Abuse on the strip

Abuse on the strip

A showgirl’s duties vary considerably — standard shows, handing out flyers in the club or just standing in the corner looking pretty.

We shine wherever we are put and are a magnet to anyone passing by, which is a fabulous marketing tool clubs use.

I’ve been working on the door at the Colombian Hotel on Friday nights, after I finish my shows upstairs. I open the ropie thing to let people out and stamp them on the way in.

Primarily I’m there to show there is something happening at the club and be a friendly face. People stop to chat and I get a lot of smiles, even from passers-by.

There is the odd stare, or mumble of ‘What the’ but on the whole I have been pleasantly surprised.

Until last weekend. Weekend after Mardi Gras was going to be slow for everyone, but it seems where the punters aren’t in clubs, others replace them. These are called the ‘dickheads’. Many of them like to travel in cars very slowly along

Oxford St, hurling abuse or homophobic comments at anyone who is a little different.

As I worked the door, a green Corolla stopped at the lights just in front of me, filled with four 20-something boys. It took them a while to register what I was, but as soon as they saw ‘drag queen’, out it came.

“What the fuck are you, faggot?” and other choice phrases, then badly miming gun and shooting actions towards me.

I put on my biggest smile and gave them a huge wave, making sure I drew as much attention to them as I could. Soon I had the whole smoking section and those in the line looking.

The Corolla spluttered off and off they went to yell at someone else, I’m sure.

Is this something we have to just live with? I saw two other similar cases that Friday and the following Saturday. One was from a car full of girls, which I didn’t understand.

Unless seen, reporting to police is useless. Should we write down number plates and post in a public area?  I’m lost on this topic and would be open to suggestions — one day they may not be miming the gun motion.

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One response to “Abuse on the strip”

  1. Sadly if we post anyone’s car number plates online we are likely to be prosecuted for/and or accused of an invasion of privacy. Yet it is these same dickheads that will bash some poor bugger just for fun.

    If they are making shooting noises and or actions then they could be legitimately reported to the police as they are threatening to harm someone. At least the AVP should be informed. As the police have said before – it is intelligence they can use if a crime is committed.

    And one day it could be you, me or one of our friends that is getting bashed by these fuckwits.