are funny,
considerate, have amazing life experiences and stories to tell, have
travelled the world or the country and have great negotiation skills,
life skills, survival skills, communication skills, some are great at
time management and boundaries- sex workers became fantastic with
switching hats or rather wigs in this case. – did I mention that most
sex workers are really comfy with being naked?? yup a partner that has
body confidence-SCORE!
Most Sex workers are intutive, perceptive, protective, supportive,
encouraging, helpful, caring, home loving, ( or hotel hating!) devoted
and dependable, imaginatie, sensitive, self reliant, Compassionate and
nicer than EVERYONE ELSE…. lol ok … thats actually what a magnet
says tht cancerians are.. and I’m a cancerian and I believe all of
that… but it’s also how I think of many of the sex workers I know. (
I know know ALLOT!)
Sex work is simply acting and you need to know what to say to when and
you need to lie outta your teeth sometimes in the bedroom “Yes!!! that
feels WHORE-SUM- I’m going to have a WHORE-GASM” – actually no I can’t
feel your tiny thin pecker at all, but it’s better than a huge 10 inch
cock knocking my cervix into my ribs- it’s not actually about me- it’s
about you and the $300 sitting in the corner that you paid me that will
pay my rent/ my childrens school fees or that pretty dress I saw on the
way here”
Just because we are sex worker doesn’t been we don’t know how to give
and receive love. I used to think that I’m “too complex, too HARD to
love” I didn’t even want anyone else to “ feel burdened about my lust,
my craziness, my lifestyle, and what to actually do if you have fallen
in love with a sex worker” or “it’s just too complicated” with these
thoughts brought on toxic relationships one after another- I didn’t
feel deserving of love- that wan’t because I was a whore- it’s because
I was hanging around with losers! I didn’t really give myself a good
chance to experience what real love was all about. But TRUST and
HONESTLY is incredibly important in any relationship, let alone a
relationship that involves a sex worker.
What is love? Well since its 2009 I googled the question what is love and wikipedia.org showed me this answer:
As an abstract concept, love usually refers to a deep, ineffable
feeling of tenderly caring for another person. Even this limited
conception of love, however, encompasses a wealth of different
feelings, from the passionate desire and intimacy of romantic love to
the nonsexual emotional closeness of familial and platonic love to the
profound oneness or devotion of religious love Love in its various
forms acts as a major facilitator of interpersonal relationships and,
owing to its central psychological importance, is one of the most
common themes in the creative arts.
In other words: do they make your tummy dance when you receive a text message from them?
Do you spend time day dreaming about the future with them?
Do they make you smile and make you feel good about yourself?
Do they take the time to spend time with you and communicate their wants, needs and feelings when they do spend time with you?
What does it mean when your boyfriend/ girlfriends/ transfriend is
actually ok with your work- some people would say “How can you “let
her/him” do it?” Because clearly your partner loves you FOR YOU and
understands it’s simply a job like any other job.
Sex workers are the most compassionate and empathetic humans on earth!
Why do you think that so many nurses are sex workers and the high
number of sex workers that also are qualified to work with people with
disabilities/ elderly ? Like myself, I’ve been told time and time again
when I was paraplegic care worker, “I was special, only a special
person could do that job- you know dealing all those bodily functions
and needing ALLOT of patience”
So why the hell has not ONE person said that to me about being a sex worker? Not anyone can be a sex worker you know!
Sex workers make wonderful partners, if you don’t like the norm, like
to be kept on your toes, if you like giving and receiving massages,
have open minded sex, maybe since they are very good at boundaries you
may be lucky to do the things that “other” partners won’t do- but one
thing I can guarantee – ummm well since sex workers are all different
types of people I can’t think of something I can guarantee- other than
you will have the time of your life and even simply knowing a sex
worker and understand their work and life choices WILL make you a
better person 
So the verdict is…. Yes Immigration crew- past and present Sex
workers can give and receive love and also be fab souls xx Also they
can be amazing long term partners, mothers and fathers and aunty and
uncles…
Jessie Abraham 2009
–
Jessica Yee
Director, Native Youth Sexual Health Network
Chair, First Nations, Inuit, Métis Committee, Canadians for Choice
jessica.j.yee@gmail.com
jyee@nativeyouthsexualhealth.com
www.nativeyouthsexualhealth.com
The Creative Journey – Artist Pamela Masik Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Vancouver artist Pamela Masik in Gastown yesterday, at the unveiling of Mona — the first of 69 paintings she created depicting missing Downtown Eastside women. Mona will be on display at the new Terminus building on Water Street.
Art honours slain women
Mona Wilson’s face can be seen in the Downtown Eastside again for the first time since she went missing in 2001.
A giant painting of the woman — who was murdered by Robert Pickton — was unveiled in Gastown yesterday by Vancouver artist Pamela Masik.
Mona is the first of 69 massive paintings of missing inner city women to be unveiled by the local artist, who called the project “overwhelming.”
“Some of the things I did early in the work were to re-enact the death of some of the women who were linked to the Pickton case,” Masik said, explaining that in some cases she slashed the canvas. “It was almost as if I was birthing them and then recreating their death and then healing them, stitching them up.”
Bruce Curtiss, manager of Vancouver ministries for Union Gospel Mission, said the project will have a “profound, immediate and life-long effect on” women in the community. “As these paintings are revealed it’s saying (we’re) allowed to remember. We’re allowed to feel and shed tears.”
Masik has launched a program called The Creative Journey, which will be run out of the Union Gospel Mission, to allow women to express themselves through art.
Linda Westley, who has been a patron and volunteer at the Mission since 2003, said that by breathing life back into the 69 missing women, Masik has reaffirmed that they were important, and that they lived.
Run time
• The Creative Journey will run once a week for eight weeks starting next month.
