Naked ambition: PONY Adelaide owner plans ‘penis protest’ to strip away coronavirus nudity ban
Adult entertainers already hit hard by the rise of coronavirus say a ban on nudity is stripping them of their livelihoods – so they’ve launched a campaign to have the rules softened.
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Adult entertainers are struggling to make ends meet in light of COVID-19 directions, forcing one club owner to start a campaign to have restrictions lightened.
PONY Adelaide male strip club owner Matthew Bruno, who goes by drag queen alias Shania Twatt, has started campaign ‘Free Willy’ and plans to host a ‘penis protest’ to encourage SA Police and the State Government into changing the rules.
Mr Bruno, an advocate for the industry, said current restrictions prevented nudity, so strippers have been unable to pocket as much money through private dances.
Clubs had also taken a hit as patron numbers dwindle.
Mr Bruno said the adult entertainment industry had been “forgotten” and was suffering, with his employees sometimes losing up to $300 per shift.
“If people can’t get a show and be the entertained the way they should be, they are not going to pay the overhead to get in (to a club), and they definitely are not going to pay to see guys or girls for a dance if they can’t see … you know,” Mr Bruno said.
“But how are you going to get COVID from someone getting naked, especially if there is 1.5m distance?
“And it has affected businesses as well – every show now I have to say ‘look, we have restrictions but once they are lifted you can come back on us’.”
Full nude adult entertainment is not currently permitted unless the premises has a COVID Management Plan approved by SA Health, which Mr Bruno, whose venue is on Hindley St, has submitted.
Current COVID-19 restrictions prevent strippers from taking off all their clothes, there must be social distancing and full nude private dances are not allowed.
Adult entertainers told the Sunday Mail customers “were not interested” in paying for private dances without nudity.
Some strippers have been forced to get additional jobs to pay bank loans.
Mr Bruno has suggested the protest, which has been backed by other city entertainers, be held at Hindley St police station or steps of Parliament House.
“The State Government needs to look at us like any other commercial, viable business because we pay taxes, bring income and people into the city,” Mr Bruno said.
“At the end of the day, the majority of (entertainers) are young students who are trying to get through university or … just put food on the table.”
Female entertainer Ashlee Anderson, who works at Pole Position on Pirie St, Fem Netic and Heavenly Distractions, backed Mr Bruno’s protest plan.
She said female strippers were making half of what they would normally make, if not less.
“Unlike the male industry where they get paid for their shows, the girls have to hustle to make any money,” Ms Anderson said.
“There are nights where you could be walking away with nothing and the shifts are minimum six hours a night, so a lot of girls aren’t coping financially or mentally due to this.
“You can go get an hour massage, so I don’t understand why we can’t give a 10-30 minute lap dance – keep the numbers capped, keep the 1.5m rule where applicable, but let us do our job so we can earn money again.”
Sex Industry Network (SIN) general manager Kat Morrison said the current restrictions had compounded mental health, homelessness and poverty issues within the industry.
“Adult entertainers have experienced changes in directives which have been confusing and, at times, inexplicable,” Ms Morrison said.
“The sex industry must be treated with equity under any easing of restrictions guidelines, in order for a skilled work force to be able to earn a liveable income.”
An SA Police spokesman said COVID restrictions were continually being evaluated.
“As has been said on a number of occasions, no restriction will be left in place any longer than necessary,” the spokesman said.
SA Health declined to comment.
Last month, Greenacres Football Club was fined $5060 for breaching COVID-19 directions after a private function hired strippers without a COVID-19 management plan.