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We Honor the Roots of Pole Dance​

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At Wild Orchid, we honor and celebrate the intertwined history of pole dancing and stripping. While dancing with a pole has existed in many cultures and forms throughout time, the style and expression of pole dance as we know it in the Western world today is deeply rooted in the artistry of strippers. From seductive heel clacks and body rolls to powerful floorwork and stage presence, much of what we now call “pole dance” was created, refined, and boldly performed by sex workers—often in the face of social stigma and marginalization.

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To practice pole without acknowledging these roots would be to erase the very people who pioneered this movement and made space for its evolution. Wild Orchid is proudly stripper-owned and operated, and several members of our team have experience working in clubs. We do not distance ourselves from these origins—we embrace them.

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We believe that stripping is skilled, creative, and legitimate labor—and that sex workers deserve respect, rights, and protection. We also recognize that many of the privileges afforded to mainstream pole dancers today—such as being able to train publicly, compete, or teach—have not always been granted to the very people who shaped this art form.

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At Wild Orchid, we are committed to resisting whorephobia and dismantling the stigma that still surrounds sex work. We uplift the voices, stories, and contributions of sex workers in our community and beyond. Whether you’ve danced in clubs, on stages, or in studios, your movement is welcome here. Your body is welcome here. You are welcome here.

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Pole dance is powerful because of its history—because of the women, femmes, and queer folks who claimed their bodies, their sensuality, and their strength in spaces that didn’t always feel safe. We honor that legacy with deep reverence.

 

We invite our community to remember: this practice exists because strippers made it visible, made it beautiful, made it irresistible.

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Let us never forget who moved first.

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Why should pole dancers care about sex workers’ rights?

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Although pole dancing has grown to include people besides strippers, we would be complicit in the daily violence against sex workers if we failed to acknowledge the origin of modern pole dance and its aesthetics. We see it as the responsibility of all pole dancers to protect the people more marginalized than us, whether that means standing for strippers’ rights if you’re not a sex worker, or respecting full service sex workers if you’re a dancer. Punching down at people who endure the most stigma will not solve the systemic misogyny that trickles over to pole dance in general.

How can pole dancers advocate for sex workers’ rights?

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Education is a powerful tool for stopping the spread of harmful ideas and misinformation, and every pole dancer can arm themselves with credible, vetted sources. Responding to sensitive inquiries about pole dancing in a way that is empathetic to sex work is equally as impactful. Beyond these basic first steps, you can also get involved in political advocacy by donating to stripper labor movements, tipping sex workers who educate you, and getting involved in movements that are mobilizing against SESTA/FOSTA.

10 ways pole dancers can be allies

1.

Take the time to educate yourself and others, and don’t contribute to the stigma. Check out our links and recommended book list below!

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Don’t use harmful and unnecessary hashtags like #notastripper. 

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Donate money to fund sex worker-run organizations, businesses, and programs. To start, you can check out our list of recommended orgs below. Also, your donation is tax deductible!

5.

Support full decriminalization of consensual sex work in your community. 

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Acknowledge the historical influence of stripping in modern pole dance. 

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Sign petitions for the repeal of SESTA/FOSTA and vote.

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Attend Wild Orchid and Bloomington events that are raising funds for sex worker rights.

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Respect the privacy of any sex worker at Wild Orchid and beyond.

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Remember that you will never be a perfect ally. Progress is an ongoing mission. Acknowledge your mistakes, continue to educate yourself, and take corrections gracefully.

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