Protesters gathered in the Octagon on Friday 13th to rally behind strippers and sex workers who claimed unfair treatment by Dunedin strip club Stilettos. All claims made against Stilettos and its manager Tabitha have been unconfirmed by the club, who have refused to comment on the matter.
The protest was led by former worker Kitten Pasta (“Kitty”) who alleges that Stilettos is “exploitative and abusive” following recent events. “We’re not going to be quiet about it,” Kitty told Critic. “Just because you hired a bunch of hot bitches does not mean you hired a bunch of dumb bitches.”
It started small when management said that the minimum dance time was 10 minutes, instead of the 7 that’s stipulated in their contract. Reviewing their contracts further, the workers noticed more issues with the contract – and two were promptly fired that same week. Two weeks later, Kitty said she also got the sack, while the rest received warnings.
Kitty’s stripping career began at the age of eighteen. A rejection from McDonald’s, allegedly because she’s disabled (“jazz hands”) caused her to apply for a job at Stilettos. “So many guys would pay to get a selfie from me and I thought, ‘I have nice tits, I’ll just be a stripper,’” Kitty said.
Initially the environment was welcoming and supportive – but it quickly changed. “I guess it’s kind of like love bombing. They teach you things for free, they want you to have fun but after a while it gets worse and worse,” Kitty said. Stag-dos could become unsafe environments for dancers, according to Kitty.
Strippers at the protest were backed by others who showed up in support. One non-stripper protester, Zenith, told Critic, “Sex is part of everyone’s lives. Sex work is going to exist, so, like all businesses, it should be run ethically. Currently, Stilettos are not being run ethically.” Protestors also suggested that the victimisation of sex workers had contributed to their mistreatment: “We end up not talking about it and don’t treat it as a legit business when it is.”
Caress, another protestor, echoed Zenith’s words. They were there out of support for a friend who had been among those claiming unfair dismissal from Stilettos nightclub. “We came out here today to let them know enough is enough. My heart breaks for my friend and all the girls who have been unfairly dismissed,” said Caress.
Eddie, another protestor and “errand boy” (goes around and grabs what is needed and helps set up the pole) told Critic Te Ārohi that Stilettos is rather “blasé about legality” and “dehumanising about sex work, even when one of the owners is a sex worker.”
The eventual goal for Kitty is both to get new management for Stilletos and educate people (students specifically) on stripper etiqutte and sex work. “There is an incel culture online and, unfortunately, male students will see strippers trying to get rights and say, ‘Strippers just have big boobs and are dumb’ when a good amount of their classmates are, have or will be strippers,” said Kitty.
Strippers at the protest – gathered around a makeshift stripper pole – shared that they felt the support of the people. “There is a good community – especially the queer community that are [showing support] for sex workers and their rights,” said Kitty.
It’s not just Stilettos according to Kitty: “Adulto HR Limited owns XYZ Bar, Pole Party, Pleasers Massage Parlour and Club Risque. The bar owes staff thousands of dollars in wages. The parlour doesn’t often have security, and the kink club is where a lot of predatory behaviour from Tabitha can happen to girls.”
Stilettos did not respond in time for comment.